With Christmas just around the corner, many students will be planning their trip back home, but before you do, here is our advice to make sure that your student accommodation is protected over the holidays.
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Don’t forget to lock up!
This may seem like an obvious piece of advice, but with housemates leaving at different times and hauling stuff to and from the car, locking up can be forgotten about. Be sure to check that all windows, doors and gates are secure, as well as individual bedrooms.
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Keep the heating on low
When leaving for an extended period over Christmas, it's important to turn the heating to the minimum setting, and also on timed mode for a few hours a day. This ensures that there is some heat going through the central heating system, as during cold weather, pipes may freeze and burst leading to a flooded house - that’s the last thing you need to come back to after your break!
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Try to make it look like someone is home
As most students will return home for the Christmas break, burglars will see this as a tempting opportunity. Be sure to create the illusion that the house is occupied by having coats hanging in the hallway or keeping a low-energy light on if possible.
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Keep your valuables safe
If you are not taking your gadgets or valuable items home with you, make sure that they are out of sight or stored securely.
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Switch off and unplug electrical items
If you read our previous blog on easy ways to save on energy bills, we told you that utilities that are left plugged in around your home still use electricity in small increments even when turned off. It's estimated that you can save around £80 per year by unplugging electrical items when they're not in use. This is also good practice in reducing the chance of an overloaded circuit, and potentially an electrical fire. The more items you have plugged in, the more susceptible your devices are to damage and overload.
Follow these tips and you’ll have peace of mind while you're away, knowing that your student accommodation should be safe and secure over Christmas. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to help you!
