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.
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.
I’m a 74 yr old widow living alone for the 1st time in my life. Also am a retired county deputy and a retired parole field officer. I have hand guns and 2 long guns w/30 yrs of “annual qualifications” under my belt so you’d think I feel pretty safe. Well, I don’t. Beside your run-of-the-mill burglars, there are lots of potential attackers who remember me and my role in “sending them up”. So, I got a Doberman and she is my constant companion. My door locks have been updated and hardened.. My ‘situ awareness’ is very primed and that is my best defense. I’m a prepper and have prepared for disaster or civil unrest, and have at least a 8 month supply of food, and a couple months supply of water. I have a medic alert that I wear everyday and light up my yard at night. I live in a rural area and was accosted in my garage one night about midnight. I had my ccw on me and displayed it. He ran. So, no one is totally safe, just try to imagine various scenarios and how you would ‘realistically’ respond. No one has all the answers, just try your best.
I have a small dog that wags it’s tail to strangers, but also notices saying
“Beware of the dog, survivors will be prosecuted.” No need for guns or swords for over 30years.
For your sake, Peter, I hope your little fantasy world remains undisturbed. But reality is something quite different. There are over 350,000 home invasions every year in the USA. Lawful gun owners use their guns to save lives several million times every year in America. My father was murdered by burglars who broke into our home 35 years ago. The police theorized it was to steal things they could sell to buy drugs. So the scum-bag thieves killed my father, ransacked our home and got away. I was away on active duty in the Army and couldn’t do anything about it. Now my wife and I are both retired Army officers. I fired every weapon I carried in the Army with a rating of “Expert”, including the .38 revolver, the .45 ACP and 9 mm pistols, and the M-14 and M-16 automatic rifles.We have guns and swords always at hand and I have a concealed carry permit. Anyone who tries to invade our home or assault us will die from sudden lead poisoning, and they will richly deserve their violent ending.
I advise my older friends to have wasp spray in various accessible places. Sprays quite a distance and can be quite a deterrent. Especially for those not keen on handling a gun.
I have a collection of Japanese swords, some replica, some authentic (and really, really sharp). Some of my collection is visible to anybody looking through the window (if they dare enter our garden, walk down the path and cross the jetty to the boat (by which time they’re already exposed). Other swords of my collection are concealed in various strategic, easy to access places.
Apparently, it is also known in our neighborhood, that I have this collection, and that I know how to use them. This may be a factor in creating a detente situation.
Only once have I been confronted by two guys inside our property. They had entered the garden (it’s quite easy) and were investigating our wood store, where I kept a pneumatic wood cleaver (I’ve since moved that closer in).
I arrived home in the dark to find these two jokers – one was my size and weight, the other was fairly huge. Of course, I had no access to weapons at the time, but I acted as though I did, in the sense that I showed the same confidence I would have felt with my favorite katana in my hand.
I suddenly felt that the big guy was about to attack, so I screamed a “kiai” at him. They both ran!
Point is, if you have any weapon in your possession, you MUST study and train how to use it, and to such a level that you can choose not to use it. When you possess the knowledge, ability and confidence to use your weapon of choice it is often unnecessary to use it in a given situation.
Such training and ability, (rather than fear) however, does also let you know when its use is inevitable – in which case, strike quickly, unexpectedly and effectively. There’s no sense in prolonged fights.
This doesn’t mean using lethal force (unless absolutely necessary), just enough to make the antagonist give up and want to go home to his mommy.
Ha! Funny story, thanks for sharing.
We have installed an easy self install security system SimpliSafe. No contract and only pay $25 a month! We love it and it really makes us feel very safe.
I’m trying hard not to take this too personally as I am 70 years old &, so far, remember to lock doors. Lol Actually these points would be well taken by everyone & I think families with children might be the ones to have a problem keeping doors locked as kids running out are not too mindful. The only point I might change would be the dog. I’ve always had dogs & often big dogs. But depending on one’s strength & balance (and, of course, the dog’s training) a big dog can be a lot to handle. I’ve heard burglars interviewed on shows about home safety & they say it’s not the size of the dog that turns them away as much as it is the noise of the dog. If an intruder is armed they can take out a big dog fairly easily. Little dogs are loud & quick making them harder to silence. I now have Jack Russells & they are excellent watch dogs, very smart & inexpensive to feed. Just a thought.
Jack Russell terriers are fierce little guys, they are great watchdogs and they don’t seem to fear anything. Good choice!
Don’t forget to buy a small caliber pistol, like a 9mm to keep nearby! 😛
I have with my own eyes seen on more than one occasion an individual take multiple 9 mm rounds in the chest and keep coming, even though fatally wounded. In my opinion, you need a pistol caliber that begins with the number “4” to ensure that you knock your assailant down. Admittedly some folks have issues with controlling higher caliber firearms, and I agree that having something is better than nothing. But .45 ACP or .45 Colt are better than a 9 mm to put the bad guy down.