If you’re heading home for the festive break, make sure your student home is safe and secure while you’re away with these tips.
Protecting your property
- Remember to lock all doors and windows and activate your house alarm if you’ve got one. When you are at home, all external doors and windows should be locked – this includes before you go to bed.
- If there is access at the back of the property, always make sure that gates are locked and fences are secure.
- Make sure that any valuables are out of sight. Laptops, gadgets, and computers that can be spotted through a window will make your home very attractive to burglars.
- Light timers are a good way of making it appear that your house or flat is occupied – whether you’re out for the evening or away for a few days.
- It’s also worth registering your possessions for free with Immobilise, the national property register. This allows the Police to identify the owners of any recovered property, should the worst happen.
- Prevent flooding – know where your main stop valve is. Follow the winter weather advice from United Utilities.
- Don’t leave the packaging from expensive goods you have bought outside next to your bin so that they can be seen, instead, take it to a recycling bin or tip.