Your essential guide to staying safe in Unite Students accommodation

Starting university is an exciting time – moving on to the next stage in life, and living away from parents for the first time. It can also be daunting. With Unite Students accommodation, you know you’re getting top-notch security and a range of support options to help you make the most of uni life while staying safe. This guide is here to help you navigate those first months and beyond, keeping yourself (and your possessions) secure.

Learn about security measures you can expect to find in your accommodation, and get university fire safety tips in case the worst should happen. We’ll also discuss general student safety tips, and how to look after yourself, with access to university health services designed to support you every step of the way.

• Discover how to access university health services

• Get top tips on personal safety for students

• Learn about security measures to protect you in your student accommodation

Securing your accommodation: Keeping your space safe

Your room and flat are your personal sanctuary at uni. Learning how to make that a safe space can help you relax into uni life with a feeling of security. Follow these few simple student safety tips to help keep yourself and your belongings safe while you focus on studying.

Lock it up

It’s nice to think the people you go to uni with will respect your belongings as much as you’ll respect theirs. However, this may not always be the case. Take measures to keep your stuff safe by following these student safety tips:

• Always lock the door to your room or flat, even if you’re just popping out to the shops or next door.

• If you’re on the ground floor or going out for a while, make sure you’ve also closed and locked all your windows before you leave.

• Don’t lend keys or electronic fobs to anyone else, and keep yours safe on your person when you’re out and about.

These measures are crucial to preventing opportunistic theft. If thieves can’t get to your stuff easily, it acts as a deterrent.

Reporting suspicious activity

If you notice any suspicious activity on campus, or you think someone’s acting unusually, you should always report it to the on-site team straight away. They’re there to keep you safe, and they can do their job better if they know what’s going on.

Unite Students accommodation has a reception team in each building, usually staffed from 8 am until 8 pm (although some hours can vary). Outside of these times, you can contact the emergency team on 0300 303 1611, available 24/7, to address any urgent concerns.

Understanding tailgating

Tailgating is when someone follows you into a building after you open the door, without using their own key or fob. While holding the door for someone is generally a nice thing to do, it can compromise security for everyone if you don’t recognise that person. In the worst-case scenario, it can lead to disruption, theft, or even personal danger – so don’t let anyone tailgate you into your building.

To prevent tailgating at your uni accommodation:

• Never hold doors for strangers.

• Never leave a security door propped open, even for a moment.

• If someone you don’t know wants to follow you in, politely ask if you can help them or direct them somewhere instead of letting them in.

• Be aware of your surroundings when you come in and out.

• Report any faulty access control systems promptly, like doors that won’t close properly.

Protecting your valuables

As well as keeping doors and windows locked to prevent access, there are a few other things you can do to keep your belongings more secure when you’re at uni:

• Think about getting affordable contents insurance, so you’re covered if anything does go missing.

• Don’t leave expensive or desirable items like your phone or laptop unattended in common areas of the building.

• Think about marking your belongings with a UV pen – if something gets stolen and later recovered, this helps the authorities know who to return it to.

Fire safety essentials: Staying safe from fire

While fires are rare in uni accommodation, they can and do happen occasionally. Being aware of what to do and understanding your university accommodation fire safety procedures is an essential, shared responsibility among everyone living in the building.

Familiarise yourself

Taking some time to familiarise yourself with fire safety procedures soon after you arrive can help keep you and everyone you live with safe. A few things to do on arrival are:

• Read the fire safety notices that will be posted at frequent intervals throughout the common areas of your accommodation.

• Make sure you know exactly where all the fire exits and assembly points are. These will be outlined in your welcome guide.

• Take time to understand the specific evacuation plan for your building – it might not be the same everywhere.

Don't tamper

Tampering with fire safety equipment can have serious consequences. These are there to protect everyone, and, if one person damages them, other people could be at risk. Not only that – it’s illegal to tamper with things like smoke detectors, fire alarms, and fire-fighting equipment like extinguishers.. Don’t tamper yourself, and you should always report anyone you see tampering with fire safety equipment.

Kitchen safety

Staying safe in the kitchen is paramount when it comes to university accommodation fire safety. Did you know that around 60% of all house fires in the UK start in the kitchen? Follow these top safety tips to keep your kitchen a fire-free zone:

• Never leave a pan or hob unattended – switch off even if you’re just popping to the loo.

• Keep your cooking areas clean and free from flammable materials – like tea towels near lit hobs, for example.

• Turn all appliances off at the plug when you’re not using them.

• Don’t overload electrical sockets.

• Definitely DO NOT start cooking while intoxicated – that’s what takeaways are for!

Evacuation procedures

If the fire alarm does go off, you need to know what to do and where to go to evacuate. If a fire alarm sounds, you should:

• Leave the building by the nearest fire exit – walk calmly but quickly.

• Don’t run, and don’t stop to collect your belongings.

• Go immediately to the designated assembly point for your building.

• Never use a lift when there might be a fire.

• Do NOT re-enter the building for any reason until you’re told it’s safe to do so by the fire brigade or Unite Students staff.

Your health & wellbeing: Accessing support

Looking after your mental and physical health is just as important as being safety-conscious and keeping your belongings secure. There are lots of support options and university health services on campus and from Unite Students if you need extra help. Below are a few things to bear in mind when you arrive at uni.

Register with a GP

It’s a good idea to register with a local GP soon after you arrive at uni. This means you’re all set for routine healthcare as well as emergencies. Most universities will have a student health service on campus, and they will be able to help you find a GP nearby.

Mental health support

If you find you’re struggling mentally at any point in your uni career, there’s always help at hand. Unite Students has dedicated mental health support, from phone and virtual counselling to a library of resources.

Your uni will also most likely have counselling services available if you need them, and there are always local charities and the NHS. Remember, it’s OK to ask for help if you need it. Suffering in silence won’t help – reaching out will.

Emergency contacts

If you need help in a crisis, it can be useful to have a list of important emergency contacts to hand. If you prepare when times are good, you’ll be able to reach out when things are not so good. Keep a list of phone numbers somewhere you can easily see it. Add family and friends as well as your GP, university security, mental health resources, and the Unite Students 24/7 helpline number.

Personal safety beyond your room: General student safety tips

Safety isn’t only important on campus. You’ll want to get out and about and explore your new city. Doing this safely just means taking a few simple precautions.

Awareness

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially when you go somewhere new or you’re out at night.

• Try to avoid distractions, like staring at your phone, while you’re walking around.

• Stick to busy, well-lit areas where you can see what other people are doing.

Travelling smart

• Try to avoid walking alone at night, especially in areas that are secluded or not well-lit.

• Plan your routes home in advance so you’re not distracted by using a map app.

• If you do have to walk alone, let a friend or family member know where you are, or call someone to talk to as you walk.

• Use well-lit public transport or registered taxi services.

• Share your location on your phone so people can find you in an emergency.

Socialising safely

• A big part of staying safe is making sure you all look out for each other.

• Make sure you and everyone else you’re out with has a plan to get home safely on nights out.

• Buddy up to get home where possible.

• Drink responsibly, and never go back to a drink you’ve left unattended.

• Keep your personal belongings out of sight and secure.

Remember you can “Ask for Angela” in any pub, bar or restaurant if someone makes you feel uncomfortable. The staff will keep you safe and discreetly get you into a taxi.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions? We have answers. Explore our most common queries below, or explore our dedicated FAQs section for extra support.

How do I report a safety concern in my Unite Students accommodation?

To report a safety concern, you can go straight to the reception desk, or call 0300 303 1611. Our dedicated team are on hand to respond to issues as quickly as possible to ensure your safety.

What should I do if I lose my keys or my access fob for my accommodation?

If you lose your keys or access fob and get locked out, you can ask reception to let you in during open hours. Outside of this, you can quickly raise a locked-out request using the Unite Students app, which will connect you to the Emergency Control Centre. You will be charged for a replacement key or fob, typically around £8-£12.

Can guests stay in my uni accommodation?

Yes, you can have guests stay at most Unite Students accommodation. However, they must stay with you at all times. You will not be able to give them a spare key, and they shouldn’t stay for more than a few nights. Remember, you’re responsible for their behaviour while they’re your guest.

Do I need to register with a local doctor when I move into my accommodation?

There’s no requirement to register with a local doctor as soon as you move in, we recommend registering with a local GP as soon as possible. That way, you’re covered for both routine and emergency healthcare from the start.

What support is available from Unite Students if I feel unsafe?

Unite Students has lots of support if you feel unsafe. There’s a 24/7 emergency helpline that you can use to report security issues, or if you need help with anything at all. There are also security staff on or near the sites day and night, plus CCTV, secure locking, and more.