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One of the most common questions we get about what to bring to college is whether you should have a safe for your dorm room. Or if you don't have a safe, how do you secure your valuables at school?
Honestly, we get asked this question a lot from parents who may not have had a college experience themselves, or from other families who may see a lot of stories in the mainstream media (which we all know may not paint an accurate picture) .
We're not trying to hide the fact that dorm room burglaries actually occur (about 6,800 per year, according to the data). Considering that 2.4 million students live on campus nationwide, there's a good chance your student will never fall victim to a burglary.
With that in mind, the answer to having a safe in your college dorm is: maybe, but probably not.
Why You Might Consider a Safe for College
First, you need to think about why you are even considering a college safe. Honestly, you shouldn't take too many valuables with you. You'll be staying in a small dorm room anyway, so there's not much room for extra stuff.
The most valuable items you bring with you are probably also the same items you'll use every day – your laptop, your cell phone, maybe a piece of jewelry you wear. With that in mind, these are also the exact same items that your roommate will have.
Maybe you have prescription medications that you want to keep safe, but you use them every day – so do you really want to lock them up?
You may also be worried about the security of your data (remember that your identity has already been stolen, but you need to be vigilant). You may have a passport or other document.
Some of these things might justify having a small lockable safe at college. However, for most students this is more hassle than it is worth.
Your roommate is unlikely to steal from you. And if you follow basic safety precautions, lock your door, and don't even bring valuables, there isn't much that needs to be locked.
Disadvantages of having a safe for your dorm room
The fact is that safes are heavy and bulky. Even small specimens take up space in a room where there isn't much space available anyway.
Buying a safe is just another thing that takes up space, and are you really going to use it? Or will it collect dust? What are you really closing off and why?
We have found that many students end up not using the safe because they have taken care of the items they thought they needed to lock up anyway. And your roommate will honestly be your greatest ally – not your enemy. They should help you keep your shared room safe. Your belongings are just as at risk as your belongings.
And in the rare cases of theft, contact the campus police. And ideally, everything in your dorm room can be replaced, including medications.
How to keep your items safe at university
That doesn't mean you shouldn't focus on safety in college. You need to keep your items safe – it's a best practice for both your dorm and your life.
First, most dorm rooms have one lockable drawer per person. This lockable drawer is a great place to store your passport and documents, perhaps your women's jewelry and anything else that is valuable. But seriously: don't bring the really valuable things with you. It's not worth the risk.
Second, if you want a safe, consider something very small like this drawer safe. Only documents will fit, so plan accordingly.
Third, from a practical perspective, you should not keep medications under lock and key. If you're worried about losing medication, that only happens with a roommate. And if you do, call the campus police immediately.
Finally, consider insurance for dorm tenants. Renters insurance is actually “personal property insurance” and covers all of your belongings – both in your dorm room and on campus. If your laptop is stolen from the library, you're covered. Check out our guide to insurance for dorm tenants here.
People ask too
How do I protect my computer in college?
The key to protecting your college computer is to follow general security best practices. Make sure you lock your dorm door, keep the window closed when you are not in your room, and never leave your computer unattended in the library or classroom.
How do I protect my valuables in my dorm room?
Do not bring valuables into your dorm room. If you have smaller valuables, most dorm rooms have at least one lockable drawer per student. You can store your valuables in this drawer. If you don't have a lockable drawer, you can consider purchasing a small drawer safe.
How can I secure my prescription medication at university?
Most medications should not be isolated just for convenience. And in a dorm room, you don't have to worry about small children or pets getting to your medication. However, you can use a lockable drawer or small safe if you are concerned about the safety of your medications.
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