If you read the news much, you'll come across stories of increased crime across the state. It's easy to find yourself wondering what you can do to stay safe in your apartment complex while living your day-to-day life. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while living in your apartment complex.

Check Yourself First

One of the first things that you can easily change is your actions and habits. Do you find yourself noticeably distracted when walking in the dark from your car to your front door? Catching up with your close friend about their hard day at work may seem like you're maximizing what little time you may have, but you are actually making yourself a potential target.

Tip: Always give your full attention to the environment and people around you when you are walking by yourself.

Lock It Up

It might seem like a quick trip to the mailbox or to your next door neighbor’s for a cup of sugar shouldn't require you to lock up your apartment, but in truth you should to avoid easy access for somebody to enter your apartment.

Tip: Whenever you leave your apartment (for whatever duration of time) or when you are sleeping you should always lock your windows, doors and your vehicle.

Smart Parking

When you get home from work and arrive at your Hignell Rentals apartment complex, the last thing on your mind is where you should park your car. But if you aren't assigned a parking space at your complex and parking is limited pay attention to the time of day you come and go, distance to your apartment, and lighting. A dark space puts your at risk for theft. Parking lots in apartment complexes can have many hiding spaces that you should be mindful of and constantly checking when you're walking to and from your vehicle.

Tip: Whenever possible, park your vehicle or lock your bike in a well-lit area - a high traffic area is ideal.

Key Hiding

It's common for people to have a hide-a-key for convenience. This gives easy access to people who you trust to enter your apartment without you needing to be present or is helpful if you lock yourself out or lose your keys. 

Tip: Don’t hide your key in an obvious place where someone would think to look.

Get To Know Your Neighbors

Your neighbors can be great allies in keeping you and your apartment safe. You can potentially have another person watching out for you and notifying you of anything that seems out-of-the-ordinary.

Tip: Meet your neighbors, exchange numbers and get a feel for what their schedule is like. You can also ask them to keep an eye out for any unusual activity.

Use The Buddy System

It may seem weird to use a similar rule that you had in grade school, but there can be more safety in numbers. Have a pet that you need to take on a night walk before bedtime? Take a friend with you. Need to get your laundry done in the complex’s laundry room after you get off work? Ask a neighbor to do theirs at the same time as you. It may seem like a bother but the fewer times you are doing things in the dark by yourself the better.

Tip: Go on walks, check mail, use laundry room etc. with a friend.

Remember to always report any suspicious activity to the authorities. It's always better to be safe than sorry. If you see any broken lights or safety hazards around your apartment complex report it to your apartment manager.

At Hignell Rentals, we want all of our residents and others in the community to stay safe. For more tips like these, subscribe to our blog above!

Don't live in a Hignell Rentals apartment and want to? Check out our available Chico and Redding apartment rentals!