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Crime & Safety

Safety For Seniors: In the Car, On the Road, At Home

Cranford police share best practices for keeping safe in and around town.

In light of recent attacks in and around town, Cranford Patch spoke to police about how seniors, and other residents, can stay safe while out walking, in the car, or at home.

Here are a few practical tips that could keep you out of harm's way.

Shopping Safety

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Carry conservative purses and keep them close.

"Don't carry large, bulky shoulder bags; carry only what you need," said Lt. Robert Colaneri of the Cranford Police Department. "Never leave your purse in a shopping cart or leave it unattended."

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Another rule of thumb is not to carry more cash than is necessary and to utilize debit cards or pay by check at the grocery store.  It is important never to display large sums of cash in public as well.

Pedestrian Tips

Although Cranford is generally a safe town for strollers, there are some important things to keep in mind wherever you may travel. 

"If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle," said Colaneri.

Police don't recommend taking matters into your own hands.

"Do not pursue your attacker," Colaneri said. "Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible."

Also, if at all possible, travel in groups and do not walk alone at night.

"Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings," he said. "Walk confidently. Stay away from buildings and doorways; walk in well-lighted areas." 

When you get back to your house, make sure your key is in your hand, ready to open the lock on your door. 

But what if a crime happens when you're already at home?

Home Security and Burglary Prevention

"Most burglaries occur during daylight hours and many intruders gain access through open or poorly secured doors and windows," said Colaneri.

Part of burglary prevention entails making it more difficult for an intruder to enter.

Residents should trim trees and shrubs around their homes to eliminate hiding places. Outside lights equipped with motion detectors can alert you or others of potential criminal activity.

Make sure your locks are functioning properly and that all doors have deadbolts on them. Check to see that all windows are locked and cannot be forced open. Secure the basement and attic windows.

"Many communities provide free or low-cost repairs to low-income seniors," said Colaneri. "Check with local senior organizations for more information."

For your own peace of mind, it's best to know how to get out of your house quickly before you need to use the escape route. Police suggest residents plan their routes from every room in their homes.

Sometimes the danger isn't so obvious. Cranford is no stranger to scams involving fake home improvement workers who offer to come inside your house and do repairs for little cost. 

Whatever you do, "do not allow random construction companies to entice you into doing work; it could be a scam. If you did not call them, please call police to investigate," said Colaneri.

After you return home from town, get into the habit of giving the house a brief visual assessment before entering. If anything looks suspicious, call 911 from another location.

Also, if you live alone, your answering machine message should not let people know that information.

"If you have a neighborhood watch program, look out for one another," said Colaneri.

Road Safety

Keep your doors locked, the gas tank full, and your car in working condition.

But if your car breaks down, pull over to the right as far as possible, raise the hood, and stay there.

"Wait inside the car for help," said Colaneri. "Avoid getting out of the car and making yourself a target before police arrive."

To prevent carjackings, Colaneri suggests always keeping the car in gear at stop signs and traffic lights and mapping out your route beforehand.  Drivers should also stick to well-lit and busy streets. 

"Don't leave your purse on the seat beside you; put it on the floor, where it is more difficult for someone to grab it," he said.  "Lock bundles or bags in the trunk. If interesting packages are out of sight, a thief will be less tempted to break in to steal them."

As an extra measure of caution, when returning to your car, check the front and back seats before entering, and remember never to pick up hitchhikers.

This is the first in a series of articles that look at safety issues for seniors. Next week we'll look at tips for home and health, and the following week we'll tackle ways to avoid Internet scams.

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