Stay Safe Over Christmas

From the MMUnion Sabbatical Officer Blog

As the Christmas holiday is approaching I know many of you will be furiously trying to complete assignments and essays for the end of term deadlines, but before you head back home take time to make sure you're not the victim of crime while you're away.

• Many burglaries happen when a door or window has been left open. Lock up whenever you go out, use the deadbolt, and put the alarm on (if you have one). Make sure all housemates follow the same rules.
• Use a light timer, they are cheap. You can set it will come on during the day or night when you are out to make the house looking occupied.
• In halls of residence, be careful who you let in or who follows you into the building. Lock your bedroom door even if you are only going down the corridor.
• If you buy expensive items, don't leave the empty boxes outside your house, rip them up and put the in the bin, or take them to your nearest recycling centre.
• Keep cards and chequebooks separately. Note down your card details so you can cancel them quickly.
• Protect yourself with insurance - keep lists of the make, model and serial numbers of your electronic items to help Police track them down if they are stolen. Take photographs of jewellery and other small valuable items.
• Keep your valuables out of sight of windows, especially if you have the downstairs room.
• Burglars tend to go for properties which look insecure, so try to make sure your property looks neat and tidy outside. Ask your landlord to sort this out.
• Speak to your local Crime Reduction Advisor or Community Safety Co-ordinator about security marking your property. Security marking makes it harder for thieves to sell stolen goods and can help the police to return items to you.
  
• Register your valuables, including your bike and mobile phone on www.immobilise.com
• When you go home for term breaks, take all of your valuables with you, or use safe storage space offered to you by your University. Contact your student union for more details.

More hints and tips are available at http://www.mcrstudentsafer.co.uk/

Have a great Christmas break and see you in the New Year.

JR