Smart Student Living: Student Safety

Once you head off to college, you cannot take safety for granted. The key to smart student living is to assess your surroundings and take a few simple but critical steps to ensuring your safety. Living on your own means taking extra precautions to make that happen.

First, when looking for a place to live, be wary of rental scams. A scammer may advertise a rent that seems below market value in order to entice as many potential renters as possible. They know that students are on a budget, and they use this to reel them in. But once you do find a place that fits your student lifestyle, here are some safety tips for both inside and outside of your campus home.

This is also the right time to consider transportation concerns. If you're driving, you can search for an apartment in a much larger radius, but you'll also have to factor gas into your budget and traffic into your daily commute. If you don't have a car, you'll want to search for an apartment in a neighborhood that has convenient access to public transportation or a college carpool group.

When you move into a campus dwelling—especially an off-campus apartment, ask the manager whether the locks have been changed. Oftentimes they are, but if they haven't, do not hesitate to ask for new locks as a condition of moving in. Once you move in, invest in a chain lock (about $10) to add security. Make it a habit to link it whenever you are home. You will enjoy the added safety.

If you live in a dorm or a building with security, get to know the guards and, if possible, let them know your usual schedule. It will help them keep you safe. Their job is student safety, so they will often be glad to get to know you and your habits.

Learn where the campus security office is. And don't be shy about introducing yourself to campus security guards. Student safety is their job. When you are living on campus, it helps them to know who is under their care. Put 9-1-1 in the speed dial of your cell phone as well as the speed dial of your landline if you have one. When you are on campus, your 9-1-1 call will often go to the campus police department, not the local city police.

Remember to never walk alone at night, even for a short distance or in a lighted area. Your safety could be in jeopardy. Most schools offer security escorts for students at night, so get the number and don't hesitate to call if you're leaving the library late and the campus plaza looks too dark for your comfort level. If you are a runner, try to run with a buddy, especially if you run in a secluded area.

Once inside, you have a different kind of safety to worry about. Be extra diligent when cooking anything so that you prevent kitchen fires. Even the smallest kitchen fires are dangerous. Invest in a fire extinguisher. But don't be a hero. If it looks out of control, get out and call 9-1-1. You also can learn some simple tricks and habits, such as regularly checking your pilot lights if you have a gas stove and knowing to smother a grease fire with a pan lid instead of trying to fan it out with a towel.

When you're a student living alone, you can't be too secure. Pop over to the nearest hardware store and buy some inexpensive dowel rods to place in the window tracks. Simple window locks are available too. They're a bit more expensive ($10-$14) than dowels, though, so do what fits your budget.

When it comes to student safety, start close to home. Choose your roommate wisely. Unplug major appliances like TVs when you leave for break, be aware of pests and vermin (call your landlord if you see evidence of anything), and be cautious of the unexpected like a gas leak. If you smell gas, call your landlord or the gas company immediately.