Ex-Detective Shares $5 Safety Hacks for College Students

Thousands of college dorm rooms get broken into every year, but a retired detective wants students to know that staying safe doesn't have to break the bank.

Michael Arterburn spent 23 years as a detective specializing in domestic violence cases. Now retired, he's still protecting people through his Killer Bee Tactical Instagram account, where he shares practical safety advice that anyone can use.

When a viewer asked about safety tips for women living alone, Arterburn realized his advice applied perfectly to another vulnerable group: college students. Students in off-campus apartments face even higher trespassing rates than dorms, and while many break-ins target electronics, some are far more dangerous.

The former cop's first recommendation costs almost nothing. He suggests placing large work boots from a thrift store outside your door to make it look like a bigger person lives there. Just remember to bring them inside occasionally to keep up the appearance.

For dorm rooms with sliding doors, a simple dowel rod cut to size and placed on the track creates an effective barrier. Door stopper gadgets with built-in alarms work great for rooms with multiple bedrooms sharing a common area, alerting you if someone enters your space.

Arterburn also recommended affordable tools like travel-sized door wedge alarms, solar-powered motion lights, and pepper gel that sprays up to 20 feet without lingering in the air. Most of these items cost between $5 and $30, making them accessible for student budgets.

The Bright Side: Arterburn isn't trying to turn anyone's home into "Fort Knox." His approach focuses on small obstacles that make intruders more likely to give up and move on to an easier target. These simple additions create layers of protection without requiring expensive security systems or major lifestyle changes.

The detective's favorite part of sharing this knowledge? He hopes it stays completely useless. His goal is for students to learn these tips, forget about them in daily life, and hopefully never need them at all.

But if that moment does come, spending $5 to $20 on a simple alarm or door wedge will seem like the best investment a student ever made.