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When Is It Ok to shoot an Intruder

2/10/2018

0 Comments

 
Disclaimer. The materials available at this web site are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue, question or any relevant matter.

By Tom Ginevra

Well, you might think that the answer would be simple but, no it isn’t. It depends on the jurisdiction (who administers justice in your country) and it depends a lot on the circumstances. Nevertheless, this can be a life changing moment for all parties involved, you, your family and the intruder. Here are some basic guidelines for this very difficult question.
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image va www.top5s.co.uk

​Self-defense
In order to demonstrate that shooting an intruder is legal, you need to show that shooting was:
  • Necessary; in that, if you didn’t shoot them then something terrible would have happened to you, i.e., the intruder would have shot you, inflicted serious bodily harm, rape, robbery or kidnapping
  • Imminent; something terrible would have happened immediately. What is meant by this is, you can’t shoot someone who says they are going to rape you next week!
  • A reasonable response; compared to any other response like running away from the danger

As a defense, it seems that there is no compulsion to run away if the intrusion is in your own home and most intrusions in your own home would give rise to an urgent situation, meaning it must be dealt with now.

​If the intruder is armed and threatening you, then it would be considered ok to shoot first. If the intruder is unarmed it may still be ok to shoot first, especially if he or she is behaving aggressively and is physically bigger and stronger than you. If the intruder is not being aggressive then you are faced with deciding not to shoot but to threaten them with your firearm and calling the police. This sort of action requires a strong and confident personality which many of us do not possess. If the intruder is running away, then shooting them in self-defense is less acceptable.
Generally, if you feel that your life is at risk, then shoot, otherwise don’t. But, of course, it is very difficult to make rational decisions under such stressful and possibly terrifying circumstances.

Protection of property
At no point is it considered legal to shoot an intruder for mere protection of property. Using deadly force would only be legal if it could be proved that the intruder had further violent intentions and that they were actually trespassing.
 
Castle doctrine
So called because it is based on adopted 18th century common law wording “And the law of England has so particular and tender a regard to the immunity of a man's house, that it stiles it his castle”.
In certain states in the US, the castle doctrine or castle law is a legal defense. This is a legal doctrine that designates that a person’s home or any legally occupied place (could be a vehicle) is a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting the use of force including deadly force as a defense against an intruder, free from legal prosecution for the consequences of the force used.

A person my have a duty to retreat to avoid violence if it is reasonably possible to do so. This duty to retreat does not apply in the person’s home where that person has a right to be. Deadly force may be justified as a defense in cases when the person fears in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm to themselves or another. The castle doctrine is not a defined law but rather a set of principles that can be incorporated in some form in the law of many jurisdictions.

In practice
You should always go to a safe place like your bedroom or a bathroom, lock yourself in and call the police. You can only use deadly force when your life or the life of another in your direct vicinity is in life-threatening danger beyond any doubt. When you decide to shoot an intruder in your home, there must have been no alternative – a last resort.

For you to justify the use of deadly force, the intrusion must be unlawful, the attack must be imminent or already happening, the intrusion must not be complete, the defense must be against only the intruder or attacker and defensive action must be proportionate to the circumstances.

Bear in mind that your property is not worth more than the life of an intruder.

​Possessing a firearm at home gives you a huge responsibility to use it wisely in difficult moments. Should you get woken in the middle of the night to the sound of someone breaking in, then your heart is sure to start racing while you try to work out what to do – stay calm, breathe deeply and ensue you make the correct decision.

Related:
15 Affordable Ways to Protect Your Home in an Emergency
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The Best Gun for Self Defense

5/26/2017

2 Comments

 
​by Douglas Brooks

Many people within modern American society no longer feel safe and secure out in public and within their homes. The issue of self- defense is very important for many individuals especially when it comes to protecting the lives of their loved ones and their possessions.
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Choosing the right type of gun for the purpose of self-defense can be a difficult thing for people to do, especially when they’re unfamiliar with the use of firearms. However, there are certain types of weapons which are best suited for close combat fighting and personal protection.

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​Revolvers for Self Defense
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Many experts rate revolvers at the top of the list for self and home defense. In the past, police forces used them as their standard issue firearm for their officers. Unfortunately, this all changed during the 1990s when criminals started to use guns that were deadlier than the revolver. The police force had to upgrade their firearms in order to overcome this problem. They decided to use semi-automatic weapons which were more powerful and faster than the revolvers that they previously carried.
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Even though revolvers are no longer standard weapons of choice for many law enforcement personnel, there are a few police departments that still continue to issue these weapons to their officers. Revolvers are small, fairly lightweight and they are easy to use when compared to a semi-automatic gun. These types of weapons typically have 2 ½ to 5 inch barrels that can be hidden with relative ease and it takes very little skill to properly use this weapon.

Revolvers do not have to be frequently cleaned in order to work properly. Gun experts claim that revolvers such as the .38 are powerful enough to stop intruders and attackers but not so powerful that they’re hard to shoot and control.
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Smaller revolvers are not designed to cause an excessive amount of damage to a person’s body or to destroy property. A larger revolver such as the .357 has a little more kick to it and it is probably a good idea for a person to get some training before using this weapon.

Revolvers typically have 2 ½ to 5 inch barrels which means that they good for close combat situations. People should also avoid revolvers with unexposed hammers since they could possibly get caught in clothing or misfire. The types of revolvers which most weapons experts suggest for personal defense are .38 and .357.
Semi-Automatic Weapons for Self Defense

​Semi-automatic pistols are another class of guns that is commonly used for the purpose of self-defense. These weapons are more powerful than most revolvers and they are able to hold more rounds. People can reload these weapons rather quickly since they use clips.

The cons of using this weapon includes consistent training, knowing how to clean the weapon, knowing how to load and reload clips, understanding how to use the safety and how to properly work the weapon. Semi-automatic pistols can also be easily concealed.

Firearms experts claim that this class of handgun should be used by individuals who have experience with shooting weapons. Semi-automatics are also prone to malfunction when compared to revolvers. Glocks are some of the most common types of semi-automatic handguns that are used for the purpose of self-defense.


Shot Guns Good for Home Defense

12 gauge and pump action shot guns are also considered excellent choices for self-defense especially within the home. These types of weapons do not require a lot of training and they are fairly easy to operate. They are designed for up close combat situations since they are fairly easy to maneuver.
The barrels of these shot guns are fairly long which is about 18 inches and this will allow a person to easily wield the weapon in close combat situations. Experts claim that the recoil on these guns is not that powerful if a person uses lower caliber shells. Shot guns shoot their rounds in a wide pattern which means they are good for stopping multiple attackers who are positioned within a close formation.

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Sponsor Ads
Rifles

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Rifles are considered one of the worst weapons to use for the purpose of self-defense. Rifles can stop an intruder or assailant from causing harm but this class of gun can be hard to operate and maneuver in close combat situations. Rifles with a scope are good for medium to long range shooting and a person would have to be skilled at using a particular kind of rifle in an emergency situation where close quarter combat takes place. Rifles are also harder to conceal and to reload.
Regardless of the type of weapon that a person uses for the purpose of self-defense they should know how to properly use their gun and make sure that their firearms are cleaned and well maintained. It is also highly advisable for individual to know about the gun and self-defense laws within their local communities.

 
This post is written by Douglas Brooks. He is the founder of ProReviewly.com . He was enthusiastic about hunting from the first shot. He is also Rifle optic guru.
2 Comments

15 Affordable Ways to Protect Your Home in an Emergency

8/3/2016

6 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

​Most emergencies bring the possibility of putting your and your family's lives at risk. Most people will take shelter in their home, because this is where their emergency supplies are stashed and the place where they feel safe. It is where they feel the most comfortable. Even though a home will provide basic safety from the elements, it may not be safe from those who don't have the same supplies and safety net you do.

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​Those people could become a real threat and may be willing to do you serious harm to take what you have, including your home. You have to be able to protect your home and ultimately, the people sheltering inside. The supplies you have in your home are going to be extremely valuable. Having food, water and first aid supplies will be critical to your survival, which is why it is important you guard and protect what you have. Imagine being tossed out into the street without nothing more than the clothes on your back. You can stop that from happening by finding ways to protect your home. 

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Protection doesn't have to cost you a fortune. There are plenty of ways you can protect your home in an emergency that are very affordable and fairly simple.

1-Sheets of plywood can be purchased new for under $10. Each sheet is typically 4x8 feet which can cover a door or a couple of windows. Have these sheets cut and stashed and ready to put over the windows and doors that are susceptible to be broken into. Use long screws drilled into the window frame to hang the wood as soon as disaster strikes. Nails are too easy to pry up. Short screws can be removed fairly easy as well by a determined person who wants to get inside. The wood will be a good thing to have in the case of a natural disaster or other scenario that can result in windows being blown out and leaving your home seriously damaged.

2-A preemptive approach will go a long way to keeping your home safe. Using large boulders in front of the home looks attractive and relatively normal while it makes it impossible for a vehicle to ram your front door. The boulders will also create a fence that will make it difficult for someone to get into the yard with a way to escape quickly.

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3-Planting thorny rose bushes and barberry bushes under the windows on the first floor will help keep intruders out. Planting these bushes in between the giant boulders around the perimeter of the home will add another layer of protection.

4-Window alarms can be purchased at any hardware store for under $10. These alarms work similar to electronic security systems. When a window is opened past a certain point, the alarm will go off. You can put these small, inexpensive alarms on your doors as well.
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​5-A dog is an excellent deterrent. A large breed tends to look scarier in general, any dog will offer some form of protection. You don't have to buy a pure bred German shepherd or similar protection dog. A mixed breed will be just as effective. If you cannot have a dog, you can fake out would-be attackers. Have some large chew toys and bones in the front yard area. Post a “Beware of Dog” sign on your fence or front door. Take it a step further and borrow large piles of dog scat to strategically place in your yard. You can even buy fake scat! Other paraphernalia like a leash, studded collar and heavy chain strewn about to really sell the guard dog idea is also helpful.

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6-Lighting is one of the best ways to deter bad guys. Bad guys like to lurk in the dark. They aren't big on lighted areas. Motion detector lights can be purchased for less than $20. Install them in areas that tend to be shrouded in darkness. Don't count on the street lights working. You can invest in solar-powered motion lights that will ensure you always have light, even in the darkness.

7-Install dead bolts on your front and back doors. If you have a garage door, put one on there too. The dead bolt should be a Grade 1 or 2 at the minimum. Use long screws, 3 to 6 inches in length, to install strike plates. You want them secure and not easily wiggled and broken into. While it isn't exactly cheap, check with your local Habitat for Humanity store to see if you can get a great deal on a solid wood door. Solid doors are much more secure than the lower-quality doors that are hollow in the center.

8-Window locks are cheap and easy to install. While a window lock may not be enough to keep a determined person out, it will stop the average thief. The locks will prevent the window opening more than a few inches, similar to what you would find in a hotel room with an outward facing window. A wooden dowel in the window track will be just as effective. This is a good idea for a sliding glass door. An old mop or broom handle will work great in the track of sliding glass doors.

9-Rig up tripwires around the perimeter of your home to alert you to potential intruders. This can be as simple as fishing line and some old cans. String the wire low to the ground. If you have grass, the grass will hide it well or a flower bed or some shrubs. Attach some cans, a cow bell or even some washers to the end of the fishing line. When a potential intruder crosses the line, the alert will sound and you will have the chance to get ready for an attack.

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10-Bars on the windows are not appealing for most, but they are an effective deterrent. If you are not comfortable with the bars as a part of your permanent look, you can have them sitting in the garage ready to put on in a hurry. You really only need bars on the ground level floors. They don't have to be pretty. Have the hardware in place and ready to use at the first sign of trouble. Check second hand stores and the Habitat stores for secondhand security bars.

11-Make your home look undesirable. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Toss out clothing, garbage and break a chair. Toss it all in the front yard to make it look like your home has already been ransacked. Putting the plywood over the windows further lends to that look. Put some empty food cans and food containers around as well. You want potential thieves to look at your house and assume it has been stripped and isn't worth the effort.

12-Keeping with the ramshackle look, have a can of spray paint on standby. When things get ugly, graffiti the outside of your house. If the home looks worthless, thieves on a mission to find things of value, food and water are not going to bother when the house next door looks perfect.

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13-Caution tape and quarantine signs can also go a long way to keep bad guys away. You can buy these things online or at a party store. You can take it a step further by keeping extra ketchup and/or red spray-paint on hand to create “blood spatters” on the walkway, doors and windows. Most people are not going to want to mess with a nasty crime scene. If you are in a pandemic situation, the quarantine sign will be enough to deter any healthy looters away.

14-Say it like it is. Put up signs announcing you will shoot anybody who crosses onto your property. The very threat of a gun is enough to keep most people at way. You can make your own signs or buy some very creative signs on the internet. The message is the same, trespassers will be shot or injured. It tells potential trespassers you are armed and willing to fight.

15-Fences that include barbed wire along the top are certainly effective, but they are not always convenient. If you live in the suburbs, barbed wire could be an issue. If you are going to use a tall fence as part of your protection plan, make sure it encompasses the entire property. A working gate that can be locked or blocked is a must. A short fence that can be easily jumped isn't going to do much. Make the fence effective by making sure it is at least 6 feet high and made of a material that isn't easily smashed or crashed.
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Protecting your home requires brains and brawn. You want to outsmart the bad guys without wasting a lot of money on weapons and other expense equipment that can be easily taken or destroyed. Take a walk around your home and identify any areas that are susceptible for break-ins. Take action now so you are ready for anything. If you can avoid violence, it is always going to be better for you. Take the time to get the supplies mentioned above so you are ready at a moment's notice. You don't need the additional stress.
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​Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes 
and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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6 Comments

The 5D’s to Protect Your Home During a Crisis

7/13/2016

4 Comments

 
By Dennis Diaz

When it comes to home protection there are several things that will be effective whether you’re protecting against intruders under normal day to day circumstances or against looters under a larger scale crisis.

However there are many aspects that would be much more ineffective in a larger scale crisis.
In a previous article we touched on some of the basics of home protection against intruders under normal conditions. 

However in this post we’ll focus more on recommendations for a larger scale crisis
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The 5D’s - Ultimately a comprehensive family protection plan will include the following 5 components

​Deter

How to make your home less of a target? This area occurs before you are aware that there’s a threat. The idea is to implement elements that will affect the potential intruders psyche and make them choose a different target.

There two main ways to do this
  1. Make yourself and your home seem to strong and protected that a potential intruder will choose to target someone else. The problem with this is that it takes a great deal con resources to appear this strong. And it’s just a matter of time before someone figures out that, if you’re protecting your home that hard, there must be something very valuable inside and chooses to attack. Its almost like putting up a "Preppers Live Here" sign.
  2. Pretend you are worse off than you actually are. This will cause potential intruders to not really want to target you because the risk might not be worth the loot. This is achieved by blending in and making your home the Grey home.
    A few ways to do this is
  • Dogs
  • Cameras – In a collapse power might be out, but the sight of a camera will always put doubt in an intruders mind (Can they see me?)
  • Fences and barriers
  • NRA or Armed Group stickers or signs - Make them think there is a chance they will get hurt by looting from your home
 

Detect
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How can I have advance warning of looting? Knowing someone is coming will give you the ultimate advantage over a possible intruder. Nothing is worse than being caught off guard and have no time to react
A few ways to achieve this is
  • If there’s power -Motion detectors, motion trip flares, cameras
  • If there’s no power –
  • Layers of tripwires attached to air horns/sirens
  • Chimes & bells attached to doors, gates and fences
  • Dogs
  • Create a neighborhood intelligence and response plan

​Delay


How can I make my home harder to loot or buy me time? Once you’re aware of the threat this area is designed is to give you as much time as possible and also funnel the threat to apposition you are able to defend.

This is where the layers of security element actively engages with the potential threat. You want to have as much separation and as many layers between you and the intruder as possible

You want to start with the outer perimeter
  • Fences
  • Thorny bushes
  • Razor wire
  • Trenches
  • Lookouts and Snipers     
  • Alarms  
  • Barricades & Obstacles  
  • Old cars and other junk  
  • Natural barriers
  • Traps
 
Then you want to harden your home        
 
  • Reinforced your doors - One simple and cost effective way of making this harder is to reinforce the jams and door-frame with something like the EZ Armor Door security kit
  • Install brackets, slide in 2X4 board at doors, Charley Bar for sliding glass doors
  • Replace glass on windows with high strength plexiglas or add security films
  • Reinforce walls and entry points with sand bags. –a well configured sandbag barrier will give you ballistic protection in case
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At the same time, if the delaying layers are being defeated you want to design your system so it funnels the threat if it continues to defeat your delaying layers.

What is "Funneling"? – It basically means, directing attackers into the positions that you want them to be in. This can be by implementing the use of, barriers such as fences, logs, rock walls, ditches, ponds, pools, heavy brush, etc., can all be used to keep people from hiding and force them to a location where you can defend. 

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Defend

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What is my defense plan? If the intruders defeat all your delaying mechanism and you need to defend yourself, hopefully you would have vantage points over all potential possible entry points and have your primary defense weapon ready and available.  Also make sure you have as many movement/escape options as possible while limiting the movement options the intruder has.

When it comes to a physical confrontation, there are no guarantees. You need to give yourself the advantage by being better trained, having a better position, having a better plan and understanding that violence of action is both a physical and a mental action that requires both preparation and conditioning. The best advice here is train and make the most out of your training by visualizing every possible scenario and rehearsing a response.

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Depart

When all else fails, how do I escape the threat? Even the best plans can go wrong. ALWAYS understand that protecting yourself and your family is more than protecting your home. It means that you need to understand when it’s time to leave. When the position is no longer attainable you need to move out with intent and with the same force you defend yourself.

Keeping escape routes and tools, like fire ladders, available and ready will give you a better chance of escaping if your position can no longer be defended.

Its critical to develop a comprehensive family protection plan, but the real key is to constantly rehears it, adapt and put it to the test.
 
Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes 
and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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4 Comments

Home Defense and Security Expert Interview Jim Cobb

7/21/2015

0 Comments

 
In this interview I spoke with one of the leading experts in emergency preparedness, home defense & security and survival.

Jim Cobb is the owner and lead trainer for DisasterPrepConsultants.com. His articles on preparedness have been published in national magazines such as Boy's Life. You can find him online at SurvivalWeekly.com. His books include Prepper's Home Defense, The Prepper's Complete Book of Disaster Readiness, and Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide. Jim lives in the Upper Midwest with his beautiful wife and their three adolescent weapons of mass destruction.

See Jim's books here

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​Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes 

and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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Arming for Home Defense: Choosing Your Weapon

5/2/2015

0 Comments

 
By Survival Ready Blog Contributor

Arming oneself for home defense is nonnegotiable among many safety-minded Americans. If you choose not to arm yourself and your family, there are plenty of other things you can do to keep yourself safe. If you do choose to take up arms, your choice of weapons is an important one.

For the purposes of this post, we will be talking about firearms. They are the most convenient and effective way to arm yourself for self-defense purposes. Keep in mind that there are many different varieties and hundreds of models to choose from. The question is what is the right choice for you?

For all intents and purposes the three main types of guns you can arm yourself with are:
  1. handguns
  2. long guns
  3. shotguns

Each individual has his or her own preferences in this area. Some prefer handguns because they are smaller, easier to conceal and provide for higher magazines. Others prefer shotguns because they allow for self-defense at greater distances. Still others prefer long guns for their accuracy. It has been said that purchasing a gun is a very personal decision. The pros and cons of all three types is proof of that.


A Gun You Can Handle  

Perhaps more important than the type of gun is to choose one you can properly handle. If you are small framed without a lot of upper body strength, for example, you may not be able to control a shotgun well enough to use it effectively. If you do not have the ability to hold your hands relatively steady, a handgun might not be the best option.

It is a good idea to try out a few before you purchase a gun. Most gun shops will have access to a local shooting range if they do not have one on-site. Make a point of visiting the range with experienced gun owners and a number of different models you can experiment with. Most of all go with an open mind. Do not settle on the type of gun you want before trying all three types at the range.

Also keep in mind that home defense involving firearms typically take place in close quarters. You are not likely to be firing at someone from 100 yards in a home defense situation. Therefore, whatever gun you choose is one you will have to be comfortable enough with to adequately control it in tight spaces.

Know How to Use It  

The next step after purchasing your gun is to learn how to use it safely and effectively. There are right and wrong ways to fire a gun for self-defense purposes. If you do not know how to use the gun you bought, you could be putting your own life in danger. You could also inadvertently harm family members as well.

Learning how to properly use your weapon includes regular practice in drawing and firing. Let us just say, for example, you have chosen a .38 caliber revolver for personal defense and a shotgun for home defense. Both operate distinctly differently. You need practice drawing, aiming and firing both so that you are prepared for any situation. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. The goal of practice is to be able to safely discharge both firearms without having to think about it. In the heat of the moment, you will likely not have time to think.

Arming yourself for home defense is one of many things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe. When combined with a home security system and high-quality locks, taking up arms could mean the difference between surviving and becoming a victim.

Sources:
1.      GunOwners.org - https://www.gunowners.org/sk0802htm.htm
2.      Monitronics.com
- http://www.monitronics.com/home-security-packages
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Security Measures to Protect Your Home

1/14/2015

3 Comments

 
Security should be part of your day to day life and routine, for even in peaceful times our homes are under human threat. In a disaster or emergency situation, the human threat is significantly greater.

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Burglaries are ever present threats that can occur in times of peace or during social unrest, here are a few simple tips you can easily implement to improve your home security and reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Make your house a hard target
The best way to defend your home from burglaries is to avoid them altogether. By making your home less attractive to burglars and adding deterring elements, you greatly reduce your chances of being a victim of these threats. Walk around your neighborhood and see if you house could looks more attractive to burglars than others. Look for things like:
  • A large flat screen TV boxes or other electronics in the trash
  • Poor lighting
  • Easily accessible windows
  • Shrubs and trees where someone can hideout
  • No visible security systems

Security Systems
Alarm systems are excellent additions to home security, with a control panel and sensors to monitor the property. Simply having an alarm on the side of your house will deter most criminals.

Detector Sensors
The following security systems can be used to detect a threat or a trespasser:
  • Smoke detector
  • Wireless roof infrared
  • Multi-beam infrared detector
  • PIR angle detector
  • Gas detector
  • Wireless monitoring system
  • PIR motion detector
  • Signal transfer unit
  • Burglar alarm surveillance card
  • Glass break sensor
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​Security cameras (real or fake) 

I always recommend people have security cameras around the perimeter of their homes whenever possible. Security cameras are a great deterrent to would be burglars. But real security camera can be really expensive. A good alternative is to have fake "dummy" cameras. These cameras look just like the real thing and can achieve a similar level of deterrence. Most burglars wont try their chances if they think they might be on camera.

Signage
Signs like security system lawn signs and "beware of dog" signs and even NRA stickers could be enough to deter a would be criminal from trying to enter your home.

​Double Entry Doors
Make double doors secure by fitting heavy-duty slide bolts to the non- active door. Make sure these bolts slide into deep recesses in the door frame and floor. Multiple locks make it very difficult for someone to kick a door open, and the spread of bolts distributes the force of the impact along the entire length of the doorjamb.

Hurricane Shutters
Windows are by far the most vulnerable points of your house. Hurricane shutters protect windows from storm damages, but can also be used to deter would be burglars. The average time a burglar will attempt a force entry before giving up is four minutes. When faced with such security, most burglar are likely to give up and move on.

Patio Locks
Do not focus all your attention on the front of the house. Door leading to patios and backyard are often more secluded and should also be protected. Patio windows can be very vulnerable to break-ins because they provide some cover and provide would be burglars more time to achieve their objectives. At minimum, fit separate patio locks on the frames, but ideally the windows should be protected by security shutters.

Door Security
Security should be a part of your everyday routine. When at the door, always use a peephole, lock and latch to control who enters your home, and don’t be afraid of keeping people outside if you are not sure of their intentions. Peepholes and security chains can be easily added to doors.


Bolts and Locks
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Hinge bolts provide an extra degree of security around a door, giving multi-point locking and thus making the door more resistant to force entry. 

Deadbolt locks provide far more secure locking than spring loaded bolts; they can only be opened by rotating the lock cylinder, whereas a spring-loaded bolt can be forced open with pressure to the bolt itself.


Dogs
A dog not only provides you with companionship, it also gives you a great natural burglar alarm and a powerful form of self defense should an aggressor make it into your property. A dog’s bark or the sight of a dog may be enough to put off some burglars.



Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes 
and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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3 Comments

3 Little Known Things Your Urban Survival Kit May Need

1/13/2015

1 Comment

 
Compiled by Survival Ready Blog Team
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One of the few certainties in life is that uncertainty is always present. Although we would like to choose a scenario where we have to deal with emergencies and disasters, in reality we have very limited control over where we’ll be or when they’ll occur. It is very challenging to be “ready” at all times, but we can definitely minimize the risks and vulnerabilities by creating a plan and having the tools/skills we anticipate we’ll need. In an urban survival scenario, especially near large cities, there are circumstances that are quite unique. 

For instance if you work downtown or take public transportation from and to work, you probably share your space with several hundred people a day. Perhaps you work in a tall office building or near coastal areas. All these factors have to be taken into consideration when putting together an urban survival kit. 


Many people have an urban survival kit at home, assuming they’ll be at home when they need it. What happens if you are in transit to work when an earthquake hits? What if you are in the 20th floor of your office building?How are you going to get down the street? How are you going to get home?

Below are 3 things you can do to your urban survival kit today  to greatly reduce your vulnerability during an emergency.


1. Get Home Bag (GHB)
Via Survival Cache

Imagine for a minute that you work downtown in a large city, maybe you ride the subway or take a bus to work everyday. You are in a large office building with many floors, thousands of people, and you are on the fifteen or twentieth story. If a disaster strikes how are you going to get out? I mean literally. If there is an earthquake, or a catastrophic man made event how are you going to get out of your building? How are you going to get down the street? How are you going to get home? Do you want to be one of the people covered in dust wandering around in shock? I sure don’t.

But I have my Bug out Bag you say!

Oh really, where is it? Even if it is in your car it is useless to you at this point. The parking garage is at street level and possibly blocks away. That could mean life or death in this situation and you need to act now.

Even if you could get to your Bug Out Bag, how much good would it do you in this environment? Most people’s B.O.B. is packed for survival in the wilderness. Camping gear, food, clothing, etc.

A Get Home Bag contains an entirely different set of tools and serves one purpose: To get you from wherever you are to your Home.

Your GBH should contain things that are going to get you out of the building like a prybar. Things to help you make it through the aftermath like water and breathing masks. Things you might use to help rescue others like flashlights or radios. Things that will help you on what could be a very long walk home such as food and maybe shoes.

Clearly a GHB is not a Bug Out Bag. Sure they have some overlap, but a GBH can be much smaller, less weight conscious, have more specific tools, and be planned for one purpose. Do you have one cached in your office or place of work?

2. A Bug Out Plan
Via Survival Cache

So you made it home, now what? Let’s assume that the SHTF out there. You have surveyed the situation and determined that the city is in mass chaos and you need to get out now. What do you do ? Again, you have your Bug Out Bag, but you still have to get out of the city. Do you have a Bug Out Plan?

For our purposes here lets assume that your Bug Out Plan needs to get you from your home to your serious survival cache or Bug Out Location outside of the city. I understand that not everybody has caches hidden in various places, and even fewer people have a dedicated But Out Location. While you should probably be working on that, you still need a Bug Out Plan.

There’s no way I can go through all of the various problems you might encounter while trying to bug out of your city so you will have to plan for yourself. What I will give you are some questions to consider and one rule: Contingency. Is your way out double, triple, and quadruple backed up?
If the highways are shutdown do you have a surface street route?
If no roads are passable do you have an off road route?
If driving is out of the question do you have a planned walking or riding route? (Do you have maps of your area in your Bug Out Bag?)
Do you have a rendezvous point with other family members?

3. A Bug In Plan
Via Survival Cache

Lets back up a minute. Pretend you just got home again, but this time you surveyed the situation and decided that you are not in immediate danger but are still not at situation normal. Now what do you do? A Bug In Plan is for emergency situations where you can stay in your own home but have to rely on your own preparations to survive. This might just mean that you will be without power or water for an extended period. Maybe it means you actually can’t leave your home at all for whatever reason.

What plans do you have in place to live like this? A Bug in Plan should include food and water preparations first and foremost. What will you eat since all of the food in your refrigerator is going to be bad soon? Do you really want to live on the backpack meals out of your Bug Out Bag when you don’t have to? (Be sure to stock the Top 100 items that will Disappear First).

How much water do you have stored? Do you have a sewage system set up. (No water=no sewage: its always the little things….) Do you have unprepared neighbors to worry about? (To help or guard against?)

Starting out a survival situation in an urban environment is almost an immediate set-back compared to those bugging out from more rural areas, but with a Get Home Bag, a Bug Out Plan, and a Bug In Plan you are better off than most people.

Building An Urban Survival Kit
Urban Survival Kit Planning Factors

Via The Bugout Bag Guide

Bug out situations that occur in urban centers have a number of unique factors to consider when building your Bug Out Bag packing list.  These urban survival factors include:
  • Having to deal with building debris and glass in the wake of the disaster event
  • Increased likelihood of opportunities to scavenge water and food from abandoned buildings
  • Possibility of finding supply caches in abandoned buildings – looting is not endorsed by this site but if abandoned supplies mean the difference between life and death, go for it
  • Increases likelihood of encountering humans – This can be both good and bad based on the disposition of the people encountered and how you handle the situation.  Other survivors can be bartered with and be valuable sources for information as well as dangerous criminals.  Approach them with caution in mind.
  • Less need for emergency shelter as there should be many buildings around and debris available to cobble a shelter together if need be.

Some urban survival kit gear that will help you deal with these factors:
  • Crow bar/pry bar – For scavenging and removing barriers and debris as well as hammering out glass.
  • Tool for Fire Hydrants/Gas Mains – This is useful if you find yourself in a house with gas leaking or if you want to access a fire hydrant for some clean water.
  • Work Gloves – If you have to break glass or move debris these will save your hands and keep you working and moving much longer.  These can be picked up in any hardware store.
  • Dust Mask – If there are collapsed buildings in your area this will protect your lungs from airborne debris particles.  These can also be picked up in any hardware store.
  • Permanent Marker – The nature of the urban environment will give you opportunities to leave markings or notes for yourselves or others in your party.
  • Can opener – In an urban survival situation there will be many more opportunities to scavenge food than in a rural locality.  A can opener will enable you to easily access preserved food that you come across.
  • Metal Spork – Scavenged food will need a way to get to your mouth.
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5 Simple but Effective Booby Traps

1/3/2015

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By Survival Ready Blog Team
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Booby traps are devices intended to threaten, disable, or kill a person by using the element of surprise to your advantage. These devices are usually unknowingly triggered by the victim.

Booby traps typically operate for these purposes:
1. Delay the enemy.
2. Channelize the enemy.
3. Harass and demoralize the enemy.
4. Supplement firepower.


Here are some of our favorite creative booby traps that will almost guaranty to neutralize your enemy when things go wrong:


1. Feather Spear Trap

2. Cartridge Booby Trap

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3. Punji Stake Pit

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4. Punji Bear Trap

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5. Paracord Snare Trap

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(See full instructions at DIY Ready)


Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario Click Here
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Home Survival During Civil Unrest

12/19/2014

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By Jesse Jones

When the world starts feeling uneasy, and civil unrest is right on the brink, there will be many people who are unprepared for what's about to happen. With the economy in a weakened state, there are many nations approaching the edge of civil unrest, and knowing how to keep your home safe during civil unrest can safe your life, and your family.

Home Survival During Civil Unrest 

Most people will choose to stay in their homes during times of civil unrest. 
This is understandable as people are more comfortable in areas they feel are familiar. 


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The problems comes with keeping others out of your house when they are in need of supplies that you may have.

Fortifying Your Home 

It's vital that you fortify your house as soon as you are aware of a potential problem. Waiting until after someone has broken in for the first time can be very costly, and it might be too late to gather supplies before it gets worse.

Having pre-cut materials on hand before a problem arises is your best bet. You should have sheets of plywood prepared to place on the inside of your windows. Yes, it's best to screw these boards in from the inside of your house. This will prevent outsiders from removing the boards easily, and allows you to remove them if needed.

Another important area to prepare for are outside facing doors. Most household doors aren't designed to take high amounts of abuse. You can sturdy a door with a few easy items. As most man doors open to the inside, having some 2x4 boards can be handy. You can lay a chunk on its side, and screw it to the floor against the door, preventing the door from being opened.

Although this is a good temporary means of blocking a door, it's not going to stop someone who has decided to fight to enter your household. Using 2x4's again, you can cut to length 3 boards that when set across the door, will reach about 3-4 inches over your trim. Put on board on its side in front of the door, securely screwing it to the floor. Place a second at the top of your door where it goes across your door, and overlaps on either side. Screwing the board to the door directly, into the trim package, and into the doors frame studs. Do the same with your third board, but put this one just above your deadbolt.

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Secondary Defenses 

Ideally, you will have set up enough defenses and deterrent's to ward of any person looking to enter your home for supplies. Unfortunately, there is always the chance that someone figures out a way inside. Having a secondary plan for intruders is also very important. Have a code word for your family that signals they need to get to a pre-set safe room, and hunker down. Having firearm's, bladed, or blunt weapon's available to deal with intruders is also recommended. We suggest you also become fluent in the use of the weapons you choose to keep around. 


When the SHTF ruthless predators will roam about seeking their next target. And sooner or later, they’re gonna find you too…

Last Resort 

Although we do not want to easily hand over our shelter and supplies, in some cases a tactical retreat is all you can do to save your and your family's life. Have a plan setup with your family on where to go if you get split up during the course of escaping your property. Once you have escaped safely, you can reassess the situation and decide if trying to retake your house is the best tactical decision.

In most cases, poorly trained invaders will not suspect a retreat and then a counter attack. Attackers tend to focus on a single objective once the position has been taken. Unless they took the position for long term holding, they will be focusing on gathering your supplies and leaving. Catching them off guard as they scrounge your supplies will give you a huge advantage. That, and you know the terrain better than them hopefully. Use it to your advantage.

Keeping your family safe is important. Always have plans for as many scenarios as you can, making sure your children understand the basic components of each. Don't scare your children with these plans, but rather make the planning and execution a game. The faster and more accurately they execute these plans, the bigger their reward.

As always, Thank you for stopping by!

P.S. If you want to learn more about how to protect your home and your family during civil unrest, here's a simple, yet little known method that teaches how to implement these unusual home defense strategies and also warns about exactly why conventional preparedness can be deadly. Click Here

About the author
Jesse Jones has been writing for over 8 years for many news outlets and online media sources. He is an avid survivalist and prepper who can be found writing articles on his personal survival blog www.365preppers.com go check him out!

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Urban Threats and Preparation Tips

12/18/2014

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By Survival Ready Blog Team

Social Unrest

The world outside your home or bunker can be a dangerous one, not least from desperate individuals or mobs that are looking to take advantage of the situation or simply prepared to do anything to survive.

Riots

Riots can be precipitated by several different factors, from sporting events to political protests. Not so long ago there were massive protests all around the country after the grand jury decisions of the Michael Brown and Eric Gardner cases. In these cases, some of the protests escalated to the point where special police units were called in.

In general when riots take place, major stores and wealthy-looking houses are typically targeted by looters and criminals, so avoid such locations during times of civil disturbances.

Stop and Search

During a disaster, be prepared to encounter law enforcement and security services conduction stop-and-search operations. Emotions can be running high at this time, so ensure that yu comply with all the orders given to you, especially if searches are armed. In certain disaster situations, if you have the necessary supplies, it might be safer to stay at home.

Social Breakdown

Civil emergencies are often accompanied by anti-social behavior, particularly looting. Steer clear from looting gangs, as they might be targeted by an aggressive response from law enforcement or military agencies.

Military Presence

When military forces are deployed to the streets during a general crisis or a specific emergency, their rules of engagement can range from stop-and-search to shoot-on-sight. Obey any curfew in place, and don’t carry a firearm or weapon in open sight of military units as this may prompt them into immediate armed response. 


When the military drops by, hide your contempt. This may go against the grain, but the survival of you and your family is your number one priority. Ask a few questions but not too many. You need to be the grey man, totally unmemorable. Nothing you say or do, nothing about the way you look should make you memorable.

Urban threats are generally more devastating due to the compound effect it has on a large population. First the devastation of the main triggering event of the emergency like natural disasters or phenomena (Earthquakes, Hurricanes), then the effect the event has on supplies and services (lack of supplies at stores, no power or water) , then the reaction by opportunistic or desperate individuals(Looting & stealing), you can see how it can easily spiral into a much larger crisis.

However extensive your preparation in a urban setting, having a plan for an emergency and ensuring your family is aware of what to do and how to respond in such scenarios can be life saving in the moment of truth.



P.S. Here is a Method That is Helping Thousands to “Bullet Proof” Their Homes and Keep Their Families Safe in a SHTF Scenario. Click Here

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