Florida woman bludgeoned and set on fire by her Best Buy deliveryman.
Ways to reduce victimization at home.
The 75 year old woman just wanted her new washer and dryer delivered.
We imagine this lady could have never expected what she experienced that terrible day.
When we heard about the Florida woman who was bludgeoned and set on fire by her Best Buy delivery man, we felt we had to respond with tips for people to avoid victimization in their own home.
First and foremost, never let anyone in your home that you are not expecting. Never open the door for anyone either. Check ID card upon arrival if possible, and ask what kind of vehicle you can expect prior to the appointment.
We want you to be on high alert when you have strange people doing work at your home. Your guard should absolutely be raised when strangers like delivery people, repair people, contractors, etc. are in your home.
Remember people are victimized 90% pf the time by people they know or have met, people that have come to the home, etc. Repair or delivery people could scope out your house and give the information to a friend who is up to no good.
We are so saddened to hear about how this elderly lady was victimized, and want to share some things that could potentially keep folks safer in the future.
We recommend not to give out any information if the person asks. Don’t answer questions that you don’t feel comfortable asking. But many people aren’t great at thinking on their feet in the moment, so be prepared for what you could say instead if someone asked you a question that you don’t want to answer, talk about the weather or anything else. I was once told by an older woman (who was a new widow) that a carpet installer asked her if she lived alone. Not thinking, she just honestly answered his question and said yes. She later regretted not being more strategic and was worried someone might come back to the house with bad intentions.
Put attractive possessions away if possible. Do not advertise anywhere that you might have firearms in the house. If you do, ensure they are locked up and put away if they are not on your person. Don’t allow access to parts of the house that are not absolutely necessary. Close bedroom doors etc. Give the illusion others live there if you live alone or say your police officer son will be over soon. You could also say your neighbor is watching your Rottweiler while the repair person is there. Put a beware of dog sign in your window, dog bowl on the floor.
Be prepared to defend yourself, especially if you are a female and have to go in the basement (or anywhere) with a repair person. Know exactly what you will do if you feel your safety is in jeopardy prior to it happening. Practice seeing in your mind what you will do to the person if they try to hurt you when you initially meet them so that you are prepared. This might sound strange to some, but mental strategies are very important in your ability to defend yourself. TRUST YOUR INTUITION and commit to yourself that you will make a fool of yourself before you will ever get yourself in a situation where you denied your safety could be at risk.
Always position yourself closest to the door. Never give a stranger in your house the position between you and a doorway.
Plan ahead, identify improvised weapons to use in the room or rooms you will be in such as a lamp, etc. Or, plant things in specific rooms so that they are available should you need them.
Let a loved one know you will be in the house alone with a stranger and tell them you will contact them after they leave at a certain time. If they don’t hear from you, they must be prepared to come over.
Most people contact us only after they have been victimized. We recommend to get self defense training prior to needing it for you and your loved ones.If you do not know how to defend yourself, check out our monthly public self defense workshops in Menomonee Falls on our website classes page.
