Tag: Safety

How to Keep Your Stuff Safe While You’re Away for the Holidays

The holiday season is here, and for many of you, that means an extended break from your apartment. We do everything that we can do ensure the safety and well-being of our tenants and their homes. We carefully screen our applicants to ensure that those with criminal records or drug convictions do not obtain a lease with us. Unfortunately, home invasions and burglary traditionally reach their peak during the holidays so we encourage you to be vigilant and follow these tips to deter break-ins while you’re away.

#1 Stop your mail if you’re leaving for more than 5 days.
Other than avoiding the potential frustration of coming home to a pile of mail and newspapers, this tip can protect your home. By keeping your mail from piling up, would be burglars are more likely to be unaware of your absence.

If you haven’t already, get renters insurance!
This one is applicable for the entire year, not just the holidays! Protect yourself in case of the worst. Read more about it here.

Have a friend or neighbor check in.
If you will be away for a while, notify a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home. Let your trusted confidant know of your travel plans and if you can have them check in on your apartment in your absence. Be sure to get them a nice gift to reward them for their help!

Unplug appliances.
Sure, your toaster may seem harmless,but unexpected electrical accidents can cause a fire that can potentially destroy an unattended apartment. Be safe and unplug all unnecessary appliances.

Use a timer
A indoor timer can be purchased at most hardware stores and be used to make it appear someone is home. You can plug in radios, televisions and lights so that the home looks occupied. A well-lit area is one way to deter crime so keep a light on at night if possible.

Test and examine each latch, lock, window and door.
Look to see if there are solid core doors, peep holes on entry doors, and securely fastened window locks.

If there are sliding glass doors, invest in a secondary locking device
This can be as simple as a broom stick that prevents the door from opening or as complex as “Charley Bars” pin-locking mechanisms or anti-lift measures to prevent the door from being lifted from the tracks.

Never hesitate to report any suspicious activity you may see in and around our properties (or on campus). Program these numbers into your phone and keep them somewhere visible so you can quickly call for help if needed (you can also call 911).
University Police Station – 541-682-8350

After you report any suspicious activity to the police, report it to us by calling the von Klein Emergency # – 541-686-0743

Sources:
10 Tips for Safe and Secure Apartment Living 
5 Apartment Safety Tips to Help You Sleep Easy 
Apartment Safety and Security 

 

 

Hosting a Gathering? 8 Ways to Do it Responsibly

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Now that warmer weather is here to stay (for a while anyway) and the spring term will soon be wrapping up, graduations are happening, and lots of you are are eager to celebrate!

We are all for celebrations and fun, but urge our tenants to be responsible to avoid unnecessary damage,  fines, or worse-injury and jail time. Remember that you can be held responsible for the actions of your guests and an out of control party can cost you hundreds of dollars in both criminal and civil fines.

Here are some tips on how to host a gathering without risking fines or even jail time.

1. Know and respect local laws and ordinances.

Here are just some common offenses listed by the Eugene Police Department you need to be aware of:

Allowing Alcohol Consumption by Minors: No person who exercises control of private real property shall knowingly allow a minor to drink alcohol on the property or remain on the property after consuming. Offense: Violation Fine: Up to $1,000

Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor: No one shall sell, give, or otherwise make available any
alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years. Offense: Class A Misd. Fine: Up to $6,250 (jailable)

Disorderly Conduct: With intent to cause public inconvenience or annoyance or recklessly creating a risk thereof: a) Engages in fighting or violent behavior; b) Makes unreasonable noise; c) Disturbs any lawful assembly; d) Obstructs any vehicular or pedestrian traffic; e) Refuses to disperse when ordered to do so; f) Initiates or circulates a report known to be false regarding fire, crime or other emergency; g) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition. Offense: Crime Fine: Up to $1,000 (jailable)

Open Container/ Consumption in Public: Consumption of alcoholic liquor or possession of an open alcoholic beverage container is prohibited in all public places and all private property extended to the public for use. Offense: Crime Fine: Up to $500 (jailable)

Prohibited Noise: Intentionally or recklessly creating or continuing any noise disturbance (meaning any sound which injures or endangers the safety or health of a human, or which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities). Operating or permitting the use or operation of any device designed for sound production between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is plainly audible within another dwelling; the same applies on public property or right-of-ways if it is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more.

2. Be considerate to your neighbors.

If you are hosting a gathering, the most responsible thing you can do is to talk to your neighbors before you have your party. Tell them your plans, and give them a telephone number and the name of the person to contact if there is a problem (and be responsive to their calls!).

3. Keep it small.

Your house or apartment is designed to accommodate a certain number of people. Your gathering
should not exceed the capacity of your home. Remember,more guests equals more responsibility. “Come one, come all” parties usually result in police contact. Don’t let random people who are walking around looking for a party into your house.

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4. Be cooperative with any neighbor, police, or other concerned person who might come by to discuss a problem.

5. End your party at a reasonable time.

6. Clean up after your party.

7. Drink Responsibly.

Very very important!  As the party host, you are liable for your guests.  If you choose to serve alcohol, ensure that you only serve to persons 21 years of age or older or you could risk serious consequences. Ensure people don’t drive under the influence (a person riding a bicycle under the influence also may be arrested for DUII). Arrange for transportation by a designated driver before anyone drinks. Make sure arrangements are understood by everyone.

8. In case of emergency, have these numbers handy:

Eugene Police Department
9-1-1 Emergencies/crimes in progress
682-5111 Non-emergency Police
682-5137 Crime prevention
682-8350 13th & Alder police station

University Campus/DPS
346-5444 Dept. of Public Safety
346-0653 Assault Prevention Shuttle
346-3216 Office of Student Life

Article Sources

Eugene Police Department

University of Oregon: “Throwing a Party?”

photo credit: missmareck via photopin cc

photo credit: marsmet553 via photopin cc

Keep Your Rental Home or Apartment Secure for the Holidays

The BurglarNow that the holidays are here, we want to take a few minutes to remind all of our tenants to enjoy the season, but to be safe.  Renters are often more vulnerable to break-ins during the holidays since so many leave town to visit family and friends for extended period of time.

While we do everything on our end to ensure the safety of our tenants by installing secure door and window locks, well lit parking lots, and in some properties providing gated underground parking and keycard access, we encourage you to take a few minutes to do a security “audit” to diminish the chances of experiencing an unfortunate break-in or robbery during the holiday season.

Whether you are traveling for several days or just going out for an errand, take a few minutes to ensure that your home is secure against any intruders. 

Here are some things to remember:

  • The majority of apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are away at work or at school. Burglaries also occur at night when there are obvious signs that no one is home.
  • Most apartment burglars are looking for things that are small, expensive, and can easily be converted to cash. Items like cash, jewelry, guns, watches, laptop computers, and other small electronic devices are high on the list.
  • More than 30% of all apartment burglars gained access through an open door or window. Ordinary household tools like screwdrivers, channel-lock pliers, small pry bars, and small hammers are most often used by burglars.
  • The burglar’s selection process is simple. Choose an unoccupied apartment with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes. What follows is a list of suggestions to minimize your risk by making your home unattractive to potential burglars.

Source: www.crimedoctor.com

Be vigilant and follow these tips to deter criminals:

  • Never hesitate to report any suspicious activity you may see in and around our properties (or on campus).  Program these numbers into your phone and keep them somewhere visible so you can quickly call for help if needed (you can also call 911). University Police Station – 541-682-8350  After you report any suspicious activity to the police, report it to us by calling the von Klein Emergency # – 541-686-0743
  • Don’t leave a key underneath your door mat or a rock. Most intruders know all the hiding spots so instead, leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor.
  • NEVER leave your apartment door unlocked, even if you are leaving for a few moments to obtain something from you car, get the mail or take out the trash. Someone lurking nearby could gain access quickly.
  • Use a timer (an inexpensive purchase from a hardware store) for radios, televisions and lights so that the home looks occupied. If you will be away for a while, notify a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home.
  • A well-lit area is one way to deter crime so keep a light on at night if possible. If you notice that a light is out on our property or parking lots, please notify our office.
  • Do not leave valuable items visible in your home or car.  Close your blinds at night and keep your car doors locked and park in well lighted areas if possible.
  • Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself to them, get to know who they are and try look out for each other. If your neighbors know who you are, they are more likely to report possible criminal activity and get some help.
  • Test and examine each latch, lock, window and door. Look to see if there are solid core doors, peep holes on entry doors, and securely fastened window locks.
  • If there are sliding glass doors, invest in a secondary locking device– it can be as simple as a broom stick that prevents the door from opening or as complex as “Charley Bars” pin-locking mechanisms or anti-lift measures to prevent the door from being lifted from the tracks.

Sources:
10 Tips for Safe and Secure Apartment Living 
5 Apartment Safety Tips to Help You Sleep Easy 
Apartment Safety and Security 

photo credit: Eastlaketimes via photopin cc