Renting an apartment in Uptown Minneapolis means you are within walking distance from incredible restaurants, shopping, and all the outdoor activities at Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, but whether you’re going out for a jog or meeting friends for brunch, it can be easy to leave yourself vulnerable to safety risks. While you certainly don’t want to be fearful to get out and live your life, it’s important to take precautions, which is why we are sharing simple things you can do to improve your personal safety whether you’re out and about or at home.
Staying Safe While You’re Outdoors
Uptown Minneapolis has so much to offer all in one neighborhood and you don’t want to miss out on any of it. With these tips for staying safe when you’re outdoors, being cautious won’t impact your ability to take advantage of the benefits of living in this thriving, exciting neighborhood.
Stay Situationally Aware
The most important thing you can do is always be aware of your surroundings. While you may want to pop your AirPods in to listen to a podcast on your walk or text a friend on your way to brunch, it’s much safer to listen and watch what is happening around you. Not only will you be aware of suspicious or threatening activity as criminals often look for “easy targets,” but you’ll also be aware of other dangers including traffic, stray animals, or road hazards such as construction debris.
Walk with a Friend
There is safety in numbers so if you’re walking during the day on busy sidewalks and well-traveled paths, you are generally safe, even if you’re walking, jogging, or sitting by yourself. However, if you are going somewhere or headed home after dark or more secluded areas with less foot traffic, you should have a friend accompany you. If it’s later at night or you’ve been drinking, consider taking an Uber or Lyft to get home safely.
Carry a Safety Device
If you do walk your dog, jog regularly, or spend time outdoors, you may want to consider carrying a safety device that works for your activities. In addition to safety devices that can be used against a threat and personal alarms that can alert people around you and scare off possible threats, consider a light source that increases your visibility and illuminates the area around you. We like safety lights for runners and joggers because they are hands-free LED lights that are compact, clip onto your belt or attach to your wrist, and are great for when you’re cycling, jogging, or taking your dog for a walk.
Improving Personal Safety in Your Uptown Apartment
While break-ins and other crimes aren’t common, it’s still important to stay safe at home, especially if you live alone. These tips will help you reduce the risk of crime as well as help you feel more secure and confident in your apartment.
Add Locks to Your Doors and Windows
Check all your doors and windows to ensure they are solid and lock properly. If your door doesn’t have a deadbolt, talk to your landlord about installing one and always keep your doors locked, even when you’re home.
You can also find installation-free window locks at any home improvement store to prevent your windows from being forced open. This is especially important if you live in a garden or ground-floor unit. Many of these locks allow you to open your windows an inch or two, so if you love having fresh air flowing into your home, you can do so safely.
Know Who Is on the Other Side of the Door
Before you open the door, always know who is on the other side, whether you’re looking through the peephole or you have a chain lock on the door. Also, this is not a time to worry about good manners – ask for ID from visitors you don’t know and if you feel unsafe about letting them in, simply refuse. If it’s someone your landlord has sent over to do maintenance or pest control, call your landlord to double-check rather than taking the person at the door’s word.
Avoid Posting Your Activities Online
Whether you’re going out for the night or taking a vacation for a week, avoid posting about it on social media. You don’t know who may see that your home is unattended and use that information to break in. Instead, save the pictures and posts for when you get back.
Consider an Apartment-Friendly Security Alarm
There are several types of security alarms and systems that are ideal for an apartment. Motion sensors that use adhesive to apply over doors and windows can alert you when someone is entering your home are a simple, affordable option. There are also smart systems like Simplisafe that are easy to set up with no drilling or wires, can be armed or disarmed remotely from your smartphone, and are professionally monitored.
Keep Your Curtains or Blinds Closed
If you’re not home, keep your curtains or blinds closed so people can’t see if you’re home or not or whether you have any belongings worth stealing.
Find Your Uptown Apartment for Rent Today
Living in Uptown offers so many opportunities you don’t want to miss out on. If you’re ready to move to this exciting, thriving neighborhood, we have a variety of fantastic, spacious apartments for rent in gorgeous, historic buildings. Call us at [phone] or fill out the form below to learn more about our Uptown apartments for rent.