Securing the Home on Vacation
By The WellNest Company
On average, a burglary happens once every 26 seconds. According to the FBI, a burglar strikes every 25.7 seconds in the US. That adds up to more than two burglaries every minute and over 3,300 burglaries per day. That could be why 62% of the respondents to our State of Safety survey named a break-in as their top property crime worry.
Burglaries are more frequent during the summer months. On average, burglaries rise about 10% between June and August. More people were burglarized in June than in any other month, according to a burglary survey. June accounted for 11.3% of the burglaries experienced by respondents. March and April had the next-highest numbers of burglaries with 10.3% and 10.9%, respectively.
The average loss from a burglary is nearly $3,000. That’s a big chunk of change. Burglaries also take a big emotional toll. You may need to recover from a financial setback at the same time you’re mourning the loss of things with sentimental value. Of 700 people surveyed who’ve experienced a burglary, 50% of them said the burglar stole or damaged items that were irreplaceable or had sentimental value.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive. We hate to see people suffer the emotional and financial losses that come with a burglary. Stick to the motto that “safety is a lifestyle”, not an afterthought or a reaction to something bad that has already occurred. It’s not possible to guarantee that you won’t fall victim to a burglary, but there’s a lot you can do now to make it far less likely.
How this can help seniors:
Shore up weaknesses
Look for security vulnerabilities around your home. It could be anything from a sliding glass door to an unlit path from the car to the front door. Adding an extra lock or an outdoor light with motion detection provides extra security and helps you sleep better at night.
Tend to your yard
Believe it or not, landscaping can play a role in keeping out the riff raff. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed so they don’t become hiding spots. If you go on vacation, make sure someone mows the lawn while you’re gone so it doesn’t look like your house is vacant.
Stay off of social media
60% of burglary victims say they were active on social media daily or several times a week. Posting plans about going out on the town or flaunting beach shots from your vacation is a neon sign to burglars that no one’s at home. Don’t tag your posts with your location or share vacation glamour shots while you’re still out of town.
Quick tips for ensuring a safer home for seniors:
Tip #1 – Never stop learning. “Lifelong learning” has become an important staple for long-term brain health.
Tip #2 – Read the Nutrition Facts label. The healthiest foods are whole foods. When you do eat packaged foods, be a smart shopper. Read the labels to find items that are lower in fat, added sugars, and sodium.
Tip #3 – Be actively engaged in life. Active engagement in life through physical, mental and social activities is a key component of successful aging and life satisfaction, according to research.
