If the first decade of the 21st century has taught us anything, it’s that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere, and that urban areas are even more vulnerable than rural regions. In an extended disaster situation, you’ll need to be prepared to protect your property and the lives of you and your family members from scavengers and looters determined to get what you have, no matter the cost. Most people think that police or emergency services will help, but as was sadly evident after Hurricane Katrina, you can’t depend on them.
Most city dwellers and even suburbanites can’t conceive of having to hunker down in survival mode when basic society breaks down. But as almost everyone knows, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. The time to make decisions about how you’ll protect your home is not when looters are threatening to break down your door. You don’t have to move to a remote location. You can take steps that will help you shelter and survive wherever you are.
You should first make your home as uninviting a target as possible so that you don’t draw the looters or rioters. Take some time to objectively observe you home from the street. Your exterior doors and windows could be the weakest point in your home’s perimeter. An ornate or antique front door may look pleasing, but it’s much easier to break than a newer, sturdily constructed one. Likewise, security bars can provide extra protection for your windows.
Looters won’t bother with property that doesn’t appear worth their effort. Make sure your valuable items aren’t easily visible. Keep drapes or blinds closed so that home electronics can’t be seen from outside. Install motion-sensor lighting around your home if you don’t already have it. If you have a garage, keep your primary vehicle in it, and cover glass in garage doors and windows. However, you do need to present an appearance that the home isn’t abandoned. If you have an old car, park it in front of your house and move it regularly so that it seems someone is using it.
A group can protect a large amount of property much more effectively than any single person can protect even just one home. In an ongoing urban disaster, a neighborhood watch group can step up its role in providing security for the area If your neighborhood doesn’t have a watch group, now would be a good time to start forming one. If anything, it will help you get to know the people you may need to depend on when a disaster breaks down traditional security. You and your neighbors will need to be prepared to patrol your area and keep each other informed of increased risks.
Eventually, you will need to start thinking about ways to actively protect your property and family. You may be uncomfortable with the idea of keeping guns or other weapons in your home. If that’s the case, a well-trained guard dog may be a viable option for you. A threatening-looking dog that knows his only job is to protect you and yours is a strong deterrent to most would-be looters and thieves. You must be vigilant about the type of dog you get, his role in your family and the training you give him. A friendly, lovable family Labrador who will take treats from anyone may not effectively protect you when the chips are down. Instead, you need to invest the time and money in finding and training a dog bred to guard and to attack if necessary.
It can be intimidating to think about surviving an urban disaster and keeping yourself, your family and your property safe. However, with proper advanced planning you can lay a framework for a successful home security system.