Advice for winter break security

With Winter Break right around the corner, houses and residence halls are going to be empty for nearly a month. To the unprepared, this could mean a higher than expected electric bill, a messy return and a flood of water on the floor. Not to mention, an empty house is a perfect opportunity for theft. Here are a few ways to avoid a potential disaster over the holidays.

University housing:
• Leave the heater on low This helps keep the water pipes from freezing over break, plus no one wants to return to a room that is freezing.

• Unplug all electrical appliances This serves two purposes. Unplugging appliances saves energy and cost for the university. Plus, it makes sure these appliances aren’t damaged if there is a power surge or water leak.

• Turn alarm clocks and timers off Anyone who uses something other than their cellphone to wake up needs to turn these off. This keeps staff from having to enter the room to turn them off or a continuous alarm burning through the device’s batteries.

• Empty all garbage from trash cans into trash room receptacles on each floor This keeps bugs from coming into the dorm looking for a bite to eat with the added benefit of allowing students to return to clean, stink-free rooms.

• Close and lock the windows First floor residents should close curtains to keep potential burglars from eyeing valuables. Other floors should leave curtains open. The University Police Department will patrol campus, and this allows them to spot any intruders or people who are out of place in housing complexes.

• Water the plants and feed the fish Honestly, these living organisms should probably be taken home. Plants can wither and most animals need care the month students will be gone. Staff will not take care of plants or animals.

• Turn off any lights This goes along with unplugging electronics — it’s all about saving energy.

• Lock the door The last person out of the room should do a once-over to make sure everything is in place and as it should be before leaving and locking the door.

Suggestions for off-campus housing:

• Ask a friend or neighbor to watch the house or apartment A trusted friend can help keep an eye on your belongings while you are gone. Give them a key to your home in case they need to take in mail, water plants or feed pets. If guests are going to visit, tell them about each other to avoid getting the police involved in something innocent.

• Make it look like someone is home Use automatic timers for appliances like televisions and radios so they turn on and off at varying intervals. Do the same for indoor and outdoor lights. Keeping them on continuously has the opposite effect, creating a beacon for break-ins.

• Take care of the car If you’re leaving a vehicle on campus, park it in a well lit area and lock the doors. People should take any electronics and valuables home. It is also a good idea to ask a friend to start and drive the vehicle over break so that the engine does not freeze.

• Notify police UPD will patrol areas off campus during break. Let them know if your house will be empty so they can keep an eye out for any strange activity.

• Stop the mail A large pile of letters and newspapers outside the door can tip off a potential criminal that a house is empty. Call the post office at 765-254-0000 and let them know to hold all mail until you will return.

Sources: allstate.com, independenttraveler.com, bsu.edu and resnet.umd.edu

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