Here at Abodus, we truly care about your well-being. Our student flats in Leeds, Newcastle and across the country are as safe as possible, and our team is here to look after you at all times.

However, we understand we can’t always physically be with you, so we’ve put together a blog to help you familiarise yourself with your city and surroundings.

Read on below for our top safety tips on how to ensure your personal safety on campus and whilst at university.

Keep Your Identity Safe

Keep items with personal details like your birth certificate, driving licence and passport in a safe place, such as a locked safe.

Do not give out any personal information, such as account details, passwords, or PIN numbers over the telephone or to anyone you are not certain is from a valid institution.

If you have any old receipts, bank cards, or any papers with important information such as bank details, be sure to destroy them all before throwing them out.

If you lose your bank card, contact your bank straight away to cancel it and request a new one, and when you are travelling or if you change addresses, be sure to update your information with any associated institutions.

All of this will reduce the risk of your personal information getting into the hands of the wrong people, and it will keep your identity safe.

Protect and Ensure Your Personal Belongings

The best way to protect your personal belongings is to clearly mark them and store them in a safe place when they are not in use, as you would your personal details. For larger items, such as your bicycle, store them in a well-lit place outside and secure them with a lock of sufficient strength.

However, there is still a chance that no matter what precautions you take, you might fall victim to theft or burglary.

If your personal items are insured, you can have peace of mind knowing that if anything does happen to them, you will not have to spend unnecessary amounts of money to replace them.

Take Extra Care With Your Money

When spending money online, make sure the website you are using is verified through VeriSignTrust to avoid having your personal or bank details stolen.

When you are in public, be sure to keep any cash or bank cards stored in a secure bag or wallet, and keep it safely on you at all times.

If you need to use a cash machine, check it prior to using it for signs of any interference. When wanting to withdraw any funds, try to do so during the day, be aware of anyone near you, and be sure to cover the keypad when entering your PIN number.

All of these steps will help to prevent the loss of your hard-earned money, as well as preserve your safety on campus and around town.

Take Extra Precautions When Going Out

Before you go out, make a plan for who you will be with and how you will get home.

Let a friend know where you’re going, who you’ll be with, and when you expect to be back. At the end of the night, try to leave with a friend, but if you cannot, there are further precautions you can take.

Make sure your phone has plenty of charge so that you can make calls if you need to. If you are taking public transport, try to sit towards the front of the bus, near the driver. If, for any reason, you have to walk by yourself at night, do your best to stick to public and well-lit paths.

Try not to use your phone to avoid becoming distracted, but if you do feel unsafe whilst walking, try phoning a friend or using a service such as Strut Safe to speak with someone until you have made it to your destination safely. You can also carry a personal alarm on you (contrary to popular belief, they’re not just for women!).

Finally, be sure to always share your phone’s location with a trusted friend. These steps will ensure that you stay as safe as possible while you are out.

Consume Your Alcohol Safely

Know your limits if you are consuming alcohol and stick to them when you are out. Make sure you eat before drinking and drink lots of water between drinks.

To reduce the risk of your drinks being spiked, do not accept drinks from strangers, watch your drinks being made, and do not ever leave your drink unattended.

We want you to enjoy your time at university, but not at the risk of your personal safety on campus or around town.

We hope that the information above helps you to safely embrace your university experience, but if you ever find yourself in a vulnerable situation and need immediate assistance, please reach out to your property team or check out our student well-being page.