5 Tips to Protect Your Home

Are you an easy target? Seniors grew up in a different world. Many of us didn’t lock our doors. We didn’t worry about home invasions or someone stealing our car or random acts of violence. But times are different now. Crime rates have skyrocketed and unsuspecting, or overly trusting seniors can be an easy target.

This is the reason my husband and I, both seniors and 5th degree taekwondo blackbelts teamed up with our dear friend Art, an 83 year old 3rd degree Judo black belt to help our fellow seniors to avoid becoming victims. We created 3Seniors.com a website where you can learn more about us, our 1 hour DVD and blogs, like this one, to help protect you, your home and your loved ones with easy to apply, common sense tips for self-defense and safety awareness.

1.) Know WHO is at your door BEFORE opening it.

Outside cameras are one of the easiest and most popular ways to know who is at your door. They can be monitored with a cell phone or an inside screen.

Windows that show the front door can be helpful too. Be sure to pay close attention to any unusual cars or trucks nearby that could give you a clue of who is there and why.

Another way to see who is at your door is to use a wide-angle peephole. It can be easily installed in your front door and should be placed at your eye level. This prevents any interference with an outside camera and eliminates the need for additional equipment.

2.) Keep your car doors locked.

Always keep your car doors locked - AT ALL TIMES - whether you are in it or not, and NEVER EVER leave the keys in your car. Leaving the keys in a parked car is an invitation to drive it away. This can tempt curious teens and others who are looking for a ride or a vehicle and your car can disappear in an instant. You can and should prevent this.

3.) Keep your house locked.

Times have changed and crime rates are up. Keeping your house doors locked prevents your home from becoming an easy target for a robbery or home invasion. It is also important to be sure windows are secure are not easily accessible from the outside, especially if they are on the first floor.

4.) Never hide keys in obvious places.

Many people like to keep a spare key nearby their home in case of emergency (like forgetting your own key), or to allow friends and visitors to let themselves in. However, hiding a key in obvious places, like under the mat or nearby flower pot, leaves your home vulnerable to entry by unwanted visitors too.

Instead place a spare key in your wallet or in your locked car, or give a key to a trusted neighbor in case of emergencies.

5.) Close your drapes, curtains and blinds at night. Notice the difference between these two windows.

Closing your drapes and blinds will prevent anyone from looking into your windows at night. Otherwise, people can easily see who is home, what you are doing, what you are wearing (or not wearing), and what you are watching on TV. They can get the layout of your floor plan and assess your home’s contents and valuables for future reference. 

These are just a few of the many tips we will be sharing with you on safety awareness and self-defense to help prevent you from becoming a victim.

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Also check out the 3 Seniors website link above where you will find information about how to purchase the one-hour DVD “Self-Defense and Safety Awareness for Seniors.” It’s full of valuable information to keep you safe and prevent you from becoming a victim while at home, in your car, or shopping. The video has clear instructions and demonstrations of simple things to do if someone tries to approach or grab you. It also has specific exercises you can do at home using a doorway or counter top to strengthen your muscles, reflexes and balance.

Feel free to check out our other blogs and to email us at: info@drkathleenfavaloro.com for any questions.