As fall semester comes to a close, college students across the country prepare to head home to relax with friends and family for winter break. Often, in the excitement of finishing classes and making travel arrangements, it’s easy to forget to take the time to make sure things are ready to go for your return to school. This is especially important for those who live in dorms.
1.) Valuables Come First
If you have something of great value in your dorm room, it’s a good idea to either take it home with you or make sure it’s well secured. It’s unfortunate that burglary and theft happen on campus, but they do and the holidays are no exception.
2.) Get Rid of Perishable Items in the Fridge
One of the most common mistakes people make in their hurry to leave at winter break is forgetting to check their refrigerators for food that will go bad. Imagine returning after being away for a few weeks to a smell of rotten milk or molded leftovers. Take a few minutes to clean out your refrigerator. It’s a good idea to clean it out and leave it unplugged with the door open slightly while you’re gone. This will prevent any electrical issues and bad smells.
3.) Unplug and Lock up
Before you leave, be sure to make a sweep through your room to unplug all electrical devices. This will help to decrease the chances of fires or other electrical issues while you’re gone. It’s a good idea to lower your thermostat to save on heating costs.
Make sure your windows and doors are locked securely. If you’re choosing to leave something valuable behind, try to find a not-so-obvious hiding spot. Under the bed and in desk drawers are the first places thieves will look. Try the bottom of a full laundry basket or in a trashcan.
This is the perfect opportunity to go through your belongings and if there are any items that no longer service purpose to you. You can donate these items or call Bay Hauling if there are larger items to properly dispose of for you! Maybe you are getting new furniture after the break or no longer want that deck chair…contact us today and we can further talk about items we can assist you with.