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5 min readCollege is the time of all-nighters, parties, and the newfound freedom of finally being on your own. But the college casual “open-door” policy can leave you vulnerable to theft.
You spend thousands on textbooks, a laptop, and other home essentials, so they're worth protecting. As technology advances, home automation and smart security aren’t just for your parents’ house.
Up your college dorm game with these six items that score high marks for both campus safety and convenience.
Every year we rank the college towns that report the fewest crimes per capita. See which cities made the list of 2022's top 50 safest college towns.
From cameras to surge protectors, we’ve narrowed down the six best gadgets to help you ramp up security for your residential life.
We've specifically sought out budget-friendly tools and resources to help meet practically any college life budget.
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
As a general rule, you’ll want to keep your most prized possessions at home (like Grandma's pearls that you wear twice a year).
But there are some things, like prescription medication, you take with you in college—and this is where a dorm room safe comes in.
Specifically designed to meet the needs of dorm life, the Master Lock Personal Safe ups the ante of dorm room security with its sleek, narrow design for small spaces.
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Between your roommate, your RA, and other people coming and going through your room, you’ll want to keep an eye on all that foot traffic.
For just under $40, you can outfit your dorm with this state-of-the-art smart security camera. Wyze’s live stream features, time-lapse recordings, and 8x digital zoom give you a visual on everything—all from your smartphone.
But first, check with a landlord or RA to ensure security cameras are allowed.
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
There are some places you just don't want to take your laptop—like to the restroom.
With this Kensington Laptop Lock cable lock, you can secure your laptop anywhere—whether you're in the library or settling in for the night, but roomies keep a steady stream of visitors until the wee hours.
Most schools have free property registration programs where you can register the serial numbers of your electronics or other pricey belongings (like a bicycle). This way, if someone recovers a stolen item, you can easily identify it as yours.
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
With so many people passing through your dorm or hallway, you’ll want to keep track of your computer, tablet, or other valuables that might get lost in the bustle.
Simply attach a tag to the items you want to track, and the Tile tracker will use Bluetooth technology to keep track of everything from your keys to your phone. (This is also nice if you’re constantly on the go and often lose things.)
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
If you ran off to class in a hurry and realized you left your flat iron plugged in, you can turn it off straight from your smartphone with a Wemo Mini Smart Plug.
The WeMo switch turns any electronic device into a smart device. It can be plugged into almost any outlet and controlled from anywhere you are.
*Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Power surge protectors are the best way to protect devices or appliances from surges or blowouts—which can be likely occurrences in older, outdated dorms.
Spend the extra cash on a power surge protector so you don’t fry your expensive laptop charger.
It depends, though most usually have some on the exterior. Whatever the case may be, having a security camera in your room can help you pinpoint who stole something in the event it happens—which can help you find it.
No matter how good you are at locking up after you leave, the people you live with may not be. Most schools offer safe rentals, but since keeping your belongings in a safe isn’t limited to just your time on campus, investing in a reliable safe for future years isn’t a bad idea.
Also, cleaning crews and maintenance workers often come through during winter/spring break, so it’s best to stay on the safe side.
If you can’t afford high-tech security products, there are many common-sense tactics you can use to protect yourself for free.
For starters, never give away your key or student ID card, and be sure to always lock the door to your room. If your roommate forgot their key but isn’t coming home until you’re sound asleep, don’t leave the door unlocked for them—it’s much safer to wake up to let them in.
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