Personal Safety Tips
Are you a worrier? Are you afraid to go out after dark? Does fear over your personal safety ever limit your activities?
The threat of crime worries people of all ages. Older people can find themselves especially concerned about becoming victims of crime.
On the news every evening we hear a litany of crimes. Some of them are run of the mill robberies such as stolen cars, ATM break-ins, etc.
But it’s the “sicko” crimes that strike fear in our hearts: people being murdered in their homes, beaten up for a pair of tennis shoes, or assaulted for no reason at all. Those get the most attention, and the commentators love to give every gory detail night after night after night. Who wouldn’t be paralyzed by fear?
There is good news though. Much crime can be prevented. Common sense and experience can help you avoid being held captive by your fear.
There is a little booklet of tips available for seniors called the “Safer Seniors Kit”. It’s a guide to personal safety and has some great ideas.
There is a section on how to be safe in public. Be aware of your surroundings; carry your purse close to your body; don’t leave your purse in the shopping cart even for a second, and more.
There’s also a section on home safety. Ask a friend to come by and visit while a repairman is in the house. Don’t hire repairmen that “happen to be in the neighborhood” and so on.
There’s a section on fraud and scams; tips on travel safety; and auto safety. And there is a pull-out section to record emergency information.
Oh, and here’s an interesting fact from the booklet. Seniors are in fact less likely than other age groups to be victims of violent crimes. It doesn’t say why, but I think it’s because seniors take their safety seriously. They are not as likely to make a foolish, impulsive decision. They seek information about personal safety and they use it. What a smart group of people!
These booklets are provided by the Clermont County Department of Public Safety Services. We have a stack of them at our office and would love to send you a free copy.
Please call us at 724-1255 to request one.