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General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

SENIOR SECURITY: SAFE AT HOME (GUEST POST)

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By Maddy Olsen.

Whether you are enjoying your golden years or a family member of a senior, there are things to look out for to increase their safety. Even if you live in a retirement community, some of these will still apply. Seniors tend to be the target of scam artists and hoodlums. They will case a home before they strike and sometimes it doesn’t end well. Being well protected will ease everyone’s mind.

  • Windows

Having double paned windows are great for energy efficiency, but they also have very secure locks on them. However, in the event that one is left unlocked, another safety measure should be taken just to ensure complete home security. It is as simple as having wooden dowels cut to fit in the tracks of all the windows in the house, even the bathroom. Home improvement stores generally carry these and will cut them for you if you ask.

  • Doors

Traditionally, we just lock our front door and rely on us not losing the keys to get us back in. Now, there is a way to unlock the door using the cell phone. The app is easy to navigate and requires an electronic device be put on the deadbolt area of the door. It can be easily installed with a screwdriver and is accessible from anywhere in the world, on most accounts. They can also be programmed to work with multiple phones, so family can unlock it in case of emergency or if the parents ever get locked out.

  • Garage Doors

Any outside entrance to the home is a concern. Garage doors are one of those safety issues that should be addressed. But it is only a garage door, you say? Well, that is true, but it is one of the biggest threats to home security. Having a newer model of garage door opener will reduce the risk of anyone being able to copy the code used to open the door. However, carry the opener in your purse or invest in a keychain opener. If anyone were to get into the car, they would take the opener to be able to get inside the home. When going on a trip, use padlocks to secure the door by the handles near the ground. But even more importantly, always lock the door that leads from your garage into the house. If possible, install a deadbolt to reinforce the door and make it that much harder to get in.

  • Smoke Alarms

This doesn’t deter thieves, but it is a very important part of safety and feeling secure in your home. Fires kill more than 4,000 people every year. That is not including those that die from complications due to the fire. That’s a lot of casualties that might have been prevented. Change the batteries in all smoke detectors each month. Just testing the alarms may not ensure that the batteries will work when there is a need for them to. New fresh batteries will keep them in tip top shape all the time. Practice an escape plan so if there were a fire in the home, the residents will know what to do based on the circumstances. 

Security of the home is so very important and so many of us pay little attention to it. If there are any concerns, address them sooner than later. Ask for help if you need it, but don’t be the victim of a terrible event because your locks and codes are subpar. Your personal safety should be a priority.

Maddy Olsen  blogs on a variety of subjects that are deep topics and can change lives. Writing for Brookdale http://www.brookdaleliving.com/ assisted living is a very rewarding passion she enjoys. Several losses in her family to Alzheimer’s Disease has prompted her write about the topics she has researched or practiced.

General Safety Issues

WARNING ABOUT SCAMS

Our economy is in bad enough shape, but with people trying to take advantage of others, we all must be warned to question and investigate anything suspicious.  I was reading about the “grandparent scam”, which works like this:  You get a frantic email from someone identifying himself or herself as your grandchild.  Maybe the message is “Help!  I’m stuck in a hotel in Mexico or jail in France, and I can’t leave until I pay the bill/fine.  My wallet and passport have been stolen.  Could you please wire me some money?  Oh, and don’t tell my parents!” 

Well, I actually got this email; however, it was from a lady in our church, and when I first read it, I thought, “I didn’t know she was going to Europe! and how weird!”  Shortly, I received an email from the her saying, “No, I am not in Europe, and no, I don’t need any money.”  Someone got her name and email address and sent this scam to several people in her address book.  Thank goodness someone called and told her about it, so she could get it cleared up.  About the grandchild scam, I think most grandparents know where their grandchildren are and if they are taking any trips, and would check with the parents before falling for that one; however, the U.S. State Department is warning about this travel scam, so be prepared. 

Many Older Persons are Victims, but not Always! 

More than 7.3 million Americans over 65 have been financial-fraud victims, according to a 2010 survey by the Investor Protection Trust.  Some of the con artists are their same age.  Fraudsters often lure victims with financial talks at retirement communities or church groups.  They may offer free dinner or rounds of golf to talk someone into turning over their 401(k). 

If this person guarantees high returns, assurances of low or no risk, or investments that generate suspiciously steady returns despite market fluctuations, chances are he/she may be involved in a Ponzi scheme.  Those high-pressure sales tactics can lead to loss of your savings.  Too many people have trusted those who seemed to be authorities in financial investments.  Check them out and be sure you are getting your investment advice from a trusted third party or attorney before you let go of your money. 

For those who are working hard and trying to save as much as they can for retirement, always pay attention to the benefits that are offered to you by your company.  If possible, don’t put “all your eggs in one basket,” rather, diversify.  Some friends of ours fell victim to the Enron fiasco, losing their entire life savings.  At age 65, many of them were hoping to find a new job, just at the time they should have been enjoying retirement.  Play it safe!  Those dollars don’t grow on trees.  Don’t be a victim. As we all know, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”

We want you to keep your hard-earned money safe; maybe this one little blog will help serve as a red flag.