Retirees Australia

Coordinator Jim Simpson: PO Box 159 Nobby Beach 4218 Qld.

Email jimsim@RetireesAu.org Website http://www.RetireesAu.org

November 2008 Gold Coast Police Home Help Programme

This free service is designed to improve home security for all people who live alone and who may be socially isolated. In particular those who have a physical or mental disability (including Alzheimer's and dementia) or are mobility impaired.

The aim of the project is to better enable police to effectively assist these people in times of emergency. Ready access to information including personal details, next of kin, keyholders contact details, doctor and medical conditions will be recorded so to enable a quick police response in the event of an emergency.

All you have to do is phone the police Home Link Co-ordination Unit on 5570 7939 and arrange for an appointment. The calling officer or volunteer may also be able to suggest other simple measures that you may care to consider to improve your safety. In the meantime here is a simple test for you to try.

* Is your house number clearly visible from the street ?

* Can offenders be seen in your yard ?

* Do you have an automatic timer or sensor activated lights ?

* Have you a phone extension in your bedroom ?

* Do you leave lights on when you go out ?

* Have you keyed in emergency numbers if you own a touchtone ?

* Are your front and rear doors solid core ?

* Are your doors fitted with a deadlock/deadbolt ?

* If you do not have a security door, do you have a door viewer ?

* Are your windows fitted with key operated locks or security grilles ?

* Are your louvre windows fitted with bars or grilles ?

* Are your locks keyed alike so that one key opens all doors and windows ?

* If you have an alarm is it always used and serviced regularly ?

* Is property marked or engraved for personal identification ?

* Is your garage locked with quality keyed locks at all times ?

* Is your meter box locked ?

* Is your garden shed securely locked ?

If you answered no to any of these now is the time to review your security needs.

Disclaimer: Retirees Australia is a totally independent, non commercial and free community service for seniors. Although we draw information from what we believe to be reliable sources and do try to get it right, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy please check that out for yourself.