From Coleege News - Keeping yourself safe also includes keeping your doors shut

We all think of college as this magical, rules-free place, and to be honest, that’s the fault of the universities for the way they’re set up. Staying up till 2 a.m., going to parties, not going to class and facing little consequences for that, clearly this is not the correct depiction of the real world.

However, just because college seems wonderful does not mean the rules of safety fly out the window. Whether you’re in a dorm or an apartment, one way to make sure you and your stuff are secure is to lock your doors. Even if you feel like your place will “never get robbed,” don’t be too sure, because:

You don’t know who is who

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” isn’t just a saying moms tell their kids. Though someone may seem nice, according to Heather Connelly in her article “Lock Your Doors” for the Rochester College Examiner, “Even the people who look the friendliest can turn out to be thieves.” Just because the kid down the hall likes the same band as you doesn’t mean it’s an accurate indicator if he’ll rob you or not.

Drunk people like to steal

The way a person acts sober is at least a bit different then the way they act when they come home from a party smelling like booze. According to Connelly, “if students come back intoxicated, nobody knows what might be considered “good” ideas at the time,” and drunk students could do a number of things, from opening any unlocked doors to “accidentally” taking your T.V.

Valuables are...well, valuable

A computer plus a video gamming system plus a laptop plus a micro-fridge equals? While prices may vary, it’s safe to say that all of the expensive items in your room, if stolen, will cost you more than your wallet can handle. And even if you won’t be paying for the damages, at least have pity on your parents and save them from a small debt.