You need to take responsibility for your safety, not just depend on the police. Use these common sense tips such as locking doors, joining neighborhood watches and running errands with a friend to prevent crime. Although seniors often fear becoming a victim of crime, they are really less likely than others to become a victim.
The following tips help you reduce your risk of being a crime victim. These common-sense actions also empower you by building confidence in your ability to protect yourself and be independent:
Your Neighbors - Your First Line of Defense
-Work out a buddy system with a neighbor. Check on each other every day.
-Let neighbors know when you go on a trip so they can watch out for your house or apartment. Return the favor when they go away.
-Join a neighborhood watch program.
When You Are Home:
-Lock your doors and windows! Get good locks and use them. Exterior doors-deadbolt lock. Sliding doors-special lock or broom handle in door track. Windows- good lock or pins for all accessible windows.
-Light up your property! Insure all your porches, entryways and yard have adequate lighting. Use timers when you are away or coming home after dark.
-Use a door peep hole lens to see people knocking at your door.
-Get a driveway alarm that alerts you when someone comes up your driveway.
-Ask all service and sales people for identification before you let them into your home. Don't hesitate to call employers for verification.
-Be sensible about keys. Don't put an address tag on your key ring, and don't hide an extra key under a door?mat or flower pot.
-Hang up immediately on harassing or obscene phone calls. If the caller won't leave you alone, call police and the phone company.
-For an extra measure of protection: Don't keep large amounts of cash at home.
-Use Direct Deposit for Social Security or pension checks.
-Call 911 if you need the police, fire, or paramedics.
-Mark valuable property like televisions, VCRs, cameras with an Operation Identification number.
If you suspect a burglar has broken into your home, don't go in. Go to a neighbors and call the 911.
When You Are Out:
-Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings. Don't daydream.
-Go out with a friend whenever possible.
-When you walk- look relaxed and confident.
-Trust your instincts. If something makes you feel unsafe - leave.
-Try carrying a small change purse with only the money or credit cards that you need, instead of a large hand?bag with straps. Keep your wallet in an inside jacket or front pants pocket.
-Don't burden yourself with packages, and don't wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
-Walk on well-lighted, busy streets. Stay away from vacant lots, alleys, or construction sites.
-Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets, such as expensive jewelry.
-If someone grabs your purse or pack?ages, try to keep your balance, get away, and shout for help.
-Keep a can of pepper spray for protection.
When waiting for the bus, only choose well-lighted stops.
-Don't fall asleep. Stay alert!
-Watch who gets on or off the bus with you. If you get scared or feel unsafe, go to a place where there are others or sit beside the driver.
When Driving Your Car:
-Always lock your car doors. Never leave keys in the ignition when you leave the car, even for a few minutes.
-When you drive, keep the doors locked and windows up. Park in well-lighted, busy areas.
-Always know how to get where you are going before you leave.
-Don't leave valuables visible to view in your locked vehicle. Lock them in the trunk.
-Never, never pick up hitchhikers.
-If you have car problems, be espe?cially wary of strangers who offer help. Stay in the car and ask them to call a service truck and the police.
-Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.
Don't Be Victimized by Con Artists:
Con artists prey on older people who worry about insurance, investments, and maintaining their homes. Regardless of how nice and polite someone may seem, be suspicious of any proposal that sounds too good to be true, has to be kept secret, or requires immediate cash. Call the Better Business Bureau or the police. Be especially wary of:
-"Get rich quick" opportunities or schemes for which you have to put up good-faith money.
-Bargains on home repairs or improve?ments;
-Investments that promise unusually high returns;
-Someone claiming you owe money for an item ordered by a deceased relative;
-Door to door salesmen, work from home scams, phone solicitors, health insurance offers, health cures, too-cheap glasses and hearing aids from unknown callers, charities you've never heard of.
Here are some facts about security and seniors:
Compared to other age groups, people 65 and over have the lowest rates for most types of crime, with a few exceptions such as purse snatching.
We all greatly fear crimes of violence, but these are the ones that happen least often.
Most murders and assaults are committed by relatives or friends, not by strangers.
Statistics aside, when older people are victimized-even by a minor crime- effects can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating.
If you are the victim of a crime, help is just a phone call away. Call 911 to report all crime, no matter how minor or embarrassing. They can link you up with victim service agencies, the district attorney's office, and other agencies whose staff are there to help you.
A roof over your head that you have built yourself through years of hard work and service is indeed a matter of pride for you as well as anyone. We cherish our house as one of our most prized possession, and why not, considering the effort that goes into acquiring one and the tremendous security and sense of belonging that it offers to the inhabitants. As old age approaches and it is time to retire from active service, the senior citizen finds comfort in the fact that he at least is the proud owner of a property, besides other investments, if any. However, besides the feeling of pride, security and comfort the house can be one of the best investments for any individual, especially if you are retired and have no fixed source of income anymore. When you are sixty five years of age or above, retired and possess a house, you can easily get the benefit of a reverse mortgage transaction as an easy source of finance.
The reverse mortgage is a deal that is the most feasible manner of raising funds for any retired, senior citizen who is a homeowner. In this form of home loan, the borrower places his house for a reverse mortgage in lieu of a pre-determined amount, but still retains the ownership of the house. WhatÃ'¢ï¿½ï¿½s more, the borrower can also continue to reside in the mortgaged property for as long as he lives without having to repay the mortgage amount during his lifetime. The house itself, repays the loan once the owner is no more and the lender decides to sell off the property to get back the loan. Even in the scenario that the owner is alive but wants to sell off the house, still it is the sale proceeds from the house that will go towards repaying the mortgage and the borrower need not pay anything from his own pocket.
The advantage of reverse mortgage is that, the senior citizen can determine whether he wants to receive the loan amount as a lump sum or as monthly installments. Usually, retired citizens prefer the installment system of payment as it ensures a regular inflow of money into the household even after retirement. The mortgage loan thus, enables the borrower to continue paying for all his household expenses and cost of living through the loan amount. Also, the burden of debt does not pass on to the heirs of the borrower and this again forms another advantage of this form of home loan.
More and more senior citizens of the United States of America are opting for the reverse mortgage plan as it gives a sense of financial security when they need it most. If throughout your life you have been independent and self sufficient, then you would not like to depend on anyone else for financial support in your old age. In this scenario, taking the benefit of a mortgage loan on your house is the best option as it helps you preserve your dignity till the very end.
Both Carl Ringwall & Simon Lowa are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.