Remember when everybody knew their neighbour, nobody locked their doors and kids wandered about playing in the street and snacking in whoever’s kitchen smelled the best? The world is now a very different place from 50 or even 20 years ago.
“We used to rely on neighbours, family and friends to keep us safe but that network is not always as available or tightly knit as it used to be,” says RAA Senior Manager for Secure Services, Neil McLean. “People need to reassess their own personal security and that of their family”.
A recent RAA Security Report found that 44% of people wouldn’t investigate or call the police if they heard an alarm go off in their local area. Not surprisingly, older adults are more likely to respond with 58% of Boomers saying they would take action, compared to only 43% of adults aged under 30 years.
“More of our customers are concerned about the threat of home invasion and the trusted neighbour and extended family is increasingly being replaced by technology in the form of monitored security alarms, security cameras, and Personal Alert devices,” says Mr McLean.
He recommends a monitored alarm system as a deterrent to criminals and to provide peace of mind and help bring down insurance premiums. On activation, the monitoring centre reacts immediately, either calling relatives or emergency services, depending on the customer’s instructions.
“Monitored personal alert systems are one of RAA’s fastest-growing security products,” says Mr McLean ‘two years ago we were monitoring 400 personal alert systems – we now monitor over 4000. It’s important to remember that a monitored personal alert system can be used for any type of emergency – a fall, suspected burglar, medical or domestic emergency or even a fire” he adds.
“Each month our monitoring centre at Mile End receives over 900 personal alerts, of which 22% require ambulance assistance.”
When the pendant button of the PAS is activated, voice contact is made via a centrally situated, sound-sensitive communication system. If voice contact can’t be established the agreed emergency protocol will be activated by the monitoring service.
“You don’t have to be especially elderly or incapacitated to benefit from a personal alert device,” says Mr McLean, “sometimes wearers hear a strange noise outside or feel unwell and this technology simply helps provide a reassuring voice or a call to family members – keeping everyone safe, happy and providing peace of mind 24 hours a day to those who need it.”
“We recently had an instance where a family whose elderly mother had just stopped driving, had organised a monitored PAS for her. A month later, alone at home, she suffered an aneurism but activated the alert before losing consciousness. The ambulance and family arrived and she was hospitalised. She called us later in thanks saying she felt the PAS had saved her life”.
To improve your safety or that of a loved one, use RAA’s handy Seniors Safety Checklist:
Get to know your neighbours. Once a friendship is formed, you will look out for each other.
Create an invisible housemate. Women living alone may choose to have a male relative or friend record their answering machine, e.g.”We’re unable to take your call, please leave a message”.
Check before you open the door. Ask who is calling. If a stranger, talk to them through a locked screen door
Invest in a personal alert system for your medical and personal safety. Monitored systems give you direct contact with an operator in a monitoring centre at the push of a button.
Check Tradespeople’s credentials. All tradespeople are required to be licensed by Consumer Affairs – ask for their licence number when calling them. Ask to see the licence when they visit your home or ring their company to check their identity.
Don’t carry large amounts of money, or keep large amounts in your home.
Trust your instinct! If something doesn’t feel right, you suspect an intruder, or you feel unsafe ring police.