Possibilities
Retired
Here's a few ideas to make your home more secure [while staying within the Terms of Service of this forum].
Communication
Obviously if things get crazy during the pandemic, you'll need alternative ways to communicate.
1. Skype phone if the Internet is working or email
2. Have a cell phone if the telephone isn't working
3. Have an old style plug-in telephone if cordless phones don't work due to electricity failure.
4. If you have an flag, try hanging it upside down or hanging a white flag outside a window to indicate you need assistance. Hand a black piece of material to indicate death.
Securing windows
The upper corner of a window can be secured with a pin which goes through both sections of the window to keep it from opening. Close drapes and blinds to reduce the abilitiy of someone to see within. Board windows if necessary to prevent entry. Do you have a more strategic view from a certain window to ascertain who is outside?
Securing doors
Are doors lockable in more than one section? Can you place a inexpensive device on the knob to indicate someone is trying to enter? Can you bar the door from the inside? Can you place a door stop inside which prevents it from being bashed in? Do you have peepholes installed?
Do you have a safer area in the house...a place to go to if things get bad inside? A place more defendable? A place with an alternative source of food and water?
Assets
Have you told everyone in your neighborhood that you've been storing food and water? Have you explained how not to communicate with neighborhood children in ways that would reduce security?
When you have things outside of value who is watching them? When are they securing them? How can you reduce the footprint of items like solar cells? DO you have a safe that is securely attached to the floor so that it cannot be easily removed?
Defense
Do you have home defense items and their projectiles stowed away with a combination or key or BOTH. Can you unlock and open the defense items quickly? Are they clean? Do you have a backup? Do you have alternative means of hunting and fishing? Have you purchased inexpensive labels for windows which explain the seriousness of your defense? Is everyone trained that will use them? Have they practiced? Are they prepared mentally to use them? If not don't even bother having them.
Martial Arts
Have you ever practiced before? How stale is your training? Are you prepared to use it practically? Can you attend classes now to spar? Can you teach your loved ones how to do so? Aikido is a non-threatening way to begin, and is good for your health. Jujitsu and karate are more practical. All of this is debatable.
Knives
Do you have several good pocket knives for everyday use? Have you ever used them before? Have you used them before for a week or more doing a practical week in the woods camping? Can you use them to make other tools that you might need? Can you use them to practically defend yourself? Do you have some that are more for defense than carving triggers for snares or making spoons?
Watches
Can you instigate watches to ensure saefty during hazardous times? Is there another adult who will be staying with you? Can you work with another partner or team member to make your home more secure?
Do you have binoculars or a telescope in your home? Do you have a police radio? Do you have a radio that receives weather band/television/radio? Do you have a way to power them in case the batteries die? Do you have a solar backup or cranking means to do so? Do you have plenty of rechargeable batteries? You can use the car to temporarily listen to the radio without sarting it, but the battery will eventually die without cranking it. Do you have several gas cans of fuel to use if necessary to leave your domicile or as backup? Do you have an inverter to hookup to your car in case you absolutely must power an AC device
Securing the neighborhood
Is there a way to band together to block off certain streets and cooperating with neighbors form a watch and reduce unwanted traffic. Is there a way to reduce entrance to your own property? Are you on good terms with your neighbors? Are there any problems currently with anyone ? Is there one predator who lives close to you who has been a danger in the past? Banding together makes everyone stronger in the long term for reducing danger, more flexibility in watches, sharing of resources, assisting the sick, etc. Many neighbors can be assets to each other through sharing of knowledge and supplies. Medical personnel, teachers, law enforcement, all have skills which will increase in value in a pandemic...what will be your contribution?
These are some ideas. Add your own.
Communication
Obviously if things get crazy during the pandemic, you'll need alternative ways to communicate.
1. Skype phone if the Internet is working or email
2. Have a cell phone if the telephone isn't working
3. Have an old style plug-in telephone if cordless phones don't work due to electricity failure.
4. If you have an flag, try hanging it upside down or hanging a white flag outside a window to indicate you need assistance. Hand a black piece of material to indicate death.
Securing windows
The upper corner of a window can be secured with a pin which goes through both sections of the window to keep it from opening. Close drapes and blinds to reduce the abilitiy of someone to see within. Board windows if necessary to prevent entry. Do you have a more strategic view from a certain window to ascertain who is outside?
Securing doors
Are doors lockable in more than one section? Can you place a inexpensive device on the knob to indicate someone is trying to enter? Can you bar the door from the inside? Can you place a door stop inside which prevents it from being bashed in? Do you have peepholes installed?
Do you have a safer area in the house...a place to go to if things get bad inside? A place more defendable? A place with an alternative source of food and water?
Assets
Have you told everyone in your neighborhood that you've been storing food and water? Have you explained how not to communicate with neighborhood children in ways that would reduce security?
When you have things outside of value who is watching them? When are they securing them? How can you reduce the footprint of items like solar cells? DO you have a safe that is securely attached to the floor so that it cannot be easily removed?
Defense
Do you have home defense items and their projectiles stowed away with a combination or key or BOTH. Can you unlock and open the defense items quickly? Are they clean? Do you have a backup? Do you have alternative means of hunting and fishing? Have you purchased inexpensive labels for windows which explain the seriousness of your defense? Is everyone trained that will use them? Have they practiced? Are they prepared mentally to use them? If not don't even bother having them.
Martial Arts
Have you ever practiced before? How stale is your training? Are you prepared to use it practically? Can you attend classes now to spar? Can you teach your loved ones how to do so? Aikido is a non-threatening way to begin, and is good for your health. Jujitsu and karate are more practical. All of this is debatable.
Knives
Do you have several good pocket knives for everyday use? Have you ever used them before? Have you used them before for a week or more doing a practical week in the woods camping? Can you use them to make other tools that you might need? Can you use them to practically defend yourself? Do you have some that are more for defense than carving triggers for snares or making spoons?
Watches
Can you instigate watches to ensure saefty during hazardous times? Is there another adult who will be staying with you? Can you work with another partner or team member to make your home more secure?
Do you have binoculars or a telescope in your home? Do you have a police radio? Do you have a radio that receives weather band/television/radio? Do you have a way to power them in case the batteries die? Do you have a solar backup or cranking means to do so? Do you have plenty of rechargeable batteries? You can use the car to temporarily listen to the radio without sarting it, but the battery will eventually die without cranking it. Do you have several gas cans of fuel to use if necessary to leave your domicile or as backup? Do you have an inverter to hookup to your car in case you absolutely must power an AC device
Securing the neighborhood
Is there a way to band together to block off certain streets and cooperating with neighbors form a watch and reduce unwanted traffic. Is there a way to reduce entrance to your own property? Are you on good terms with your neighbors? Are there any problems currently with anyone ? Is there one predator who lives close to you who has been a danger in the past? Banding together makes everyone stronger in the long term for reducing danger, more flexibility in watches, sharing of resources, assisting the sick, etc. Many neighbors can be assets to each other through sharing of knowledge and supplies. Medical personnel, teachers, law enforcement, all have skills which will increase in value in a pandemic...what will be your contribution?
These are some ideas. Add your own.
