Herndon officer Denise Randles holds out the microphone to a concerned citizen at the Senior Safety Summit on Dec. 5. Photo by Reena Singh.
Area senior citizens got a lesson on safety from the professionals.
The first of two Senior Safety Summits was held on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Herndon Harbor House to show the area’s oldest residents how to remain safe for the holidays and beyond.
“Our message today is how to prevent the 911 call,” said county Fire Chief Richard Bowers, Jr.
County emergency responders and others affiliated with safety in other aspects talked about the dangers that senior citizens specifically face, especially those who have developed Alzheimer’s or dementia.
“90 percent of our searches are Alzheimer’s patients who have wandered away, and that is a tragedy,” said Reston District Police Captain Mike Bell.
Deputy Carmella Moon with the county sheriff’s department introduced the free program, Project Lifesaver, that could help solve that problem. A watch-like tracking device is put on the wrist of a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's - or even a young child - so they can be found by the police easily if they wander away.
“We have had 100 percent accuracy in finding the loved ones who’ve wandered,” said Moon.
She said it is key, however, for the client’s caretaker contact the police immediately when they find out the client is missing.
For those who do not have Alzheimer’s but can be a little forgetful, county Public Affairs and Life Safety Officer Shawn Crisp gave tips on how to avoid common house fires. She noted that the top house fires are from candles, cooking, smoking and electrical malfunctions.
“You want to test your fire alarms once a month,” she said, noting that firefighters are replacing faulty fire alarms for free.
WHEN COOKING SOMETHING, she said, turn off the stove or oven when you leave the room. However, if it is a quick trip that will take less than a couple minutes, she offered some advice.
“If you do have to leave to take care of something but are still in the house, take something to remind you,” she said. “Take a spatula or set a timer.”
Herndon Crime Prevention officer Denise Randles gave tips on home and personal safety, such as how to deal with a potential phone scam or prevent home invasions. In short, she said residents should call the police if they feel uncomfortable with a situation.
“Make sure your doors are locked when you’re away,” she said. “When I was a girl, we never had to lock our front door, but things are different now.”
Residents should also use a peephole, she noted, before answering the door and be aware of their surroundings.
“You do not have to open the door if you do not feel comfortable,” she said.
With the number of scams in the county that target senior citizens, Officer Randles said, they should be wary of callers that ask for money or more information than is necessary.
County Branch Chief for Consumer Affairs elaborated, stating that door-to-door solicitors must have a permit from the county and charities must have a registration through the U.S. Department of Agriculture on their person. Others may be trying to scam seniors - who may be overly trusting - into extremely costly services with hidden charges.
“We want to make sure you are in a safe community and that you are healthy,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.
THE NEXT SENIOR SAFETY SUMMIT will be in the eastern Dranesville district from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6 at the McLean Community Center located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.