How to secure your student accommodation

From pots and pans to cutlery and cleaning products, there is a long list of must-haves that students need when making the transition from school to university or college. And one of the most important things that is very often forgotten off this list are security essentials.

With students often being new to the world of living away from home, their attitude can be quite lax when it comes to home security and protecting their valuables. With this in mind, students can very often become a prime focus for opportunists scoping out an easy target. And with valuables such as laptops, smartphones and other expensive electronics commonplace in student accommodation, it’s well worth their time and effort in securing their possessions as soon as they move in.

So, the home security experts at Yale are here to help, sharing their top tips and advice to ensure students have all the protection they need for their new home.

Steps to security

When you first go out to enjoy the sights of your new city or town, the chances are, security isn’t at front of mind – but this is what a potential burglar is banking on. And if your accommodation isn’t locked up securely, any opportunist will make the most of this by potentially accessing your space in next to no time and leaving just as quickly with your valuables.

Firstly, when you get the keys to your new accommodation, you should quickly do a tour around the space to see if and where there are any weak spots. Whether that’s the front or back door, windows or an old, rusty side gate, it’s important to note that these locations could be the method of entry that an opportunist will use to gain easy access to your accommodation.

An easy way to upgrade the home security of your new living accommodation is to change the locks. Upgrading to a high security cylinder lock on your front or bedroom door will ensure that you have sufficient protection against a range of known attack methods, as weak or insufficient door locks will be a breeze to open for seasoned criminals.

The same can be said for window locks, which our experts would recommend you keep locked at all times. Windows are one of the most popular ways for opportunists to gain entry to a property, so leaving a window open just slightly could give a burglar easy access to your accommodation.

If your new accommodation is run by a landlord or management, and you are concerned about the security of the door and window locks, then you should speak to them directly, as they may be able to upgrade them for you. Similarly, if you’re wanting to change the locks, you should speak to them beforehand, keeping the original lock and set of keys to change these back when you leave.

Keep your possessions protected

If your accommodation sees you sharing your space with other new students, then it also pays to keep your valuables locked away securely in your room by investing in a safe.

Most university or college students will own or use a laptop to help with their studies, so this expensive equipment, along with cash and other valuables, should be kept safe and secure. This is where a safe comes in, as it can easily be hidden away in a cupboard, wardrobe or under the bed, allowing students to lock away their prized possessions when they’re out and about.

And by investing in a safe, if your accommodation was the unfortunate target of criminals, your expensive piece of kit, and even your university work, can be kept protected.

Eyes on the prized possessions

Alongside a safe, students can also consider upgrading to smart security solutions to protect their valuables whilst they are studying.

Whether you spend all day in a lecture, studying in the library or meeting up with some friends, it’s fair to say you can’t be there to always protect your valuables at your accommodation. This is where a smart security camera is a great investment.

Indoor smart security cameras are an effective way of remotely keeping an eye on your student accommodation even when you’re not there, allowing you to check in via a smartphone.

By positioning an indoor smart camera in your room, you can ensure if any motion is detected, that you will be notified immediately via your smartphone. This gives students the peace of mind that they always know what’s happening inside and outside of their accommodation, allowing them to feel reassured that their valuables are protected.

Alongside an indoor smart camera, it’s also important for students to get to know their neighbours or roommates, as, like a security camera, they can also look out for your room and possessions when you’re not there.

With an array of easy, simple ways to protect your new student accommodation this September, be sure to keep home security on the top of your to-do list to ensure you keep your possessions protected.

For more advice and information on how to secure your student accommodation with home security products from Yale, please visit your local site.