10 Ways to Ensure Your Elderly Relatives are Protected at Home
Crime figures in the UK are decreasing. A report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) however, shows that ‘6.5 million incidents of crime against households and resident adults’ still took place across the UK in the year up until June 2015. Anyone with an elderly relative will want to ensure that they are secure within their own home. Here are some ideas to help.
- Doors and windows
Making the doors and windows secure against any intruder is essential. Security Direct has a wide range of products including security doors and window grilles that will act as a useful deterrent against criminals.
- Check the locks
If your locks aren’t secure then you’ll have problems gaining home insurance as well as well as reducing the house’s overall security. The police recommend a five-lever mortise deadlock. You should also ensure that your relative always uses the chain on the door before opening to strangers.
- Install an alarm
Thieves hate alarms and if your relative’s house has an alarm box displayed on the front of the house this does act as a deterrent. As well as using the alarm company’s own 24 hour response service you could always have an app on your smartphone that will alert you if the alarm has been triggered so that you can summon the police on behalf of your relative.
- Always make sure the home is well lit
The Metropolitan police suggest that keeping the outside of your house well lit can act as a powerful deterrent against criminals. The Met also advise that motion sensor lights are installed so that if someone does trespass on the property these powerful lights will instantly illuminate them.
- Register your property
You can always register valuables and property with the free national ‘Immobilise’ scheme shown on the Surrey Police website. This scheme allows them a better chance of retrieving their valued possessions. Display the Immobilise sticker in a bold position so that thieves are aware that your relative is registered with this scheme.
- Your garden entrances must be protected
It’s always important to make sure that no one can access a property through the garden. Make sure that all the doors and gates are kept in good condition and you could install trellises on top of your fences, which will make them more difficult to climb.
- Timed lighting
If your relative is likely to go out for the night or leave the home for any period of time, then ensure that you have timers attached to any side or table lamps.
- Painting isn’t just for decoration
An agile burglar is likely to attempt to try and gain access to the house’s upper stories through a flat roof or a drainpipe. Painting anti climb paint on all drainpipes protects the property.
- Beware of scammers
Install a spy hole in your relative’s front door, and then they’ll be able to see who’s calling. The rise in doorstep crimes means that no one should open their door to someone they don’t recognise.
- Checklist
Work through a checklist with your relative concerning the safety essentials about their home. The list should include, ‘are all the doors locked, windows shut, etc.’ This process will give both you and your relative peace of mind.
