With students on their way to university and freshers week incoming, home security company, SimpliSafe, have shared their top tips for staying safe during your time there.
Students both new and returning will be venturing to university over the coming weeks, and with student insurance provider, Endsleigh finding that students are 60% more likely to claim insurance than any other demographic, it’s important to know what you can do to reduce your risk – while still enjoying your time at uni.
Nights out are a common part of the university experience for many, but this could present more opportunities for crime to occur. 20% of crimes against students are thought to occur within the first six weeks of the term, no doubt in part to freshers events. Planning your route home, sticking with friends and keeping in contact with them throughout the night are all ways to help keep yourself safe. If you do need to go home alone, stick to trusted taxi companies and once again, let people know your journey status.
When it comes to staying secure in your flat or house, checking locks and hiding valuables before heading out or before bed is a must, especially if you live on a ground floor with windows at street level. Speaking of windows, they’re something that is often forgotten about – once again make sure they are closed and locked.
Many students also opt to buy a bicycle for transportation, as while it’s an initial large investment it can save a lot of time and money in the long run. However, with students being 1.5x more likely to be a victim of a vehicle-based crime than the average adult, protecting this investment is something to think about. Getting a good bike lock as well as checking to see if your university or accommodation has a bike storage area are both excellent ways of adding some protection to your purchase.
In the unfortunate circumstance that you do have someone break in, being covered by insurance is a lifesaver, especially given the fact that many students have laptops to help with their studies. Many universities have recommended providers, otherwise there are plenty of options out there – so be sure to do some research and get yourself covered. Better safe than sorry!
Finally, you may want to consider investing in a home security system and cameras for an added layer of security, an Indoor Camera from SimpliSafe is only £49, where you can watch live 24/7 and receive motion notifications.
