GET THE INSURANCE AND GET PREVENTATIVE

Although having renters insurance is the ultimate safety net, preventing the loss or damage to your property is key. Fire and theft are two of the most common reasons for needing renters insurance. Both incidents are unfortunate but preventable.

Crime Prevention Tips

• Whether you're at home or not, keep the doors and windows locked at all times.
  
• Check with your landlord or superintendent to verify that your door locks have been changed since the previous renter.
  
• Keep garage doors closed and locked. This not only protects the valuables inside the garage but prevents access to the inside of your residence.
  
• When you're not at home make it look as if you are. Leave lights on when you go out or keep a radio going. Anything that will make the burglar think you're home may deter him/her from entering.
  
• If you live in an apartment complex, get to know those who live around you. The recognition of a face is helpful when determining a neighbor from a stranger.
  
• Arrange for local police to complete an apartment security survey.
  
• Always notify management when you discover a burnt out light bulb or dark corridors.

Fire Prevention Tips

• Know where your fire extinguisher is. It is a general requirement for apartment complexes to have an extinguisher in each apartment but being able to access it at a moments notice is key.
  
• Your chances of dying in a home fire are cut in half if you have a working smoke alarm. Although batteries should be changed once a year, physically test the smoke alarm once a month. Don't wait for maintenance to do it on their schedule.
  
• The National Fire Alarm Code requires a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level and outside each sleeping area of your home.
  
• Emergency procedures. If you are renting a house you may have more "escape routes" than one would have in an apartment. No matter where you live, you should always have an escape plan and practice it.

2. 2010