Everything students need to know about life off campus

During his first night off campus in September 2022, Alexander Kim, a fifth-year computer science major, said he experienced an attempted bicycle theft when someone tried to break his bike lock.

In response, Kim moved his bike to the third-floor balcony for extra safety.

Three months later it was stolen.

Kim’s experience represents a challenge faced by almost all students living on their own for the first time: a concern for personal safety and the security of their belongings. To ease the transition to off-campus life, Ohio State’s Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office and the online class “Stay Safe, Buckeyes” offer tips on how to stay safe at home.

While off-campus housing promotes self-sufficiency, university spokesman Dan Hedman said in an email that students should be aware of the various safety measures involved when moving from one campus to another.

“Residence halls require swipe card access and are regularly patrolled by police and security,” Hedman said. “Living off campus is a step toward independence, but it also brings more responsibility by prioritizing your own safety.”

Similarly, university spokesman Dave Isaacs said students who rent housing in off-campus areas are taking on safety responsibilities that they did not have to consider in on-campus residence halls.

“As a tenant, you have to take care of what was arranged by the university, for example, when you lived on campus,” says Isaacs. “So, for example, maintaining smoke detectors; (the university) has taken care of that if you live in a residence hall. If you live off campus, you are on your own.”

When renting a home, according to Isaacs, it is essential to know the obligations associated with the rental agreement, as well as the obligations of the landlord. By fully understanding this information, students can be proactive in maintaining the safety features of their home.

“Things like outdoor lighting: who maintains it? Are you responsible for replacing the light bulb or is that your landlord?” said Isaac. “Those are some of the things that are really important when you move off campus.”

Theft and personal security

Maintaining indoor and outdoor lighting is a crucial step to increasing safety because it helps students protect themselves and their belongings, Hedmen said. He also said curtains and blinds should be kept closed, entry points should be kept closed and valuables and cash should be hidden to prevent unwanted people from entering the premises.

“Police advise students who live off campus to always lock doors and windows,” Hedman said. “While it may be more convenient if you live with roommates to leave the outside doors unlocked, this makes it easier for criminals to gain access.”

Additionally, Hedman said students should “use free door and window alarms,” according to the OCCSEs websiteare provided by the university in room 3106 of the Ohio Union Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Isaacs said the university offers up to five window and door alarms that each student can install in their on- or off-campus housing, as well as a personal outdoor security alarm.

These window and door alarms are listed in the Department of Public Safety’s Stay Safe, Buckeyes classan online resource that Hedman says offers household safety tips and ways to increase overall safety for students on and off campus.

“I would encourage everyone to watch the ten video modules in our Stay Safe, Buckeyes online class,” Hedman said. “It discusses how to prevent crime, how to report crime and other important safety steps all Buckeyes can take to increase safety.”

Students can access the Stay Safe, Buckeyes class at the Department of Public Safety website or via the video playlist posted on the university’s Office of Administration & Planning YouTube channel.

Fire safety

From the OCCSE website states that according to the U.S. Department of Education, 87% of college fires occur in off-campus areas.

Isaacs said most home fires are caused by “unattended cooking,” although “electrical fires” and “carelessly discarded smoking materials” are also concerns students should consider.

To help prevent fires, Isaacs said students should avoid overloading their electrical outlets — or plugging in too many appliances — and use power strips instead of extension cords for long-term use. For the colder months, Isaacs said students using space heaters should keep them at least “three feet away from flammable objects.”

Isaacs said rental properties do not always provide their tenants with fire extinguishers, so it is critical that students purchase them independently as a proactive safety measure.

“The city of Columbus does not require landlords to install a fire extinguisher in their units, and not everyone provides one,” Isaacs said. “So make sure you have a fire extinguisher with you; Whether you provide it or the landlord, make sure one is available and that you know how to use it.”

At the Student Life Office you will find a video demonstration on operating a fire extinguisher website.

Visit OCCSE’s to learn more about general home safety tips for off-campus students website.