Seniors have unfortunately always been a target for conniving criminals and burglars. The criminals that have an eye on your home aren’t as easily outsmarted as you would think, either. In fact, if you don’t take proactive measures to keep them at bay, you may never know whether they’ve pinpointed your residence and your belongings as their next target.

Luckily, it isn’t necessary to set up complicated traps and expensive newfangled security systems to keep burglars out of your home. These practical senior security steps for your home will keep you and your property safe, and prevent you from encountering potentially dangerous situations in the future.

Senior security tips

You may already have designed and dressed up your home to make it accessible and appealing. However, having an enticing, smartly decorated home can attract criminals to your property too.

Appearances can be deceiving, and it’s possible to plan your living space in a way that deters burglars simply by its facade.

You can burglar-proof your home by:

• Removing and lighting up potential hiding places. If you have features like large trees, bushes, and walls on your property, they all provide cover and hiding spots for thieves.

Keep these potential hiding areas in your yard well lit-up with bright outdoor lights, and install cameras overlooking them too, if your budget allows for it.

• Keep your yard cleaned up. Leaving valuable tools, equipment, toys or pieces of furniture in your yard sends a clear signal to criminals that you have items that are worth stealing.

If these items sit out for long periods of time, it tells them you take a relaxed approach to protecting your belongings. Always pack these items up or take them inside when they’re not in use.

• Draw your curtains and blinds. One of the easiest ways for a burglar to assess your home and the whereabouts of your valuables is to simply look through your windows.

If any of your windows provide a clear view into your home, cover them with blinds, curtains, or other appropriate window dressings to deter peeping Toms.

• Keep an eye on your garbage. Many thieves will sift through your trash to get personal information that could enable identity theft. Others are looking for clues like electronics packaging to find out what valuables you keep in your home.

Keep the area that houses your trash cans brightly lit and only set out broken-down appliance boxes on pickup days.

How to safeguard your home

You can never guarantee that you will be able to avoid home invasions. However, there are plenty of measures that you can take to ensure senior security and safeguard yourself and your home against criminals. They include:

• Installing an effective home security system. Your home security system doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are many affordable systems available that offer features such as window and door sensors, security lights, and cameras.

Most security service providers will offer several different packages to choose from, allowing you to choose an option that suits your budget and needs.

• Installing a safe. If you have valuables such as jewelry or money or want to keep your passport, will, or other documents away from prying eyes, a safe is an excellent idea.

Ensure that your safe is properly secured and that it’s not visible to anyone who enters the property. The bottom of a cupboard or under a bed is a good place to keep it well hidden.

• Keep your doors and windows locked. Locking your doors and closing your windows at night and while you are away from home acts as an effective initial deterrent against invasions.

Intruders who want to gain access to your house through a locked door will have to make some noise, and risk getting caught trying to break in. Just this risk alone is enough to put many would-be thieves off.

• Joining your local neighborhood watch group. If there is not yet a neighborhood watch in your area, consider starting one or speaking to your neighbors about doing so on your behalf.

If your movement is limited, request that your local group set up a WhatsApp group so that you can keep up to date with what’s happening in the neighborhood without having to perform physical patrols.

• Keeping your private affairs private. It’s all too easy to let slip to a friendly stranger that you’re planning to go on a two-week vacation with your children and grandchildren, or that you won’t be home until late on Wednesday evening.

Unfortunately, sharing this information can put you and your home at risk. Keep your private life private, and don’t let strangers into your home, even if they seem well-meaning. They might just be casing your home and planning a future break-in.

Spotting the signs of a burglary in the making

It’s impossible to know for sure whether your home is already a target for a future burglary. However, you can certainly assess the likelihood of an invasion taking place by taking this senior security advice and judging whether or not your home is viewed as a soft target.

If you suspect that your home could soon be the target of an attempted break-in, contact your security provider and revisit our steps for safeguarding your home.

• Keep an eye on strangers in your area. If you notice strangers wandering the streets, looking at homes or driving slowly up and down your road for no obvious reason, keep an eye on them until you’re satisfied that nothing untoward is taking place.

Many burglars pose as workers or well-meaning strangers when casing homes for future break-ins.

• Turn down unsolicited offers of sales and services. It’s reasonable to be suspicious of strangers who arrive at your door to sell you services or products or to read meters at unexpected times.

These people could be who they say they are. But they could be criminals who are trying to obtain more information about your property. Don’t hesitate to ask strangers for proof of identity and to call their employers to verify their identity. Ask them politely to wait outside until you’ve checked out their story satisfactorily.

• Pay attention to subtle changes. Criminals often mark suitable homes with small marks to remind them to return later. These marks can be as simple as a small pile of rocks, a tiny paint spot on the lawn, a tie around a tree, or even an empty bottle in the front yard.

Stay alert to these minor changes, as they could indicate that your home is marked for invasion. Alert the authorities immediately if you suspect that a mark on your property has been deliberately left by a potential burglar.

Senior security made simple

Senior citizens are increasingly being targeted by criminals, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of simple things you can do to protect yourself and your property against invasion. One of the best steps you can take to protect yourself is to have a home security system installed through a reputable security service provider.

Modern systems will immediately alert your service provider when an intrusion is detected. This allows them to act swiftly and apprehend criminals before they can make away with your treasured belongings. Many of them also come with panic buttons that can be worn around the neck. These can be used not just in the case of an invasion, but in a medical emergency when help is needed too.

To stay safe, follow the above advice and always err on the side of caution. Be proactive. Age doesn’t have to make you vulnerable to burglars.

By Naomi Phillips