Dallas Apartment Blog

Archive for the 'Apartment Safety' Category

Are You New To Dallas? Try the Apartment Rentals

Friday, March 19, 2010

Apartments in Dallas are readily available for rent. You can choose from a wide variety of apartments with variable price rates. Dallas Apartment Rentals provides you with various options where you can rent an individual home or apartment that satisfies all the requirements of your family. 

Dallas Apartment Rentals are found in different parts of the city. You are free to choose from the budget apartments to the luxurious ones depending upon your finances.  The city of Dallas offers apartments on rental at areas with good accessibility. You can easily commute to your work place and other destinations like shopping places, schools, etc without any problem.

Dallas Apartment Rentals are found in some of the most important areas of the city like Montrose, Museum District, North Dallas, River Oaks, South Main and Downtown Dallas. When you are looking for good rental deals on the Dallas apartments, it is beneficial to consult professional agents. These agents are well- trained and will help you with the process of locating your preferred house and will also negotiate the rental you will have to pay.

Looking for rental apartments in a place as big as Dallas is a tedious job. The best way to get good rental Dallas apartment is to hire an agent right when you decide to look for rental apartments. The agent will help you to minimize your search by collecting your requirements and providing you with the listings that match your requirements.  The agent will also take care to see that you look at homes that are only in your budget range.  You can also get a rented accommodation with a swimming pool and spa, but that deal will surely be out of your budget range.

The city of Dallas has more than 200 community areas. If you prefer to live in downtown Dallas, the area has a range of good shopping malls and restaurants. This place is ideal for a weekend getaway with family and friends.  If you wish to be close to nature, you can afford to rent a place in the suburban areas of the city which portray an open ambiance.

This city also has cheaper rental accommodations for students in the Rice Village and Medical Center areas. You can live jointly with your classmates by renting a single room apartment as well. The varying price ranges of Dallas apartment rentals provide you with an improved choice of living according to your budget in the city of Dallas.


posted by shazaamblogs   |    0 comments

My Dallas apartment has bed bugs

Saturday, March 06, 2010

It is a plague that most of us thought was extinct and more than a few of us thought was never real in the first place. Bud bugs have again made their presence known throughout North America and all over the world. Recent studies have shown a huge explosion in the bed bug population after the 2000 Sydney Olympic games, with hotels and tight knit living spaces like apartments suffering the worst. While Dallas apartments may have only a few reported cases, cities like Vancouver, B.C., and Washington D.C., have major bed bug infestations. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself sane if you find bed bugs in your place.

First off, tell your landlord immediately. Your landlord is required by law to take care of the problem, but showing him or her some red welt-like bites you’ve gotten isn’t going to be enough. You are going to have to capture one of the bugs to show your landlord and the exterminator. To find them, simply take the sheets off of your bed and look between the mattress and the box spring. They are quite large and easy to see if you are looking in the right place.

You will be asked to pack up all of your clothes and you will likely have to toss your mattress and box spring in the garbage. If your neighbor has bed bugs already and you are afraid that you might be next, run out and get a mattress and box spring cover that will seal your things off from the bugs. These covers are very, very affordable and a great way to keep your losses down if you encounter bed bugs.

If you find that you do have bugs, it will likely take several treatments to get them under control. Ask your local pest control expert if there is anything extra you can do to speed about your apartment’s recovery.


posted by Gemma   |    1 comments

Dallas area Theft Prevention Tips

Saturday, March 06, 2010

No matter what city you live in, theft is something that is always on our minds. This can be especially true if you are living with a roommate you might not know that well, or if your apartment isn’t in the best part of Dallas. Let’s take a look at a few common sense tips you can keep in mind to reduce the chances of getting robbed.

The easiest place for a robber to break into is your car, and fewer and fewer car insurance companies are covering losses that occur during car break-ins. If you have a CD player in your car, try to keep it in a locked truck and out of the view of a passer by. Never leave luggage or bags visible in your car at any time, especially overnight. If you have covered and lit parking, always park there, otherwise, be careful coming and going from your vehicle during the night.

Perhaps the biggest threat that most apartment folks face is theft from your roommate or your roommate’s friends. The best course of action is to make sure you don’t leave any temptations lying around that could lead to any possible thefts. Never leave your wallet or any cash around in the public areas of your unit and when your mail comes, make sure you take it into a private area to read it so that you don’t have credit card numbers or bank account numbers out in the open that someone could see. If you suspect that your roommate has stolen from you, you should try to gather some iron clad evidence before you confront him or her, and have a witness there to back up what happens. Situations like this can turn ugly fast, so don’t go in unprepared. Theft is not something any of us ever want to have happen, but if it is going on under our noses, we have to take steps to end it right away.


posted by Alice   |    0 comments

Basic Dallas area fire prevention tips

Saturday, March 06, 2010

If you have ever lived in a Dallas area apartment with a firebug, you know how annoying it can be to have to evacuate your unit at 3am two or three times a week. As bothersome and costly as these false alarms are, the worst thing they do is that they lower our defenses should a real fire break out. While there is nothing you can do to stop other people from starting fires, there are some common sense things you can do to make sure you aren’t the one responsible.

More fires are started every year by candles than any other source. While candles can be romantic and beautiful, they can also be deadly. You should never leave candles burning unattended, even if your power has gone out. Try to light only one candle and walk around with it. You can also use paper guards so you don’t drop a candle when hot wax drips on your hand.

The second most common cause of fires is when people fall asleep while cooking. Leaving the oven on all night or a burner on while you are cooking can be very dangerous, and since you are asleep, the chances of you making it out alive are slim. Make sure your apartment manager checks your fire alarms on a regular basis so you know they are safe and working. Your unit should also have regular check ins by the local fire department to make sure everything works properly.

You also need to be extra careful of fire hazards if you have a pet. Fido or Fluffy will likely be attracted to open flames from candles and they may not be as careful as you are around them. Pets often don’t learn about flames, even after they have burnt themselves over and over again. They can also get tails and their haunches caught on the flame if they try to jump over it. Make sure you keep any open flames out of the reach of pets and children.


posted by Alice   |    0 comments

Basic tips for surviving an apartment fire

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

It is the worst nightmare of all apartment dwellers: a fire that not only destroys your belongings but leaves you homeless, too. We’ve all heard that fire alarm go off before and that feeling of dread soon follows. Here are a few essential tips you can follow to keep yourself and your things safe during your next fire.

It has become commonplace that most fire alarms in most apartment complexes are false alarms. Some buildings have so many false alarms that people hardly even react to the sound of the alarm going off anymore, especially if they live 15 floors up and have to walk down all those stairs. However, even a false alarm should be treated with respect and followed. Once you hear the alarm, make sure you turn off your stove or oven if you’re cooking, turn off any running water you have anywhere in your unit and then grab a coat if its cold and head out the door. If you have kids, you obviously want to prepare them as best you can. Don’t yell or panic, that will only make the situation worse. If you have pets, try to have their cages or carriers ready to go at all times so preparing them to leave is easy. They will likely be quite scared by the sound of the alarm, so try to act as calmly as possible. Respect what the fire fighters tell you and don’t try to go back into your apartment until the folks who run your complex tell you its safe.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments

Safeguarding your privacy when you live with a roommate

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Perhaps the biggest complaint from people who live with roommates is the fact that they don’t seem to have any real privacy. Most apartments are a bit on the small side and it can be frustrating living with a person who you have to share everything with fifty-fifty. There are a few simple things you can do, however, to help keep your privacy secure. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

The best place to start with privacy is at the beginning. As soon as you and your roommate move in together, try to set some basic ground rules for the apartment. These rules can apply to everything from how you designate whose food is whose in the fridge to how you share the common spaces in your place.

Locks are a good way to ensure security, so you might want to think about getting a good lock on your bedroom or private areas if you can. Some apartments have strict rules about adding security features to an already existing apartment, so make sure you check with your landlords first.

If you use a computer that you keep private information on, make sure you password and lock down your computer when you aren’t there. Not only will this help keep your private information private, but it helps to set boundaries between you and your roommate.

Finally, make sure you have some kind of understanding if you are entertaining someone special so that there aren’t any awkward moments.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments

Knock, Knock – Knowing When to Open the Door at Your Apartment

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Depending on what part of the country you call home, you might or might not have problems with crime in your area. Even if you live in a fairly rural area, you should think twice about flinging open your front door every time someone knocks. Here are a few safety valves you can use the next time a stranger comes knocking and you are home alone.

First off, use the peephole in your door every time someone knocks. Granted, they don’t let you see much, but you can see if the person on the other side is who they say they are.

Second, get a chain installed on your door if you don’t already have one. Make sure you check with your apartment complex to make sure it is okay, but in most cases, installing a chain is a no-brainer.

Most people don’t realize how versatile and useful a chain is until they have one installed. Often times, you can speak to someone such as a delivery man or a police officer just fine through the crack in your door that the chain allows. You can sign for a package and have the delivery man leave it on your stoop or you can identify a picture from a police officer with the chain intact if you don’t feel safe.

Finally, make sure you have the numbers for your local police department, as well as 911, on speed dial in case you ever need them.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments

Keeping Your Apartment Health Hazard Free

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Avoiding health hazards is an important aspect of apartment safety. Mold can kill as quickly as a fire and are much more difficult to notice than other hazards. There are some helpful tips to keep your apartment free of health hazards that can harm you, your family and your friends.

Mold- Mold can be a deadly hazard. Mold spores can cause serious, sometimes fatal illnesses in children and adults alike. Mold grows in warm, moist areas like bathrooms and kitchens. It is also prevalent in areas in the south where these conditions are often met outdoors. Watch for dark spots in the grout between tiles in the kitchen and bathroom; these may be mold and should be cleaned as soon as they are seen. The ceiling in bathrooms can also be a playground for mold. Airing out your bathroom after showers and baths is a good way to keep down the chance that mold will get a foot hold in the room.

Use a bleach and water mixture to clean mold from floors, walls and ceilings. Wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from the mold and the bleach, as well. Knowing if you’re allergic to mold will help you avoid serious allergic reactions, as well.

If mold or mildew is present on a fabric covered item like clothing or furniture, get rid of the item. While it can be cleaned, it is very difficult to do. Getting rid of the item is usually the best and safest bet.

Air, light and regular cleaning are great deterrents for mold growth. Open windows in good weather to let in light and air, use the vent in the bathroom and clean up standing water as soon as possible.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments

Don’t Forget About Safety

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Getting into your apartment is an exciting prospect. The new space feels full of promise and excitement, but don’t forget a few helpful tips to stay safe in your new place. Apartment safety can sometimes be overlooked in the moving rush and the excitement of a new place; make sure you don’t forget this important aspect of apartment living.

There are a lot of things that can be done to make apartment living safer. From changing the locks on the doors to not putting your full name on the mail box, but one of the most important things to remember about apartment safety is renter’s insurance.

The most important thing you’ll ever do to make yourself and your stuff safe is to get a renter’s insurance policy. Without renter’s insurance, who will replace your possessions if they’re lost, damaged or stolen?

Many renters assume that the rental property’s insurance will protect their things. Wrong. The apartment complex’s insurance covers the building and the interior parts like elevators and stairs; it doesn’t do a thing about your personal belongings. If there’s a fire, earthquake or other natural disaster and you don’t have a renter’s insurance policy, you’re on your own as far as replacing your items goes.

Another thing that renter’s insurance does for you is to protect your assets in case someone comes to harm in your apartment. If you have friends over and they’re hurt inside your apartment, their medical bills are legally your responsibility. If someone sues your over their injuries that happened in your apartment, that lawsuit is your responsibility. Renter’s insurance is designed to cover this possibility as well.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments

Disaster Safety in an Apartment

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

While living in an apartment can be great fun, it can also be dangerous if the right precautions have not been taken. One of those precautions includes being prepared for disasters like an apartment fire. This is not something anyone wants to experience, but if you’re not prepared for one it can mean the difference between safety and disaster.
Your smoke detectors are your first defense against a fire. Make sure the batteries in them are fresh and that they are working properly.
Know the location of fire extinguishers in your complex. Each complex is required to have fire extinguishers within the buildings. The must be located a specific amount of distance apart, the actual distance will vary with location.
Don’t park in front of fire hydrants, no matter how crowded the parking lot is or how tempting it might be. Blocking these creates a huge problem if there is a fire.
Know your escape plan and walk through it every so often. Knowing the escape plan will help you, your family, friends and neighbors get out of the apartment in a safe time.
Know your neighbors. This will help you make friends or get to know the elderly in your building. In the case of a fire, these folks will need special consideration and you may be the person who can help them get out.
Put out smoking materials like pipes and cigarettes properly. Not smoking in bed is one of the best ways to prevent a fire from starting in the first place.


posted by Rent Guy   |    0 comments