Among all the concerns foremost in the minds of prepsteaders (preppers and homesteaders), defending the homestead has to rank among the top 3, right up there with providing shelter and growing food.
But just how good are your defense preparations? If (or when) the unthinkable finally happens, have you done everything you should to protect yourself and your family?
Spurred by some climatic event such as a horrific weather event, an EMP attack, a total breakdown in society or whatever it may be, if the marauding mobs come in search of food or loot, how confident are you that you can keep them out and keep your family safe?
Here’s a handy little checklist we put together of things you should be doing right now to ensure you’ll be ready later, no matter what comes down the road or over the fences.
5 Ultimate Defense Measures For Protecting Your Homestead:
We’ve seen all kinds of articles on what you can do to defend your home should SHTF. Some have lists of 25 or more steps you should take. That can be a confusing and daunting task.
Not to mention expensive.
In our experience, it ultimately comes down to just five very basic, unavoidable things you have to do. If you do nothing else, do these five.
#1: Ensure You Have Adequate Supplies
As a prepper or homesteader, you’re likely already building a well-rounded supply of food and medical supplies. If some event causes the food chain to fall apart or local food stores to go bottoms up, then your food pantry and garden are all you’ll have to feed your family.
Do you have enough food if SHTF tomorrow? If not, you need to take steps to get to food independence as soon as possible.
Do the math: if you need at least 3-days of food to provide 2000 (minimum) calories and one gallon of water per person in your family, how much does that come to? What if the disaster lasts 30 days—are you prepared for that?
If you find yourself short, plan now how you’re going to get the minimum of what you need. Set a goal date upon which you’ll be up to speed. If you need to buy more cans or freeze dried foods every trip to the grocery store, start doing that today.
#2: Build Out Your Defense Arsenal
Can you ever have too many defense firearms around the homestead?
Some would say yes, others would say no. Now is a good time to take a practical look at your current firearms collection to determine if you have what you need.
One or several firearms may or may not be enough. It depends upon the size and layout of your property, the number of buildings you have, the number of people in your family, and the potential threats you think you might be facing.
If we’re talking natural predators like wolves, then maybe you need fewer than if we’re talking starving mobs scaling your fences.
How many shotguns, rifles or handguns do you need to feel safe and actually be safe? Re-examine your situation and expand your arsenal if necessary.
#3: Install Backup Power Sources
Don’t rely upon the electrical grid being there for you in an emergency. Chances are, it could be days or weeks (or even more) until power is installed.
You need a backup power source.
Fortunately, there are a number of options: electrical generators, solar panels, wind power, etc.
If your preference is a propane or diesel generator, be sure you have plenty of fuel to last you through the emergency.
If you worry that the emergency could outlast the fuel (a distinct possibility), then look into solar or wind solutions.
#4: Install Home Security Systems
Keeping intruders out is always a concern. Some of the best ways to do that is to fortify your home with basic defense items like intruder-proof steel security doors, locking windows, external lighting, high quality bolt locks, motion-activated surveillance cameras and more.
Be careful of relying too heavily upon systems that rely upon either the electrical grid or the Internet. In a really nasty emergency, those will likely be unavailable.
Nonetheless, for less than the worst of events, these systems could play a vital role in your security. If you don’t have some of these in place, lay out a plan to acquire them as soon as you can.
#5: Get a Dog. Better Yet, Get Two.
Once you have your food and water supplies, arsenal, energy and home security needs handled, there’s probably little else you can do.
Unless you get a dog.
Dogs are great assets for home security, especially if you get one with a fierce appearance and a loud bark. Dogs can alert you to trespassers and intruders, and can convince them to move along to easier targets.
Naturally, most of us regard them as family pets. But they’re also effective parts of your overall home security program.
And it the grid goes down, dogs keep doing what they do. You have to get a dog, right? Maybe even two?
Defending the Homestead Is A Never Ending Chore.
You just cannot take your eye off the security ball. You never know when you’ll need to respond quickly to protect your household. The responsibility never ends.
How about your situation? What would you add to this very basic list? Anything you’d eliminate? Please respond in the comments section below.