<p>how safe is stanford? e.g. can we leave our laptops in our room?</p>
<p>I think they're pretty safe. My room host during Admit Weekend never locked her door, even when she was out all day in classes, and left all her stuff (laptop, camera, etc) sitting out there in the open. She said no one ever steals stuff from the rooms, so there was no need to lock the door. (The only time she ever locked the door was when she was changing.) But my friend who stayed in another dorm said her RoHo always locked her door, so I guess it depends on where you live.</p>
<p>It's perfectly safe as long as you and your dormmates are careful (if someone isn't from your dorm, ask them what they need--I scared two sketchballs out of my dorm last year during break...you get the idea). And actually, stuff does get stolen from rooms on occasion, so do lock your door. It's pretty rare, but I mean, whatever, just play it safe, it's not like someone's going to stand there and pick your lock while your dormmates walk by. So yes, you can leave your laptops and stuff in your room (I would, however, recommend a laptop lock for added insurance). The most common times for things to get stolen are the beginning and end of the school year, as well as spring break.</p>
<p>Do people ever bring lockable storage for things like cameras or jewelry or other easily stolen valuables?</p>
<p>Uh...no. I've never heard of anything like that...ever...
Look. I was out of my room today after letting my friend in to hang out and leave some of the stuff I'm storing for him over the summer. When he left, he left the door open...I didn't get back for a few hours. In my room were my laptop, 5 external hard drives, iPod, camera, external DVD burner, TV, fridge, guitar, printer, speaker system, calculators, a bunch of music CDs, and whole lot of other things someone could easily have snatched. None of it was touched. So quit worrying, it's not a big deal, and besides which, if you're THAT worried about something in the first place, maybe you just shouldn't bring it. Or just leave it at home for a quarter and see if you're comfortable bringing it the next quarter once you get a feel for how laid back things are...</p>
<p>It's pretty safe, and the precaution of locking your door or locking your laptop to your desk is up to you. There's almost no chance that someone will come into your room (if it's unlocked) and take something, but yes, that chance is there. I personally choose to lock my door if I'm not in. I don't think it depends on what dorm you're in; it depends on personal preference.</p>
<p>Yeah dorms are pretty safe. I kept my room unlocked most of the time but then again my roommate was either in the room or close by almost all the time. Plus I knew everyone living around us and cuz of the open door policy someone trying to rob the place would have very likely been seen...</p>
<p>Well if you are worried about people stealing your laptop or iPod, I’d probably want to bring the laptop with me 
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<p>I never leave my valuables unattended NEVER!</p>
<p>Thefts have happened. It’s a good idea to lock your door when you aren’t going to be in your room for a while (even though really, it can take a matter of seconds for your most expensive possessions to be stolen).</p>
<p>My son never locked his door and never had a problem. I think he is too trusting, but that’s just my opinion. </p>
<p>The only real time I hear to be concerned is mainly during Christmas and spring break when almost no one is around. Ironically that is the only time when all the doors are locked. There is always the possibility during the breaks of someone from off-campus looking for an opportunity to break in somewhere.</p>
<p>Thefts by fellow students is exceedingly rare. But, hey anything is possible.</p>
<p>Last year there were a few laptops stolen from our dorm. They were all on the first floor and girls had left their doors unlocked for extended periods of time. Mostly there isn’t too much of a problem, but I recommend locking your doors if you have stuff you don’t want stolen and you are leaving for a long time. This is less of a problem if you live in the middle of nowhere (way far on the edge of campus or something) and more of a problem if you live on the first floor (thieves are lazy apparently?) It’s not something I would really worry about though.</p>