Elderly people make compelling prey for burglars. Crooks know that many senior citizens live by themselves and have a tendency to hoard cash in the house. They assume that they’ll be able to overpower an elderly person which gives these cowards the nerve to rob older folks. Check out these ideas for staying safe in your home.

Be Cautious

We certainly don’t want senior citizens to be paranoid about crime, just smart about crime prevention.

• Never leave your doors unlocked – even if you’re inside the house.
• Don’t ever open your door for strangers.
• Be suspicious of unexpected deliveries or unscheduled visits by utility workers.
• When ever anything suspicious happens call a friend or neighbor. Don’t take chances.
• Get a peephole installed on all your doors that allows you to see a wide range around your door.

Bright Idea

The bad people can’t stand lights because they hate being noticed. They prefer to break into houses that are dimly lit so make sure your house is properly illuminated at night.

• Mount movement sensor lighting close to the entryways. Bright lights make crooks run.
• Have safety lights installed high up on your home so that criminals can’t try to disable them.

Keep Them Guessing

If you live alone or away on vacation, never let crooks know it. You want your home to appear as if people are coming and going all the time.

• Utilize an electric timer so that your stereo will turn on and off at different times along with
  different lamps in the house.
• Put the telephone ringer down so that people can’t hear it from outside the house.
  An un-answered phone means no one is home.
• Whatever you do, never attach a note to your front door to let the mail carrier or utility worker
  know that you’ve gone out.
• Have a neighbor collect your mail, newspapers, or free ad circulars left on your lawn.

Play It Safe

Remember, most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Crooks look for easy marks. Here’s how to outsmart the bad-guys.

• Never put your name or address on your house keys.
• Close window blinds and drapes.
• Keep shrubbery and fences low so that neighbors and police can see around your home from the street.
• Invest in some strong deadlocks for all exterior doors.
• Make sure your garage door is locked securely.
• Install a good burglar alarm system.
• Get a senior alert or personal emergency response system that will let you call for help without having to get to the telephone.
• Keep cash and jewelry out of sight in a concealed safe.
• Store your precious jewels and other valuables in a security deposit box.
• Immediately rekey locks or install new ones if you lose your keys.

Retired senior citizens can help make their communities safer by taking part in a Neighborhood Watch Program. Offer to keep an eye on your next-door neighbor’s house and asked them to do the same.  With proper planning, the elderly don’t have to live in fear of crime.

For more information about senior safety, elder care and issues affecting senior citizens, visit http://ElderKind.com – Article Re-posted with permission from Brian McGovern