It is important to feel safe in your own home and in your living environment. This applies not only to young people, but certainly also to the elderly. Because no matter how you look at it, as a senior you are often more vulnerable. There are a number of things you can pay attention to to increase your sense of security.
Safety at home
You can do the following in and around the house:
- Limit the risk of burglary by, for example, having an alarm system installed. You can choose that the system sends a report to a control room, so that police can be sent to your address in a timely manner.
- Make sure you have installed good hinges and locks and use them, even if you are just leaving for an errand. Don’t leave windows open when you’re not at home, even just a crack. It is better not to keep keys outdoors. Thieves have long known hiding places such as the gutter, under the flower pot and behind the organic bin.
- Do not put valuables in the ‘shop window’. I don’t want to scare you, but any casual passer-by can have criminal hobbies. It is best to keep jewelry in a safe. It is also possible to register your valuables using a form that you can find on Politieurmerk.nl.
- It is best to put ladders, containers and all other things that burglars can use to climb on, aside as much as possible, do not make it easy for them. Also ensure there is sufficient lighting around your house.
- Are you going on vacation? Make it seem like you are just at home; leave cups on the table, set a timer between the lamps so that your living room is lit in the evening, just like always. Your neighbors will probably want to keep an eye on you. It is even better to ask someone to look after your house. Do you have family in another part of the country? This way you can offer them an affordable ‘holiday’, they are in a different environment and you know that your home is being looked after.
Who is at the door?
What do you do when someone rings the doorbell? During the day you probably open the door carelessly. Yet people with less good intentions do not only come to the door in the evening. We all know the media chatter trick. For example, a friendly-looking young woman who says that she has just been told that her father is in the hospital and asks if she can call you because her calling credit has run out. Of course you don’t leave her behind. Of course, this is not necessary, but it could well be that her colleagues are waiting further away until you open the door and they follow her.
- Be careful who you let in, never open the door completely, but make sure you have a sturdy door chain or door hook so that the door cannot simply be pulled open.
- Especially in the evening, first check who is at the door, via a spyglass, a window or intercom. Don’t you trust it? Leave them alone, you decide who will or will not have access to your home.
- It is also better to let collectors wait outside when you go to get your wallet. Feel free to close the door, especially if you don’t know the person.
- If authorities come to your door, ask if the person in question can identify themselves. Don’t let them in if you don’t trust them. Perhaps unnecessary to mention, but never give out your bank card or PIN, even if someone claims to be from the bank. Employees will never visit you without an appointment and will certainly never ask you for your PIN code.
- If you are unlucky enough to have a robber target your house, don’t play the hero, give the robber what he or she wants and try to absorb the description of your attacker as best as possible.
Safely on the street
Danger lurks not only in and around your home. Bad things can also happen on the street.
- Pickpockets live everywhere and prefer to be among people. Therefore, take extra care of your belongings on public transport, at stations and in shopping centers.
- It is best to carry valuables on your body. A handy pouch, for example, in which you can store money and cards.
- Be careful when withdrawing money, do not allow your PIN code to be copied, and do not write your code on your card or on a note in your wallet. Don’t carry more cash than necessary.
- Has someone grabbed your bag? Don’t resist too much, otherwise you run the risk of falling as an older person. Make noise, get the attention of others so they can help you or testify later.
- Do you really want to be able to make a lot of noise? Put a referee whistle in your pocket, guaranteed to attract attention and with a bit of luck you will scare off your attacker.
Of course it is best to assume the good in people, living too much in fear is at the expense of your happiness and spontaneity. Fortunately, there are still many kind and good people who want the best for you.