Tips for Staying Safe in Off-Campus Housing
Campus safety is a top priority for colleges and universities across the United States. In order to keep students and staff safe, campuses have a variety of safety measures in place, from security cameras and emergency phones to police officers and campus security guards. However, many students live off campus, and will need to learn how to protect themselves and their belongings when they aren’t on school grounds. The good news is there are a number of simple ways to secure your living space. Read on for some tips for staying safe when you live in off-campus housing.
How can you stay safe when living in off-campus housing?
There are few things more important than knowing you can trust the people you’re living with. It’s not a bad idea to consider using a search service like Fast People Search to ensure that you’re not living with someone that has criminal records in their past. Even if you trust your prospective roommates or have a good first impression of them, it’s impossible to be sure without accurate and up to date information. It can even be worth it to talk to your housemates about the possibility of a background check for anyone who wants to move in at a later date.
It’s essential to have a buddy system when living in an off-campus house. If you’re out late, make sure you tell a friend or roommate where you’re going and when you’ll be back. If you’re going to be drinking, have a plan for getting home safely. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your cellphone handy in case of an emergency. It’s a good idea to get to know your neighbors. If you don’t know your neighbors, be sure to introduce yourself and get to know them. You always want to be aware of your surrounds and who is in your immediate vicinity.
Students in off-campus housing also need to be aware of safety precautions. For example, you need to make sure you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Don’t overload electrical outlets or use extension cords improperly and keep flammable materials like paper, clothing, and furniture away from heat sources like stoves and candles. If everyone living in the house is going to be away from your house for an extended period of time (like over summer vacation or spring break), be sure to have someone you trust check in on it for you. You’ll also want to learn as much as you can about budgeting, so you can ensure that you’re always able to pay rent on time. Late payment fees and a poor track record as a tenant can haunt you in the future.
What should you do to prepare before you arrive on campus?
Working with a professional college admissions counselor is one of the best ways to ensure that you have a positive experience when you head off to college. They can help you find the degree programs that are a good match for your skills and interests, as well as providing you with all the information you need to prepare for your transition to college life. A quick search for “college admissions counselor near me” should provide you with a some great options. The more information you have, the less anxious you’ll be when you start school.
As soon as you arrive, learn about your campus’s safety features. Even when you live off campus, you’ll be spending a lot of time on your school grounds. Most campuses have a variety of safety features, such as emergency phones, blue light systems, and campus security. Familiarize yourself with these before you need them. Many colleges and universities also have their own police department. These departments are responsible for law enforcement on campus, and they work closely with local police departments to investigate crimes and keep campus safe.
When you’re not living in on-campus housing, it’s important to be aware of some of the potential dangers that come with living in off-campus housing. If you’re not familiar with your roommates or your landlord, be sure to meet them in person before moving in. This will help you get to know them better and make sure that they are trustworthy. You can also use people search services to obtain more information based off any available public records. The best thing you can do to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe at school, even in off-campus housing, is to do as much research as possible and make concrete plans for what to do in the event of an emergency.