Kids off to University

With the majority of students now owning valuable computer equipment and mobile phones, it’s more important than ever to keep possessions safe. Living independently for the first time is exciting, but it’s also easy to forget the important stuff. Impress on your son or daughter the need to lock their door, even if they’re only just popping down the corridor in their halls of residence.

Bear in mind that they might not be used to doing basic things like shutting windows, locking the door and so on, if they weren’t usually the last to leave when living with you.

Home safe
If your child is planning to rent a room in a private house, they need to choose a house with a strong front door, and decent locks on this, the back door and windows. Check there is a visible burglar alarm (not just an empty box) and security lighting. If there is an alleyway down the side of the house, is there a gate on it? If they decide to live in halls of residence, it’s equally important to make sure there are good locks on their door and windows.

Impress on them that if there are people they don’t recognise hanging around in the corridors, it’s wise to let the university’s security personnel know. If they notice signs of a break-in, they shouldn’t enter the premises. Use a mobile or go to a neighbour’s room to ring the police, making sure to mention if they think the burglary is still in progress. If they have already entered the property, don’t touch anything in case valuable evidence is destroyed.

Don’t lose out
Belongings should be security-marked with a UV pen, detailing the student’s registration number and initials for the university. This will make it much harder for items to be sold on and easier for them to be traced if they are stolen.

Photographs of all valuables and details of the makes, models and serial numbers of electrical items will also help with identification if they are taken. It’s advisable for laptops to have security software installed on them, and it’s a good idea to carry them around in a sports holdall rather than a more identifiable computer bag.

Hold my calls
Mobile phones and other items can be registered at www.immobilise.com. They need to be kept out of sight in a pocket or handbag when not in use, and shouldn’t be drawn attention to when making a call in the street. The phone’s security lock should always be used if it has one and the details of the electronic serial number taken down and kept somewhere safe.

Some phones have an IMEI, a unique identifier, which can be obtained by typing ‘star, hash, 06, hash’, into the phone. A 15-digit security number will then be displayed. Stolen phones should be immediately reported to the police and the service provider.

Keeping an eye on things
You’ll be reassured to know that you can still look after your kids even when they’re no longer at home. Take out contents insurance as part of your house insurance with Privilege and they’ll cover up to £5,000 worth of belongings that your student son or daughter takes with them.

Make sure your children get all the protection they need. Go to www.privilege.com to insure their belongings as well as your own.

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