Safety Checklist for your New Apartment

As the city renowned for its mantra, “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas,” you don’t want “what happens” to mean anything bad to your new rental. Before moving day, you should check out your place, since simple things like a crack in the ceiling or the location of smoke alarms often go unnoticed during an initial viewing. Here are some of our easy tips of what to look for in your new bright-light and big city pad.

• Talk to the landlord about the nearest fire extinguishers. One should be centrally located for you to access; know where it is.
• Smoke alarm check. Go through the apartment and do a smoke alarm inventory. Do have one in each room and hallway? If you're missing any, ask the landlord about them. If they're there, talk to the landlord about replacing the batteries, and test them every month.
• Before moving in, ask about having the locks rekeyed.
• Install deadbolts on exterior doors.
• Nevada requires that there are GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles in all baths and kitchens. If your apartment is in a building, it might not be up to code. Ask your landlord if they’re compliant with the requirements.
• Consider renters insurance to protect your belongings or your personal liability.
• Make sure your windows have keyed locks or security pins or nails in addition to standard locks.
• If you have a balcony with sliding doors, that’s an easy way for burglars to break in. Ask your landlord about installing anti-lift and anti-slide devices on them, especially if your place is on the ground floor.
• Be particularly careful with basement windows; they should have extra protection, such as metal bars or be made of burglar-resistant glazing to discourage intruders. For fire safety, however, they should have quick-release mechanisms to allow for a quick escape in case of fire.
• Don’t place anything valuable items near windows or glass doors; glass can easily be broken for entry.
• Is the oven and broiler clean? This can be a fire hazard if not.
• Double check with your moving date and time needed. There may be some flexibility if a tenant leaves earlier. You never know until you ask.