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Your Peace of Mind, Secured: Making Elderly Homes Safer

At Staying Home, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their own home, especially our cherished elderly community. The thought of an intruder can be unsettling, but achieving a safer home doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With a thoughtful approach and a few strategic steps, you can significantly enhance your home's security, providing invaluable peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.

 

In today's world, new inexpensive security systems empower you to easily monitor your home, or that of loved ones, from your phone in real-time. With features like door chimes and wireless sensor-activated systems, you get that vital sense of security without the need for costly professional installation.

 

Intruders typically seek the path of least resistance. By making it known and shown that your property is monitored and protected, you significantly deter unwanted disturbances. Our guide outlines simple, effective steps to safeguard your home and family, even when you're not there.

Step One: Assess Your Home's Vulnerabilities

The first step to a secure home is understanding its weak points.

• Audit: Take a leisurely walk around your property, both inside and out. Identify areas that could offer concealment, such as dark corners, dense, overgrown shrubs, or obscured entry points.

• Note: Make a list of areas that would benefit from improved surveillance, better lighting, or clearer visibility. This initial assessment forms the foundation of your security plan.

Step Two: Outdoor Cameras

Keep an eye on your property with budget-friendly outdoor cameras.

• Install budget-friendly security cameras: Look for wireless, battery-operated models, often available at a surprisingly low cost. Many come packed with features like motion detection, night vision, and convenient smartphone alerts.

• Position cameras strategically: Focus on all entry points (front and back doors, ground-floor windows) and any areas that are hard to see from inside, such as backyards or side alleys.

• Wireless installation: Most affordable models are designed for easy, DIY installation, significantly reducing any potential labour costs.

Step Three: Pruning for Visibility

Nature can be beautiful, but it can also provide cover for intruders.

• Trim back: Regularly prune overgrown shrubs or trees located near windows, doors, or pathways. This simple act drastically reduces potential hiding spots for anyone attempting to access your home.

• Keep windows clear: Overgrown plants can obscure windows, making it easier for intruders to break in unnoticed. Regular pruning ensures clear lines of sight, improving overall visibility.

• Use natural barriers: Consider planting thorny or dense shrubs strategically near fences or windows. These natural deterrents can make trespassing much less appealing.

Step Four: Outdoor Lighting

Illuminate your property and deter unwanted visitors.

• Install motion-sensor lights: These lights are incredibly cost-effective as they only activate when motion is detected, saving energy while startling potential intruders.

• Use solar-powered lights: Embrace energy efficiency with solar-powered lights. Place them strategically around walkways, driveways, and any dark corners of your yard to create a well-lit perimeter.

• Lighting for entry points: Ensure all doors and windows are well-lit, especially during nighttime hours. Low-cost, bright, and long-lasting LED lights are an excellent choice.

Step Five: Reinforce Doors and Windows

Strengthen the most common entry points into your home.

• Window security latches: Inexpensive packs of latches and lockable features can be easily applied to windows, making them significantly harder to force open.

• Use dowels or security bars: For sliding windows or doors, a simple wooden dowel or an adjustable security bar placed in the track can effectively prevent forced entry.

Step Six: Install Dummy Cameras or Signs

Sometimes, the impression of security is enough to deter.

• Fake cameras: For an extra layer of deterrence, inexpensive dummy cameras can give the distinct impression that your home is well-monitored.

• Security signs and stickers: Even if you don’t have a full, professionally installed security system, displaying signs that suggest an alarm or surveillance system can be a powerful deterrent for opportunistic intruders.

Step Seven: Talk to Neighbours

Community is a powerful ally in home security.

• Community Group Action: Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch group or signing up for other community-focused groups that keep you informed about local safety concerns is an invaluable layer of protection.

• Record Footage: Sharing security footage or reporting suspicious activity with your neighbours can create a strong, collective deterrent and add an extra layer of protection for the entire community.

 

Many modern, inexpensive security devices also offer the ability to speak through the device. This allows you to determine the needs of those coming onto the property, or to check in on loved ones in distress, all from the convenience of your phone.

 

By implementing these practical and affordable strategies – from cutting back trees and shrubs to eliminate "hidey holes," to clever lighting and smart security devices – you empower yourself to safeguard your homes and family, even when you are not there.

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