A safe apartment or home should have the following features:

• Well-lighted entryways and hallways.
  
  
• Well-lighted off-street or on-street parking.
  
  
• Well-lighted and well-trafficked pedestrian areas and sidewalks.
  
  
• A locked outer security door on multi-unit apartments.
  
  
• Locked access to common areas such as laundry rooms or storage facilities.
  
  
• Be aware of storm shelter locations in mobile home parks
  
  
• Deadbolt lock on the apartment door(s).
  
  
• Peepholes or chain locks on door(s).
  
  
• Locks on all first floor or ground level windows.
  
  
• A fire escape for upper floor apartments.
  
  
• Locks on any windows accessible from a fire escape.
  
  
• Working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
  
  
• A sufficient number of electrical outlets in every room (two and three-prong) - and no extension cords or adaptors.
  
  
• Working appliances plugged into appropriate outlets.
  
  
• Locked mailboxes.

See the Iowa City Police Dept file (PDF) for more information on staying safe.