Civil Unrest: Fast Home Defense Setup

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10/28/20245 min read

Protecting Your Home During Civil Unrest: Practical Tips for Homeowners

In times of civil unrest, taking proactive steps to secure your home can provide peace of mind and enhanced protection for you and your family. These measures can deter trespassers and minimize the risk of intrusion. Below, we’ll outline several effective strategies, from reinforcing windows to enhancing outdoor lighting.

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1. Reinforcing Windows with Pre-Cut Plywood and Self-Drilling Wood Screws

Windows, especially on the first floor, are often the most vulnerable points of entry. One effective strategy for protecting them is by covering them with pre-cut plywood. This approach allows you to quickly reinforce your windows if tensions rise in your area. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Pre-cut plywood: Measure each window and cut pieces of ¾-inch plywood to fit each frame. Pre-drill holes in each board to make installation faster and more efficient during an emergency.
Self-drilling wood screws: These screws are designed to drive into wood without the need for a pilot hole, which speeds up the boarding process. Keep the screws and a power drill readily accessible so you can install the plywood quickly if needed.

Pre-cut plywood offers a strong barrier, shielding windows from rocks, thrown objects, or attempts at forced entry. It can also help prevent glass from shattering if impacted, which could reduce cleanup and repair costs later.

2. Ballistic Protection with Concrete-Filled Buckets or Planters

Placing barriers in front of entry points can deter trespassers and absorb impacts. Using concrete-filled buckets or large planters in front of doors offers an extra layer of ballistic protection and slows down potential intruders.

Concrete-filled buckets: These can be easily made by filling five-gallon buckets with concrete and letting them harden. Once hardened, place them strategically in front of doors to act as a heavy barricade.
Planters: For a more aesthetically pleasing solution, you can fill large planters with concrete, then cover the top with soil and add plants. These planters serve as both decorative elements and robust barriers that can absorb impacts and withstand forced entry attempts.

These concrete barriers can make entry points more secure and limit the damage from attempts at forced access. However, remember to position them so they don’t obstruct your own safe exit paths.

3. Installing Security Cameras Out of Reach

Security cameras are essential for monitoring your property and deterring potential trespassers. To ensure they’re effective during civil unrest, place them in locations that are difficult to reach or tamper with.

Elevated placement: Install cameras on the second floor, high up on walls, or on sturdy poles to keep them out of reach. Ideally, they should be placed at least 10 feet above ground level.
Coverage of vulnerable areas: Focus on covering entry points like doors, windows, and garage areas. Consider cameras that allow for a wide-angle view so that you can monitor more ground with fewer units.
Remote monitoring: Choose cameras that can be connected to your phone or a cloud storage service, allowing you to monitor activity in real-time, even if you’re not home.

Securing your cameras out of reach ensures they continue recording without interference, providing you with valuable information about any intruders on your property.

4. Placing Low Barbed or Metal Wire to Trip Up Trespassers

Another strategy to discourage intruders is to create subtle obstacles, such as low barbed or metal wire, that can impede movement and cause discomfort if someone tries to trespass.

Strategic placement: Place wire in areas where intruders are likely to pass but where family members or neighbors are unlikely to walk. Common spots include along fence lines, under windows, and near gates.
Low enough for concealment: Keeping the wire low to the ground reduces its visibility, making it an unexpected obstacle for potential trespassers. Make sure it is sturdy enough to withstand pressure without easily breaking.
Visibility markers: To ensure your own safety, place discreet markers around the wire so you and your family can avoid it during normal activities.

Using wire obstacles as deterrents can be effective, but ensure these measures are safe and compliant with local regulations.

5. Installing Quality Solar Motion Sensor Lights Out of Reach

Lighting is a powerful deterrent against unauthorized entry, especially when it’s motion-activated. Solar-powered, motion-sensor lights are an ideal option as they don’t rely on your home’s electrical grid, which could be compromised in extreme situations.

Positioning: Install these lights on trees, poles, or walls where they’re difficult to reach or tamper with. Focus on areas around your property’s perimeter, such as driveways, paths, and corners of your home.
Brightness and sensor range: Choose lights with high lumens (brightness) and a wide sensor range to ensure they activate quickly when movement is detected. This sudden illumination can startle intruders and make them think twice about proceeding.
Maintenance: Since they’re solar-powered, position them where they can receive ample sunlight. Check them periodically to ensure they’re functioning correctly and replace any batteries as needed.

By installing these lights out of reach, you’re making it harder for intruders to disable them and increasing the effectiveness of this passive security measure.

6. Reinforcing Doors with Heavy-Duty Deadbolts and Door Barricades

Doors are primary entry points, so reinforcing them is essential to prevent forced entry.

Heavy-duty deadbolts: Replace standard door locks with high-quality, commercial-grade deadbolts. Look for Grade 1 deadbolts, as they’re the most resistant to impact and tampering.
Door barricades: Install door reinforcement kits or barricades that prevent doors from being kicked in. You can also use portable door jammers or bars that brace against the floor, offering additional security during volatile situations.

By reinforcing your doors, you make it more challenging for intruders to break through, buying valuable time in case of an attempted entry.

7. Creating a Safe Room Within the Home

Designating a secure, reinforced area within your home can provide a final line of defense and a safe place to retreat to in an emergency.

Choosing a location: Select a room without exterior windows (such as a bathroom or closet) if possible. Reinforce it with a solid-core door and a heavy-duty lock.
Stocking the room: Include essential supplies like bottled water, a first-aid kit, non-perishable snacks, a flashlight, a phone charger, and a spare phone. Additionally, consider a battery-powered radio for updates on outside events.

A safe room can provide temporary shelter until it’s safe to leave or until help arrives, especially if you encounter intruders in your home.

8. Using Landscaping as a Barrier with Thorny Plants and Dense Shrubbery

Strategic landscaping can serve as a natural barrier that discourages intruders from approaching your home’s perimeter.

Thorny plants: Plant thorny or prickly shrubs, like holly, roses, or barberry, along fence lines, below windows, or near entryways. These plants are challenging to navigate through and make unwanted approaches uncomfortable.
Dense shrubs or hedges: Tall, dense hedges can serve as privacy screens and provide an extra layer of security. Hedges limit visibility, which can deter potential intruders from scouting your property.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for civil unrest can feel overwhelming, but with these practical steps, you can make your home more secure and resilient. Reinforcing windows, adding barriers, installing elevated cameras, using wire deterrents, and implementing solar-powered lighting are all cost-effective and straightforward measures that can help protect your property.

While these steps provide added security, remember that your safety and the safety of your loved ones should always come first. Ensure you have an emergency plan, and if necessary, don’t hesitate to evacuate to a safer location. With preparation and planning, you can reduce risks and feel more confident in your home’s ability to withstand challenges during turbulent times.