Advice for Students at College
Personal
Safety
You are
advised to be vigilant and "streetwise".
Avoid
walking home alone at night.
If this
cannot be avoided then follow these simple precautions (some
of these apply for during the day also):
Tell
someone where you are going.
Always
be alert.
Keep
to well-lit areas.
Avoid
short cuts and isolated areas.
A
torch and personal alarm are useful.
Familiarise
yourself with the campuses and the surrounding
environment, to avoid getting lost in unknown
areas.
Never
carry with you a large amount of cash.
Using
Cash Points
Guard
cash cards (and your passport) very carefully and be
particularly vigilant when using bank service tills to
obtain cash. The following points should be observed:
If
possible use the machines during the day.
Get
a friend to go with you.
Don't
let other people in a queue stand close behind
you whilst you are using the machine.
When
approaching cash points, watch out for people
hanging around.
If
someone tries to take your money do not resist.
Hand it over and get away quickly.
Accommodation
Your
house or flat may have a shared
entrance door, therefore the safety and security
of others depends on you. Ensure you lock the
door after you and do not allow anyone in until
you are sure who they are.
Do
not leave ID cards, cash cards, money, cheque
books or keys lying around in your room or around
the house or flat - do not put temptation in the
way of those sharing your house or visitors.
Never
leave your room unlocked if you leave it to go
out, even if it only for a short period of time.
It is also wise to ensure all windows are closed/locked,
even upper floor windows.
You
are strongly advised to insure your personal
belongings.
For Next
Year's Accommodation.....
In your
first year it is likely that you will live in University
owned accommodation. You will no doubt have formed a
group of friends and may wish to live together next year.
If you choose to rent accommodation with a private
landlord then it is vital to consider the points on this
checklist:
Will you
have your own lockable bedroom?
Are the
front and back doors fitted with adequate locks and bolts,
including a mortice lock? (It can be difficult and
expensive to get insurance without mortice locks)
Do
the windows lock?
Is
the house equipped with a burglar alarm?>
Does
the house show any evidence of having been broken
into previously?
Who
else will be sharing the house?
Is
there a telephone?
If
possible, speak to the current/previous tenants
to see if they had any problems.
Take
a good look around the area the house is situated
in for potential trouble (eg. derelict houses,
windows boarded up, broken glass).
Insist
on making an inventory of all the items in the
house and their condition. Make sure the landlord
signs it. If practical it is a good idea to take
photos if, for example, an item of furniture is
already damaged. This will help you get your
deposit back when you move out.
Check
your contract carefully before signing it.
Ensure
that you have the home address and telephone
number of the people that you are moving in with
so that you will not be left with the bills. It
is best to split bills, ie. one person is
responsible for the water, another for the gas,
etc.
Public Transport
- When
using taxi cabs, always telephone and book a private hire
cab, giving your name, or use a black cab. Do not flag
down private hire cabs in the street without pre-booking.
When your private hire cab arrives, never give the driver
your name first - ask what name the cab is booked in.
- Ask the
driver to take you as close as possible to the entrance
door of your residence.
- If you
travel at night on the bus, it is safest to sit at the
front near the driver.
In Your Car
- When
you park your car, close the windows, lock the
doors and take the key with you.
- Install
and use anti-theft devices. Be sure to activate
the device every time you leave your vehicle.
- Park
only in well-lit areas near other vehicles.
- Keep
valuables out of sight, preferably locked away in
the boot.
- Don't
hide a spare key in a magnetic key box; thieves
know all the hiding places.
- At
home, if possible, put your car away in a locked
garage, or at least parked in the driveway.
- If you
have two cars and one of them is easy to break
into, then park it in your driveway so it's
blocked by the other car.
- When
you park your car, turn the front wheels to the
left or right and put the wheel lockon. This
locks the wheels, making it difficult for a thief
to tow your car.
How To Protect Yourself While
Shopping
- Avoid
shopping alone. Try to shop with a friend or
relative.
- Park
your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Know
your surroundings. Keep an eye on the people in
front of as well as behind you.
- Carry
your purse close to your body. Don't flash large
amounts of cash.
- Walk
with confidence. Avoid talking to strangers.
- Approach
your vehicle with your keys already in your hand.
- Try
not to carry too many packages. Place all
packages out of sight in your vehicle, preferably
in the boot.
- Keep
your vehicle doors locked and your windows shut.
- If you
see anything suspicious or if something just
doesn't feel right, leave immediately and contact
security or the police.
- Don't
park next to a van's sliding door.
- Change
from high heels to low flats or even trainers
when leaving work. They are better to run in.
- At
night, leave your office or building in the
company of others. Don't leave alone after dark.
- Look
around your vehicle for any suspicious activity.
If you see someone loitering around your vehicle,
walk past until they leave.
- Do a
quick scan of your vehicle's interior before
unlocking the door. Be sure to look in the back
seat.
- Keep
your doors locked and your windows shut.
- Be
suspicious of anyone approaching your vehicle,
whether passing out leaflets or asking for
donations. Always leave the car windows up.
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