Protecting and Celebrating Seniors – May is Older Americans Month
We all have older individuals in our lives that we love and want to protect. Although we need to consider the safety of our seniors all year, it’s important to take this time to focus our efforts on their safety and help to prevent crimes targeting seniors. This month, AlertID and the National Crime Prevention Council (Home of McGruff the Crime Dog®), offer important tips and remind us that the key for keeping seniors safe is to be Alert, Aware and Involved.
Alert:
Stay safe when out and about:
- Go with friends or family, not alone.
- Ladies: Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
- Gentlemen: Put your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
- Don’t carry credit cards you don’t need or large amounts of cash.
- Use direct deposit for Social Security and other regular checks.
- Keep car doors locked, whether you’re a passenger or driver.
- Be particularly alert in parking lots and garages. Always park near an entrance.
- Sit close to the driver or near the exit while riding the bus, train, or subway.
- If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave.
For more great safety tips for seniors and their families on everything from fraud to abuse, click here.
Aware:
Become a member of AlertID’s free program, and in addition to receiving crime, sex offender, and other important alerts, members also gain the ability to communicate with other AlertID members in the neighborhood about suspicious activities. Knowledge is power and having this up-to-date information will help seniors and their families make adjustments in their lives to keep them safe. To sign up for a free account or for more information, please go to www.AlertID.com.
Involved:
Seniors play an invaluable role in the safety of our communities and retired neighbors are important members of AlertID and neighborhood watch groups. Retired people tend to have more time to devote to watching out for their neighborhoods and are often very active in helping to keep their communities free from crime. Many of AlertID’s most active members are seniors who play a significant role in reducing and preventing crime in their areas by sharing or posting information about suspicious activities and other important information for neighbors through AlertID. Please encourage seniors you know to join AlertID.
This month, take the time to review important safety tips for seniors and encourage seniors you know to be Alert, Aware and Involved in their safety.
Written by AlertID Founder, Keli Wilson