Once December arrives, students will be focused on taking exams and completing final assignments, so they might not be thinking much about taking steps to minimize the risk of theft from their off-campus residences while they are away for Winter Break.

Wake Forest’s Residence Life and Housing staff understand how important it is to remind students about taking such important actions and will send off-campus students detailed safety tips in a December electronic newsletter.  Students living in apartments and houses will receive the newsletter well in time to act to help safeguard their property.

In some past winter breaks, student off-campus residences have experienced break-ins while the residences are unoccupied for such an extended time.  Similar incidents have occurred, occasionally, during other periods, such as Spring Break, when those student residences are temporarily unoccupied.

Helpful security tips were also shared with students when the fall semester started, but December’s information is intended as timely reminders.

For protecting property, Residence Life and Housing staff consistently encourage students during Winter Break:

–To record the model and serial number of valuables not removed

–To take all portable valuables with them when they leave

–To take a video or still image of valuables left in the residence

–To request Wake Forest University Police assistance in learning how to secure their residence, if needed

–To inform, perhaps, Winston-Salem Police about when they will be away

Other basic tips include:

–Make sure doors and windows are locked

–Activate home security system, if available

–Consider installing timers for some of the lights

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.