seniors.gov.au - Home safety and security

Home safety and security

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Home safety and security is an important component of having peace of mind at any age, and of specific relevance to Australians who live on their own or are limited in mobility. At the core of many precautions is basic common sense, so always make sure your behaviour and safety and security precautions reflect this.

Safety at Home
Unknown Visitors
Con Artists
Nuisance Calls
Personal Security
Safety and Security Reviews

Safety at Home

Arrange to have regular contact with someone you trust.
Going away? Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things, collect your mail and put out your rubbish. Leave the radio on.
Leave spare keys with a trusted friend, never in hiding places.
Make sure your house number is clearly visible.
If you are harassed, attacked or robbed, tell the police.
When you are at home, lock all doors.
Keep a photographic record of your jewellery and engrave all portable items (eg.TV) with your name, address and licence number.
Don't keep large amounts of money in the home.
If you have deadlocks, keep the keys in the locks on the inside when you are home, in case you need to leave in an emergency.
If you live alone, don't publicise this or whether you are Ms, Miss, Mrs or Mr.

For further information on staying safe at home, the NSW Office of Fair Trading website has resources on home safety and home security devices.

Unknown Visitors

If you're not sure who it is, don't open the door.
If someone is at the door and you are alone, pretend someone else is there.
Be suspicious of people wanting to enter your home. Ask for identification, look at it carefully and contact their office for verification.
If someone wants to use your phone for an emergency, offer to make the call for them, but keep them out.

Con Artists

They're friendly and clever. And they want to trick you out of your money or property. If they attempt to bully you, call the police. Beware of:

something for nothing
"you have won a contest"
cash only "opportunities"
home improvement offers
get rich quick schemes
"service calls" you didn't request.
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Nuisance Calls

Never give callers personal information. If a caller tries to upset you, hang up and report it to Telstra or Optus

Personal Security

The following are basic safety tips when you are out and about:

From a personal perspective always be prepared and aware of other people and your immediate surroundings.
Be aware of locations and situations that could make you vulnerable to crime such as lane ways, isolated parks and buildings, back streets and poorly lit parking lots
Don't carry large sums of money. Pay your bills by cheque, credit card or over the phone and internet.
If you carry a handbag, hold it under your arm or in front of you and never leave it unattended. If you use a wallet, put it inside your jacket or a front pocket.
Have your car keys ready before you get to your car.
If you believe you are in danger, shout out and make a scene and go into the nearest shop or busy place.
When you are banking or using an Automatic Teller machine; always vary your routine of banking.
Put your money away before moving away from at teller or a machine, and keep any large sums of cash in an inside pocket, not a purse of wallet.
If you have any queries, contact your local police and they can provide further information and advice.
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Safety and Security Reviews

For a safety and security review you can contact the Council on the Ageing and organise a time for a Safety liaison officer to conduct a review of your residence at a suitable time.

Further Information can be accessed from the relevant Police force websites for additional community service programs and security advice:

Your Care