How To Protect Yourself
In 2014, the Huffington Post published a piece indicating that 12% of seniors 65+ don’t lock their doors to their home. While the data shows differences in age and population density, it is interesting that the simplest act to protect yourself and your home seems to be ignored.
There are many ways we expose ourselves to become victims. There are simple steps you can take to minimize your exposure. While your home is normally a place where you can maintain a low level of situational awareness, it is no basis for turning off your personal radar. First, the majority of sexual assaults take place in the victims’ homes. According to a U.S. Department of Justice study, if you are home when a criminal gains entry, there is a 1 in 3 chance of becoming a victim of violence. Yet, those most vulnerable to criminals are opening their door to them.
Don't invite your attacker into your house, look at this;
- 1. Install a wide angle door viewer, like the one in a hotel room. These are simply to install, and you no longer need to use a peep hole, and you can stand away from the door and see who is there. Or, install a simple camera device that will snap a picture of the bell ringer and let you see who is there.
- 2. Confirm the identification of your “visitor”, BEFORE you open the door.
- 3. If someone is delivering a package, have them leave it at the door. Wait for them to leave before you retrieve it. This is even more important if you weren’t expecting the package.
- 4. Never tell the visitor that you are alone. It is not wrong to lie to someone to whom you owe no duty!
- 5. Don’t broadcast your plans in public. Would you really want to invite a stranger into your home?
- 6. Don’t let strangers into your home. This is why they are called strangers.
These solutions are inexpensive, or free. Yet, these simple steps can protect you from becoming a victim. Crime happens in our city every day. You can refuse to be a victim.
