SENIORS SURVEYED ON HOME SECURITY NEEDS

Is your home secure? Edna Young decided to find out, so she arranged a home security survey from the Senior Safety Team.

The free survey is designed to assess the safety needs of senior citizens in Cape Girardeau County. It was conducted by students from Southeast Missouri State University in conjunction with the Community Caring Council and the Aging Task Force.

The monthlong project is coordinated through the department of Human Environmental Studies at the university. Funding is provided through the Cape Girardeau County Senior Citizen's Services Fund.

The home surveys ask questions about the types of doors, windows and locks in each home, as well as crime prevention issues.

"We are trying to determine what additional safety equipment is needed to make them more confident and comfortable," said Cynthia Kothe, director of the university's educational outreach programs.

The purpose of the survey is to identify things that can be done to increase the home security of senior citizens in the area, Kothe said.

Many residents surveyed don't have proper locks for their doors. Falls from area rugs are also a big problem, said surveyor Charla Myers.

But Young, 75, only had a few problems. Her smoke detector didn't work properly and she didn't have deadbolts on her front or back doors.

"I would feel more secure with locks and if the smoke detector worked properly," Young said. She has lived in her house on Ellis Street for 22 years.

The Aging Task Force will try to help residents meet their security needs by providing equipment, such as deadbolts and window locks, to make the homes safer.

Senior citizen 60 or older can request a home security survey by calling the Senior Safety Team at 290-5944. Surveyors have been trained by the police department and carry photo identification, Kothe said. Surveys are conducted by appointment only.