Where to Store Your Valuables in an Apartment

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Where to Store Your Valuables in an Apartment

Eva R. Marienchild · Aug 25, 2016

valuables being stolen in apartment

So, you need to know where to store your valuable stuff, eh? Don’t think you’re lucky enough to have any valuables? Well, guess what? You do.

OK, so let’s first establish exactly what valuables are. If you stop to think about it, you’ll realize that you too have items that you consider dear to you. Anything meaningful to you is valuable.

Even if you feel that what is valuable to you is unlikely to be valuable to another, you should still take the time and effort to protect it. If you were to be the subject of a break-in and came home to find certain items (perhaps gifted to you) missing, you’d wish you had thought to hide them. Don’t tempt would-be burglars by being careless or (worse) by flashing or putting what’s important to you on display for the outside world to see.

“But it’s hardly worth any money,” you might say. That may be, but if you were to be burglarized, you might soon find out that what seemed to not hold much monetary value still proved to be of interest to the thief. That is because resale value on trinkets is minimal but reliable.

So, with that said, here are a few little-known hiding places for your precious possessions:

1. The Pantry

Look through your pantry. Do you have an old or half-empty oatmeal container? Leave the label on so it looks you’re making your way through the oats. Place your valuables inside and sprinkle a few oats on top. This works with cereal boxes, pasta containers, cookie jars—you name it!

How will you remember it’s no longer solely holding edibles? Place another container in your line of vision when you open the cabinet. To make sure that you don’t pick the secret storage container up by mistake when your mind is focused on getting ready for work, attach a little two-sided adhesive on the bottom. That little bit of resistance will be enough to jog your memory.

2. Toys

Do you have tots or animals? See if you can get either one to give up a few of their tube-containing toys. Open up the piece that swivels and drop your valuables into the tubular area. Or, try stuffed animals or old toy trucks to tuck away those valuables.

Of course, don’t leave it in the mix of toys. Place it where your kids or animals won’t have easy access to it.

3. Furniture and Appliances

Some sofa beds or futons have zippered sections or secret compartments. Use them!

Alternatively, if you won’t forget your valuables are in there, place your valuables inside the freezer. To keep them well-hidden, perhaps wrap them in aluminum or in a cloth in a container and bury them underneath the frozen food items.

Old smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors have small battery compartments in the back or side. You can take out the old battery and insert the valuables in a tissue or piece of plastic wrap. Of course, you should use a dummy one for this; don’t just get rid of these important items to protect smaller belongings.

4. Books

Place your valuables in between the pages of a book. Don’t make it the single book you have on display; it must be one of many so that it won’t stand out. Alternatively, you may want to securely clasp or clip a small plastic baggie with your valuable to the first page of your wall calendar – the side that faces the wall.

If you take the proper precautions, there’s no need to fret when leaving your apartment, whether for a day to go to work or for a bit longer when you’re on a well-deserved vacation!

And remember that the most precious possession of all is your life, so invest in a heavy-duty bolt lock. One slip-in key in the doorknob might be too unreliable.

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