We, seniors, are considered as the most vulnerable group ever to live on this planet. We, unintentionally, invite scammers into our homes and our lives. Even of those we have trusted our whole lives, we can never be sure. No amount of defense is better than prevention, that’s what I say but if push comes to shove, we seniors should be ready to handle such situations and come out of it fairly unscathed! Here are some of simple self defense tips for seniors:
• Avoid wandering around without any particular go-to location in mind. If you have to do this, make sure you don’t look lost or dazed as these are what malicious people are looking for.
• Be especially aware of your surroundings. By now, you must have known your neighborhood like the back of your hand. Try to avoid neighborhoods that are famous for trouble and stick with those that won’t do you harm.
• Always make it a point to have at least one arm free, if two is not possible. This way, you will be able to use this “free arm” if and when someone attacks you. This also applies when going in and out of your home.
• Have a whistle and flashlight in handy. Both of which you can buy in miniature sizes to easily slide inside your pocket. There are also alarm systems designed especially for seniors, albeit more expensive.
• Avoid going out at night especially if you are alone. When visiting an ATM machine, always do it in broad daylight or at least on a well-lit area. Assess your surroundings first for suspicious characters or dark areas surrounding the machine, if there is one, try to find another machine to withdraw you money from.
• Never open your doors without knowing for sure who is on the other side. You can have someone install a peephole so you can see first who’s knocking before opening the door.
• Keep your valuables hidden. If you are planning to have a little stroll down the park, make sure you leave your jewelries at home and carry just enough money to bring you back home.
• Bring “not-so-obvious” self-defense weapon such as umbrella, cane, pen and keys. You can use these things to defend you against your attacker.
• Join self-defense classes. Local organizations as well as police authorities organize free self-defense classes every now and then. It is best to attend such classes and ask questions while there.
