Everyone deserves to feel safe.  Sadly, seniors are often targeted for crimes.  That's why it's important to take the proper security measures to keep your home and belongings safe.

First, it's important to make sure the house is clearly visible from the street.  The exterior of the home should be well lit at night.  Trees and other obstructions should be removed from around windows and doors to eliminate any cover for potential intruders.  

The home's first line of defense is always its doors and windows.  They should all be properly secured with strong, reliable locks.  A sturdy security door should be installed for all external entrances.  The doors should be of solid-core construction and equipped with deadlocks.  There should also be a peephole for added security.  The door should never be opened without first checking the peephole.  If a stranger comes to the door, always ask to see identification before opening.  If they insist it's an emergency, leave them outside while you make the necessary phone calls for help.  It's better safe than sorry.

One common mistake home-owners make regardless of age is hiding a key outside their home.  While it seems like an easy solution if you've been losing your keys or accidentally locking yourself out, it can actually be a boon to burglars.  Thieves are well aware of the usual hiding places, like under mats, under flower pots, above doors, or even in fake rocks, so it's basically like leaving your house unlocked.