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These gadgets can help college students with security in dorms, off-campus apartments

These gadgets can help college students with security in dorms, off-campus apartments
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These gadgets can help college students with security in dorms, off-campus apartments
In recent years, home security footage has given rise to catching porch pirates, alerting people to house fires or capturing a random act of kindness on camera. These doorbell cameras have made it easier to feel safe at home, and for parents who will have their children attending college this year, the security of their children is top of mind. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 43% of crimes reported on college campuses were “forcible sex offenses,” and 33% of crimes reported on college campuses in 2019 were burglaries. While the statistics showed in a ten-year span that total on-campus crimes are down, forcible sex offense, defined by the center as any sexual act directed against another person forcibly and/or against the person’s will, was up. These numbers present a challenge not just for parents but for on-campus police and security agencies to ensure students are safe. There are gadgets out there you can use that can help keep you safe in your dorm or off-campus apartment, which we’ll highlight below.Make your own home security kitWe came across this security kit on Amazon that featured a door stop security alarm, a window alarm and your own personal alarm. While the kit was unavailable, the items themselves were still in stock. The doorstop security alarm features a loud siren that goes off when door pressure is applied from the outside, and it also prevents the door from opening while the alarm sounds, thanks to a non-skid pad. The window alarm features a similar siren that can be heard from as far as 1,300 feet away and is triggered when the sensor is separated from its base. A two-pack of the window alarm and the doorstop security alarm bundled up would cost just under $30. Carry around a personal safety alarmIf you want some protection on the go, you can opt for a personal alarm that can be attached to your keys, like this one from SABRE or this personal safety alarm from Birdie. The Birdie alarm looks like an old iPod shuffle, but when activated, a loud siren blares and strobe lights begin to flash to create a diversion and help deter an attack. All you need to do is pull the top to start the siren and flash the lights. Once you reinsert the top back into the device, the alarm will deactivate. Other options to choose from include:The Original Self Defense Siren Personal Safety Alarm - $20 KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarm - $18 The SafeAlarm Personal Self-Defense Safety Alarm Keychain - $40Install security cameras like this lightbulb cameraYou read that correctly. Lightbulb cameras are a thing. We found this bulb camera on Amazon that is completely wireless. Simply screw it into a light socket, download an app and follow the instructions. The camera provides 2K resolution and comes with six floodlights and IR lights so that you can see what’s happening in the dark. Other bulb camera options include:LaView 4MP Bulb Security Camera - $34 WOOLINK 2K Wireless Light Bulb Security Camera - $30You can also opt for an indoor camera that also has a built-in siren, like the Kasa Smart indoor pan-tilt security camera. Now if you’re living in an off-campus apartment and can hook up your own doorbell camera system, then there’s plenty of options to choose from:Ring Video Doorbell bundle with Echo Pop (wired)Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight CameraTP-Link Tapo 1080P Indoor Security CameraLiving in an off-campus apartment? Look into home security systemsIf you’re not living on-campus and are in an apartment or multi-family home off-campus, you can get the gadgets we’ve listed out, but it might be worth looking into a home security system as well. Home security systems modern-day are smart-compatible, which means you can use your phone to see what’s going on at home even when you aren’t there. Many of the systems include motion detectors, doorbell cameras, entry sensors, smart locks and more, and they also give the option of professional monitoring so you can have the added security of someone reaching out to you in the event of an emergency. Here are some choices for you to consider. Mobile app users, click here to view the 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’s worth noting that these products can help you feel more secure, but many burglaries reported on college campuses stem from doors and windows being unlocked, so be sure to lock those doors and opt to call 911 if you feel unsafe.

In recent years, home security footage has given rise to catching porch pirates, alerting people to house fires or capturing a random act of kindness on camera. These doorbell cameras have made it easier to feel safe at home, and for parents who will have their children attending college this year, the security of their children is top of mind.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 43% of crimes reported on college campuses were “forcible sex offenses,” and 33% of crimes reported on college campuses in 2019 were burglaries.

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While the statistics showed in a ten-year span that total on-campus crimes are down, forcible sex offense, defined by the center as any sexual act directed against another person forcibly and/or against the person’s will, was up.

These numbers present a challenge not just for parents but for on-campus police and security agencies to ensure students are safe. There are gadgets out there you can use that can help keep you safe in your dorm or off-campus apartment, which we’ll highlight below.

Make your own home security kit

We came across this security kit on Amazon that featured a door stop security alarm, a window alarm and your own personal alarm. While the kit was unavailable, the items themselves were still in stock.

The doorstop security alarm features a loud siren that goes off when door pressure is applied from the outside, and it also prevents the door from opening while the alarm sounds, thanks to a non-skid pad.

The window alarm features a similar siren that can be heard from as far as 1,300 feet away and is triggered when the sensor is separated from its base.

A two-pack of the window alarm and the doorstop security alarm bundled up would cost just under $30.

Carry around a personal safety alarm

If you want some protection on the go, you can opt for a personal alarm that can be attached to your keys, like this one from SABRE or this personal safety alarm from Birdie.

The Birdie alarm looks like an old iPod shuffle, but when activated, a loud siren blares and strobe lights begin to flash to create a diversion and help deter an attack.

All you need to do is pull the top to start the siren and flash the lights. Once you reinsert the top back into the device, the alarm will deactivate.

Other options to choose from include:

Install security cameras like this lightbulb camera

You read that correctly. Lightbulb cameras are a thing.

We found this bulb camera on Amazon that is completely wireless. Simply screw it into a light socket, download an app and follow the instructions. The camera provides 2K resolution and comes with six floodlights and IR lights so that you can see what’s happening in the dark.

Other bulb camera options include:

You can also opt for an indoor camera that also has a built-in siren, like the Kasa Smart indoor pan-tilt security camera.

Now if you’re living in an off-campus apartment and can hook up your own doorbell camera system, then there’s plenty of options to choose from:

Living in an off-campus apartment? Look into home security systems

If you’re not living on-campus and are in an apartment or multi-family home off-campus, you can get the gadgets we’ve listed out, but it might be worth looking into a home security system as well.

Home security systems modern-day are smart-compatible, which means you can use your phone to see what’s going on at home even when you aren’t there. Many of the systems include motion detectors, doorbell cameras, entry sensors, smart locks and more, and they also give the option of professional monitoring so you can have the added security of someone reaching out to you in the event of an emergency.

Here are some choices for you to consider. Mobile app users, click here to view the choices!

It’s worth noting that these products can help you feel more secure, but many burglaries reported on college campuses stem from doors and windows being unlocked, so be sure to lock those doors and opt to call 911 if you feel unsafe.

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