Students are prime targets for burglars. Unfortunately, that’s not a surprise as a house full of students are likely to have numerous smart gadgets per person, plus the assumed naivety of those living away from home for the first time.
But aside from the security basics that all students should follow such as locking your door at all times, what do they need to know to protect themselves and their belongings that they might not necessarily think of?
Contents Insurance
Contents insurance is not something that many students think about. But since they are so much more likely to be victims of crime, they need to have better preventative measures in place to avoid having to dip into their pockets if their valuables are taken. University is already stressful enough as it is, and burglary without contents insurance can just enhance stress.
Contents insurance covers the items inside your property – not the physical property insurance which your landlord should already have taken out. This protects you against your valuables being lost or damaged, including vandalism and theft. Most policies are also very cheap, saving you money in the long run.
Do a Move In Day Assessment
We’re all used to the inventory you do on move-in day when you agree with your landlord or lettings agency what is in the property, what’s missing and any current damage. But you should also use this as an opportunity to point out any specific security risks, and ensure that the landlord is notified as soon as possible. This then gives them the opportunity from the get-go to take the steps to rectify them. Not sure what to look for? You can find a handy checklist here.
Stay Social Savvy
We all know the problems with posting your party to the public on Facebook. After all, when a group of housemates posts hundreds of pictures showing them ready for their night out, you increase the risk of a neighbor finding out. It’s not a great idea to let the world know when you are having a pint, especially if they can track down where you live and pop round to check out your security, or lack of. You wouldn’t put a poster up outside your house to say you’re not in, and with the rise of social media, you need to take reasonable care. Can the picture upload wait until the next day?
Don’t Expose your Brand Packaging
Bought a new TV? The worst thing you can do is throw the box away and leave it outside ready for the rubbish collectors to pick it up. It’s the equivalent of saying “come in, I have nice gadgets.” Instead, break the packaging up, it should only take a few minutes and you can then put it into the bin so nobody can see it and you aren’t broadcasting the contents of your home for everybody to see.
Don’t Forget Cyber Security
It’s easy to put cybersecurity out of your mind when you’re at uni, but when you have so much vital information on your laptops and devices, it’s a smart move to prioritize it. Your computer can fail at any time, and your files need to be backed up regularly to prevent any lost files or hacks, whether you back them up by the cloud or a physical USB. Avoid using free open WiFi networks which do not have passwords protecting them. While it’s cheaper, they’re much more vulnerable as they are likely not to be encrypted. Make sure you implement a strong password policy for yourself too. For instance, don’t have the same password for your banking as your Facebook as once they’ve hacked one, they can hack the rest.
It’s easy to put security on the back burner when you’re at university because money can be tight and your coursework is taking over all of your time. But if you follow these simple steps, you will save yourself time and money in the long run, and also give yourself the best chance of preventing any home thefts.
By Andy Palmer, Owner at Grays Locksmiths
Feature image courtesy of Grays Locksmiths