Winter break is coming up and it is time for a much-needed break. However, this is also a time when break-in and robbery rates tend to go up. So it is important to have a safety refresher.
Personal safety is something we should be concerned about all year round but over the winter holidays it can be easy to forget the easy steps that might prevent cars from being broken into.
However, it is not the time to be lax with personal safety. Both the main campus and near the Iowa City campus have had safety concerns over the last couple of months.
It is easy to be caught walking back from a class after dark and can make a student an easy target for robbery, that is why it is so important to be aware of one’s surroundings. Students can try to walk in groups to their cars or apartments and never just sit in their car with it unlocked.
Home safety is also important this time of year, some students need to travel to see family over winter break and that can leave apartments open for robbery. Ask a neighbor to check on your place and make sure your door and windows are locked and even use a timer or a smart device to run lights in your apartment to give appearance that you are home.
You should also not post travel photos until you’re home because that is advertisement that you are not home and this is something that is a good practice all year long.
It is also important to be aware of fire safety in the winter. There are far too many preventable fires every year. Makes sure that your smoke alarms are functional and that you have a working fire extinguisher.
If you use a space heater, make sure you follow the instruction given and turn it off when you aren’t using it.
Jessica is in the Digital Arts program and previously graduated with an AA in Liberal Arts and a Bakery Certificate. She enjoys cooking, hiking with her dog, Daisy, taking pictures and spending time with her family.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
