Searching for a Roommate -- Safely

Dear Safety Solutions: I live in an apartment in a large city and my current roommate is moving out at the end of the month.  During the next few weeks, I plan to show the apartment to several prospective roommates, whom I have never met.  Since I will be allowing these total strangers into my apartment, it occurred to me that I might want to think through ahead of time how best to protect myself in these circumstances.  Can you offer any advice?

Armando B, New York City

Dear Armando:  It's a very vulnerable situation having total strangers trooping through your home.  One option would be to schedule your showings so that someone else can be there with you whenever a prospective roommate will be in the apartment.  And/or, alert your landlord, superintendent, next-door neighbors or doorman when a prospect will be coming.  Set up a pre-arranged signal with them, like loud yelling or ringing a doorbell or buzzer, that will alert them of trouble and the need for intervention.  In a non-accusing way, let the prospective roommate know others are aware of his/her presence.

Keep a canister of pepper foam unobtrusively handy (make sure you know about any legal restrictions on its purchase and ownership).  Download my Defense Spray Tips from the site linked above so you'll know how to use it properly.  Make sure you do a through check (financial and personal references) on the person before making your roommate choice.  A reputable roommate service (they're listed in the phone book and on line) would also be a good option because they're supposed to do a through screening.  This should limit the possibilities for danger.

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