Cambridge wants to make sure you�re taken care of and offer some friendly advice to make your apartment a place where you�ll feel safe and secure.  Here are some DO and DON�T suggestions to make your personal safety and apartment living much safer.

• Do�Learn and use your alarm settings, if your apartment is equipped with a unit.
• Do�Purchase renter�s insurance, or check to see if you are covered by your family�s policy.
• Do�Make sure the locks on all doors leading into your apartment are in good working order.  You may want to make duplicates of your keys, but most apartment owners, including Cambridge forbid additional copies being made for anyone else.  This includes your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend and parents.  Keep keys in your hands only.  
• Do�Report any suspicious activity.  If you observe people or activities that are out of the ordinary you are encouraged to contact the Police Department so they can investigate.  This includes when you see a stranger loitering around your apartment or acting strangely.  Also report anyone sitting in a car for a long period of time.  It is better to have the situation checked out then risk your safety.
• Do�Stay alert when entering your apartment.  Don�t talk on your cell phone or look preoccupied when walking toward your building.  Criminals look for a weak target and are more likely to pass up people who appear focused and sure of themselves.
• Do�Report lighting issues in common areas to your landlord. 
• Do�Inventory the description, serial number and cost of your valuables.  Keep a copy of the records online or in a fire-proof locked box. Pictures of your big ticket items attached to the receipt will make potential insurance claims much easier.
• Do�Purchase a few inexpensive timers and set them to turn your lights on when you�re gone in the evening. 
• Do�Take in your mail, newspaper and packages on a daily basis.
• Do�Get to know the people in your building. 
• Do�Notify a trusted neighbor if you are going to be gone for more than a couple of days.  Also inform your management company and any security personnel who work in your building of your absence.
• Do�Lock your windows and doors when you go to bed or leave the apartment.  Unlocked windows are the easiest way for criminals to enter a building.
• Do�Check your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.

• Don�t�Buzz people in, or allow anyone access to the building that you do not know.
• Don�t�Put your apartment key on the same ring as your car key.  Keep them separate so                that if your house keys are stolen the robber won�t have access to your car and vice versa.
• Don�t�Leave valuables in the windows of your apartment or car.  Place valuables in storage whenever possible.
• Don�t�Leave notes for roommates or guests on the door advertising that you are gone but will be home soon.
• Don�t�Leave your clothing unattended in the laundry room.  As much of a pain as it can be you should always hang around when your clothing is being washed or dried.  Laundry can easily be stolen from unattended machines.
• Don�t�Prop the lobby door open or allow others to do so.
• Don�t�Leave your car or apartment door unlocked, not even for a minute. 
  
  Additional safety tips can be found online at http://www.bradley.edu/police/
  
  SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU