Student Safety
Whether you live in halls or private accommodation, it’s important to look after yourself and your belongings.
Top tips for keeping yourself and your stuff safe:
At Home
- Close and lock windows and doors – even if you are going out for a short time. This is the most common way that burglars steal from halls of residence.
- Access coded doors aren’t foolproof – shut them, don’t wedge them open and don’t give door codes out to anyone! And obviously don’t let anyone you don’t know in.
- If there is a side alley, make sure the gate is secure and that everyone who needs a key has a key.
- Don’t leave your stuff on display – especially if your room is on the ground floor or it’s the lounge/kitchen area. Hide things away, shut curtains, put up nets! Your Gran would be proud!
- Take things home for the holidays; make sure there isn’t anything for burglars to take.
- If your laptop was stolen what would happen to that important piece of work that needs to be handed in tomorrow? Send your work to yourself via email or save on pen drive.
- Use timer switches to use on radios and lights, this will make it appear that you are in when you are not (at least two per household).
- Mark your valuables with a UV marker, either your home post code or your student number and the university you attend.
- Get insurance, NUS recommend Endsleigh.
- Be friendly with the neighbours, particularly if they are full time residents, because if you are on good terms with them they are likely to look to out for your property whilst you are away during the vacation periods.
Out and About
- Avoid conspicuous use of your mobile phone on the street – especially if it is a ‘flashy’ one
- Always keep your bag where you can see or feel it – even on University premises and especially on public transport, in restaurants, cafes, cinemas, clubs.
- Never carry large sums of cash on you.
- Keep a secure record of any credit/debit card numbers so you can cancel them immediately
- If you are given change in a shop or at a station, put it securely in your bag before going into the street.
- Try to look confident, like you know where you are going – walk at a steady pace.
- Never accept a lift from a stranger, always use registered taxis.
After dark
- Avoid unlit or poorly lit areas including parks, alleys and housing estates. Stick to main roads
- On buses that are relatively empty, sit near the driver or downstairs if it is a double-decker.
- If travelling home late at night, travel with someone else or take a registered taxi or a pre-booked mini cab from a recommended firm.
- If you see someone that makes you uncomfortable on the street, cross the road or go into a late night shop/garage etc
- Remember you will always be more at risk when you have been drinking alcohol!