Daily Life

Keeping safe

Summary: Ideas for keeping safe, both at home and when you're out and about

• The fear of crime
• Suggestions to make you safer in your home
• Suggestions for when you’re out and about
• Where to get more help
• Paying for improvements
• About the Confident living series of leaflets

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Security is very important to older people with poor sight, three quarters of whom live alone. If you are one of them, this leaflet may help you with ideas for keeping safe, both at home and when you’re out and about. There are useful phone numbers at the end of the leaflet for more information.

The fear of crime

Older people often worry about crime and feel more vulnerable than others. However, those over 60 are actually three times less likely to be affected by crime than the rest of the population. On the following pages are suggestions to reduce this small risk even further.

So take care, but enjoy your life!

Suggestions to make you safer in your home

Windows and doors

You could fit a door chain to your outside doors and think about fitting a burglar alarm for security.

If you have some vision, a light at your door may be useful. You can get lights which come on when you open the front door or someone walks up your path.

After dark, draw your curtains – but never leave the ground floor windows open at night. Also, always remember to close the windows whenever you leave your home.

Strangers

Never reveal information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone. Never open the door to someone you don’t know or are not expecting. Do not give your keys to workmen.

Visitors

Insist that anyone who needs to visit you makes an appointment, and that you know the name of the person who will be calling. Never admit builders or other callers without an appointment.

Organise passwords with your gas, electricity and water companies and with anyone else you expect to call.

Ask your relatives and friends to give you a quick phone call before they visit. This is so that you don’t accidentally let someone else in, if darkness or noise in the street makes it more difficult to recognise people.

Getting help

It may be useful to have a telephone extension in your bedroom. You could also consider renting a community alarm (your local social services department can tell you about this).

Don’t ever be afraid to phone the police on 999, if you think somebody is trying to get into your home. They would much rather come out ‘for nothing’ than let your home be burgled because you weren’t sure whether to bother them.

Arranging a ‘signal system’ with your neighbours may be a good idea. You could arrange for them to call round if your curtains aren’t open by a certain time in the morning. Or you could ask them to pop in an hour after they see anyone they don’t recognise go into your house.

Going away

Remember to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries if you’re going away for a while. If you can, get a light to come on at different times to make people think there is someone at home. If you go out for the evening, you may want to leave the radio on for the same reason.

Insurance

It is worth having house contents insurance so that, if the worst does happen, your property can be replaced and repairs done. Make sure that you get a "new for old" policy so that you can replace everything without being out of pocket.

Suggestions for when you’re out and about

General safety tips

It may be worth getting a hand-held personal alarm. Learn how to use it and keep it in your pocket, rather than in a bag, so that you can find it quickly if you need it. And remember to test it regularly to make sure it always works.

Keep your keys in your pocket too.

Don’t carry large amounts of money or important items. Only take what you need for the day plus a little extra for emergencies.

If you are walking, walk facing the traffic so that cars cannot pull up behind you.

Public transport

Before going, check the time of the last buses and trains. Work out the latest time to safely leave wherever you are.

Arrive with enough time to spare to make sure you don’t miss your transport. If possible, don’t wait around too long at bus stops or on station platforms. If you do have to wait, stand with your back against a wall to prevent anyone coming up behind you. If you’re out late and on your own, arrange to be taken home safely – either by getting a lift with someone you trust or with a reputable taxi firm.

If you know which end of the train you need to get off, try to travel near that end.

Ask for assistance, if you can, and for a member of staff to wait with you until your train arrives. Ask your assistant to put you on the train near to where the entrance will be when you get off.

On an empty bus, sit near the driver or conductor. On a train, sit in a compartment where there are other people, preferably near to the guard’s compartment or the buffet. Check where the emergency stop handle is.

Taking a taxi

Often the easiest and safest type of transport for people with poor sight is a taxi. Here are a few suggestions to make taxi travel as safe and pleasant as possible.

• Find a good cab firm and stick to them. After a while, you’ll become known by some of the drivers, which always helps.
• You can then ask for them by name or by their car number when you call.
• Always try to have the correct money for the cab fare with you.
• Agree to the fare before you start your journey.
• Always sit in the back of the taxi.
• Keep to general conversation with the driver. Don’t discuss your sight problem or whether you live alone.
• When you reach your destination, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside the door or, if you know the driver, to accompany you to your door.

Mobile telephones

If you need to make a telephone call when away from home, a mobile phone can save you having to find a phone box or payphone. You may find a mobile telephone useful for:

• telling people if you have been delayed
• asking directions
• calling a taxi late at night
• making urgent calls or calls for help in an uncertain situation.

If you are thinking about buying a mobile telephone, think carefully about how much, and at what times of the day, you are most likely to use it. Then shop around for the ‘package’ which suits you best – and make sure your retailer stocks phones from all of the network suppliers. Test the handsets for sound quality, size and ease of use to find the one most comfortable for you.

The cost of running a mobile phone is now very much less than it used to be but if you are concerned about the cost, why not check that you are receiving all of the welfare benefits you are entitled to? Contact RNIB on 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525 and ask for a benefits check.

Where to get more help

Many people think that the police are only there for victims of crime – but they can also help make sure that your home is as secure as possible, so that you can feel safe in it. Your local police station can put you in touch with their crime prevention officer who can give you more advice.

Paying for improvements

In most cases, the cost of improvements is surprisingly low. However, there are several agencies who may be able to help or offer advice, for instance your local authority housing department, your local home beat police officer or RNIB on 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525.

The final message is that you are very unlikely to be the victim of crime, so keep safe and enjoy life.

About the Confident living series of leaflets

RNIB’s Confident living series provides practical ideas and advice for older people with sight problems. These short leaflets offer basic information to help people get on with their lives.

For a copy of any of these free leaflets, please contact RNIB Customer Services on 0845 702 3153 or 01733 37 53 50.

Content author: SharronLaura.Keightley@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 21/04/2008 16:02