Your home is your first and strongest line of defense against the outside world. You expect your four walls to protect you from harm, whether you face looters or a zombie apocalypse. In the current climate, locks and home security cameras may be sufficient to ward off burglars. However, disaster breeds desperation and, if you’re a prepper or survivalist, you know that calamity will likely bring out the worst in your friends and neighbors.
You must take extra precautions to safeguard your home, and you cannot do that at the last minute. If a group of intruders attempted to break in, would your security strategy deter them and protect you? Thinking ahead will save your life in these situations. That’s why fortifying your home now is absolutely essential.
Luckily, you don’t have to turn your home into a fortress. There are plenty of affordable and intelligent solutions to fit any security need. Also, here are dozens of additional ideas on how to secure your home on a budget; read that when you get time.
1. Install Motion Detection Lights
Anyone can walk up to your home in the dark, whether you live in the heart of town or way out in the boonies. When night falls and you can’t make out shapes from shadows, you’ll wish you had something to light things up.
That’s why it’s wise to install motion detector lighting around the perimeter. This security tech serves two purposes: It could scare away anyone who approaches with ill intent and, if necessary, expose them as they near.
You could also install security cameras to work in tandem with your motion detection lighting for best effect. Some cameras come with this feature already, and many offer night vision so you can keep tabs on your entire property, day or night.
You might also utilize battery-powered lights, but they won’t be nearly as bright as hard-wired options. Another idea is to invest in solar-powered lights that don’t require batteries or wires, but they’ll be even less useful.
2. Landscape Defensively
Many survivalists dream of adding a tall fence around their property at some point or another. You’d think that a 10-foot tall cinderblock barrier would do the trick, but a group of intruders could easily work together to scale it, or simply go around. Unfortunately, placing that big of a barricade around your home is like putting up a flashing neon sign advertising that your home is the place to go! At that point, you’re practically begging for someone to clamber over and steal your gear.
Of course, a fence might come in handy in an SHTF situation. In this case, you could top it with barbed wire to help deter intruders, though inconspicuous security calls for something more subtle.
Plants can be the answer. Many ornamental shrubs have spiny thorns and vicious foliage that feel just like barbed wire if you fall into it. Landscape defensively by placing plants like agave, cactus, blackberry and barberry underneath windows or along pathways, and even along fence lines if you have them. Plus, you might get something taste to eat when berries are in season.
3. Securely Lock the Garage Door
Most intruders aren’t interested in your garage unless they’re after your vehicle or tools. But if the power goes out or you live off-grid, anyone can manually open it — from the inside or outside. That means a group of intruders could easily break in, steal some tools, and then gain access to the rest of your home.
You must lock your garage door from the inside out, whether you use a remote or manually open it. If SHTF, lock out intruders regardless of whether you have power by using a c-clamp on the track, just above the rollers as a more secure solution.
Alternatively, you can use a padlock on the track. Simply drill a hole in the metal above one of the rollers and secure a lock through it.
4. Secure All Windows
It makes sense that 23% of intruders break and enter through first-floor windows. Glass is much easier to bust than a front or back door. Many people even leave their windows unlocked or open, especially during the warmer months. The odds of someone getting in through these openings are high. Therefore, you should fortify and secure your windows — ground floor and otherwise.
A group of intruders can easily pry open double-hung windows. Locks are a brilliant option that’ll fortify every floor of your home, whether you’re in a SHTF scenario or simply improving everyday security measures. Something as simple as a pinhole lock will do the trick. Install alarms on the windows, too. That way, you’ll know when someone shatters or opens one from the outside.
Prying eyes can easily spy on your home, even when you’re around. To combat this, hang dark curtains and blinds that are completely opaque. No one should be able to see in or out when you fully close them. Shutters are a great idea, too, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes or other extreme weather.
5. Doors
Many people assume that intruders are more likely to attack under cover of darkness. However, most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m in broad daylight because this is when most people are least likely to be at work, including your neighbors. Worst of all? They may just barge right in your front door!
You can fortify your exterior doors by using three-inch screws into the door hinges to contact the wall studs, which will adequately secure one side of the door. Then install a long-throw deadbolt to secure the other side. Consider adding secondary security measures (e.g., a door security bar) to all exterior doors not typically used, such as rear entry doors. Using multiple layers of protection will discourage even the most stubborn of trespassers or, at the very least, give you more time to respond.
Alternatively, you could Katy bar doors, replace less secure doors, like sliding doors with regular exterior doors, or completely barricade entirely unused doors if you wanted to get super serious about it. BEWARE: you may regret barricading doors if you ever had to evacuate, and replacing entire doorways can get expensive. Proceed with caution.
6. Set Some Booby Traps?
Once you’ve completely fortified every aspect of your home, consider going the extra mile and set some less than lethal booby traps. It should go without saying, however, that you WILL get into serious trouble with the law if a trap seriously injures or even kills someone. That said, in a SHTF scenario, you may want to have at least considered some sort of entrapment that’s less than lethal.
Take a tour of your home and try to see it through the eyes of a bad guy. Could these intruders access any weak points in your house or foil part of your safety plan? Assess your blind spots and consider adding non-lethal entrapments like pits, nets, nail boards, spike strips and caltrops in those areas. These painful booby traps are sure to scare off even the worst trespassers.
You can even design your own tripwire warning mechanisms if you want to avoid mishaps or dangerous confrontations. Whatever you choose to unleash on your enemies, remember to alert your close friends and family of the potential danger because the last thing you would want is to hurt someone who shouldn’t be hurt.
[Editor’s note: You really do have to be careful about utilizing such an idea. Even less lethal traps can backfire in unexpected ways. I would strongly encourage you to avoid using booby traps unless we’re experiencing a WROL/SHTF situation AND there are areas of your property which you feel simply cannot be properly monitored/defended. Use with extreme caution.]
7. Build a Panic Room
Even with the best security and fortification in place, there’s still a chance that a big enough group of intruders could gain entry into your home. If they do, you’ll want a safe place to retreat.
Perhaps you have a spare bedroom that you can turn into a panic room. Strip the drywall and install thick plywood. Then, reinstall the drywall and concrete board or shiplap on top. Layering these materials will protect you from blades, bullets and other heavy-duty ammunition. Stockpile safety supplies, food, water and weapons in your panic room. Remember, it’s a place to survive, not wait for death.
You can store your survival gear there when there’s no imminent threat or danger. However, you might also consider using it as a built-in safe. Ideally, the room will blend in with the rest of your home, so a modified closet or walk-in space might work in a pinch. Just make sure there’s enough room for everyone.
[Editor’s note: A safe room is only a place to retreat, defend, and wait for the police to respond; it’s not a long-term solution when a gang of intruders are inside. You’re better off escaping in this case. That said, a safe room could have a place in your overall security, but it wouldn’t be in my top ten list.]
8. Bear Arms
What happens if someone gets through every single line of defense? Are you ready to defend yourself and your family? Perhaps you haven’t considered the ramifications of someone actually getting through and coming face-to-face with your spouse or kids. If worse comes to worst, you must prepare to defend yourself and your family.
If you’ve never fired a gun before, visit a gun shop and speak with a professional if you’re uncomfortable handling a gun or would like to learn how to aim and fire one. They can help you choose a firearm that’s right for you. They’ll also recommend lockboxes and other safety equipment to protect yourself and others.
Perhaps a knife or switchblade is more your style? This tool can serve multiple purposes and even save your life in a survival situation, but they’re clearly no substitute for a firearm. With that in mind, most survival knives are between 6 and 12 inches long. Longer blades may become unwieldy and do you more harm than good, so consider something smaller.
9. Adopt a Dog
Dogs make great companions. Plus, many breeds can lend a helping hand — or paw — on a survival homestead. Some also make good guard dogs. If nothing else, you’ll have an excuse to put “beware of dog” signs all over your property.
The American Kennel Club has compiled a list of breeds that are the most loyal and make the best guard dogs. Among them are Akitas, boxers, bull mastiffs and cane corsos. Even small dogs like Catahoula leopard dogs have natural instincts to protect their homes and families. Others, like bloodhounds and beagles, can track down practically anyone or anything, so they make great family additions, too.
On top of scaring away and tracking down intruders, guard dogs can also alert you of a break-in or attempt because they’ll be more likely to hear a strange noise or suspect something’s up long before you will. They may also be able to distract the intruders long enough for you to grab weapons or escape.
10. Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
After all the work you put into fortifying your home and stockpiling supplies, the last thing you want is someone learning all your defensive secrets or what you have that could be useful to them. Keeping your home security details (as well as what you have stockpiled) hush-hush is the best way to defend your residence against intruders, regardless of what traps and alarms you’ve put in place. So, as Gandalf told Bilbo in Lord of the Rings, “keep it secret and keep it safe.” This is easily one of the best ways to ensure your house and family remain secure against any and all intruders.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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