Being cautious increases
your safety and
well-being!
According to the 2011 Census Bureau, senior
citizens make up 13.3% of the US population.
Why are senior citizens considered “easy”
targets to criminals?
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May have a nest egg to spend or invest
Might be lonely and more willing to talk to strangers
Less likely to report fraud than other age groups
May appear weaker than younger members of society
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Home
Household tasks
Over the Telephone
At the Door
Safety on the Street
Securing Your Home
Windows:
Double hung
window locks
should
be reinforced by
manufactured
locks that restrict
window openings
to 6 inches.
Windows hidden
from
view must be
securely protected.
Shrubs:
Should be kept
low enough to
not block
possible
points of entry
or conceal a
potential
attacker.
Basement Windows:
Basement windows can be secured externally or internally by
mounting expanded metal screen to foundation of the house
Securing Your Home
Doors:
Doors Locks:
Solid core
wood doors
with rugged
frames provide
resistance
against
forced entry.
Must use all three:
- Security strikes
- Stress tested
dead bolts
- Mag (metal sleeve
around
lock)
Lights: May include:
- Motion detection lights
- Sun sensor lights
- Street lights
Securing Your Home
Garage:
- Windows should
be covered
and screened
from the inside to
reduce visibility
and entry.
- Thin panel
garage doors
should be secured
from the inside
with security
screens or metal
bars.
Sliding Glass
Doors:
Should include:
- Track locks and
charlie bars
- Use upper track
screws to keep
door from being
lifted off its rail
Safety At Home
Basic Tips…
• Post emergency phone numbers by the
phone
• Arrange for someone to make regular
check ups
• Give an extra key to a trusted neighbor
• Be sure others know of your medical
needs
Other Home Tips:
While Moving Around…
Make sure lamp, extension and telephone cords are
placed outside the flow of traffic
Carry a cell phone or other emergency notifying
device with you in case of trips and falls
Have small rugs and runners that are slip resistant
Have an evacuation plan and practice it
Light up entry doors, hallways and stairs
In the Kitchen…
When you
answer
the phone
to a
strange
caller:
- Control the conversation and the information flow
- Do not volunteer information and never give out
personal information over the phone
- When the caller asks, “Who is this?” you respond,
“Whom are you calling,” or “Whom do you wish to
speak to?” If the caller gives no appropriate
response, hang up
- If in doubt, ask the caller for the name of business
and telephone number so you can ensure the
callers identity and can return the call if it is
legitimate
- Do not ever admit to being alone. If asked about
another member of the household, simply respond,
“They are busy at the moment may I take a
message?”
- If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• Never open your door to a stranger
• You should have a one-way peephole installed in
the door that allows you to see who the caller is
(The one-way peephole is inexpensive and easily installed)
• If a stranger is legitimately at your door, he / she
will not object to you being cautious
• Establish the stranger’s identity and the reason for
the visit. If he / she refuses to show identification
and will not leave, quietly go to the telephone and
notify the police
• Should the caller produce identification but you still
are not sure of the validity of the visit, telephone
the caller's business office for confirmation
• If you still feel uncomfortable, do not open the
door; ask the caller to return in 30 minutes or an
hour. This will allow you sufficient time to contact a
friend or relative to be present when the caller
returns
NEVER:
-CARRY LARGE SUMS
OF MONEY
-FLASH YOUR MONEY
FOR ALL TO SEE
-CARRY VALUABLES IN
FULL VIEW
If you are going to the store for groceries,
take along only the amount of money you
feel you will need.
Be alert when you are carrying a purse on
the street or in a store.
Use a shoulder strap model and keep it tucked
between your body and your arm.
Do not dangle a purse by the straps or hold a clutch-style
purse just in the hand.
If your purse is a clasp type, carry the purse so that it
opens towards your body.
DO NOT wrap purse straps around your wrist or you could be dragged
along or knocked to the ground in the event of a "snatch".
Make a copy of everything in your wallet in case it is lost or stolen
Kansas Farm Bureau wants you to…
Stay Safe
Stay Informed
Use Common Sense and
Practical Judgment!!
Information Provided By:
National Crime Prevention Council
Port Arthur Police Department
2011 US Census Bureau
Kansas Farm Bureau Safety Division