FOXNews.com: 6 Ways to make your apartment more secure

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6 Ways to make your apartment more secure Oct 30th 2012, 19:16 Having an apartment of your own is a wonderful thing, but it's also a great deal of responsibility. Apartment security is something that's easily overlooked, particularly by new renters, but it shouldn't be. After all, you want to feel safe in your home. So, here are six ways to make your apartment more secure: Detector checkup It goes without saying that you should have both a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector in your apartment. These detectors may never set off an alarm in your lifetime, but if they do they could save your life. However, there's no chance of hearing an alarm if the batteries are dead. Make sure to test out your detectors when you move in to confirm that the batteries are functioning, and change the batteries twice a year, when daylight savings time changes. Outer security If you live in a multiple-unit building, make sure that the locks on the outer doors work. They're your first line of defense -- you don't want just anyone to be able to wander into your building. If the exterior lock is working, you'll have already stopped many potential trouble-makers. If there's any problem with the lock, it is the responsibility of the building's owner to fix it, so you need to notify him or her immediately when you discover that the lock is broken. Buzzer caution If someone you don't know buzzes and wants to be let into your building, don't play a nice guy and let them in. Be a good neighbor and ignore the buzzer, or go downstairs and see who they are. Otherwise, you're subjecting your building to all kinds of peddlers and nuisance, and more seriously, people who may harass other residents in the building or who may be looking for a good opportunity for a break-in. Deadbolt double-check Make sure your apartment door has a deadbolt. If it doesn't, complain. Why? Deadbolts are what keep doors shut against intruders. Also, make sure the deadbolt is sturdy and well-installed. A poorly installed deadbolt or a dinky deadbolt that barely extends into the doorframe can easily be overcome by an experienced burglar. In contrast, a high-quality deadbolt requires a lot of force before it can be broken. However, much like with the detectors, the best deadbolt in the world won't do you any good if you don't lock your door. Peephole confirmation Make sure it's clear and not painted over (a frequent problem.) And use it every time someone knocks. If you don't recognize who's knocking, don't open the door. First-floor rules If you live on the first floor of a building, you need to take extra precautions. Make sure all the windows have grates or some type of secure locking mechanism. Also, much like you wouldn't leave an iPhone in plain view in the backseat of an unattended car, don't leave your shades open when you're not home. People can look right in, and it can give them ideas. While living on your own exposes you to new risks, a common sense and a healthy dose of skepticism will go a long way to keep you safe in your first apartment. Getting burglarized is a real risk, particularly in an urban environment, but it's still rare, and having renter's insurance will offer some peace of mind. Far better than becoming jittery at the thought of a cat burglar is to take the precautions above, know you are doing your best to be safe, and stop worrying about it. Related: How to Protect Yourself Against Bad Landlords Rules of Thumb for Estimating Apartment Utility Costs 7 Handy Little Items Every First Apartment Needs MyFirstApartment.com helps novice renters successfully navigate the first year of living on their own. The blog shares proven tips and tricks for everything from finding the perfect rental or roommate, to furnishing on a small budget or no budget, to dealing with landlords or roommate's girlfriends. Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow. Click to view original  post.

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