Aaron Vehling

As the end of the semester approaches students are busy with tests and final projects. With all the chaos students may forget to prepare their homes before leaving for the winter break.

Junior Tiffany Bohne said there are random students living in her place during the break to check on things, and she will be back earlier to work. This is just one thing students can do to protect their homes during the break.

To avoid any problems as they leave their houses, there are things students should do.

One thing is to arrange someone to shovel snow. A city ordinance requires sidewalks to be shoveled 24 hours after the snow falls, said Marty Fisher-Blakeley, president of the Historic Randall Park Neighborhood Association. She also said that students could pay someone in the neighborhood to shovel snow during the break.

Fisher-Blakeley said that being a landlord herself, she sent out reminder letters to her tenants.

“It would be nice if landlords and tenants could communicate and keep an eye out,” she said. “There are always things people can do to help out.”

Students also should make sure their homes are locked and windows are locked with the shades closed to discourage theft.

“You can set yourself up for an easy target,” Fisher-Blakeley said.

She added that mail can pile up during the break, and students should arrange to have their mail picked up and cancel any subscriptions for the break. The post office will hold mail if arrangements are made ahead of time.

Another thing students should do is not turn the heat completely off to prevent pipes from freezing, Fisher-Blakeley said.

Junior Nate Graham, who lives in the Historic Randall Park Neighborhood on Niagara Street, said he plans to turn the heat down. He said it would be nice if landlords could shovel the sidewalks to make the place look lived in and not open to theft.

Bohne agreed.

“I think if landlords check on places over the break, it would be nice,” she said.

University Area Housing, 301 Water St., sent out a checklist and warnings for their tenants, Bohne said. She plans on making sure all her bills are paid and will clean out the refrigerator before she goes home for winter break.

“It’s good to talk to a neighbor to keep an eye out for things that might happen when you are gone,” Fisher-Blakeley said.

Another Randall Park resident, sophomore Ryan Moore, said he is going to be sure that everything is turned off, because electricity can get expensive.

Fisher-Blakeley said not to hesitate if tenants see anything suspicious and call the police.

“Good neighbors make a healthy neighborhood.”