Imagine coming back from a relaxing homework-free winter break to a home that’s been broken into and your valuables are gone or your apartment flooded with water, ruining furniture as well as floorboards and cabinets. As finals finish up and you anxiously wait for the three weeks of winter break, remember to take some time to get your residence ready for your absence.
From prepping your home for the cold to securing it to fend against burglars, property management companies and the University of Oregon and Eugene police departments have advice on how to prepare for extended time away from Eugene.
While it may seem logical to turn off the heat while the house is empty to save money, Eugene Rentals and Jennings Group disagree. Both companies urge tenants to keep heat between 55-65 degrees to make sure pipes don’t burst.
Jennings Group front desk receptionist Maggie Rolicheck also recommends tenants leave cabinet doors open in order for more heat to reach pipes. If pipes burst, the residence could flood, leading to damage.
Property managers recommend locking all windows and doors, cleaning out cars if they are staying in town and taking all valuables with them or hiding them.
Last December, approximately 12 burglaries were reported in the West University neighborhood and Kinsrow area. In January, 21 burglaries were reported in the same areas, which is slightly higher than normal, according to EPD Crime Prevention Specialist Steven Chambers.
Students are urged to ask a friend or neighbor who will be in the area to check in on the house and look out for suspicious activity, said UOPD Communications Director Kelly McIver.
Rolicheck tells tenants to inform management if they will be gone for periods longer than a few days and Jennings Group will send someone by to check on the place during the absence.
Most burglaries happen through windows and doors, which is why Chambers recommends that students check all entrances, locking all doors with deadbolts and securing windows and sliding doors with a dowel rod.
“With roommates sometimes one will assume that the other will check and vice versa,” Chambers said. “So people should just go through the whole house and make sure all are locked.”
McIver and Chambers agree that people should hide or take all valuables and record all serial numbers for electronic devices. By recording the serial number, the chances of getting the item returned are much higher.
Make sure to close blinds so items inside can’t be seen. By not being able to see what is inside of the home, potential burglars are less likely to break in.
Chambers suggests leaving a radio on loud enough to be heard from outside the door but not loud enough to disturb neighbors, especially in apartments, as another way to throw off burglars.
To report suspicious, illegal or unusual activity on campus, call UOPD at 541-346-2919. For emergencies or to report a crime being committed off campus, call 911.