“Whether you are lazy, careless or just naive, please consider this as a warning: robberies can happen to any one of us. There may not be any way to be completely sure that your house is safe from a robber, but there are plenty of ways to deter them. Every semester, students living off campus are robbed, and one of the biggest reasons is due to the fact that they do not care to take proper precautions.”
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Whether you are lazy, careless or just naive, please consider this as a warning: robberies can happen to any one of us.

There may not be any way to be completely sure that your house is safe from a robber, but there are plenty of ways to deter them.

Every semester, students living off campus are robbed, and one of the biggest reasons is due to the fact that they do not care to take proper precautions.

Think about how many things you own.

It probably took a long time, maybe even your entire life to aqcuire some of those possessions.

After all those years, everything that is yours could be gone in a few hours.

Taking some extra precautions doesn’t sound so bad anymore, does it?

And if your house is the victim of a robbery, it’s pretty likely that it didn’t happen by chance.

Most robbers watch their targets closely.

The smart ones plan their operations carefully, speculating on every detail.

They know when you are supposed to be away, and when you are likely to be home.

This kind of behavior suggests that if students are the victims of a carefully planned robbery, they are continuously making the same mistakes.

The key in preventing a robbery has a lot to do with habit.

Locking your doors is probably the most obvious thing to do.

Locking up your windows is smart too, even if it means you have to remove your air conditioning unit.

It’s better to be safe then sorry.

Another great option is to contact UAPD for a free security check.

After all, they are offering it so why not take advantage?

Be conscious of where you leave your house and car keys.

It’s probably good to keep them away from doors and windows.

In the same respect, don’t encourage theft by leaving expensive things near entrances either.

If you have a porch light, use it whether you are home or not.

Automatic timers are easy to obtain and they can be hooked up to house lamps to go on at any given time.

Lights will always make a robber think twice.

If you have the option of leaving a vehicle in the driveway when you leave, do so.

Just remember to take your keys with you.

When you are gone during Christmas break, having a neighbor shovel your driveway is also a great tactic.

Don’t forget to be equally cautious if you are walking at night.

The greater number of people you walk with, the less your chances are of being jumped.

Having mace close by can also save your life.

The more you practice these things, the more routine they will become and the less you will need to worry.

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