This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.*
What will be the greatest threat after the next disaster? Thirst? Hunger? Medical emergencies? Hopefully, you’ve prepared for these possibilities by learning to store and purify water, learning to store and cook food, and building a good first aid kit.
Once you have those things covered, the next biggest threat you’ll have to worry about is burglars. Why? Because after a major disaster, most people won’t have bothered with the first three things I mentioned.
They’ll be thirsty, hungry, and desperate for emergency supplies. And even if there is enough water and food to go around, there will still be criminals who try to take advantage of the lack of law enforcement.
In the 1990’s Argentina was a relatively safe and prosperous country. Then in 2001 it experienced hyperinflation and a total economic collapse. Take a look at how much crime in Argentina increased from 1995 to 2001.
- Larceny increased 28.96%.
- Rape increased 164.58%.
- Grand theft auto increased 248.79%.
- Robbery increased 4158.99%
- Aggravated assault increased 5596.94%.
- Burglary increased a whopping 512100%.
You read that right. In a disaster, you’re going to need a good weapon to defend your home from dangerous people. However, you’ll be far better off if burglars skip your house. So how do you make them do that? Here are 10 ways.
1. Get a Dog
It doesn’t have to be a very big dog; it just needs to have a loud, intimidating bark. (Don’t forget to stock up on pet supplies.)
2. Remove Large Plants and Bushes
If you have any large plants, bushes, or small trees right next to your house, all they are is good hiding places for burglars. Cut them all down.
3. Join or Start a Neighborhood Watch
And also put up neighborhood watch signs. The feeling that someone might be keeping an eye on them makes burglars hesitant.
4. Put Up Home Security Signs and Stickers
If you can afford it, a home security system is a really good investment. But if you can’t, it’s still worth putting up signs and stickers. No burglar wants to open a window only to have a loud alarm draw attention to them.
5. Buy Some Battery Powered Alarms
These things really don’t cost that much, they run on batteries, and they produce a very loud alarm when someone opens a door or window.
6. Buy Some Security Cameras
You can get some fake cameras if you want, but keep in mind that experienced burglars can usually tell the difference between real ones and fake ones. Your average looter, however, won’t be able to tell the difference.
7. Buy Some Motion Sensor Lights
These sensor lights run on solar power, but you can also get lights that run on batteries, and those are much more reliable.
8. Reinforce Your Doors
Most doors are actually pretty easy to kick in, but if you reinforce yours and make it damn near impossible to kick them in, most people will quickly give up and move on to the next house.
9. Install Bars On The Windows
I know, they’re ugly, but safety is far more important. No one is going to get through rebar. Just make sure you still have a few ways to get out of the house in case of a fire.
10. Build a Perimeter Fence
Ideally it should be seven feet high, have spikes on top, and go all the way around your property. But even a short fence is better than nothing.
Burglars are like cockroaches; they prefer to work in darkness and silence. If you do even a few of the things on this list, most burglars will decide your house is more trouble than it’s worth and move on.
Want to prep but not sure where to begin? Sign Up for Our Newsletter and get your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!
Remember a good old redneck security system: A couple pairs of the biggest boots you can find, a few shotgun cartridges (empty) some gun magazines and an empty fifty pound dog food bag. Then tack a note on the door saying you had to run out for more ammo and dog food, with a warning not to open the door because the dogs are locked inside and haven’t been fed for nearly a day. Also write to wait because you will be right back and to watch for ‘Bubba’ or any name, saying they’re dropping by after Karate class to do some more shooting.
I live in south Africa … we have been living like this with all the above and MORE for the last 23 years. We currently under siege and on brink of civil war. Terrorist have cut our water supply and we have a entire region of our country without basic water and electricity. Diseases will soon be breaking out. Violence is a every day occurrence. Water systems have been sabotaged! For the 3rd time in one year. We are at present living your urban apocalypse now. Pray for us! Send help!!!!! Our government has abandoned it citizens!
Make an investment into a home security system. The best systems provide a clear view of what is happening in the home on your mobile device when you are not there then put a large dog bowl near the entryways of the home and have your dog house in front of the house but make sure your dog is well trained.
Trick I saw used quite effectively in Tunisia (don’t ask and I won’t have to lie) was broken bottles cemented on to the top of the wall. Hard to see if the wall is above eye level and when he puts his hands on it to vault the wall…….cheap and effective.
Not legal in UK, though is seen. Razor wire aso used but has to be used responsibly.
One the best, if not the best protection for the home is a well trained protection/patrol dog
A survey in South Africa has shown that there are only two things that keep them away over here: Small dogs sleeping inside the house, and CCTV cameras.
Not even electric fencing helps in our nick of the woods…
Burglar bars, mmm… check this out…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=M_wA4p2Vxdw
Alan,
There is another great, and cheap, tool that can be used to help deter burglars. Check out the Fake TV at http://www.faketv.com or on Amazon. There are three different models for different applications. This is especially useful if you are going to be away from home on vacation or an extended period of time. It has a few different settings or it can be connected to a timer and set it to come on during a certain period of time.
Keep up the great work!
-Tom
The number of home burglaries traditionally spike in the summer months. I think that light timers and Fake TV (www.faketv.com) are excellent solutions to deter burglars. Also, playing anti-theft home occupancy sounds MP3 or a CD (sells on Amazon or at http://www.webensource.com/burglar_deterrent_cd/ ) in home while away is a great way to scare burglar that someone is in.