University Security

[brummymummy2]

Hiya guys,

my daughters flying the nest and moving to university in september, and as shes the first of our three to go I was wondering what security was like at halls of residence? I know they have on site security for the main buildings but i was more worried about her individual room as i've been looking on forums and seen cases of valuables being stolen such as laptops.

I've been looking at wireless security cameras that you can use to check in on your valuables when you're out and was thinking of getting one for her to use when shes at lectures or back home, but I don't want to waste my money if they're not going to be useful. Has anybody ever done this for their son or daughter at university? Any advice would appreciated

Her room will be lockable, a camera sounds a bit OTT to be honest - and if she looks at it mid lecture and happens to capture the unlikely 10 second duration event of someone pinching her stuff what is she going to be able to do anyway?! Dash back to her room (which will probably be 30 mins away?)!

I think this is a good opportunity to leave all this type of thing to her.

My DCs all had a lock on their door, a lock on their flats door and a lock on their building door so I felt it was very secure.

The doors were on self closers as they were fire doors so there was little risk of them being left open by mistake. They all made sure the always locked their room doors all the time.

I also provided them with a reasonably secure lockable file box for valuables.

I suppose it depends on your DDs Uni but I certainly didn't worry about any of my DCs security during their first years at Uni.

IME thefts usually happen when students 'pop' to the loo, showers or kitchen and leave their room unlocked.

The room will have a lock. If she locks the door and makes sure the window is secure when she leaves - even if she thinks she's just stepping out for a moment to make a cup of tea or whatever - then she's very unlikely to have a problem. Also, there's usually basic contents insurance included in the rent anyway (although it's unlikely to be valid if she leaves the room insecure, which brings us back to locking the door).

thanks for you advice everyone, i just wanted to get other peoples thoughts before making the plunge to buy! she's the first one of ours to go so im probably just over thinking a bit haha

The rooms all lock, but tbh ( unless they are a bit OCD as I was ) doors will be left open- nipping to a mate, general block parties etc.

For the low stress option...
Take nothing irreplaceable. Insure all.
Think about valuables - students don't really need the top spec iMac do they? As long as they don't have a " keeping up with the jones" mindset a cheapy laptop , tablet and inexpensive phone will be fine.

Actually security from year 2 on in shared houses is much worse lol

As a pp said there is usually insurance included on the room, this though doesn't cover items when they are taken out of the room. So do get additional insurance as students do lose, break and have things stolen.

There will be a lot of information & advice about security in halls in Freshers' Week. As others have said, your DC needs to lock their door any time they are not in their room.

A CCTV is really OTT and PFB really!! Your DC will be treated as an adult at university & as someone who is sensible & responsible about their belongings.

You would probably be better off ensuring she knows how to regular back up her work externally, so if her laptop goes mussing she doesn't lose all her work.

As an aside, it's quite likely a wireless security camera wouldn't be usable with the university's wireless network. It certainly wouldn't at the university I work at.

seems the general consensus is no to camera then , as i said before it was just a thought and wanted some opinions before handing over the dosh! i think my daughter is responsible enough to make sure her things are secure, was just looking into this as a precautionary method for when she was away from her flat.