These are some great ideas. When I was young and single in Baltimore, after an apartment break-in I slept with a hammer under my pillow for a while. I haven't worried much about intruders for a long time but I especially like the car key fob idea.
My oldest sister is recently widowed. She has a small dog. She has gotten to know quite a few of her neighbors mostly from walking her dog every day. They lookout for each other. I know a few of our neighbors, some friendly, some keep to themselves. It always amazes me reading police reports re people having laptops, cash, keys, wallets, and other things, stolen from their unlocked cars. I try to never leave anything of value in the car, and I automatically lock it whenever I get out. Just a habit I got into years ago.
I agree, don’t even leave loose change in the car! I had my old Ford escort broken into, the police told me because it’s easy to get into. They found nothing of value, they found our windscreen wiper boxes thinking they were new but when they opened it to find the old ones they clearly got annoyed and chucked them angrily on the ground. When I went to report it to the police they said ‘don’t worry now they’ll know your car has nothing and won’t try again’ haha. I felt like I needed a sticker ‘I’m poor don’t bother’.
It was an experience! I luckily never leave stuff in the car from my kinda rough home city 😆 Cat was unscathed and when I observed it closer it wasn’t it’s first rodeo.
Excellent list. I also display photos of my late husband, so anyone coming in the house will think there is a man here. I have two dogs, and a close neighbor comes by most mornings to walk one of them. It gives me a sense of security to know he is checking on me, as well. If I am having any work done such as window washing, etc. I always let the neighbor know. He then shows up casually and greets the worker, who probably thinks he is my husband. I have also considered letting someone use my extra garage space to park their car. Local police are also glad to provide advice on what types of crimes might occur in a neighborhood and how to minimize your risk.
These are great suggestions, and this is such an important topic. My mom was incapacitated by the fear of living alone, after my dad died (even though she lived in a very safe neighborhood and had known her neighbors for many years.) Since my husband's dementia diagnosis, I've had to make peace with thinking of myself as living alone. That was definitely scary at first. But the only real alternative is to start living a very small life.
One thing I do to make myself feel safer is to speak of my husband as an active presence in our household (when talking to a plumber or repair person, for instance.) The logic is very similar to leaving a pair of men's boots in sight. No one needs to know that he's in dementia care, not at work, when they're inside my house during the day.
When my husband was in the nursing home, I did that, too. It's a good idea. With all the photos around my house, who would know the difference? I'm sorry you are going through the dementia journey with your husband. It's so hard.
Firstly, very excited for dog updates after thanksgiving!
Re the security systems, if someone was looking for a cheaper alternative, I bought a very cheap camera (€23) from Amazon (I don’t ethically like this company but, they are great for getting bits when I can’t get out), the brand is Tapo. The app is fairly easy to use too, it has an alarm as part of the camera too that can be set up.
Perhaps even having a camera on display is enough to deter or make it that little less appealing that they chose someone else.
Smart bulbs are handy too as you can set up a routine which happens whether you’re home or not. For those not too tech savvy, ask a younger neighbour or family member to help out! Once there set up they work away and can be overridden by just turning them off the normal way. Smart bulbs are getting very cheap these days too, as little as €8 a bulb. Smart plugs are the same idea and useful for things like Christmas lights or even radios if you wanted.
Some great advice! When I lived alone I used to call out goodbye. But the boots is a brilliant idea too, it’s those little details that don’t cost a lot (or nothing) that just give off an impression. Xx
These are some great ideas. When I was young and single in Baltimore, after an apartment break-in I slept with a hammer under my pillow for a while. I haven't worried much about intruders for a long time but I especially like the car key fob idea.
My oldest sister is recently widowed. She has a small dog. She has gotten to know quite a few of her neighbors mostly from walking her dog every day. They lookout for each other. I know a few of our neighbors, some friendly, some keep to themselves. It always amazes me reading police reports re people having laptops, cash, keys, wallets, and other things, stolen from their unlocked cars. I try to never leave anything of value in the car, and I automatically lock it whenever I get out. Just a habit I got into years ago.
I agree, don’t even leave loose change in the car! I had my old Ford escort broken into, the police told me because it’s easy to get into. They found nothing of value, they found our windscreen wiper boxes thinking they were new but when they opened it to find the old ones they clearly got annoyed and chucked them angrily on the ground. When I went to report it to the police they said ‘don’t worry now they’ll know your car has nothing and won’t try again’ haha. I felt like I needed a sticker ‘I’m poor don’t bother’.
I'm sorry that happened to you. Where I live on the coast, lots of cars get broken into. Do not leave anything visible to potential robbers.
It was an experience! I luckily never leave stuff in the car from my kinda rough home city 😆 Cat was unscathed and when I observed it closer it wasn’t it’s first rodeo.
Thank you so much, Sue. A practical list, for sure.
Excellent list. I also display photos of my late husband, so anyone coming in the house will think there is a man here. I have two dogs, and a close neighbor comes by most mornings to walk one of them. It gives me a sense of security to know he is checking on me, as well. If I am having any work done such as window washing, etc. I always let the neighbor know. He then shows up casually and greets the worker, who probably thinks he is my husband. I have also considered letting someone use my extra garage space to park their car. Local police are also glad to provide advice on what types of crimes might occur in a neighborhood and how to minimize your risk.
Great suggestions, Laurel. Thank you.
These are great suggestions, and this is such an important topic. My mom was incapacitated by the fear of living alone, after my dad died (even though she lived in a very safe neighborhood and had known her neighbors for many years.) Since my husband's dementia diagnosis, I've had to make peace with thinking of myself as living alone. That was definitely scary at first. But the only real alternative is to start living a very small life.
One thing I do to make myself feel safer is to speak of my husband as an active presence in our household (when talking to a plumber or repair person, for instance.) The logic is very similar to leaving a pair of men's boots in sight. No one needs to know that he's in dementia care, not at work, when they're inside my house during the day.
When my husband was in the nursing home, I did that, too. It's a good idea. With all the photos around my house, who would know the difference? I'm sorry you are going through the dementia journey with your husband. It's so hard.
Firstly, very excited for dog updates after thanksgiving!
Re the security systems, if someone was looking for a cheaper alternative, I bought a very cheap camera (€23) from Amazon (I don’t ethically like this company but, they are great for getting bits when I can’t get out), the brand is Tapo. The app is fairly easy to use too, it has an alarm as part of the camera too that can be set up.
Perhaps even having a camera on display is enough to deter or make it that little less appealing that they chose someone else.
Smart bulbs are handy too as you can set up a routine which happens whether you’re home or not. For those not too tech savvy, ask a younger neighbour or family member to help out! Once there set up they work away and can be overridden by just turning them off the normal way. Smart bulbs are getting very cheap these days too, as little as €8 a bulb. Smart plugs are the same idea and useful for things like Christmas lights or even radios if you wanted.
Some great advice! When I lived alone I used to call out goodbye. But the boots is a brilliant idea too, it’s those little details that don’t cost a lot (or nothing) that just give off an impression. Xx
Wonderful suggestions, Sheila. Thank you.