Evaluate your home for weaknesses. Almost every home has it's weaknesses. Modern homes were built based on the premise that there would be law and order. In the future that may not be the case. A way to evaluate your home's weaknesses is to walk around it and imagine if you were the criminal, how would you enter the house. Where could you hide and surprise the owner. It has been said that burglars avoid homes with alarm systems and big dogs. It might be prudent to have both. In a grid down system, the alarm system will have about 72 hours before the battery dies, so you will need to have a way to charge it. Even if the phones and monitoring are down, it will still alert you and the neighbors there is a break-in occurring. If it alarms, hopefully the thief will run and go find easier prey. As you walk around your house, evaluate the following:
• Front door - What's it made of? Steel is best followed by heavy wood. It is only as strong as the locks and plates. Also, the hinges need to be strong and have longer screws instead of the short ones. • Other doors - The back door may be the thief's best bet because he is hidden from the street. If the door is glass, or has windows on either side of it, the thief can break the glass, reach inside and unlock the deadbolt. You must have a keyed deadbolt inside. That way they will be slowed down longer. • Glass Doors - Consider replacing glass doors. Although thieves prefer to not break glass. If they do, they can simply step through and bypass your alarm system unless you have a glass break sensor. • Wood doors - Strong but an axe will do them in. Yes they're prettier than steel doors, but it is more vulnerable unless they are 3 inches thick. • Windows - Window locks are cheap and easy to install. Although not aesthetically pleasing, a 3 inch screw drilled into the window frame will be a deterrent. • Hiding places, shrubs, corners - Where could a robber or thief hide around your house? • Thorny Barriers - These are a great way to prevent entry. Rose bushes thorny shrubs, holly, all of these will deter a criminal. • Fencing - Chain link is good. If it gets bad, add razor or barbed wire to the top. Make them pay for entry.
Grid Up - As long as you have power, the thief has to work in the light. If you were about to break into a house and the lights suddenly came on, what is your first thought? RUN! You envision a shotgun cocking next. Purchase and install motion detecting floodlights. Even though it's battery operated, a Dakota Alert Transmitter will alert you of an intruder without alerting him. This will allow you to get the jump on him and ruin his evening. Below is a list to consider. There are some new products like security screens and films that are impenetrable. • Lights • Security System • Motion detection lights • Switched lights • Working Shutters • Deadbolt, key inside • Window Locks • Peep Holes • Bars • Storm windows • Security screens • Glass film • Plexiglass
Grid Down - If the grid goes down, homes with a lot of lights on and perhaps a generator running are going to stand out. They are going to say you are prepared and you probably have other comfort items such as food. Below it says consider blackout. Blackout will allow you to have bright lights on undetected. Passers by will think of you as being unprepared and sitting there in the dark. If you blackout your house, go outside and make sure it is complete. • Consider "Blackout" • Black Plastic • Lined curtains • Aluminum coated Bubble wrap • Shutters • Boarding up
IR Floodlights for NV goggles
Consider Barbed wire, Razor wire, etc.
Chain Linked Fence
Big Dogs outside, Small "Yipper" inside
Fence in vulnerable areas. A fence around a part of your house that has a lot of glass and vulnerable doors may be a viable alternative. Barbed or razor wire and a big dog could be on the other side of the fence.
Dakota Alert - The alert could cover the fenced area instead of a dog. Although they may never enter if there is a dog there. On the other hand, you don't have to feed the Dakota Alert a bag of dog food every two weeks.
Sand Bags
Safe room
Heavy duty Gun Safe
Precious metals safe
Hiding places inside and outside. Bury food, guns and ammo. Then if a thief takes the gun safe, or your food in the house, you've got a cache they'll never find. Just be sure to let someone whom you trust know where it is buried in the event of your demise.
Fire proof safe for important papers
Keep a low profile - Don't draw attention to the fact that you are prepared. If it looks like you have it just as bad as everyone else, you will be safer. Grow a beard (the men that is), lose that extra weight like everyone else, and no one will be the wiser.
Neighborhood watch - even to the point of a roadblock to keep non-residents out.
Firearms
There are two purposes for survival firearms: Defense and Hunting
You may be called upon to defend your family, yourself, your home, or your community. You may need to hunt small and big game to supply your family with meat. Because the uses of the firearms vary, there is no one gun you can have for all uses. For big game hunting, deer size and larger, a caliber near .300 will be needed. For small game, a .22 Long Rifle or shotgun will work. For birds, the shotgun is preferred. For coyotes or wild dogs, the .300 will work, but a smaller caliber such as a .223, 22-250, or .243 may also be effective at a lower cost per round. For personal defense, you may choose a revolver or pistol in .38, .357 mag, 44 mag, 9mm, .40 or .45. calibers. For home defense the pistols and revolvers may be backed up by a short barrel shotgun, preferably in 12 ga. Another gun which you could use for home protection and use to patrol your neighborhood is an AR 15.
So as you can see, you will need several guns for the many purposes they will have. If I could only own five guns, the following list is what I would have:
.22 LR for small game - Ruger 10-22 is probably the best.
AR 15 for varmints and main battle weapon/home defense
.308 Bolt action for big game and a sniper weapon
.40 or .45 pistol for home defense and concealed weapon
12 ga shotgun with interchangeable barrels/chokes - short tactical, Improved cyl, and full choke
Keep in mind this is my opinion and the main thing is to have one weapon in each category. For instance, a .270, 30-06, or 300 Win Mag will substitute for the .308. If you prefer revolvers, then a .38 or .357 magnum might be your choice. The shotgun could be a double barrel, pump or auto, and if you are too small to shoot the 12 ga, go for the 20 ga. If you want, you could substitute an AK-47 for the AR 15.
You may also want to accessorize, especially if it gets rough. Some items in the "nice to have" category are:
Laser sights
Flashlights
Night Vision scope
Night Vision Goggles
Bulletproof vest
Kevlar Helmet
I hope you find this list helpful. Don't wait too long to get your weapons. We are at the mercy of a government that is slowly taking our freedoms away. God Bless America.