10 home fortress techniques
Under normal conditions, there are a number of factors that home invaders weigh when deciding which houses to hit and which ones to skip. The more expensive a house is, the more likely it will contain the types of valuables that thieves look for. But the most expensive houses may also possess the most elaborate security systems, so a home’s value is not the only factor they consider. A home invader is more likely to target a residence that looks like it will provide easy entry and a quick getaway.
Once a disaster has occurred, you can throw all of the “home invasion logic” out the window. Thieves will go where they can find food, and if you are known in your neighborhood as someone who has prepared for emergencies, your home could be a target. There are many techniques you can use to turn your home into an invader-proof fortress, and we’ll get to my top 10 list in a moment. But something to think about in the meantime is that you or a family member might be the weakest link in your home’s defense, both prior to and following a disaster. Let me explain.
Many home invasions don’t begin when someone busts open a front door or crawls through a window. Rather, they happen because naive homeowners believe stories about a delivery, a charity collection, a gas leak, a cable or telephone problem, or a person in distress who asks to use a phone or bathroom. If you let someone into your house that easily, you might as well hold the flashlight for them as they rummage through your cash and jewelry.
Take a look at the “Home Invasion” article from realhomesafety.com (see link below) and think about what you will do next time someone rings your doorbell and says they have a delivery for you and need a signature. Meet you on the other side.
http://www.realhomesafety.com/homeinvasion.htm
My Top 10 Home Fortress Techniques
- Make sure your front door has a peep hole that gives you a good view of anyone on your porch.
- Don’t let anyone in your home until you are certain that you trust them. Make sure that a delivery person shows you an ID, and call the company if you have any doubts about them.
- Always keep your doors and widows locked, whether you are home or away. Install solid wood or metal-clad doors and secure windows, and upgrade your locks.
- Install a security system with a loud alarm and advertise that system with signs on your property.
- Keep the inside of your house well lit at night. Put your inside lights on a timer when you are away.
- Install motion sensor lights on your property.
- Whether or not you own a barking dog, plant a “Beware of Dog” sign near your house’s entrances.
- Keep your shrubbery trimmed in order to reduce the number of hiding places on your property.
- Assess all of the potential breach points in your home and secure them.
- Keep tools that could be used to break into a home (ladders, crowbars, etc.) away from open view.
Is there anything I’ve missed here? Let me know in the comments.
I LOVE so many of your responses- Thank you all so much! As a person on the San Diego/mexico border I am taking seriously the fortress creating.
I feel a bit vulnerable as my horses are in my front yard- This leaves me vulnerable anytime I need to go out and feed/care for them.
I do have dogs (BIG and actually bred for huge protection “Akbash”), guns, cameras…
But the animals do make me vulnerable (I should say the fact that I have them-exposed to the public) our county only allows a 42-inch fence in the front of my property- this is such bs.
I am wanting to put/ install an electric fence- wondering if that would help?
Anyhow, thank you all- please stay safe.
All the rest of my family thinks I’m crazy to want to secure and protect the premises and prepare for the upcoming invasion/uprising. I have such resistance even from the inside. :~{
Ok first off, pull some of your screws out of your hinges, odds are that they are 3/4″ or shorter and are not hardened. Replace with 1 1/2″ stainless steel screws, yes it take some work but it means that someone cannot just kick your door out of the jamb. Next is go around to your windows and place the inexpensive slide blocks where the window cannot be opened more than 4″. Shorten the cord on your garage door opener to less than 6″ and test it to keep it from being pulled out and opening your garage. That said ensure that your garage door is a solid core door as well that you keep locked. Beware of dog signs and alarm company signs on fences and in the yard even if you do not have either. Fake cameras with the little blinking battery powered lights high up where they are hard to get to. All of this is inexpensive and easy to do. Biometric safes inside heavy furniture and screwed into the frame allow easy access to firearms and keep valuables away. If you cannot afford a generator you can probably afford having a set up installed that will allow you to rent one and have it at your house in case of emergency, run a natural gas line to where you are going to have it (behind your fence and chained). Keep gasoline cans at your house to allow you to have containers to buy it in. I have stainless steel hurricane screens on my windows with locks to allow you to get out of the bedrooms in case of fire. They are powder coated to reduce glare and they also help with cutting down on utility bills in the summer. Doors with drilled into the foundation holes which are concealable (in my case flip up and out of the way wood floor section allows you to put a solid metal bar to keep someone from getting through your door easily. When we redid the study there is a large closet which has another safe in it, we bought 1/2″ metal plates and placed them in the walls and ceiling welding them into a box, then put heat resistant insulation and drywall over the top of them. The door is a heavy duty steel security door which has a long throw dead bolt which can be engaged from the inside. So we have a safe room that also has the wireless in there so we can contact authorities, it was done on the cheap but no one is getting in fast as the study doesn’t have exterior windows to reduce the snatch and grab using a tow truck or large vehicle. The safe is bolted to the foundation with 6″ stainless steel bolts and lock washers. With the exception of the hurricane screens and generator, this DYI comes in at less than $10,000 for security and comfort in times of disruption, next bug out packs and bug out locations.
I wouldn’t leave the lights on, if you live in the woods. Intruders can simply sit in the dark and watch your movements. I live on 5 acers in a heavily wooded area. My nearest neighbor is several hundred yards away. At night, he leaves his lights on and I sit on the porch with my lights off and I see everything he does and has. That’s ok if he wants to do that but not me.
I have 8 IR cameras 24/7 with alarms. I see everything. I have two tornadoes, Jack Russell Terriers, who bark at anything not normal to them. Exactly why I got them. Best alarms ever.
Also remember, Bullets can go completely through your house. You need to prepare for that.
Lastly, you can be poor as hell and have nothing but there will be someone who will come by who has less and try to take what you do have.
The rest of your plans. keep silent about them!
Are your IR camera no or low glow? Do they have the capabilities to send images to a cell phone? What brand did you get? I need some for outside my home and property.
Thanks
I have had 2 systems . The first a 4 camera system . Both were inexpensive . The first was by ZMODO a 4 camera IR with 50 ft. night vision . They were wired cameras and came with every thing needed to set up .The issue I had , was that after about 6 months , any exposed metal was rusty , making adjustments difficult . Plus the cameras lost their color capability . There was one camera that kept turning itself off . As luck would have it , a fellow tore the wires out of the camera the bad one was set to watch . The system did not have the ability to call a cell phone . I replaced that system with an 8 camera system by QSEE . The cameras are better , color stayed longer and it can alert you on a cell phone . Both systems were low glow . To know the cameras were there , you had to be in range , then it is too late . I got ya . You been recorded . Your actions are on DVR , plus my cell phone .
Do not display any firearms related stickers on vehicles or residences, it just advertises that valuable weapons can be stolen here, whenever you are not present. Learn to keep your eyes and ears open, and your loose lips locked. Become a “Greyman”, stop volunteering to be the victim, and watch GREYMAN on YouTube. Aim Small Brothers.
Migrants are not English speakers/readers therefore all signage may be a waste. Use picture signs with words too.
Signs can be in several languages , and have a picture of a video camera on them .
When I see “Fortress” in the article description I expect bullet proof, fire proof, invasion proof home. How can I make my home impenetrable when the apocalypse hits?
I am a seventeen year old girl, and I am ashamed to admit that as a younger me I made a few mistakes that could have put my family in potential danger. Please make sure to talk to your kids about not opening the door under any circumstances, and to have a knock code. (example KNOCK-KNOCK KNOCK- KNOCK ba-da da-ba). Pre-teens will answer the door to sign for stuff and just be real gullible. SAFETY IS A PRIORITY
Disconnect your garage door opener or install tamper prevention device on interior of garage, to prevent a simple coat hanger being used to pull the cord.
(Many videos and articles online, to see just how easy it is to enter via garage door opener disconnect.)
I use trail cameras inside the house, facing outside through the windows. You get a better view of who is approaching, and starts recording from 40, 50, 60 feet away.
You can create a sign that says, “camera in use”.
And above my sliding glass door is small , square shaped Dow rod. Fits perfectly in that area. Keeps someone from picking the door up off the track.
I’m looking for new trail cams. I need low glow or no glow IR. I’m also wanting the cellular feature to send alerts and images to my phone.
What brand are your trail cams? I didn’t know they would work through a window. I tried to set one up in my cabinet with glass, but it didn’t appear to detect any motion when I tested it
How is this for an outsider sign?
“IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH
Trespass Here And Find Out”
put a big dog dish outside
“Caution: Before entering, notify next of kin”
1. Minimum – have a sawed off pump 12 ga – 1st BBs, other shells multi 10 slugs – by Bed
2. & a Revolver 357mg, 1st BBs, others hollow points – by Bed
3. & also a carry/small 22mg, 5 shot, 24/7 – in easy access
4. Protection signs & beware vicious dog, out front back
5. 5′ Long & 4-5″ wide steelplate behind all outside door – dead bolts & locks – stop/slow up door kick ins
6. Drill 5 holes to catch screw heads of screws spaced – hinge side of all outside doors to prevent door removal by hinge removals.
7.Use special protection screens on all windows with screens tied to alarm system plus glass breaks by all glass only windows.
8. Carry shotgun & concealed nun when doubling checking for locked doors, windows, plus suspicious noises, to protect from fear of loss of life in a break in to home.
9. Be sure all window locks work & are locked.
10. Use motion detectors in all obvious inside, outside areas.
11. Use inside/outside cameras in mobile phones, & cameras positioned in obvious key positions.
12. Use max. fire proof – large safes for weapons & valuables, bolted to floor & unmovable.
Thanks, BB
(This saved me in 1995 from 2 gang members breaking in my home at noon on a Friday.)
would love to have gun been in court with the dept of justice for over 2 yrs tgey are so [email protected]#$ up my 1st mistake was to think I was right and when they askrd to come ,sure then next thing they were charging with an unknow law of never ownibg a gun But when I went to court that law dispeared and they started going after parts of my cpllrction had a m37 flare launcher they kept saying it was a m203 grend launcher 10 months later the relizalied their mistake, next charged me 2 1943 SKS assukt rifles months later they droped one (brought up that they were both the same) few months later dropped that one , current charges is ! ea never used cheap throwing star, 120 Russian match grade bullets that have the us tracer colored tips, and my MAK 90 that I bought new and they changed to namr to an assult rifles which did not know and that weapon was locked away for 10yrs had no control , the dept of justice came a second time and when they asked could they come in I said No they almot fell throw the door way
I’m a single mother of 2 teenage daughters and I live WAY out in the country/hills of the Appalachian Mtns. and I have done most of these suggestions already (which are great!). I am well-armed with a combination of guns, pepper spray, machetes, compound bow & arrow, etc…but my most important alarm is a yappy mutt that I adopted (Beagle/Heeler/Pitt Bull mix) who barks her head off whenever anyone or anything comes within 200 yds. of my property. Speaking of dogs, I highly recommend choosing a mutt as they tend to have fewer medical problems. Try to find one that is a mix of “smart” breeds (for obvious reasons), plus, you want one that is energetic because having a lazy, slug of a dog won’t be of much help (I happen to have one of those too. Who would’ve ever thought that a Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix would be a fat slug?? LOL).
As someone else posted, I also agree with playing out various scenarios in your head to determine where your vulnerable spots are; how you will react (fear vs. anger); how you will escape; etc. I do this frequently to assess my readiness and to try to prepare myself mentally (as much as one can!).
I would also make contingency plans in case there is no electricity (think EMP or solar flare) and the lights, video cameras, etc. won’t work.
On a side note, for those who have the option of moving to a rural area, one thing I haven’t seen anyone talk about is taking into consideration the proximity and size of waterways on or near the property. I have a large creek/small river flowing right in front of my property – which is critical for having an abundant supply of water and for fishing – but this is also my vulnerable spot as someone can slide silently right up in a canoe or raft. And the laws in my area protect anyone “floating” (i.e. as long as their feet don’t touch the ground, they aren’t trespassing).
Also, I wouldn’t rely on creeks or streams as the only source of fresh water because, in a SHTF scenario, upstream pollution will be a concern as people will be bathing, cleaning, etc. Thankfully I have a hand-dug well/cistern for my main water source (when the bottled H20 runs out). Just something else to consider for those who are scouting locations in the country…
In this day and age, what is “right” is now wrong and wrong is now the new “right.” I see it everyday. Although, it seemed to have started back when I first read a newly rewritten kidnapping law that included the wording that a “Mother” of a natural born Child may be charged with “Kidnapping” their Child. My first rage (response) was: “WHOEVER WROTE THIS IS A NUT!” Yet, the TV News Stations would “report” on some Mother kidnapping her Child and saying to be on the lookout for the described vehicle she may be driving. I decided then to identify those News Casters who actually reported these things and labeled them as a criminal element within the media. There are News Anchors who will not go there and some of them have had to find new jobs. If you ever wondered what happened to your favorite News Reporter, it’s not because they lost their “looks.”
Many of the responses posted here are interesting and have merit. One thing I notice is that nearly everyone says or hints to doing your own research. That is the best advise. You do not need to be “BAR” Recognized Attorneys but everyone does need to be well versed in the Laws governing their own territory. When you get into trouble with the Law, use the same laws in response and to fight back.
In case you may have wondered how the kidnapping laws are used, here’s how it’s applied: When a natural born Child is delivered within a Hospital/Clinic that is governed by the state (and nearly all of them are), that Child is given a Social Security Number and officially becomes a “Ward of the State.” The rest of the “restrictions” that follow, such as leaving a child or children alone unsupervised is against (contract) law. Same applies to punishment. Parents are only given “Custody” of their children which may be revoked at whim. Don’t be angry, you let this happen because you took the path of least resistance.
Contract Law?!? What’s that? (you say!) Do you have a state issued Driver’s License? That instrument placed you under the jurisdiction of the Corporate State (commonly known as “The State Of _______”) and not under the ________Republic. Not sure what yours is? Go look at a Flag Pole, it’s the flag UNDER the Stars & Stripes Flag.
In parting: My best to you is “Always Aim High, ALWAYS.” (Now! Go Fix It!)
If you’re going to use a gun for home defense, carry it, and a spare magazine/speedloader with you AT ALL TIMES! You don’t have time to go hunting for your gun when someone breaks in. Have a heavier firearm, such as a shotgun or carbine, available to get to if needed, but be sure it has a number-coded trigger lock on it so that it can’t be used against you if the bad guys get to it first, but you’ll be able to unlock it relatively quickly without hunting for a key. Your carry gun & magazine should give you the chance to get to it. I used to keep guns so locked in several places in the home so that no point of break-in could cut me off from access to at least one of them. However, I felt the time to access and unlock would be too long for my INITIAL response, so I switched to the somewhat less-comfortable constant in-home carry instead.
I agree whole heartedly on cvarry a gun while in the home. I would also advise that if your state has an open carry law, take full advantage of it. I carry a sidearm whether I am in the house or outside. Carrying outside lets passersby that you are not to be messed with.
Your first and best defense against marauders is to be in a remote area, away from a “target rich” populated city. (I realize most of you do not have that option).
Why would invaders drive a long way “looking” for someone when there are so many opportunities within walking distance?
I am not opposed to shooting & killing invaders, but a gunfight is a last and desperate response. Do not count on just a single or a couple of invaders. Once you fire that first shot, they know you are there and they will not give up until they find & eventually overtake you. You cannot ultimately win an extended/prolonged gunfight.
Have a large “hidden” basement/safe room with an escape exit/tunnel. If they cannot find you; they cannot hurt you.
Keep the vast majority of your food, water, valuables guns & ammunition hidden. They cannot take what they cannot find.
Be creative in “Booby-Traps”. Avoid exposing yourself to danger. (Again, a gunfight is your last desperate option, when all else fails.)
Here’s one you may not have heard before.
I live at the end of a dirt road – about 1/2 mile from a
paved road. Country area, wilth limited access.
Dirt roads… Secure, never any problems.
(Thieves like quick, easy access out – as in near main streets or a Freeway)
For an ultimate plan, if you’re able, move out of a city area. …and you can check crime rates in areas
you’re interested in moving to.
All the other ideas mentioned are good. I like the prickly plant idea – I plan to plant in border areas around my 3 acres. And of course dogs are the best.
You
Some good comments – some great – all interesting. Here’s my FYI: Keep your car’s key fob on your nightstand. If you suspect entry attempt, push the horn button. It will blow your car’s horn from inside your house. Nasty people don’t like noise and neighbors may start checking. It might give you an extra minute to grab your next line of defense. Wives: have your husband carry his key fob when he’s outdoors. If you hear the car horn, you can check on him…quicker than groping for a cell phone….
I think the best sign I ever saw was one that read:
I OWN A GUN … AND A BACKHOE.
I have the typical ” there’s nithing in this house worth YOUR LIFE. The owners are armed and trained to use deadly force, and will to protect life and limb”.
And we are! Totally!!
When police did security checks in our neighborhood we were told that our security bars were better protection than an alarm system since alarm calls were not a priority. They were not always answered quickly. Also, there are so many accidental alarms.
Smoke hill that is fine and dandy but in a situation taking into account how messed up our judicial system is these days I would rather shoot somebody with regular buckshot instead of some kind of doctored up round that any prosecuting attorney could twist and distort said round into something monstrous and make you look like the bad guy who went out with doctored up rounds looking for somebody to kill. Now in a SHTF scenario that Is a different situation all together
back when I was a wee lad and in law enforcement I would run through scenarios in my mind and try to play them out on what to do and how to act. You would be surprised how much this works to,prepare your mind for an actual confrontation that can and could occur in a SHTF scenario.
Lye can be obtained at soapmaking supply outlets
Tom, interesting remark! I also want to add that hot lime can be purchased at most rock yard/landscaping material outlets.
To Smokehill. I think lye is a little extreme. Buckshot would probably do the trick. My husband was shot in the face with regular shot and he is still carrying some of it. Someone broke in his front door. He called out “I have a gun” and they said we do too. He fired around the corner from the hallway with his 9 mil. and wounded two, one fired back at him with a sawed off shotgun, the others drug one of the wounded out and took him to the hospital and dumped him there. He died. They drove the other to another town for medical assistance. My husband was fortunate that it was a shotgun, because it did little damage, the nine mil took a life. The worst pellet is still behind his eye. He was so fortunate that it did not hit his eye, but the flesh of the eyelid right against the orbital bone around the eye. God is good.
Check your windows after the pest control man leaves.
If one is altered, and by that I mean unlocked and the window guard is removed. then you just may have thwarted a quick robbery plan in the middle of the night. A pest control technician positioned my Garmin on the corner of the desk near the window that I discovered to be unlocked after the guy left. I of course paid a visit to the manager of this company, detailed the situation, and terminated my business with them. I just had a feeling I should check the windows when he left. It was his first time to my house with that company. ….and his last.
lexan storm windows …door bars / police locks ..steel shutters ..
I read about 30 of these comments and does this mean that all of you CANNOT open your windows at night for fresh air???
All these set ups are good but a lot of these suggestions are for the home owners. I, unfortunately, live in an apartment and there aren’t too many ways to prepare for emergencies. I do have over 6 – 8 gallons of filtered water in the frig and some cans of soup stocked up .
Someone stole my guns last year and I hadn’t recorded the serial numbers so I couldn’t identify them other than visually looking at them since I know every scratch and minor dent in them and I know how to assemble them but I do not thing the police would allow me to check them anyway. What I am trying to say is record the serial numbers of your firearms regardless of how old they are and store them where you can get to them when you need them.
cameras, schmameras!
Dogs, hogs! frogs!
peep holes, schmeep holes
Getta gun, you wimp, and don’t be afraid to use it. Wasp spray is second best, but don’t be afraid to kill a scoundrel that will kill you and your family and your dog.
Your first and best defense against marauders is to be in a remote area, away from a “target rich” populated city. (I realize most of you do not have that option).
Why would invaders drive a long way “looking” for someone when there are so many opportunities within walking distance?
I am not opposed to shooting & killing invaders, but a gunfight is a last and desperate response. Do not count on just a single or a couple of invaders. Once you fire that first shot, they know you are there and they will not give up until they find & eventually overtake you. You cannot ultimately win an extended/prolonged gunfight.
Have a large “hidden” basement/safe room with an escape exit/tunnel. If they cannot find you; they cannot hurt you.
Keep the vast majority of your food, water, valuables guns & ammunition hidden. They cannot take what they cannot find.
Be creative in “Booby-Traps”. Avoid exposing yourself to danger. (Again, a gunfight is your last desperate option, when all else fails.)
All of these techniques for fortifying your home are great, but I must add that unless you’ve been in combat or other high-risk situations, you have to have the proper mindset to be able to defend yourself with up to and including deadly force. I used to teach self-defense courses in my younger days and one of the most important aspects of self defense is attitude. Once you are overcome by fear, most always, the game is over. You’ve got to accept and maintain the attitude of anger instead of reaction by fear. You will have to convince yourself that anger is your best defense. Be angry that someone has the audacity to try to enter your home to take your possessions or attack you or your family members. Anger trumps fear everytime and it doesn’t hurt to act a little spastic and crazy to instill fear in any would-be intruders. Good luck and stay safe!
Great comment!
My sister works at ADT Security. She said that the most effective thing is to have a ADT or Home Security sign visible from the street. It doesn’t matter if you actually have an alarm. No random criminal will attempt a break in at a home with a sign.
Not a good idea to advertise a certain company of security. Criminals can find the codes to reset the control box. I’m no criminal, but I called ADT when the house I was working in suddenly blasted the alarm, no one was living there but ADT gave me the reset code.
Hey Bill, shouldn’t the ADT company required specific information from you before giving you the code? The way Banks, and other institutions do?
Problem with advertising is if I were a burglar, and I saw an ADT sign, I’d cut the phone line…I’ll bet 99.44% of homeowners do not ‘hide’ nor armor their lines.
Next best thing is one like ‘Simplisafe’ which uses wireless to connect to the monitoring center…
If you believe no one will break into a home with a sign in their yard, then you need to do some research on criminal activity. My son works in security field and 70 % of breakins are by kicking in back door. I have steel back door with heavy duty storm door to address that issue.
I live on the first floor of a Florida condo. I installed Hurricane proof windows, for both high winds and security. Read that theives tried to use outdoor furniture to break in a home, and could only crack the glass but could not break through. Double lock latches at bottom of lower windows which can only be opened from the inside and block locks above so if I open window, it only opens three inches and can’t be raised any further.
The best defense against an intruder is wasp and hornet spray..10 times more powerful than pepper spray and you can get a 30 foot spray stream that will knock them DOWN
Excellent!
Make sure to purchase the ‘foaming’ wasp/hornet spray which will stick better and still shoot approx. 27 feet. I keep a can handy by the door. Also, purchase the purse-sized cans of hairspray for the teen girls to carry – don’t have to be 18 years old to carry those (and it’s flammable and carries less liability than pepper spray). Make sure it’s actual hairspray and not ‘spritz’.
Plant yucca or sharp plants at the base of windows to deter peeping toms and people that like to crawl through windows
Bear repellant is the best pepper spray you can use in a self defense situation, stay low profile when shtf. Add extra inside door locks, (even mid-evil style plank across the door). Dont make the outside of youre house look like youre well off, and if you have a nice looking car or truck then park it down the street. Vehicles will have little value without fuel except the battery if there are means to recharge it. May god be with you brothers and sisters!
Yep, that’s exactly right. And you should make your property look like it’s already been ransacked by throwing old clothes and broken dishes in the front yard. Maybe keep a box of clothes that don’t fit anymore, just in case! And it would help if you have some kind of BLACK plastic or paper to cover the windows in the house with. That way no light will escape and accidentally give you away!
Sometimes sarcasm works…..lol
Now that black plastic bag idea (and duct tape) is a great idea – and cheap! Haven’t heard that one before.
Didn’t read all the comments but hear is a suggestion, use wasp spray on an intruder. This is non lethal and shoots up to 20 feet. Don’t know anyone who has used it for self-defense but it would detour me!
It burns especially in the eyes. It chemically burns the wasps. Not as good as bear spray, but will definitely get there attention
Apartment bug outs are nearly the best case scenario’s and to that end you should prepare, needless to say it’s very important to know whom your neighbor is and are they an asset or liability … if their an asset make arrangements for coming through each others apartment … tools on hand … a skill saw w/ appropriate blade/ if you can find a low decibel version also a plus … a 5# sledge-hammer for back up. If they’re a liability … moving is the best first choice … if not when home it’s a good idea to track their comings and going … but don’t be anal. An easy and easy to find diversionary device H2H would be a fire-extinguisher … couple this with a good egress fire escape plane w/ rope at the ready ( perhaps the tie on location in your apartment) … in conclusion make sure your one and only door area is well lit … and if their isn’t get permission to add an effective dead-bolt to your door. Door security can and should change when in home and timed lights in your apartment will always keep potential intruders guessing. Safe feeling always cover your 6 and start going to the range … No gun in the house or apartment … to be continued
I was told by a security alarm installer that I should not put signs that I have an alarm because then the potential burglars will know better how to disarm it.
Another suggestion; install only key operated dead bolts on all outside entrance doors including attached garage walk-in doors, along with regular key operated door knobs.
Security signs help because most alarm systems that are pretty new do not use the phone or cable line. There is nothing they can do to disarm it
maybe install company A’s alarm and put up company B’s sign …the mope will not be able to disarm your burglar alarm that easily
your first line of defence is your nieghbors. communicate with them start paying attention to there property and yours . Get them to do the same. a watchfull nieghbor is the silent gaurd dog.
I heard that if you put up a “beware of dog” sign and your dog bites someone, it says that you’re saying you have a vicious dog, and you can be sued. Instead you should put up a no trespassing sign. I don’t know if it’s true or not but something to check on.
Where I live (Oregon) if you have a dog, but NO “beware of dog” sign, you can be sued if your dog bites someone, even if they are trespassing at the time. I have two dogs, and our perimeter (5 acres) has “beware of dog” and “No trespassing” signs. Better to be safe than sorry.
The Beware of Dog sign implies you have a bad dog and are aware of that fact which can lead to a legal disadvantage in the event of a dog attack. Even a criminal can sue you over this. And the family certainly will if only from greed. A Dog on Premises sign is a better choice – it implies nothing other than the presence of a dog. The risk assessment responsibility is left to the potential home invader/robber/burglar/trespasser, A No Trespassing sign is a good choice too. But these are all just warnings – one should be prepared to defend should the warnings go unheeded.
I was concerned about our dog biting someone as he will not let anyone come in our yard. I called our Homeowner’s Insurance and they said we are covered if we have a sign and the dog bites on our property. Gave us peace of mind to know that.
@RD Howell. I heard the same. My solution: Put up BOTH signs.
OR:
………No Tresspassing.
………Large dog on premises.
……..My brother is a police officer.
…….. My other brother is a lawyer.
…….. And my sister is a Judge.
…….. And the lake in the back has hungry alligators.
Seriously though, all joking aside, it’s a sad world we live in when ‘law abiding’ citizens have to be worried about becoming the criminal for defending themselves and their families.
Many people (in city apartments) have few options to repel an attack. When your life is at stake, the best tactic may be to NOT be in the fight.
Avoidance is a tactic.
Have a bugout plan and a backup location.
Dear Christian patriots.
They are so many false prophets in our governments and on the mainstream madia,they act like wolfs,do you understand me? Please be self-sufficient and dont be depended on tyrannical governments stick with real strong Christians through the tribulation and get out from the cities.May the saviour bless your souls are precious as gold and silver.Amen
Remember most people are not good with guns( and we don’t want children or robbers or the mentally sick to get them). Keep a baseball bat or a long piece of hard polished wood ( that is used in Europe to roll out cookies) or a screwdriver handy. These are legal items in your house and if they have to be used in self-defense(not your fault).It’s very true guns protect from a distance. I admit it I would rather use something else if I had to defend myself. Love the tips in this article. Thanks guys for your input!
I am a hater and fear fuels me because I despise pain and will do whatever it takes not to be inflicted. I have guns with a fair amount of ammo, surveillance cameras, a pack of 9 dogs for now, but my #1 protection against anyone or anything is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Messiah… Amen
I believe that if asked in prayer, Jesus (the Prince of Peace) will inspire us with many ideas with which to set up a “passive” home defense system (God helps he who helps himself). …. like screwing big fish hooks, coming and going, to the inside frame of the windows…. and lock your ladders to the shed wall with a motorcycle cable lock.
PLEASE. More detail about screwing fish hooks to windows (in and outside)
Consider gardening equipment which you leave available in unlocked sheds or just under overhangs or porches….rakes, shovels, various cutting tools, are all right there and handy for someone with evil intent. They can break windows and use these tools as weapons.
If they’re good with those like myself, may the best man win. In the case of life or death, You have to be accurate in your deliverance.
3M (and others I think) make security film at varying mil thicknesses that makes the glass in your home bullet and shatter resistant. It is not bullet proof like the movies, but it will stop a few small arms rounds or shot before it fails. It not only gives anyone at home time to respond appropriately, it may also deter a thug who tries to smash a window several times. He may get frustrated, give up and go look for an easier mark. I don’t work for 3M but have put the film on all the windows, storm doors, and the back door with a half window. All of this along with reinforcing all the window and door jambs with angle iron on the inside and painted to look like normal, easy access, construction.
Be careful with all the suggestions about booby traps as long as the pretense of civilization is in place. A nice old man living in Florida had his house broken into 5 or 6 times always using the same access point; the attic vent. He booby trapped it with AC current, nailed the sub-human life forms who broke in again, and was successfully sued losing his house in his retirement. Be very careful. And if you live in the high mountains of NM, PLEASE don’t use a fire booby trap or I may be start lobbing HE rounds down range… LOL Just kidding. Be safe and be prepared.
Not according to FAQs page at 3m website
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Resources/Resources_List/FAQs/
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Residential/Safety-Security_Window_Films/
Thanks for the heads up. I live in Florida. I really don’t want to lose everything to a subhuman
no reports of a can of Raid being raped or stolen.
Use an adjustable metal brace against any ‘inner opening door’. It will prevent the door opening or enough nnoise to allet you.
Keep a loaded pistol, safety on, by your chair and taken into your bed room to protect yourself if some gets into your home.
Will not do you any good if you have to open a safe to get your gun!!! The pervert can just be told to wait until you can get your gun out, oh yea!!
Hope you never have to do this. NRA magazine list monthly cases where families have use their gun to protect themselves, and they won!!
Good luck, Joe
lots of good ideas here depending on the level of threat,don’t forget the hidden propane bottles 20 lbs or better hidden in areas where a surge of rioters would be forced to come through,now a days old bottles are being recycled for no reason than having to buy a new bottle every 5yrs when the paint fades.other things are jerry cans or paint cans3/4 full of that old stale fuel buried in a brush pile a shot or 2 and a flare gun makes a great wall of fire,this is better for out of towners,the boondocks.
I noticed a comment about the baby monitor on the driveway and that the deer would set it off,that’s great for when food is needed,keep a crossbow handy as to not alert anyone that food has just been collected.Crossbows the quiet killer or should I say where did that come from.Gun are great but they make noise,and if you have fired one inside your house your deaf after the first round.I use 9mm blanks in the winter time in my shop to get the snow to slide of the roof,I use 2 sets of hearing protection.what kind of how how much time will you have to put your gear on when your door is being kicked in,after the 1st shot you will be deaf. could go on ,but thats just a start!
Remove and replace all all glass doors with solid wood or metal doors.
Outdoor lighting should be aimed to light the surrounding area of the door as well as the door.
Lighting should be used in driveway, assess where the darkest areas are and light them, use motion sensors where applicable.
Great information. I have also purchased your wind turbine and solar DVD’s. Really nicely put together. The print information has all of the details, but the videos really give excellent background and seeing the methods of fabricating the equipment saves a lot of time. Years ago I installed large C band satellite dishes for a living. When I build my turbines, I will experiment with installing them on large steel pipe set into poured concrete instead of the guy wires. I will send in some pictures when I am finished.
My home is very well fortified. I have a device on the front door that I invented that bolts right through the sub floor and will prevent anyone from kicking down the door. Dead bolts are great, and they never fail, but the door jam does, and very easily.
My side door onto the garage entrance opens “out” So that door can’t be kicked in. I have installed stainless steel security screws on top of the hinge bolts so that they can’t be removed.
I have four covert cameras covering all lower floor entry points and windows. A DVR that can be accessed via the internet or locally.
My fence is chain link, and I’m backed onto a green space with a very steep climb up to the fence. The foliage on the other side of the fence is dense thorny hostile thistles. In the back yard I have a mature female Rottweiler that also has the run of the house so she naturally feels it as part of her domain and is very protective of it.
I’m a completely law abiding citizen and I have these measures in place as preventative. I have had an attempt prior which led me down this path. My safeguards are not obvious or apparent to anyone looking at my home, but anyone attempting to get in will have a tough time. When the door bell rings. I have all cameras modulated onto my video distribution system and I can see the cams from any video monitor in the house. This allows me to qualify anyone knocking on my door in advance.
Some measures that I have considered are of course illegal. Such as wiring a door handle to AC electricity, or drilling screws into some plywood and flipping the sheet upside down, then cover with a thin carpet and place at an entry point. If someone does breech the entrance, they will be delayed. But probably a little too extreme at the moment. I wouldn’t rule these out if conditions changed and more security was required.
I think that the best strategy is having a plan as to what you will do if and when someone attempts to get in.If they do manage to get in, you need to have thought about what your options are in advance. Don’t be left in panic mode after it’s too late. If you have rehearsed scenarios,, you simply have the knowledge and confidence to implement the actions.
For those who do not have or want guns in their homes, have a can of wasp spray handy — near your bed or your front door. They can spray up to 30 feet, and go for the face. Just an additional safety plan. I have both and keep them handy since I have no small children in my home. I would not recommend having a gun handy with small children. However, the wasp spray would work even with small ones around. Another trick I like is a doorbell that sounds like large dogs barking instead of a ring.
I would be really careful of using the wasp spray. Had a friend here use it when approached by 3 individuals ( 2 men and a woman) at his front door. He asked them to leave, they did not, the woman pushed past him and so he grabbed the spray once she entered the house and sprayed it at her. He was arrested and charged with assault and spent 6 months in jail and fines on top of that. So know the law in your state. Seems crazy but it true.
Thanks for the heads up. Crazy is right when you are trying to protect your home.
I agree with Lee, and that`s exactly how mine are loaded.
I have some neatly trimmed bushes by my windows, and I can’t remember the names of them(they are not Roses), but they have thorns that are @ 1 1/2″ long and are very hard and sharp. The bushes are not bad looking and I don’t mind them around my windows. They have been trained to quietly attack anyone getting close to the windows, which are also of tempered glass.
So esp. in the after hours if one thinks that they are going to try and slip into the bush and get next to the window, they will leave their DNA behind.
I will look up the species of this bush and post it soon.
Sounds like “pyracantha”, AKA “firethorn”.
Rig your yard with trip wires connected to claymore mines.
Clean up is such a bother lol.
Not if you use a napalm chaser
I agree PLAY MORE WITH A CLAYMORE
You can now get very cheap “driveway alarms” for about 15 bucks. Chinese, of course, but my wireless one has been working fine for a year on the same 3 AA batteries.
Heat-sensitive, it lets me know when a human or vehicle comes up my 150-ft driveway, and a cheap baby-monitor camera (20 bucks on eBay) lets me see who or what it is (occasionally a deer sets it off).
Very cheap technology for the early warning & observation of the “intruder,” even if it’s just the UPS or mail truck.
install fake or real camera outside and “hillbilly” bobby traps.
Somebody mentioned defeating a “door ram” by stacking concrete bags. Since the “fellahs” are in such a hurry when entering by this method, why not just line your doorway with a string of LARGE very sharp fishooks. At least you will have earned the beatdown you are about to get or the bullet though I would recommend this idea as a method to deploy when you are perhaps gone. It is fairly rare to survive such a “SWAT TEAM” like entrance so even if you are home you will die knowing a few such fellahs are gonna be going through a good deal of discomfort…..and Im talking about those BIG Marlin type hooks…….not the package of 50 you buy at Walmart. Make the morons pay and perhaps think twice about their next “visit” to who knows who?
A better use for those little hooks is loading them into shotgun shells to replace the usual game shot. Extremely painful, and a holy nightmare to remove, even for a skilled surgeon with X-rays. Not a lot of mass to penetrate clothing, but a nightmare load for hitting the face & neck areas.
Don’t forget to add some lye crystals to the fish-hook load, if you can find them. I’ve heard that lye is very hard to find now, though.
drano drain cleaner contains lye
Mentioned several times but undoubtedly the best alarm system and deterrent is a dog or 2. Grew up in country with outside dogs who ALWAYS barked as people drove up and parked. In the suburbs now with indoor dog who barks at the slightest sound of someone at the door. Indoor dog does not need to be large – just loud. Have a friend make noise at the door and encourage the dog to bark until it becomes natural (or trade her in).
Do u all live in fear? how do u function daily living with all this fear and paranoia? i understand protecting ur family n ur self but omg. dont instill all this fear into ur family. most of the comments on here have just gone way too far…..im surprised if u even leave ur house due to ur fears. u only have one life…..live it….how can u live ur life if all u do is plan n look for the worst? everyone dies at some point…i will nvr read this shit again cuz i refuse to live in fear and subject myself to crazy. take a zanax….and before u attack me for my comment just know i understand what can happen but if its my time then its my time….just not gonna sit back n plan n expect the worst. dont u know negative thoughts attracts negative energy and causes negative things….proven fact!
Those who are too lazy to even take basic safety steps deserve what they’ll get. You probably don’t have insurance, either.
We saw a bunch of lazy clowns like that down in New Orleans, standing on their rooftops & expecting someone else to save their bacon because they were too stupid to evacuate, or even keep a basic stash of food, water & basic necessities.
The gubmint aint gonna help when shtf, those who are prepared will have a much better chance of survival in the future after the inevitable dollar collapse. Savage thugs will be everywhere striving to survive with gangs involved, yeah its gonna be that bad..
Judging by your text-to-English writing style it appears you are less than 30 years old? I hope I’m correct. This would explain many things. First, your comment regarding taking a Xanan to deal with “paranoia”. But mostly your naïveté regarding being prepared for bad things possibly happening. You may think some of these comments appear to be “paranoid” in nature, perhaps. But would you rather HAVE something and not NEED it, or NEED something and not HAVE it? I have a fire extinguisher in my home, I pray I never need it , but I still have one. This doesn’t make me paranoid.
Sign–“We don’t call 911”
Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr’s office, the che…ck-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.
If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won’t stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
your house key on a long strip of bright syrveyers tape to toss out to cop if they get there, but let them know u r armed
The way things are getting, I feel that boobie traps would be the greatest discouragement to any intruder. Whether it be a lone burglar, or a brigade of foot troops. You may need to put a sign up: “This home and property are boobie trapped, not responsible for accidents or injuries.” They should be powerful, designed to cause a lot of pain, and be very well disguised. As for the exact nature of them, use your imagination. If you’ll work with this, I believe you could make a blue million, teaching folks how to set boobie traps. It’s time to get serious about this. God Bless.
Keep in mind that booby traps are quite illegal, and a number of people have served long prison terms & lost their homes thru civil lawsuits by the injured burglar.
Irrelevant in a SHTF scenario when there is really no law left — but just don’t try this in “normal” times.
Another idea is to put furniture under and in front of windows, blocking entrance from these areas.
I keep a very large picture of my ex wife and her attorney on the front door and it seems to keep everyone away.
LMAO!!! Great idea! :D
As a majority of the people that know me seem to agree, my Put Bull “Buddnick” does a great job as my second/third line of defense. I named him in order to provide many people an accidental out if they had innocent intentions. I’d say that seven out of ten strangers call a dog with his nature “bud” or”buddy” without even thinking about it. But, please be careful with the planning stages before making the move to an aggressively protective breed like the Pit…its a major commitment and they just are not like other breeds. They quite literally love you to death! But, if they aren’t well acquainted with social boundaries, tend to view almost everything as some type of threat. Which could obviously lead to a lawsuit or worse! Mostly, as an owner solid, consistant boundaries need to be an every day lesson to maintain the ability to control the pooch in an situation. Mine has broken several heavy collars to pursue an interesting target, only to do a 180 on a dime to come see what I would like him to do about his potential target. Each time I am able to turn him without really even raising my voice. But, the other side of this spectrum is plumb full of dog owners that can not even seem to care for themselves let alone the second most high maintenance dog on the planter! Second only to the doberman pinscher at least in my opinion. … Any way! Here its my simple tip, hang an old car tire from a limb somewhere in plain sight and radke away the debris in a circle under the tire…as pits are well know for their infatuation with rubber! Weather you have a put or not, any criminal that recognizes that will go elsewhere I guarantee it! …..p.s. Lol, ol buddy literally spun his tire up so tight in out maple tree that he snapped the heavy anchor rope I had doubled up and used to hang it! ! I’ve never witnessed such a proud dog as he…..carrying his 31 inch buckshot muddy tire around the yard!
Sounds like quite a dog! :D
Having trained dogs for almost 40 years & owned dozens of Pits, Rots & Dobermans, I know that they are NOT “aggressively” protective and have to be taught to be dangerous — a gross and unnecessary waste of training time.
Almost all dog breeds will protect their human family, and most will bark to warn you when they hear or scent strangers (usually up to at least 30 yards). If you are nervous or psyched up by the warning, they’ll automatically go into the alert-protect zone. Pits & Dobes are certainly better “weapons” than spaniels or Pomeranians, but a Shepherd, Lab or Boxer (or any medium breed) is more than adequate to rip apart any intruder. Dogs should basically be only your warning system anyhow, giving you enough edge to arm yourself & take defensive action.
Dogs sense trouble in strangers long before you will. My best Pit (95-lb American Bulldog) was raised with a litter of retrievers, never saw or displayed anything but affection & love, and loved strangers — until he met one that “wasnt right,” and wouldn’t let him near us. I had him assume the position and found a cheap 9mm, loaded, and some zip ties suitable for handcuffs in his pockets. After we concocted the proper story, we called the cops & he did two years for being a three-time felon packing a piece. Dogs know things. We just have to listen & not screw up their heads with so-called “training.”
Keep in mind that it takes almost as much food to feed a 75-lb dog as a human, and in any long-term survival situation you have to factor in feeding however many dogs you have. And dry dog food in bags has a shelf life that is SHORT — and will break down fast in humid conditions, and even faster in very hot or cold conditions. And once your flea & tick meds run out, you’re going to be harboring thousands of little bloodsuckers yourself.
I have read most of the comments and it sounds as though most know what they are talking about and not just some loose nut.
You covered everything well. That is if your protecting yourself from a home invasion under normal conditions. Once a disaster has occured, the first seven items on your list will not do you any good. Just think, there will probably be no electricity, no phones, not even cell phones. The Gov. has control of all communications and utilities. It is protacall for our Gov. to shut everything down at first so the enemy can not use it. In time it gets turned back on if avalible in your area.
The one thing you failed to mention is a GUN. If or when a disaster happens you better arm yourself at all time. Never, and I mean never trust anyone you do not know. You should also know everyone in your area who you can trust and who’s not too trustworthy.
Another good idea is to post your property with no trespassing signs, also no solicitation signs. We also keep three things next to our front and back entrance doors, we do not have small children, but we have an old gun visible from the window, also a can of wasp spray on the window sill next to the door as well as a Billy club, or as my husband puts it… his persuader stick.
What if your front door has glass in it?
What jeff said below re: depending on who brings what to the party, any given person is leader at any given time, is a vital aspect to surviving catastrophes in my view. I’ve gotten lots of great ideas from the various posts. Thanks.
Another great thing is to plant roses (with thorns), if possible, near ground floor windows. Also, another plant that looks like a harmless weed but packs a big sting that last hours is stinging nettle. That can go between roses, or by cellar doors, or numerous other places. Most people stung by stinging nettle wont be in a hurry to brush against it again. Not too many people are eager to tangle with rose thorns either. Even though there are ways around these measures, there are ways around most of what’s listed above as well.
I have 3 signs posted for any thiefs thinking about breaking in.
“Beware of Dog: He eats everything I shoot!” is on the front gate
I have octagon stickers on all the ground floor windows that say “This house is protected by GLOCK”
On my sliding glass door I have a sticker that reads “Tagets Wanted: Please break inside to apply”
When I’m not home my Patriot Safe came with a security device called the Eagle Eye it is a vibration/motion sensor that notifys my cell phone in the case of a burglary and it has speakers that allow me to talk to them via a speaker system that can be hooked to any number of devices and it allows me to see them see them in real time via a camera you mount to your safe, plus all the data is saved to your mobile device if I read the instructions correct. you can buy these at Patriot Safes on-line store for about $300.
start buying plywood now, it (they) are coming
I’ve read all the comments as of 05-31-2013. Your readers are both determined, as well as inventive, and even funny in some cases. It’s good to think ahead. Many people have good game plans. I would just ad one thing. God forbid something should happen but, if it does, you must be prepared to take a life. You hear now a days about guys with their nines(9mm), and that’s all good for rapping but, most can’t hit the center of the porcelain in the bathroom, the women in the group will testify to that! They hold their weapons sideways, close their eyes when they shoot, and are more likely to kill one of their own. If the bad guy gets in, I guarantee he will have no qualms about killing you. what’s worse, when he’s got you out of the way, he WILL do what ever he wants with your family. Join the NRA or a gun club, Go out and practice! Most Law enforcement are required to shoot their weapons each year. Practice with a .22 caliber, it’s less expensive, but before you leave, put fifty shots thru the weapon you will use to protect your family with. I would recommend 2000 rounds per year but, that’s just me. One other thing, Everyone in the family should shoot, hunt, and practice survival. If your too squeamish to kill a chicken or a wild animal, how are you gonna kill a bad guy when he goes after you or your child. Think about it! God’s Grace!
You forgot two of the most important things:
Provided you are somewhat trained to act responsibly and are not a flaming liberal anti-gun idiot!!!!
1. Load your Tactical Model 870 Remington Pump Shotgun with critical Defense 00 Bucks and stagger the rounds so the third and last round is a slug!!!!
2. Load your Kimber or Sig .45 with hollow points!!!
Good luck
Bravo!
Good advice, though I’d recommend a good-quality revolver instead of a semi-auto pistol, for the same reason I depend on a pump shotgun instead of an autoloader shotgun — at some point it may be absolutely critical that it doesn’t JAM or fail to feed.
I have never seen a glock jam , or stove pipe. don’t use reloads unless you know exactally what your doing and the loading machine should be a good progressive one. remeber auto load hand guns will jam with a bad relaod. Custom 1911. i built my own from the frame up and troated the barrel. it will shoot any type of bullet and it’s never ever jammed on me, or failed to extract correctly. revLover is a good back up, but nothing beats a good ar15, or an ak47 for multiple intruders. MOST IMPORTANT, IS TO AVOID A CONFRONTATION AND TRY AND TALK THE PERSON OUT OF MESSING WITH YOU.
We have done 98% of the suggestions you mention and the comments as well. All are GREAT! I might add, we have a note on our doors (front & back) which reads. “If no answer knock loud” plays with their minds that someone might be home, but out of ear shot. AND, right beside that little note is another note: “There is NOTHING in here worth dying for.” Leave a radio on when not home and/or put it on a timer along with lights. We have an alarm system etc….but I like chimes hanging near the door so when someone enters or exits (like my grand kiddos) I alerts me.
Valorie, Valorie,,,,,, Insurance will replace your glass door but it will NOT replace you. Stay armed, get a kick ass stungun or at the very least have some industrial strength pepper spray or a can of Raid within hands reach in every room in your apartment or house. If you can’t take em out you can at least make them wish you had.
Make sure at least one lock on the door is a dead bolt cylinder which requires a key on both sides. This will prevent someone who enters through a window from exiting through the front door with all your belongings.
My family live in the country and I do believe, if the bombs start to drop, the cities will fall first and the war will be fought in the country. After the cities have been looted, people will have to head for the country for sustainence. Become familiar with “FM 39-40”. This is important because you’ll need to know what our military has already planned for us in case of a catastrophic event. And anyone who paid attention to 911 knows that it was orchestrated by our govt. to go to war. Read you history if you don’t believe me our govt. leaders are capable of such a thing I trust myself and my family members on our own. We WILL keep away from any military looking vehicles or people.
When we get a delivery, my dog will let me know someone is coming up the road to our house. I trust my dog’s bark. He has a different barks for different people coming up the road. If he recognizes them, he barks just to let us know but, if it’s a delivery man, he has a different bark. I ALWAYS go out to meet the deliver man outside. In the case of a catastrophic event, my family members know where the weapons and ammo are are and they know how to use them effectively and they can asess the situation through the windows in doors, out of harms way.
Knives are messy but, I’ve studied the main arteries and have taught my family where these main arteries are and have even taught them some “hand to hand” moves that don’t require up close combat. I’m better “up close” to a combatant. But, it’s not for everyone.
Practice with a baton and familiarize yourself with it. Just remember they could take it away from you in which case you’d want to step in closer to the combatant.
If the bombs start dropping, my family knows right away who to call. We have a password which means grab all your canned good, salt, sugar and weapons and head out for our home. We’re gonna need a good number of trusted people in our commune. No ONE person has to be the leader. The person that knows the most of any given situation at the time, is the leader fo the time being. But, it’s important to remember we’ll all have to learn trust and mis-trust in the event of a catastrophic event. Eventhough I’ve seen what people are capable of, I still hold on to a desire to trust people. However, it could get you and your family killed.
It’s also a good idea to work out a plan with your neighbors if you live in a city.
I LOVE bladed weapons! Guns are great, but swords, and knives almost big enough to qualify as swords are … elegant. :D
Microscopic invaders
Plague and lyme disease are only a few of many transmitted diseases that many people die from each year. These diseases are spread by Ticks,Fleas,mosquitoes or lice.Your own pet could carry these into your home. Squirrels,rats,raccoons,bats,mice,oppossums,chipmunks,cats,dogs,can all carry these invaders.Fumigate your home at least once per year.Don’t forget the attic because some of these critters like to hibernate and nest in the attic.
No security system is 100% able to not be bypassed or disabled.Any computer savy robber can find any information they need online.Anybody’s house can be broken into by a variety of means.
Secure all the vulnerable access points.Do not overlook roof access.When you are not home someone with a sawsall can cut a hole quickly to gain access.Motion sensors in the attic will alert your security system to intrusion by robbers and virmin as well.
You are responsible for your own security and safety. It will all be on you if you do not prepare.
Educate yourself on these issues and take the necessary steps to protect your home,yourself and your loved ones.DEFINATELY DO NOT rely on the cops.It is not their job to protect you .All they can do is investigate after the crime has taken place.
If SHTF happens, or even if there’s a major disaster in your area, cops are more likely to be taking care of THEIR families than worrying about yours.
Keep in mind that almost all the New Orleans cops either went AWOL during Katrina, or spent their time looting. The only law & order there was from private contractors like Xe (formerly Blackwater) and the military (which were generally not carrying loaded weapons).
If you don’t have enough firearms for everyone in your family, you need to get them now. And ammo. There is almost no such thing as enough ammo, especially if you’re in a suburban or rural area close to a town or city that is rapidly descending to mob rule. When they run out of food & water, guess who’s going to be visited?
You can go through hundreds of rounds very quickly, especially if not everyone in the group has training in fire discipline. A persuasive argument for relying on .22 rifles, primarily, since stockpiling that ammo won’t break the bank. Just buy GOOD, name=brand ammo & store it carefully. A few higher-powered weapons are very desirable, too, obviously, with as much ammo as you can afford to stock. I keep 3000 of .38, 6000 of .22LR, 1000 12-gauge, and various smaller amounts of .44, 20-gauge, 16-gauge, .410, 9mm, etc, for other firearms in the cabinets.
I also recommend a good high-powered airgun in .22 or .25 caliber. My RWS model 34 in .22 cal costs about 180 bucks now, and mine has been shooting trash birds & varmints on the farm for over 20 yrs with no problem. It shoots at 850-900 fps, enough to kill a human with the right shot, and certainly damage them badly otherwise. It’s very quiet, won’t draw human predators from miles away, and ammo costs NOTHING. Anyone can afford to stock 15,000 or more pellets and save their actual firearms for more important use.
Cheap pellet guns are hardly worth the effort & are not accurate. My RWS, even without its scope, will put pellets in a quarter-sized space at 35 yards all day. With a scope it will reliably kill starlings at 50-60 yards.
Picture signs are able to be undestood by all.
Masked robber with wreaking bar meets owner with firearm.Next sign:Owner in back yard digging hole next to body of robber on ground.
I have read most of the posts. A lot of humor and a lot of good advice. If you post beware of dog signs, have the dog. Or wait for the pizza delivery guy to ask about the dog. (Happened the last time we had one delivered.) Just remember, if he can’t get in, you may not be able to get out (fire). I would hate to fight thrones. Keeping your weapon in the bedroom is very good. As long as you don’t have to fight with the lock or find the shells. When most folks get excited they have a hard time with locks or can’t remember where the ammo is kept. Mind comes out of the safe at bedtime, fully loaded and placed on my nightstand. Crooks don’t like light, motion lights work very good for this. Just be sure to set them high enough for a man to set them off and not the cat next door. A good alarm system for your house is a very good idea. Be sure to have a friend or relative that can come over and reset it if your are out of town, if not you will be very unpopular. (Neighbors and Police)
I could fill a book full of ideas on home protection, but I don’t think it would sale…………..
“Loose lips sink ships” In additon to weapons training and securng weapons properly, don’t advertise the quantity and location of your guns by comments at work, in public, signs, stickers, etc. Thieves can learn which houses to rob for weapons this way. It is not hard to observe your habits and target your home when you leave. Even if you have a weapons safe, your house will be damaged, valuabels taken and if someone is home thay can be hurt.
I use chickenwire & lattuce work over my windows outside. Inside I close off windows with plywood shutters with a 2×4 crossbar simple & can still get out if need to. Crossbar for front n back door. Cameras are good motion lights. A good dog. I keep a shotgun loaded with a bike wire lock keeping the chamber open so if anyone gets a drop on me I unlock my gun & one motion its ready. I planted thorn bushes n prickle pear cactus all around my home. Fenced
If you have an electronic door lock for your car keep it handy. If you see or hear someone outside you can hit the panic button and the alarm will more than likely scare them away.
Have your gun ready and shoot the bastard if he wants to rob you or do you any harm.Most of the time when you call 911 your dead by the time they get there.People now days don’t care about if they kill you or not.So better them then you.What they are doing now they ring your door bell over and over many times which makes you mad and you run to the door to yell at them because you are mad and not thinking you open the door and a gun is put at your face.So watch out for this.
They make a door stop that has a loud siren when the door is opened. That is cheaper than a alarm company.
What can I do , I have two doors in the french front doors with big windows in them, wouldn’t take much to brake in, all is insured but I worry about invaders.
You can contact a contractor and get some steel mesh installed on the outside of your french doors. They can be painted and actually look very nice – a neighbor of mine had that done. Not terribly expensive – certainly less expensive than “intrusion proof” glass!
Some people put air conditioning units in their windows in the summer. Talk about easy access.
For window A/Cs, get one or two pieces of wood – you can even use an old broom handle – and cut them to fit into the the top of the window where the AC is. Cut them long enough that you have to push them in place. Then, if someone tries to pull out the AC to get in, they will not be able to because they will not be able to raise the window enough to remove the AC. Worked for me years ago when I lived in an older house.
Not only are these great ideas but some of the following comments had me laughing till I got hiccups. Thank you. I work with elderly clients and these ideas will go a long way to help protect and ensure their safety. I tell them to hit the panic button on their car keys if they think someone is hiding behind their car in their driveway. It’s also difficult for the elderly to hear intruders once they remove their hearing aids so dogs and “Beware of the Dog” signs are the best. If anyone has any more ideas I would love to read them and pass them along.
If you have a garage and an access door to the garage that opens in, you probably don’t have a dead bolt on that door. Solution: Purchase and install a toggle clamp (Reid Supply) and mount it on the door jam. When clamped shut, no one can enter from the outside. Cost: ~$20.00 plus four 3″ screws.
It’s easier and cheaper to just use one or two standard slide bolts. A heavy one at Tractor Supply or Home Depot runs less than five bucks. Drill the appropriate hole (or mount the small part of the apparatus) on the garage door, and mount the rest on the wall. I’ve also seen people do it with a standard hasp and a padlock (open or closed).
Slide bolt:
http://www.tinyurl.com/lxv7py3
You can also make most windows harder (or at least noisier) to get into by simply drilling a hole from the window into the jamb or frame, and sticking a bolt thru both holes. You can still get out in a hurry if there’s a fire, but it makes life tougher for burglars, especially if they can’t see the bolt head from the outside.
Yea here’s one you missed. Have you ever seen one of those door crash bars law enforcement uses to crash in a door? Here’s how to beat them, cheaply. Go down to your local Home Depot and purchase 7, 90# bags of concrete mix and stack them up against the offended door or doors. It may not stop them but it will damd sure slow them down, a lot!
HOW ABOUT: HELP ALLIVIATE OVERCROWDED PRISONS…ONE “CORPSE” AT A TIME…THIS DOOR IS LOCKED FOR “YOUR” PROTECTION, PLEASE CARRY IDENTIFICATION, FOR NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN, FOR CADAVER RETRIEVAL, ALSO A DNA “SWATCH” AS THE ROTWEILERS WILL EAT ANYTHING!!! ;(
How about a sign that “WE CONSIDER LEAD TO BE A PRECIOUS METAL”?
“Forget the dog…but please do not feed the snakes”
“We have nothing here worth losing your life for.”
“We believe in the philosophy for burial of others’ mistakes.”
“If you can read this message you are well within range.”
Install hunting cameras around the property when you’re away. You’ll probably get a lot of cats or birds but you may find a sneaky burglar or two. The camers are cheap and if hidden away and camoflaged, provide an extra bit of security to catch a thief in action. They’re silent and provide good quality photos to help identify culprits.
Install solar motion detection lights around your home and property. The systems can be installed anywhere. Perfect timing for criminals is during power outages when modern systems are not functional.
Lock your bedroom door while sleeping. This will buy you a little time to get to you defenses.
Instal solid bars to your exterior doors known as KDBars to the latch side. Most intruders will kick the door in on that location for quick entry.
Keep your weapon loaded in a safe, easy to get location for quick response.
GOOD COMON SENSE, WORTH THE EFFORT.HOW MANYWILL FOLLOW IT?
I have pictures of LARGE dogs (my friends) in the porch, along with the leads and collars and heavy duty toys!
Outgoing message on your answer machine should mention your dogs or that you are in, but with a client” Implying that even tho there is noone answering the phone this does not mean there is no one home! (We are actually usually in house anyway!)
The best detterrent! = Nosy Neighbours!
How about locking inside doors especially when out – if only to slow down intruders?
When my home was almost broken into, I called the sheriff and I mentioned getting an alarm system. He said that was okay but the best deterant was a “mean-looking dog” and let him run the house. He said he never got a call when a mean-looking dog was home. That day I got a german shepherd, signs for my door and fence, and have not had a single problem. Might add, my neighbor was robbed–no dog in her house.
Put an NRA Life Member Decal on your mailbox or door.
Leave the largest rawhide chew for dogs that you can find, lying on your porch.
Get a piece of logging chain with the largest dog collar you can find… Break the collar and leave on the porch.
Set out the largest dogfood bowl you can find.
Finally, get you a roll of biohazard tape and tape your front door shut!
I dont know how many people have seen those whole room pepper spray/OC “bombs” that go off by various methods of your choosing. Highly effective perp remover if you are gone. The stuff disperses after a time especially with the help of opened doors, windows and fans.
I also recommend buying inexpensive 12 gauge single barreled (or better) shotguns and putting one by every doorway to your house. Dont load em with buckshot or “buck and ball” but rather use “BB”…..or even #4 rounds. If you handload sprinkle in a little dried dog crap with the pellets to help ensure infection and a perps eventual trip to some ER where he will at least be questioned by the Barney Fife types….might even end up getting arrested.
If you live in the country and have to rely on lethal force I highly recommend using the perp as fertilizer rather than spending the next 6 months going through hearings….even better is to fertilize a neighboring property owners land (surreptitiously of course). BB or even #4 doesnt have as much problem with “overpenetration but at close range is just as lethal as buck and at longer range………ya get the chance the perp might just have to seek medical attention…….and the medical folks have to call in gunshot wounds. The powdered crap idea does work by the way if you self load.
my sign says Warning due to price increace of ammo do not expect a warning shot Semper Fi my friends
Plant tall cactus around windows.
There are several signs that I have.
to hell with the dog – beware of owner
you loot we shoot
Trespasser’s will be shot, survivors will be shot again.
How about a sign that says, No Trespassing! Any Survivors Will Be Prosecuted!
How about a sign, or signs, on your property simply stating:
There is nothing inside worth dieing for
Great article But 90% of the time most home intrusions are people that know you or a friend of a friend and they have been told about all the goods you have stored and all defenses, Its really important for people to know that they don’t need to share their defenses to other people except those around them. I also disagree with people that you need to shoot to wound someone if you make the decision to shoot some one that has forced their way in and entered your home he has become a person that means you and your family harm by wounding him you could find yourself in legal battles that would take all the money you have saved up at that point and time they would lawyer up and put some sob story on a jury, and it happens I have seen it happen right here in my home town here in Tennessee you have the right to use deadly force if someone forces their way in your home and try’s to do bodily harm to you or your family
Dear Frank,
If the inside of my home were well lighted when we leave, the whole neighborhood could see into our house. So we leave only one bathroom light on with the door slightly ajar, and the outside porch light on. I read once that the bathroom light forms a question in a thief’s mind as to whether or not someone is in there. I thought that was a good idea, so we have always done that.
The outside porch light is so we can see to unlock the door upon arriving home.
Thanks for the other tips.
great article frank, don’t forget the satisfaction you receive from a responsibly owned firearm!
My friend has a sign on his gate that reads ” MY DOGS CAN REACH THIS GATE IN 3 SECONDS, CAN YOU? “.
A good friend told me to glue silver dimes or quarters to the bottem of your table legs couch or other large pieces that don’t get moved but not to chairs
Huh? Why??
1. Place security lighting outside of the home facing the windows and door area. This help to minimize the reflections from inside the home. Dark figures and such detailing movment inside. 2. Have an entrusion plan, find a place or build your own “panic room”. Have the kids place a few items inside. Place a few water bottles and fod bars. Have means of outside communication cell, radio or VOIP. Make sure to use a security door if possible, use steel or fiber on walls. You can purchase Kavlar very cheap online by the yard. Tac it up in layers, replace sheet rock or paneling. Make it a game for the kids. Arm it with a 20ga and have a fire extingusher. Make it a central piont in the home, some were that all can get to if needed. The idea’s are endless. The main idea is to be safe. All “stuff” can be replaced. Your life or the life of a family member can not.
If you choose to have a firearm and choose to use it, shoot to STOP the attack NOT to kill the attacker(s). You will be better off in the court room if it gets there.
Have dogs who attack the door if someone knocks. Cameras, lights and signs. The police told me they hadn’t thought of mine. “I don’t answer the knocks of strangers.” The policeman said the person does’t know if I am there or not. He also said a person breaking in won’t know what to expect and go some place else not as complicated.
My sugesstion is if you are stocking up food don’t buy too much at any one time. Shop later in the evenings or very early in the morning where there are few other people. Don’t tell anyone about what you are doing. And shop at different stores when ever possiable. Just a suggestion! Great tips on the 10 you just listed.
A very good deterrent at the front door, and in the bedroom, would be a can of wasp spray which has a steady straight steam of propellant to the eyes. Another deterrent is to have your car keys, the ones that has the car alarm, next to your bedside.
Install, security cameras(with the flashing lights) can use fake ones if can’t
Aford Real !! very affective , just don’t tell anyone !!!! I’ve done a couple test
To see how many people know what you’ve said or done ?? And at least 25 on
Average find out !!! Just by telling one !!!! So, everything you do ?!!! Keep to yourself
Or only the people you Really know you can trust ( which is not many ) when it
Comes to water or food. !!!!!!!! Be safe, and think about what your doing , before
You do it !!!!! Power to real patriots !!!!!!!!!!!!
Many good items have been addressed here. Just some food for thought. Telling the world you have a gun inside will usually invite the person breaking in to have one also. Common sense is the best defense. Lighting, security system, cameras, dog signs and for seniors or single women an old pair of large mens work booths by the back door is good to. Dog signs are good but a large dog water bowl is even better as a deterant. Dead bolts are great but keyed on both sides can creat a problem for the people in the house in cases of emergencies like fires in the home. One of the best things you can do and it doesn’t enen cost much is install longer screws into the stricker plate of your door frame (this is the plate on the door frame that the tongue of your lock slides into). Usually when the door was installed the manufacturer uses screws that are about
1-1/2 to 2 inches long. Easy for a robber to shoulder open. By installing longer screws say 4″ long the thief will need to make a lot of noise and effort to break it open. The best way to avoid being a victim is by REFUSING TO BE A VICTIM
Like I said before, I keep a loaded 45 at the side of my easy chair in the living room, and a loaded 357 in my bedroom. I also carry a loaded gun with me at all times. If I need to I will shot to Kill. I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. The Chief.
This is all good advice. What would you suggest to do with the main entrance having
double french doors?
Have you ever noticed the double french doors at a bank or jewelry store? they usually have ceiling and floor bolts that secure both doors. I’ll bet you can find something similar for home use.
You can also put a piece of wood in the track behind the side you open. It needs to be as long as the empty track is so the door can not be opened.
Hey Frank, Good tips for everyone. Just one of the many things that have to be attended to if the SHTF. Keep up the good work.
Have a kick guard installed on all outside doors including your entry door from your garage. The brand is Kikgard. Developed and patented by a 30 year service Houston City Police officer. Frank, this thing really works. I also have a cell phone modem for my security system. If the bad guys cut the phone line, it does not effect my security system. If you have a automatic garage door opener, push the lock button on your wall mounted opener by your enter door. Common since first, Roger.
When I was looking to install a burglar alarm, one sales rep told me his firm had installed a number of systems but only the customers who wanted a concealed system suffered break-ins.
If you have on older home with basement windows, using a type of thick block glass can frustrate entry or make it noisy enough to attract attention of neighbors.
Very good advise, I retired from the US Coast Guard 5 years ago but was in the Law Inforcement. I would add a # 11 If you have weapons DON’T advertise that you do and keep at lease one at the ready. Keep up the good work.
Even though I have a security force of current and retired police officers protecting my home, it is still wise to have your security measures in layers and redundant as possible. I have swimming pool security devices that require you to type in a four digit code to deactivate whenever you enter my home or it will emit a very loud ear-piecing sound that will buy me just enough time to confuse whoever is breaking in and to arm myself. I also have a trained German Shepherd that I take outside often enough to let anyone watching to know that my home will not be an easy one to break into.You ever heard of someone being able to hide from the nose of a German Shepherd?
Believe it or not, once in a blue moon,someone does somehow get to my front door but even then,I will only talk through the door and never open it. I will then contact one of my officers and let them know that someone,somehow gained illegal entree to my property and provide an escort off the property. Never think that you ever have everything covered. I welcome these opportunities so that I can learn from them. A review of the surveillance tapes is also very helpful and you just might learn something new.
It is also helpful to read and learn about how our US Secret Service operates and incorporate some of their policies and procedures into your own home security. Reading doesn’t cost you a thing and not everyone can afford the same security I have but there is much more the average person can include in their daily lives that will protect themselves and property. Having secret codes and passwords between family member and practice them often can make the greatest difference in the world. It clues you on what is going on and how to react,that saves lives of your loved ones.
Placing a “Beware of Dog” sign, indicates you know your dog is dangerous, and could be used against you in a lawsuit should your dog bite a trespasser, etc. Lawyers have recommended that the sign simply read, “Dog On Premises.” Let the sign-reader’s imagination take it from there.
I live next door to a low rent 6-plex. My neighbor took, from my garage, A complete car boom-boom type sound system, of my son’s. My battery charger and a suitcase with my chomatic hamonicas (12) and 3 melodicas. Total value $4500.00. We think they waited till there was no one home November 9th Knowing and proving are two different things. Tim…
Put a sign out (when appropriate) a Vietnam vet lives in this house. He is armed (in several unique ways) and, since the war, has become a VERY light sleeper. Simply put “Turn around and live, continue trying to enter my house and YOU will die. I will not spare your life, I will kill you!!
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!
Too many people are too trusting and tell friends and acquaintances of their emergency preparations. People brag of their stockpile of food supplies and there are always people who will remember that conversation and come looking for you when they get hungry. My advice, hide your food and keep quiet. Keep some to give away and keep some for yourself.
Keep an NRA Membership logo in a window.
I simply put a sign with large print, in simple terms even an idiot could read. It says “Please think again about entering this home, for upon doing so with or without permission you will be met with a very angry dog which makes the nastiest pit bull look like a poodle. He is not even very friendly to me. He ate my last kitten and flossed his teeth with her whiskers. If parts of your body remain intact enough for you to make it past the door, then you will be met with a shotgun filled things you could not comprehend on how they could possibly be removed from your body without the Doctors tearing the remainder of tissue, muscle, and sinue from your limbs. Upon your arrest, most of you will be carried away plastic garbage bags.
With this said, I have one request. Ask Jesus into your heart and save your soul, things can be different. I am praying for your soul every day, don’t let me down.
Kateri
Years ago a police office told me to go to Goodwill or other place, purchase the larges pair of worn work boots I could find, or two pairs, get a little mud on the bottom of each pair and put them on the back porch of my house where they would be visible. The back porch was the most vulnerable place in my home. I live alone. The boots give the message that a big man with lots of muscle lives there. Put the boots in the house during part of the day or change the boots from time to time.
Also, put a sign on the door to the garage that reads “Smile, you’re on camera”. I had the sign made and put it on the inside of the garage window near the door. Both the door and the window are alarmed as well.
Criminals don’t like light & barking dogs, I have 4 175 watt merc. vap. and neighbors have 2 so I am surrounded by 6 lights and 2 barking dogs. Have 2 infrared cameras with one being pan-tilt&zoom with 19″ Vizio monitors—great. Each set up under $300. Cameras have sound as well. I spy on my wife as she goes to her carport to leave for work in the dark (I’m retired). Motion detectors light the way to her carport. I’m a light sleeper, 2 dogs in house plus 2 assualt rifles & S&W 38 revolver. Make MAKE MY DAY! or night. I have a large urn @ front of my house with sign that says “ASHES OF TROUBLESOME NEIGHBORS”
We have added our alarm permits to the windows, we have several weapons located at various places within our house, we own two dogs that bark when anyone approaches the house. All windows, and doors are barred. We had the our city police do a security check, they described our house as “Fort Knox”. We don’t go anywhere without a bug out bag, and weapons. We made a list of all the cars in our neighborhood, and know all our neighbors so we can spot strangers in our area. We have locked our outside breaker box with a combo lock so we can get it open without a key when necessary.
I am thinking about putting a heavy door at the hall entry that leads to the bedrooms. Then at night we will lock that door. This will provide another barrier. Home invaders might just be happy to take a TV and computer and not have enough will to break through another door. This will also give us more time to prepare. Another benefit is that because I am putting in zone heating and cooling to save energy, I will not need to heat or cool all the house during the night.
It’s much better to use double-deadbolt locks that require a key to open from the inside as well as the outside than those that are keyed from the outside and have a simple toggle on the inside. That way even if they enter your house, the will not have an easy exit.
Monitored security systems are routinely disarmed by the bad guys cutting the phone line and power to the house. A cellular phone and battery back-up is more expensive but worth the difference. Camera security systems are available through most electronic stores, that you can monitor with a smart phone. Be sure to give a lot of thought to hiding any video recording equipment you decide to use. Most theives don’t want to deal with a dog or two, especially if they are a larger breed.
install outer steel security door in addition to steel inner doors,
install heavy steel security bars on all windows
install heavy guage privacy outer mesh/screens on all windows to make it difficult to see in house.
purchase security system from a security provider like ADT and have house monitored in addition to alarms/signs.
turn on tv or loud radio in house when away. long periods while gone, set cheap/loud radio on random timer
if you have a roomba or similar, attach battery motion activated light on top of robot. set cleaning cycles to different evening periods each day.
in really bad areas, install deadbolts/padlocks in/on all interior doors with lock capability.
on back door(if one). install extra mounted lockable deadbolt/padlock on innermost door attached to the inside surface of the door.
on innermost back door or all exterior doors not including main entrance, that open inward, place deadstop security bar door-to-floor type.
on main entrance door, install latchable extra heavy duty security chain(b9lted intobdoor frame) so door can be opened a few inches while checking ID of person at door.
install multiple interior security cameras with motion activated dvr. in addition to exterior dvr security cameras.
note: i have already done all the above plus all your suggestions, at my house.
While away from home have a trusted neighbor to pick up or check your newspaper, package delivery, and mail. Use call forwarding for phone calls, forward to your cell or family/friend.
Some very worthwhile advice. You might add security camera (s) Some related good comments.
Thanks for the advice.
If you are NOT prepared in both skill and knowlege of how to use a firearm order pepper spay and keep a can at each door and opening so you can defend your self and your family. Low cost (the one I found might be the best buy) and can be used by any member of the family.
NO REAL TRAINING NEEDED.
Tornado Replacement Head
Contains INSTA-FREEZE pepper spay and also houses new stobe light!
remember to have boards ready to cover windows especially sliding glass doors, if emergency occurs.
Good points here and below, also how about the “HOME ALONE” movie?? Ha!
Make sure the outside of your home is very well lighted. Look around for all the dark spots and entry points LIGHT IT UP. Some solar lights work well in places you do not have a power source, they comme in many sizes and power. We have everything a glow :} It has been said a plane could use our place as a landing site.
I would also suggest having pepper spray (or something similar) close to the front door in case an intruder should try to force their way in when the door is opened, at least for an initial response until you can get to a gun.
Point 3: add: install deadbolts that lock from either side.
Point 4: I don’t agree that one should advertise the existence of
a security system. It allows the opportunity to TRY to defeat
it—prior to a break-in. This MAY be different in a rural setting
versus a housing plan.
Install clap on lamp lights throughout your home. When a house is broken into most often the thief smashes a door or a window. the noise causes clap lights to trigger. Sending a message that their are people within.
I have a extension ladder I have to keep outside. I keep it secure to the fence with a heavy chain lock at each end. I also have a riding mower in my shed, and I also have that chained from the steering wheel to an axle.
Arm yourself
I live in country area, all the above for sure, and let my closest neighbor know when I am gone to please watch house. We look out for each other.
I would recommend installing motion censored lights that stobe and blind an invander, set on a time schedule by the home owner. Laser beam invisible fences around the perimeter of one’s home would be very optimal when in great need of advanced security. A mote or simply living on an island is ideal. Boobie traps, watch animals, and voice alarm systems that scream or spoke any intruder away would be ideal. False luring bate is wise, such as, an expensive object laying in the yard or nears the entrance of a home that triggers an alarm when touched or moved.
One I have is remove the pull rope from your inside your grarage on the garage door as they will use a crowbar to get inbetween the panels on the garage door and then can get the rope and release the door and open it.
Place two ‘drop down’ door stops at the base of each door to prevent a complete forced opening.
I encountered a smart gang hideout door that put the door know on the hinge side of a seel door with a bar the activated the lock release on the opposite side.
A .38 snub, in a holster, is attached to the inside of both doors.
On the subject of a Security System: Displaying signs that warn burglars that you have a security system in place is worthwhile.
I’ve read that you should NOT divulge the NAME of the SECURITY SYSTEM that you have installed in your home for protection.
REASON: The criminal element has educated themselves on security systems and know how to
disarm the different manufacturers wiring program to either prevent the alarm from sounding or
stopping the alarm abruptly which calms the situation and the neighbors immediately.
Just a thought.