An Emphasis on Safety as Your Child Leaves for College
Saying goodbye as your son or daughter heads off to college can be an exciting and emotional experience. As a parent, it's only natural to worry about their safety when they are away from home. Here are 10 pieces of advice for both you and your child to help ensure his or her safety at school and give you some peace of mind.
Always lock your door, even if you are only leaving for a few minutes, and lock your windows when you're gone or sleeping.
Develop a personal security plan that includes sharing your daily schedule with parents and friends.
Program the campus police number on your cell phone, always be aware of your surroundings, and never walk alone at night or in isolated areas of campus.
Learn the dorm's evacuation plan — know two ways out of each room and the building.
Test smoke alarms monthly and make sure they are installed in and outside each sleeping area.
Don't allow smoking in any room. It's the No. 1 cause of campus housing fire fatalities.
Don't leave the kitchen when cooking, since kitchen appliances are involved in nearly nine out of 10 dormitory-type property fires.
Don't overload electrical outlets, extension cords, or power strips.
Unplug appliances or personal care items like irons, hair dryers, and curling irons.
Check your homeowners policy or contact NJM to see if you need extra protection (renters insurance) for personal possessions (laptops, smartphones, textbooks), and liability.
NJM Insurance Group’s Commitment to Safety
NJM’s enduring commitment to safety can be traced back to our earliest days — with a focus that has expanded from improving conditions in manufacturing facilities to helping keep customers safe on the roads and at home. NJM is a leader in personal and commercial auto, homeowners, and workers’ compensation insurance.
References:
“Campus Fire Safety for Students,” https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Property-type-and-vehicles/Campus-and-dorm-fires.
“Campus Fire Safety Outreach Materials,” https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/college.html.
“Renting Your Home? Protect Your Belongings with Renters Insurance,” https://content.naic.org/article/consumer-insight-renting-your-home-protect-your-belongings-renters-insurance
“Campus Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2000–2015),” https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/campus_fire_fatalities_report.pdf