Personal Safety For Senior Citizens

As many safety authorities point out, the elderly are considered to be particularly vulnerable to criminal attacks both when they are outside and at home. It is therefore very important that senior citizens take the time to establish certain habits and sharpen the environment around them in order to ensure their personal safety.

Let us consider ways in which senior citizens can equip themselves against any kind of attack.

• Always inform someone of where you will be going and roughly what time you expect to return, especially if you are stepping out at night.
• Avoid using ATMs at night, especially if you find someone hanging around. If there is a car or some person nearby, wait or drive around till they are gone to use the machine.
• If you are used to taking walks in the morning, make sure you have a friend who can walk with you.
• Buy yourself a personal alarm. An electronic pocket whistle or pepper spray are a couple of very convenient personal alarms to carry. They do not cost much, are convenient to carry and more importantly, easy to use.
• Try to join a self-defense class. Many of them will offer special classes for seniors citizens.
• Join a neighborhood watch in your area. If your neighborhood already has a watch, introduce yourself to them and ask them to keep an eye on your house. In case your neighborhood does not have a watch, you might want to consider starting one. Invite your neighbors over to your house and raise the idea of starting a neighborhood watch.

In addition to these precautions, here are some habits that should also be made part of one’s regular routine to avoid any unpleasant surprises:

• Always use your locks and deadbolts when you are alone at home and especially at night.
• Always park your car in a well-lit area. Keep your keys ready with you so that you do not have to hunt for them at the last minute. Wherever possible, request your friend or even the security to escort you to your car.
• Similarly, always have your house key ready with you when you are entering the house. Do not leave your spare key under the mat or in a flowerbed outside the house – those are the first places a criminal will look at. Leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor.
• Try not to follow very predictable routines or paths. Try to change things from time to time so as to confuse whoever may be watching you.
• As you walk up to your house or as you drive towards it, always give a quick glance around you to make sure that there is no one nearby and there is nothing that strikes you as suspicious. Always trust your instincts – if you sense something is wrong, just keep going and get help.
• Carry a cell phone with you not just while stepping out but also while going around the house. Keep all important phone numbers handy so that you can quickly dial them in an emergency.