Security Tips for Living in the Twin Cities.

Professional locksmith advice that can help you keep yourself and your family safe while living in Minnesota. Hint: It's all about cameras and well lit corners. Safety starts with security.

Instant Lock and Key shop. As they say, this is where the magic happens!

Observe the Lighting.

Number one tip when moving into a new apartment building is to observe the lighting around the building complex. Certain buildings sometimes have dark nooks and crannies, making them perfect for criminals and individuals who have bad intentions. We can't stress how important it is to have good lighting in common areas:

• Hallways

• Parking areas

• Storage rooms

• Waste management areas

• Stairwells

• Laundry rooms

• Mailrooms

• Bonus points for elevators with cameras

If your stairwell does not have a camera in a well lit corner, we suggest using the elevator, which most likely will have a camera or at least access to a quick exit.

Entrances and Exits.

This might sound obvious, but we want to really stress this: please check all the buildings entrances and exits. Those that are in the lobby and on your apartments floor level.They should have 1 or more of the following security features:

• Peephole

• Chain lock

• Keyless codes

• Remote unlocking

• Keyless entry

• Bluetooth cameras, ideally, connected to your Iphone.

Ask management how often they change the keys and key codes. You don’t want to run the risk of a past tenant accessing your apartment. This is important as management is not always on top of this. Make sure your lease contract mentions that you will receive a new entrance code or a a re-programmed fob.

Private Security System.

Honestly, we recommend installing your own security.

Per your lease contract, drilling holes in rental apartments is not allowed, so we suggest installing a wireless alarm system. Instant Lock and Key can send out a technician to install any wireless camera or keypad. We utilize special adhesive to fix door and window sensors in place, which won't damage the property, and you can also use your smartphone for monitoring.

Example of a recently updated keyless entry system:

A bonus: having an apartment alarm system will score you lower rates on your renters insurance! We recommend Allstate for your insurance needs, for more info click here.

Reach out if you have any questions! Text us at: 347-751-3455 for a quick reply.