Ohio State students on Waldeck Avenue are using cameras and home security systems to improve their safety in their off-campus housing. These students use a doorbell camera as well as signs posted on their front door to indicate a home security system. Credit: Bailey Johnston | Lantern Reporter

During his first night living off campus in September 2022, Alexander Kim, a fifth-year computer science major, said he suffered an attempted bike theft when someone tried to break his bike lock.

In response, Kim moved his bike to his upstairs balcony for added safety.

It was stolen three months later.

Kim’s experience represents a challenge that nearly all students living alone face for the first time: a concern for personal safety and the security of their belongings. To ease the transition to off-campus living, Ohio State’s Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Involvement and the online course “Stay Safe, Buckeyes” each offer tips on how to stay safe at home.

Although off-campus housing promotes self-sufficiency, university spokesman Dan Hedman said in an email that students should be aware of the different safety measures that come into play when moving off-campus .

“Residence halls require card access and are regularly patrolled by police and security,” Hedman said. “Living off campus is a step toward independence, but also an added responsibility in prioritizing your own safety.”

Similarly, university spokesman Dave Isaacs said students who rent property in off-campus areas take on safety responsibilities they don’t have to consider in on-campus residence halls.

“You as a tenant have to take care of what, say, the university might have taken care of when you lived on campus,” Isaacs said. “So, for example, maintaining smoke alarms; (the university) took care of that when you live in a residence hall. You’re on your own when you live off campus.”

When renting a property, Isaacs said it’s critical to know the duties that come with the lease, as well as the landlord’s obligations. By fully understanding this information, students can be proactive in maintaining the safety features of their homes.

“Things like outdoor lighting – who maintains it? Are you responsible for changing the bulb or is your owner? Isaacs said. “Those are some of the things that are really important when you move off campus.”

Theft and personal safety

Maintaining indoor and outdoor lighting is a crucial step in increasing safety because it helps students protect themselves and their belongings, Hedmen said. He also said curtains and blinds should remain closed, entry points should remain locked and valuables and cash should be hidden to prevent unwanted people from entering the property.

“Police advise students who live off campus to always lock their doors and windows,” Hedman said. “Even though it might be more convenient when you live with roommates to leave the exterior doors unlocked, it makes it easier for criminals to get in.”

In addition, Hedman said students should “use free door and window alarms,” ​​which, appropriately OCCS websiteare provided by the university in room 3106 of the Ohio Union Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Isaacs said the university provides up to five window and door alarms for each student to install in their on-campus or off-campus housing, as well as one personal security alarm for the exterior of the home.

These window and door alarms are listed in the Department of Public Safety’s Stay Safe, Buckeyes classan online resource that Hedman said offers household safety tips and ways to increase overall security for students on and off campus.

“I would encourage everyone to watch the 10 video modules included in our Stay Safe, Buckeyes online course,” Hedman said. “It discusses how to prevent crime, how to report crimes and other important safety steps that all Buckeyes can take to increase safety.”

Students can access the Department of Public Safety’s Stay Safe, Buckeyes course website or through video playlist posted on the university’s Office of Administration and Planning YouTube channel.

Fire safety

OCCSEs website states that according to the US Department of Education, 87% of college fires occur off campus.

Isaacs said most house fires are caused by “unsupervised cooking,” although “electrical fires” and “carelessly discarded smoking materials” are also concerns students should be aware of.

To help prevent fires, Isaacs said students should avoid overloading outlets — or plugging in too many devices — and use power strips instead of extension cords for long-term use. For the colder months, Isaacs said students using space heaters should keep them at least “three feet away from flammable objects.”

Isaacs said rental properties don’t always provide tenants with fire extinguishers, so it’s critical that students obtain them independently as a proactive safety measure.

“The city of Columbus doesn’t require landlords to put a fire extinguisher in their units, and not everyone does,” Isaacs said. “So make sure you have a fire extinguisher; whether you provide it or the owner does, make sure there’s one there and you know how to use it.”

A video demonstration of how to operate a fire extinguisher can be found on the Office of Student Life’s website.

For more information on general home safety tips for off-campus students, visit OCCSE website.