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Sadly, seniors tend to be common targets for criminals. They are frequently targeted for scams, fraud, and financial abuse. They are also targeted for burglaries. If you've never been the victim of a burglary, great. But that doesn't mean it won't ever happen to you or a loved one. In fact, it means you're probably overdue for one.
In the following article, we’re going to talk about seven home defense tips for seniors. Hopefully by applying these tips, you’ll feel safer in your own home. Let’s get started.
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Tip #1: Lock Your Doors
I know, that sounds pretty obvious, but are you in the habit of checking your locks everyday? If not, then it's possible you've been overlooking one or more of them. Burglars assume older people forget to do things like this, so make sure they're wrong about that. If you can remember to lock your door every time you come inside, it will be one more obstacle that the burglar will need to get through.
If you’re having difficultly remembering this, place a big sign on the inside of your door reading “Lock Me” (or something similar). This will make it impossible to forget to lock your doors. Also, don’t think that because you’re in a safe neighborhood that it’s okay not to lock your doors.
Tip #2: Make Sure Your Door Has a Peep Hole
This simple tip is very effective for home defense. When someone is knocking on your door, don't open it to see who it is. That’s extremely risky, especially if you’re an older person. It’s better to have a peep hole. That way you can see who’s out there without having to open your door.
If you don’t know the individual, then don’t open the door. It’s as simple as that. If they continue knocking even after you tell them to go away, call the police.
Tip #3: Solidify Your Doors
Here’s yet another tip having to do with doors (I hope you’re starting to see a pattern). There are ways to solidify a door without actually having to replace the entire door. For example, you can change out your locks for stronger ones, or replace your hinges with ones that won’t break when your door is trying to be kicked open.
You can upgrade pretty much any door for less than $100. Just type “Door Reinforcement” on Amazon and you’ll see hundreds of well-reviewed products that fall in this category. Also check out the article, First Line Of Defense: The Front Door.
Tip #4: Buy a Guard Dog
Of all the home defense tips in this article, this is arguably the most effective. By having a guard dog, you give yourself precious minutes of warning time that someone is trying to break in. Also, most burglars won’t want anything to do with your home if they see a 100-pound Pitbull standing in the living room.
Heck, buy two dogs just in case. Dogs like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans all make for excellent guard dogs.
Tip #5: Invest in a Quality Alarm System
This is more mandatory than it is a recommendation. YOU NEED AN ALARM SYSTEM. Without one, you’ll have no warning that someone is breaking in. Plus, if someone does break in, help won’t be on the way. Most quality alarm systems will automatically contact authorities in the event that the alarm goes off.
As an older person, this is something that you need. Don’t try to skimp out on an alarm system just to save a few bucks. Even if it’s a little more than you’d like to pay, it’s well worth the investment.
Tip #6: Keep Your Phone Close By
Imagine someone breaking into your home and your phone is all the way across the house. There’s no way that you’d get to it in time to call the police. That’s why you should always have your phone close by.
The moment that you hear someone breaking in (your window breaks, your door lock is being picked, etc.) call the police. Keeping the phone close by is also recommended for health reasons–like if you fall and can’t get up.
Tip #7: Invest in Motion Sensor Lights
The beauty of motion sensor lights is that they’ll only turn on when they sense movement. So if you’re inside watching T.V. at 1 A.M., and you notice a motion sensor light go off in your backyard, you know something is happening.
It could just be an animal, but it’s also possible that it was a person staking out for a way to get inside your home. Motion sensor lights aren’t that expensive (less than $30), so they are well worth every penny. Again, Amazon carries some good selection of motion sensor lights that have excellent reviews.
Bottom Line
The harsh reality is that burglars like targeting older people. For this reason, you should always be prepared. The tips in this article won’t necessarily make your home invincible, but they should decrease the chances of someone breaking in. I highly recommend buying a dog since dogs have been known to risk their lives for their owners.
Plus, they can keep you company when you’re feeling lonely. How about you? What have YOU done to keep your home safe? Leave your answer in the comments section below!
About the Author
David is the founder and writer at TruthSurvival.com, a website dedicate to helping people prepare for any survival situation. He loves camping, hiking, and anything else outdoor-related. For more of his articles, check out his website.
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