For the majority of young adults, college is the first time you're on your very own in your lifetime. As if adulting isn't hard enough, you're now responsible for things you probably didn't even think of – like your safety and wellbeing.
Luckily, there are countless resources available to help. Thanks to the advancements in technology, we can have eyes on our home from anywhere in the globe. If nothing else, this provides an added layer of reassurance knowing that you can tune into your room with a few taps on your smartphone.
These gadgets are designed for homes, but they can be installed in your college apartment to amp up your safety too. While these gadgets may be cool tools to make you feel futuristic, they can have a real impact on the security of a home. It's not a "fun" conversation to have by any means (can't we just talk more about the Lakers?!) but it's an important one to have nonetheless. Here are 3 tools you can use to up your safety levels at college:
1. Electronic Security System
This device takes your door lock to the next level by requiring a code to disarm the system. Depending on the type of system installed, the suspicious activity could be reported to the homeowner, security system operators, or police. This allows you to rest easy knowing that you are not the sole person responsible for checking in on your apartment.
While this may not be an option if you're living in a dorm, many newly built apartment complexes and student living communities offer these extra security measures.
2. Smart Home Security Cameras
An added level of security is installing an extra set of digital eyes on your property. With these gadgets, you never have to worry about what is happening in your living space while you're not there, which for college students living with multiple other people, can be anything.
The most common location people put a security camera is over the front door. This can not only help you scope out the safety of your home while you're away, but it also allows you to see if it's worth going downstairs when the doorbell rings. For those living in a dorm or in an apartment complex, never install a camera without your roommates' knowledge.
3. Self-Defense Tools
Technology can serve as great preventative measures for security, but students should have a plan in place in the event that they come face to face with a criminal. Whether you're walking around campus alone after a night class or out with friends after dark, it's incredibly important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. However, always remember that owning a self-defense weapon of any sort comes with a great deal of responsibility. Possessing one is one thing but knowing when and how to use it is another.
Ultimately, crime in the home is relatively rare. Approximately 8 out of every 10 people will never experience this sort of misfortune which is a sigh of relief. Know your options for protecting yourself and your home because it is always better to be safe than sorry.
