1. Student Contents Insurance

Student contents insurance is one of the most important things you should purchase before moving into halls. I didn’t go a day at university without it. 

Student contents insurance will cover your belongings, including gadgets and bicycles inside your property, and select items outside your home if you choose. 

Students are 16% more likely to be targeted for theft, so it’s important that should the worst happen you are able to get a replacement quickly and without forking out all your savings. Student contents insurance will also cover you for damage due to environmental factors, such flooding in your property. 

TIP: Take photos and serial numbers of all your valuables, in case you need proof in the event of a claim

2. Store Valuables in a Lockable Cupboard

Lots of student accommodation, particularly student halls, will have a drawer or cupboard with a lock. If your private student rental doesn’t have one you could always request one before moving in.

Get into the habit of storing all of your valuables in this drawer and locking it. Even if you are just popping out to the shops or another friend's flat. This means your valuables aren’t on show but also an intruder is less likely to be able to access your valuables if they do ‘wander’ in. 

3. Do not leave doors OR windows unlocked!

This might seem obvious but you’d be surprised how many people feel comfortable leaving their front doors and windows open, especially in the summer. Believe it or not, the majority of student thefts are from walk-ins. This means there's no sign of forced entry. An entrance point to the property has been left unlocked and the burglar has just walked straight in and had free pickings of all their stuff. 

It’s important to note that your student contents insurance is often only valid if you meet certain requirements. One of these is often that doors and windows need to be locked. 

4. Get a Camera in Your Room

Nowadays there is a huge amount of choice of smart cameras that you could place inside your room. These smart cameras can start from as little as £40 (for a half decent one), and can be controlled through your phone. 

This means you will be notified if anyone enters your room when you aren’t there, and capture footage of any break ins to help the police and have more chances of getting your stuff returned. 

Check out the smart cameras on offer on Amazon . Make sure you check the reviews and get one that connects straight to your smart phone and works if you are anywhere in the world. 

5. Make an Effort to Know Your Neighbours

In both halls and private accommodation make an effort to get to know your neighbours.

This is important for a variety of reasons. Firstly your neighbours will know you and will know if anyone acting suspicious around your property does live there. Secondly if they hear any concerning noise coming from the property they are more likely to call the authorities or check on you themselves. 

It’s also handy for minor things, such as accepting your parcels when you aren’t home, so that you don’t miss them or they are left in a ‘safe place’ where they could be picked up by someone else. 

6. Use a Light Timer During the Holidays

Though some students stay at university during the holidays, it is common knowledge that a lot of student houses will be unoccupied for an extended period over the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks. 

Having a light on a timer is a great way to give the illusion that you are one of the students who is still living there during the holidays and will help to ward off any possible burglars. 

Light timers start from as little as £7 , so it’s a pretty small price to pay for the amount of time you will be away from the property. 

7. Check Doors and Windows for Weaknesses 

Lots of student properties can be poorly maintained and if you have any concerns ensure your landlord corrects these before you move in. Ensure the property you live in has bedroom door locks. Even if you live in private accommodation and live with friends, you don’t know the people they will bring into the property. You can then lock up your room whenever they have a party or you are out of the house. 

8. Know Your Hall Warden (If you live in halls)

The job of a warden in student halls is to ensure the safety and welfare of all students in your halls, during term time and holidays.

If you have concerns about safety, or even just any questions regarding hall security your hall warden should be your first port of call. Make sure you know who they are, introduce yourself and keep their contact details on your phone, and in your room.

9. DO NOT Walk Alone at Night

I know this is super tempting. Especially,  when you’ve had a few and you want to stay out later than your friends, or even head home early cause you’re ready to crash out BUT DON’T DO IT.

Anyone walking alone at night is putting themselves in a very vulnerable position and it is a very easy thing to avoid. Either get an Uber or a taxi from the bar straight back to your door or see if anyone else is heading home soon so you can go back together. 

10. Be Careful Who You Let In

A really common mistake in halls is to wait and hold the door open for people, even if you don’t know them. Avoid doing this if you can. You don’t know who you are letting in, and you definitely don’t know if that person is a student or just looking to get inside for the wrong reasons. 

11. Test Your fire Alarm Every Couple of Months

I have heard of so many stories where students (and a worrying amount of middle-aged professionals) have had too much to drink and decided to cook a Michelin star (or so they thought) feast at 2 am. Only to go to bed with the cooker left on until their housemate gets up 6 hours later. 

Therefore you need to be sure your fire alarm is working properly, at all times. It takes just a 30 seconds to test and should be done every couple of months.

If you aren’t sure how to test your fire alarm, check out this short video.

12. Hide Packaging for Expensive Items

A whole box for the brand new Macbook placed next to your bin is essentially an advertising sign for the valuables you have in your house that are worth breaking in for. Better yet, it’s brand new and worth even more money to a burglar. 

Break boxes down fully, and place them inside the recycling bin, before covering them with other recycling items.