As with every city or town, crime is not completely off the cards. Very rarely do incidents involving students occur but it’s always best to be prepared. We’ve put together some simple safety tips and considerations for you and your student accommodation. Let’s check them out:
Personal Safety and Security
Keeping Vigilant
If you are using your phone or listening to music through your headphones, this can distract you from being able to react to any trouble approaching. This is particularly the case at night, when visibility is weakened. If you’re walking through a poorly-lit area, avoid using your mobile phone (or turn the brightness down) so that you can be more aware of any dangers.
Trust Your Instincts
If you feel threatened or unsafe in a particular spot, trust your instincts and head for a more populated area such as a busy shop or cafe where there are people around. It’s not worth taking the risk.
Plan Your Journey
It’s easy to overlook a journey with the return in mind. Give a thought to how you’ll get back home from your destination, the area and time being significant here.
Bare in Mind any Danger Spots
Avoid any dark alleys, parks or subways and stick to well-lit streets. You’ll be able to recognise any trouble approaching and any drivers passing will be able to spot you.
Take the Same Precautions
No matter where you are, make sure that you take the same precautions. It’s natural to feel safer in your own area, but it is important to not let complacency creep in.
When You’re Viewing A Property
There are a few factors to bear in mind when you are viewing a property to ensure that you have a safe and secure tenancy.
Give a thought to the journey between the property and the nearest public transport stop. Is it well-lit? Does it require you to walk down dark, isolated streets?
Get a feel of the environment after dark. Would you be comfortable living there at night?
Make sure the windows and doors are secure. Are they lockable? Are there any faults? If this is the case for a property you are interested in, make sure you point this out to the landlord in writing.
It might be a good idea to check the area surrounding a potential property in the evening to see how lit it is.
For Your Student Property
It’s important to maintain good habits when it comes to safety in your student property.
If you’ve got any valuables, place them away from the windows and out of sight.
Whether it be for university, a night out or a quick trip to the shops, ensure that you have locked all windows and doors when you leave the property. This is the case for everyone in your property if you live with others.
Invest in Content Insurance. If you have valuables that are important and essential to you, make sure the cost of them is covered with Content Insurance. This’ll give you peace of mind, should anything happen.
Emergency Contacts
Always have a directory of emergency contacts at hand. Hopefully, you won’t need to use them, however it is always important to be prepared.
