Ah, the college years are some of the very best. Newcomers leave the familiarity of home base and move into the dorms. A whole new world opens up. Being away from everything familiar, and taking the next step into independence, can be overwhelming and fun. Focusing on classes, making friends, and going to parties rank among the top priorities of most new students. Sometimes the last thing on their minds is safety. Here are some tips for college kids moving into campus dorms.
Fire! Fire! Just because they live in a dorm room with other students in a residence hall, does not make it a safe haven. It’s up to them to check out preventative measures. The most common causes of student residence fires are due to careless smoking, unattended candles and cooking, and overloaded extension cords and power outlets. They should read up on what to do to prevent a fire in their room. Most importantly, make sure the residence has working fire alarms.
Speaking of alarms, some dangers can’t be seen. We’re talking about odorless, tasteless, and poisonous carbon monoxide. Many dorm kitchens don’t have windows. If they have cooking appliances and live in a place where natural ventilation is crummy, then they certainly need carbon monoxide detectors.
Lock it up! Students should always lock the door whenever they leave their room – even if it’s just to go to the restroom. Keep all valuables, purse or wallet out of plain view from the window. Keep the curtains and blinds closed at night. Make sure the dorm has security at all entry and exit points. Students should respect security rules and not let strangers into controlled areas.
*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.