Christmas is around the corner, and with the student population of Leeds all packing up and heading home for family festivities, your homes won't be protected daily by the deterrent of regular inhabitants. Before you head back to your family home, be if for a quick week or an extended month, make sure you follow our tips to keeping your student house safe.

Take valuables home with you

It might seem like an obvious suggestion, but a large amount of students choose to leave valuables in their student house over the Christmas break. Some of the worst-hit burglary areas are ones which have a high student population, so the festive period, where houses are empty can be a haven for thieves. You'll obviously take your smartphone and other mobile devices home with you, but if there are larger items such as desktop computers and televisions in your home, it will be costly to replace them if the worst should happen. Don't leave items of value in your uninhabited home.

Be prepared

The winter and the long dark nights are proven to bring an increase in burglary nationwide, so even if you take all the proper precautions, there is often nothing you can do if targeted by thieves. Check that your insurance policy is in order before leaving for an extended time, as the last thing you want upon returning is to lose valuable possessions and them not be covered.

Deterrents

It might go against every fibre of your being as a student, but if you leave the house on an evening, or even for an extended period, it can be a real help if you leave a visible light on as a deterrent. We understand that you might have to scrape around for your electricity bill, but the couple of hours you leave the hall light on when out can help prevent a break-in. If you're leaving for the holidays, set up a light timer that flicks a light on for an hour on an evening. Alarm systems are also a great aid, and even a deterrent. The flashing alarm box on a home will be spotted by potential thieves and it may steer them away from your home.

Secure it

It can often be a difficult job to keep track of people coming and going in a student home. With varying university timetables and people heading out to meet friends for Christmas celebrations, you might not always know how many people are home. If there is any doubt in your mind as to whether you're last to leave, make sure you secure your home by locking the door. Unlocked doors and windows can be a recurring problem when it comes to student burglaries. Make sure your house isn't left vulnerable - lock the windows, doors and even the exterior gates.