Seniors learn to stay safe

The Safe Communities Coalition of Brockville and District, the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the OPP began a new initiative yesterday to kick off Crime Prevention Week in Ontario.
There was a special seminar at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, conducted by local OPP Cst. Caroline Spencer and Cst. Dereck McLean, to help seniors protect themselves from crime and safety hazards.
The seminar addressed everything from household hazards, such as electrical appliances to fraud, to abuse by caregivers.
Cst. Spencer took the group of about a dozen seniors through a series of precautions, as well as a list of do’s and don’ts to keep them safe in their homes and out on the street.
She stressed the potential fire hazard from electrical appliances that are left plugged in unnecessarily or placed in dangerous proximity to standing water. Her advice was simple.
“If you don’t need it, unplug it,” she stressed. “If it’s not plugged in, it’s not going to catch on fire.”
Yesterday’s seminar also provided useful tips to avoid break-ins and theft. For instance, the audience was told to try and make it look as though the home was occupied all the time and to never advertise the fact it wasn’t.
For instance, Cst. Spencer strongly recommended people never leave notes on their doors for friends saying they are out and when they will be back.
In addition, mail the accumulates and lawns that are not mowed tips off criminals that the house has been unoccupied for some time.
“Don’t let the bad guys know what you’re doing,” she warned.
Cst. Spencer also stressed the importance of enlisting the help of neighbours in a mutual support network. That even extended to police officers.
“There are about 30 police officers who live here in Fort Frances,” she noted. “We are your neighbours, too. If you want to know where we are, just call us with your name and address, and we will tell you who they are and where they live.”
She also addressed personal safety while out on the street, stressing the importance of constantly being aware of one’s surroundings and to let others know it.
“If you look confident and aware of what’s going on around you, you’re less likely to become a victim of crime,” she remarked.
Cst. Spencer then reminded them that four percent of elderly adults are victims of some form of abuse. She defined elder abuse as any action taken by someone in a position of trust that causes harm to an older person.
Abuse comes in many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and neglect. The last form often is the most subtle and difficult to detect.
“If someone is supposed to provide you with domestic or health care and withdraws that service, that’s abuse,” she said.
Cst. Spencer also addressed a growing problem in the district and beyond—fraud.
“Never give money to anyone who calls you, identifying themselves as a bank official,” she said.
“A bank will never ask you for money. They already have more money than everybody else,” she joked.
She also cited the number of get-rich-quick scams that are appearing as letters, e-mails, and telemarketers. “Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, you can be sure it is,” she stressed.
Fraud also extends to people extracting sensitive information, such as credit card and PIN numbers, as well as home repairs and so-called charity solicitations. Some are legitimate, but others are scams.
“When in doubt, check it out,” she said.
Cst. Spencer recommended getting at least three estimates for home renovations and to check with the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to see if a company is legitimate.
There also is a toll-free number people can call to deal with suspicious telephone solicitations. “Phonebusters” can be reached any time at 1-888-495-8506.
Cst. McLean said there more such seminars will be held throughout the district over the next few weeks if people are interested.
“Just give us a call and we’ll set one up for you,” he said.
To arrange a seminar in your community, call Cst. McLean or Cst. Spencer at 274-3322.