10 Home Security Tips for Life After SHTF?

Introduction

It’s hard to feel safe these days. Every time you turn on the news, there’s another story about break-ins, home invasions, and burglaries. And with the economy still struggling, it’s only going to get worse.

But there is some good news. You can take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. In this guide, we’ll share 11 tips for boosting your home security. Some of these tips are common sense, while others may surprise you.

But before we get started, let’s talk about what “SHTF” means. SHTF stands for “shit hits the fan.” It’s a euphemism for when everything goes wrong at once.

And while it may sound like the stuff of dystopian fiction, it can actually happen. Natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes can destroy entire towns overnight. And man-made disasters like economic collapses and pandemics can also upend our lives in an instant.

Of course, most of us will never experience anything like that in our lifetimes. But that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down. Because even small-scale disasters can have a big impact on our lives. And if we want to protect ourselves and our families, we need to be prepared for anything that comes our way.

So without further ado, here are 11 home security tips for life after SHTF:

Change your locks

One of the first things you should do after SHTF is change your locks. You never know who has a key to your house and if they could come back when you’re not there. If you have a deadbolt, make sure to get a new one that is high quality and pick-resistant. You should also get a new doorknob for added security.

Get a security system

A home security system will be one of your best investments when it comes to protecting your family and belongings after SHTF. A security system will deter burglars and alert you if someone tries to break into your home. There are many different types of security systems available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Home security systems typically come with sensors that are placed around the perimeter of your home. These sensors detect movement and generate an alarm that is sent to the monitoring center. The monitoring center will then call the police or send a security guard to your home. Most home security systems also come with cameras that record video footage of any activity that takes place around your home. This video footage can be used to identify burglars and help the police catch them.

Get a dog

A dog can be a great addition to your home security, even after SHTF. While most dogs will bark at strangers, some breeds are especially known for their protective instincts and can make excellent guard dogs. If you’re considering getting a dog for security purposes, do your research to choose a breed that will suit your needs.

Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when incorporating a dog into your post-SHTF security plan:

Choose a breed that is known for being protective. Some good options include German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Pit Bulls.
Train your dog to be alert and responsive to commands. This will help you better control them in a potentially dangerous situation.
Get your dog used to wearing a collar and leash. This will make it easier to control them if they need to be restrained for any reason.
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all their vaccinations. This will help protect them from any diseases they may come into contact with.
Keep your dog well-fed and exercised. A healthy and happy dog is more likely to be alert and responsive when it matters most.
Don’t leave your dog unsupervised for long periods of time. They should always have someone keeping an eye on them in case anything happens.
Be aware of your local laws regarding owning a guard dog. Some states have stricter regulations than others, so make sure you know what’s allowed before making any decisions.
Consider getting liability insurance for your dog in case they injure someone while protecting your home . This can help alleviate some financial stress in the event of an accident .
Have a plan in place for what to do with your dog if you need to evacuate your home . You don’t want to leave them behind if it isn’t safe , so make sure you have somewhere lined up that they can go .
Keep their nails trimmed and their teeth clean . This will help prevent any injuries they may cause if they need to fight off an intruder .

Install outdoor lighting

One of the best ways to deter burglars is to make your home difficult for them to approach undetected. Install motion-sensing lights around your property, especially near any dark corners or secluded areas. You can also use solar-powered lights to save on your energy bill.

Keep your doors and windows locked

In a post-SHTF world, you can’t be too careful. Make sure all your doors and windows are locked at all times, even when you’re home. If possible, install locks that can’t be picked or broken. Consider adding bars to your windows as well.

Get to know your neighbors

SHTF can mean a lot of different things, but one thing is for sure: it throws your everyday life into turmoil. One of the things that can help reduce the stress of a major life disruption is getting to know your neighbors. Here are 11 tips to help you do just that.

Get to know their names and faces. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to be able to put a name to a face. In an emergency situation, you’ll be more likely to remember someone’s name if you’ve already been introduced.
Learn their skills and strengths. Everyone has something they’re good at. Knowing what your neighbors are good at can be helpful in a variety of ways. For example, if you need help with a home repair, somebody with construction experience would be more useful than someone without any related skills.
Find out what they’re afraid of. This may seem like an odd thing to want to know, but it can actually be quite useful information in a SHTF scenario. If you know what someone is afraid of, you can better plan for how to protect them (or how best to avoid them if necessary).
Talk about your own skills and strengths (and weaknesses). Sharing information about yourself is a great way to build trust and rapport with your neighbors. They’re more likely to trust you if they know what you’re good at and what your weaknesses are.
Keep an eye on their property (and have them do the same for you). One of the best ways to build trust with your neighbors is by keeping an eye on each other’s property. If you see something suspicious, let them know right away so they can take appropriate action.
Know their work schedules (and let them know yours). In a SHTF scenario, it’s important to know when people will be away from home so you can better plan for security purposes. For example, if everyone in the neighborhood is gone during the day, it would be easy for an outsider to break into homes or cause other problems.
Introduce them to your family (if you have one). If you have kids or other family members living with you, introduce them to your neighbors so they can get to know them as well

Keep valuables out of sight

While you might not have much in the way of material possessions after SHTF, there are still going to be items that are valuable to you and that you’ll want to protect.

The first step in protecting your valuables is to keep them out of sight. If potential thieves can’t see your valuables, they’re less likely to target your home.

You can keep valuables out of sight by:
-Hiding them in safe places like a locked box or cupboard
-Covering them with a cloth or other object
-Putting them in a room that you can lock

In addition to keeping valuables out of sight, you should also take steps to protect them from fire and water damage. Store valuable items in waterproof containers and keep them away from potential sources of fire like candles and stoves.

Stop hiding keys

If you have a hiding place for your keys, now is the time to stop using it. When SHTF, you won’t be able to predict when or how someone might try to break into your home. If you have to leave your home in a hurry, the last thing you want to do is spend precious time hunting for a hidden key.

Instead, invest in a quality deadbolt lock and keep your keys with you at all times. If you have children, teach them how to use the deadbolt so they can let themselves in if necessary. You should also have a spare key hidden somewhere outside of your home, in case you lose your primary set.

Don’t post your vacation on social media

You may be excited to post about your upcoming trip on social media, but this is a security no-no. You are essentially advertising to the world that your home will be empty for an extended period of time. Instead, wait until you return from your trip to post your photos and memories.

Be prepared to defend your home

While you may not be able to prevent every disaster, you can be prepared to defend your home and loved ones against threats. Here are 11 security tips to help you do just that:

Be ever vigilant. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Pay attention to the people and things around you, and trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right.
Have a plan. In the event of an emergency, it’s important to know what you and your family will do. Planning ahead will help everyone stay calm and make it easier to act quickly and decisively.
Make your home an un inviting target. criminals are looking for easy targets. Making your home less inviting can deter would-be criminals and make it more difficult for them to break in. Some simple steps include trimming back bushes and trees near doors and windows, installing motion sensor lights, and using reinforced locks on all doors and windows.
Keep valuables out of sight. If a criminal does manage to break into your home, you don’t want them to get their hands on your most valuable possessions. Keep valuables in a safe or hidden from view altogether.
Be prepared to defend yourself . If push comes to shove, you may need to defend yourself or loved ones from an intruder with whatever is available . If possible, keep a weapon within reach , such as a baseball bat or stun gun . And remember , most intruders are looking for easy prey—don’t give them the satisfaction .
Know your neighborhood watch program (and participate in it ! ). If one exists in your neighborhood , sign up and get involved ! Knowing your neighbors is one of the best ways to keep an eye out for suspicious activity .
Get alarm system installed—and use it!. Alarm systems are one of the best ways to deter criminals because they make noise that will attract attention . Many times , simply having an alarm system is enough to make a criminal think twice about targetting your home . But don’t forget to actually use the system ! Don’t give potential burglars the chance by leaving doors or windows unlocked when you leave or go to bed at night 8
Invest in surveillance cameras —and use them!. Surveillance cameras have come down in price significantly over recent years , making them more affordable than ever before According