"Somtimes I think that men just don't understand how vulnerable women feel."

So true!

Also, I think sometimes the elderly think that a lock will slow them down if they have to vacate in a hurry (such as for a fire, etc.).

Bless you for taking care of your friend!

Linda, that's very kind of you. I know sometimes it's hard for our older folks to change their ways, but your friends DH needs to be 'modernized' with his thinking on locking up, stubborn or not.

We never locked anything when I was growing up either, and keys were left in the cars ignitition - so you always knew where they were :) The milkman let himself in the kitchen door and put things into the refrigerator.

Those days are gone, too many, for a variety of reasons, who think anything easy access is an invitation to steal. Very sad, but true all the same. And I'm not even touching on her personal safety. I can't imagine my mother in an unlocked house at night, not a chance she would sleep.

That is very nice of you to see to it that she does get locks on her doors. My husband is the same way about locking the door. My complaint is he gets up really early and goes to work and never locks the door behind him.

Sue

Nice move Linda.

I don't think the old guy was being "male" about the door locks, instead I see it as his being stubborn and foolish. I know and have known plenty of older people of both genders who can be irrationally inflexible in their habits. And closed-minded when hearing an opinion that differs from their own.

I've never understood the "we don't lock our doors here" mentality. It's not like it's an inconvenience.

Oh, please don't paint all men with that paintbrush!

My husband of over 40 years has ALWAYS believed in locking doors at all times. At our other house we had the deadbolt locks where you needed a key both inside and out (he installed them the day we purchased the house). Here, we have whatever was on the doors when we bought the place. But if we're inside--he's got the screen doors and regular doors locked. If we're out, at least the outside doors are locked. I've told him, we're going to burn to death if we ever have a fire.

But anyway, it's nice you're taking care of things for her. She'll be much more relaxed once she feels she has a little control and security.

Nice of you t do this Is there anyone who should also have a key for emergencies??

Good on you! Hope they are good long deadbolts and will be put into a sturdy doorframe.

i hope that no one reading this will go and check the houses out by the stadium where you live?

I'm scratching my head over that comment, kathleen.

Kathleen - they would have to spend days doing it and in that town, someone would notice and put it to a stop. It's a great town!

You're a good person to do that for your friend. My husband went to my sisters house and knocked on the door and no answer though he could see her sitting at her desk so he went in, went down the cellar to get the newspapers she wanted removed and she never heard him. He left without saying a word, came home and called her and told her what he did, she was horrified to think someone could come in and she not hear them. She wanted locks put in stat so he bought them and went and put them in. I don't understand people who do not lock doors. It's very tempting so some people to go right in.

We used to not lock anything!! Now we wouldn't think of not doing it.. We live in a different world now. Thank you for taking care of your friend.. Just think how much better she will sleep at night knowing things are locked!!

Bless you both!!

Good For You Linda;) Maybe you could ask her if you could keep a key, just for emergencies? If she has no family near to give one too???

I can't believe that in this day and age she has no locks on her doors. I'm proud of you for coming to her aid in securing her house for her. This is a crazy world today that we live in and everyone should feel secure in their home. Especially a woman living alone. Hide a key outside for her in case of an emergency. Every member of our family has a key to our home. Just in case. My husband of 50 years has locked himself out many times,when he is working in the yard. Our front door is always locked and the screen door too. Thank you for being a good friend to your friend.
Mary

Our pastor went over right after church to install the locks I bought.

That was so very nice of you Linda!

omg my mom was good about locking but when was recovering from broken hip, I also made her do her inside walking every night, to turn on the outside lights which she had never done...I was really scared the entire time I stayed there...i'd never had heard the police copter as much! her mobile home was in a very busy area of vegas...

just giving an elder some extra comfort was wonderful...

dh installed his dad's ramp for the scooter inside the garage, so you don't know there is a handicapped elder...

We had neighbors who delivered newspapers by car. They left the garage door up and the interior door was unlocked. Someone came into the house & took the car keys off the counter and stole the car. Major city.... stupid neighbors. I grew up not locking doors and leaving keys in cars, but by the time I was living in the city in the early 80's, my habits changed quickly.

Those were the days ...

... and this thread puts me in mind of a story ... that'll be on another thread.

o j

That reminds me, the garage door lock broke a couple years ago. So it sits there unlocked night and day. It has no entrance to my house,thankfully.And all that's in the garage are the car and some old tools and stuff like snow shovels. But I should call in a locksmith.