AS the holiday season approaches, senior citizens are urged to stay aware and alert.
SAPS urges the elderly always use their spy hole to check who is at the door before opening, and to keep the door chain on when they do answer the front door just in case there is a problem.
Senior citizens are warned to never keep large sums of money in their home and request their neighbors/relatives or friends keep regular contact with them. Police suggest senior citizens have a secret code they could pass on to family and friends if they are in trouble, which will alert them that something is not right and the pensioner is in danger. If they phone or knock at the door and suspect something is amiss, they can contact police for help.
Pensioners are urged to never reveal any information about themselves, their family or home to a stranger and to never tell people they live alone or are alone, either in person, on the phone or over the gate intercom.
They should keep a list of all emergency numbers next to the phone, including the nearest neighbour who could be called upon to help in an emergency, and keep on hand, or invest in a “bobby whistle” or any other loud sounding whistle.
Take note of the police emergency number to dial if a crime is in progress and you are in immediate danger: Flying Squad – 10111.
