Feeling safe at home and in the community is an important part of remaining independent and connected. The resources below can help residents who live alone, family members concerned about a loved one, people leaving home for an extended period, and residents who notice a potential safety hazard in the community.

Emergency or Non-Emergency?

Knowing whom to call helps emergency personnel respond appropriately.

Call 911 for an Emergency

Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to life, health, or property, including:

• A serious medical emergency
• A fire or suspected fire
• A crime in progress
• A person who may be injured or in immediate danger
• A missing or endangered person
• A traffic crash involving injuries
• A downed power line or other immediate public hazard

When in doubt about whether a situation is an emergency, call 911 and explain what is happening.

Non-Emergency Assistance

For situations that do not present an immediate danger:

Pinehurst Police Department: 910-295-3141
Pinehurst Fire Department: 910-295-5575
Village of Pinehurst: 910-295-1900
Moore County Department of Aging: 910-947-4483

Examples of non-emergency concerns include:

• Requesting a welfare check when no immediate danger is known
• Reporting suspicious activity that is no longer occurring
• Asking a fire-safety question
• Requesting information about local services
• Reporting a sidewalk, streetlight, or visibility concern
• Arranging a vacation security check

Online forms and service requests should never be used to report an emergency.

Good Call Connections

Regular contact can provide reassurance, friendship, and an additional layer of support for an older adult who lives alone.

Good Call Connections is a free Moore County Department of Aging program that connects trained volunteers with isolated, homebound, or at-risk older adults through regular friendly telephone calls. These conversations provide social connection and may also help identify circumstances in which additional assistance could be helpful.

The program is not an emergency-response or medical-monitoring service. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.

To learn more, call the Moore County Department of Aging at 910-947-4483 or visit the Good Call Connections Telephone Reassurance Program.

Family members, neighbors, and caregivers may also contact the Department of Aging to ask whether the program may be appropriate for someone they know.

Requesting a Welfare Check

A welfare check may be appropriate when you are concerned about someone and cannot reach them, particularly if the person:

• Lives alone
• Has a serious medical condition
• Has recently experienced a fall or illness
• Has missed an expected appointment or regular activity
• Has not responded to repeated calls or messages
• Is behaving unusually or appears confused
• Has not collected mail, newspapers, or deliveries
• May be without heat, air conditioning, electricity, food, or medication

When to Call 911

Call 911 immediately if you believe the person may be injured, experiencing a medical emergency, in immediate danger, or unable to respond.

For a non-emergency welfare concern, call the Pinehurst Police Department at 910-295-3141.

Be prepared to provide:

• The person’s name and address
• The reason you are concerned
• When the person was last seen or contacted
• Known medical, mobility, memory, or communication concerns
• A description of the person and any vehicle
• Information about pets in the home
• Whether a trusted person has a key or access code
• Your name, contact information, and relationship to the person

A welfare check should be based on a genuine safety concern. It should not be used to resolve a family disagreement, landlord-tenant matter, or other non-safety dispute.

Living Alone Safely

Many people live alone safely and independently. A basic support plan can make it easier to respond when something unexpected happens.

Establish a Check-In Routine

Choose one or more trusted people and agree on:

• How often you will check in
• Whether the check-in will be by telephone, text, or in person
• What they should do if you do not respond
• Who else they should contact
• When they should request a welfare check

Consider participating in Good Call Connections if regular volunteer calls would be helpful.

Keep Emergency Information Accessible

Maintain an updated list containing:

• Emergency contacts
• Health care providers
• Medical conditions and allergies
• Current medications
• Preferred hospital
• Insurance information
• Pets in the home
• Location of advance directives
• Information about mobility, hearing, vision, or communication needs

Keep a copy in an easy-to-find location and provide one to a trusted contact. Emergency responders should not have to conduct an archaeological dig through the junk drawer to find basic medical information.

Make Access Easier in an Emergency

Consider:

• Giving a trusted person a key
• Using a secure lockbox
• Keeping entrances well-lit
• Making the house number clearly visible from the road
• Keeping pathways and entrances free of obstructions
• Ensuring pets can be safely secured
• Carrying a cellphone or personal alert device
• Keeping eyeglasses, hearing aids, mobility devices, and a phone within reach at night

Never place a spare key under a doormat, flowerpot, or other obvious outdoor location.

Reduce Isolation

Staying connected can improve both well-being and safety. Consider:

• Regular contact with family, friends, or neighbors
• Recreation, fitness, or educational programs
• Faith-community activities
• Volunteer opportunities
• Library programs
• Neighborhood groups
• Moore County Senior Enrichment Center activities

The Moore County Department of Aging offers activities, services, and assistance for older adults and their families.

Vacation Security Checks

The Pinehurst Police Department offers vacation security checks for residents who will be away from home.

Before leaving, submit a Vacation Security Check request and provide the requested information about your property, travel dates, emergency contacts, vehicles, and anyone authorized to enter the home.

A security check does not guarantee that a property will be continuously monitored, but it provides the Police Department with helpful information while the resident is away.

Before You Leave

• Lock all doors, windows, vehicles, garages, and outdoor buildings.
• Stop or arrange collection of mail, newspapers, and packages.
• Ask a trusted person to check the property.
• Arrange for lawn and landscape maintenance.
• Use timers or smart controls for interior lights.
• Do not leave valuables visible through windows.
• Disconnect unnecessary appliances.
• Secure medications, firearms, important documents, and spare keys.
• Give your emergency contact a copy of your itinerary.
• Avoid publicly announcing travel plans on social media.
• Tell the Police Department if plans or return dates change.

Report a Community Safety Concern

Residents can help make Pinehurst safer by reporting non-emergency conditions affecting sidewalks, streets, signs, lighting, and visibility.

Examples include:

• Damaged or uneven sidewalks
• Missing or damaged signs
• Streetlights that are out or malfunctioning
• Vegetation blocking signs, intersections, or sightlines
• Debris obstructing a sidewalk or public street
• Damaged curb ramps
• Drainage problems affecting a walkway
• Other maintenance concerns within public areas

Submit these concerns through MY VOP, the Village’s online service-request system.

When submitting a request:

• Provide the exact location.
• Describe the condition clearly.
• Include a photograph when possible.
• Explain how the condition affects safety or accessibility.
• Provide contact information in case staff need additional details.

MY VOP is intended for routine, non-emergency service requests. For an immediate danger—such as a downed power line, active roadway obstruction, serious flooding, or damaged traffic-control device creating an urgent hazard—call 911 or the appropriate public-safety agency.

Not Sure Who Can Help?

The Moore County Department of Aging Information and Assistance Program helps older adults and their families locate services and appropriate community resources.

For assistance, call the Moore County Department of Aging at 910-947-4483.