Safety Tips

Senior care professionals give safety advice

Our senior care professionals have rounded up a few tips about home security, using public transport, safer shopping and more:

Home Security

• Ensure your house number is clearly visible.
• Never tell anyone that you are at home alone for example trades or delivery people.
• Trim trees and bushes to allow a clear view of your home (this will remove hiding places for possible offenders).
• Don’t leave keys in obvious places, such as under pot plants or in the meter box.
• Make sure handbags and wallets are not left in sight for example on bench tops or cupboards.
• Install security screens and grilles.
• Fit deadlocks and key locks to doors and windows.
• Install motion sensor floodlights.
• Think about installing an alarm system.
• Get to know your neighbours, they can be your eyes and ears if you’re not at home.

Using public transport

• Travel with a friend.
• Wait for transport in a well lit area close to other commuters.
• Keep a current timetable to minimise time spent waiting.
• Don’t sit alone on buses or trains and be sure that you can be seen by the driver or other passengers.
• Consider carrying a personal alarm.

Using your telephone

The telephone is probably your most important means of communication, however there are some criminals in society that will use it to their advantage.

• Always hang up on unwelcome callers.
• Never give your name or address to unknown telephone callers.
• Don’t disclose that you live alone or that you may be away from your home.
• Never disclose any personal or financial information.
• Invest in an answering machine.
• Consider changing your phone number to a silent or unlisted number.

Safer shopping for elderly people

• Shop with friends whenever possible.
• If you carry a purse or bag, hold it close to your body, tucked under your arm.
• Always have a firm hold of your handbag or purse, don’t leave it on shop counters or on the seat beside you on the bus or train.
• Never leave your handbag in the shopping trolley.
• Never carry large sums of money. Use EFTPOS or credit cards wherever possible.
• Use an ATM in shopping centres not external ATMs.
• Don’t carry signed withdrawal forms with your bank book.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.

If you or a loved one needs senior care or elder care, we can provide a customized health care solution for you. Contact Qualicare today.