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One of the hardest and most unsettling parts of being a senior is that it means people will be more likely to try to take advantage of you. Seniors are frequently targeted by home invaders because they are considered to be less of a threat than a home occupied by younger people. While this might sound scary, don’t panic, there are plenty of things that seniors can do to protect themselves from a home invasion. Here’s an overview of some of the most effective ways to prevent intruders from targeting your home. You will also learn about what you can do in the event that an intruder enters your home.
Invest in exterior lighting and motion lights
The first thing you should do to protect your home is install plenty of exterior lighting. Motion sensor lights should also be considered as they automatically turn on when they detect movement and will automatically turn off again. If you don’t feel comfortable installing these lights on your own, don’t hesitate to call an electrician. Most electricians will be happy to assist as they can install the lights for you. When you have plenty of motion lights installed, it makes it more difficult for intruders to break-in, especially if you live in a year-round neighborhood. Once a burglar sees the light come on, they will be less likely to try to break because of the risk of being seen.
Security cameras on the interior and exterior of the home
For seniors, itwould be wise to invest in security cameras. Don’t go for the fake ones, you need the real thing and ones that record. Professional burglars know how to spot a fake security camera because they know the models. Ideally, you should have security cameras installed on both the interior and exterior of your home. This can help identify a suspect if you encounter an intruder on your property. By having cameras on the inside of the home, you can easily document any damage and see what was taken.
When it comes to security cameras, it’s best to have them installed by a professional. There are plenty of services out there that specialize in installing security cameras. If you’re worried about the cost, think about how much more it could cost you by not having them. When a thief sees functional security cameras on the exterior of your property, they will think twice about trying to break in. Unless they already know about something very valuable in your home to make it worth their while, most burglars won’t touch a property with security cameras. For the average burglar, the presence of security cameras means that the risk of being identified and subsequently caught is too great. By having security cameras installed, you can live at home in peace and confidence.
Keep your landscaping maintained
Another tip that can prevent your home from being targeted by intruders is to keep your landscaping maintained. Burglars are notorious for targeting homes with unkempt lawns and large bushes in front of windows. Of course, many seniors stop maintaining their lawns and gardens because they become physically incapable. Once you’re in your golden years, it’s hard to use a lawnmower and get on your knees to keep up a garden. Most older folks have arthritis which makes it very difficult, painful, or even dangerous to actively maintain a yard. Unfortunately, this creates a pattern in which older folks stop keeping their yards maintained which then makes their home a prime target for intruders. Hiring a landscaper, lawn mowing service, or both is a savvy way to keep your yard maintained without putting your health at risk.
Remember to keep everything locked at night
One of the most important things to remember as a senior is to keep all of your doors and windows locked at night, including the garage door. Ideally, you should set up a reminder on your phone to help you remember to lock up at night. Likewise, you should make an effort to keep everything locked whenever you leave your home. Just make sure that you have your keys with you. The best strategy is to lock your windows before leaving the house and then use your key to lock your doors from the outside. This will prevent you from accidentally locking yourself out of the house if you forget your keys inside.
How to pay for protection
Living alone as a senior can be frightening, especially if you don’t have any security cameras or other provisions. Likewise, the thought of maintaining your own yard can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Many also struggle with finances. If you are worried about how you are going to pay for things like motion lights, security cameras, and landscaping maintenance to stay safe from intruders, you might want to consider a life settlement as an option to sell your life insurance policy for cash. By selling your life policy, you can afford to pay for security and anything else you choose. While some folks choose to use the money from their life settlement to buy a new car or take a vacation, using the money to make your home more secure is a smart decision. Once you have your lights and cameras installed and have arranged for a groundskeeper, you can reward yourself with something fun.
Welcome to MRE Finance
MRE Finance helps seniors like yourself get a fair offer for their life insurance policies. When you work with MRE to sell your life insurance policy, you’ll have plenty of cash to finance security upgrades. We believe that seniors should enjoy the benefits of financial security.
Our free life settlement calculator will provide a value of what your policy is worth in minutes, or you can call our licensed specialists at 1-800-521-0770. Get in touch with the folks at MRE Finance today and ask about how to sell your life insurance policy!
