While it’s true that homesteads happen to come in a variety of sizes and even more shapes, logically, the greater amount of acreage you have, the harder it will be to protect your property in a societal collapse from those who want to take the resources you have stored up for you and your family. Because, let’s face it, there are a lot of people out there who aren’t going to prepared for that kind of situation and will be caught unawares when the time comes. Thus, their survival will depend upon taking what others have.
According to The Homestead Survival Site, the very first thing you need to do when you’re looking to secure your property is to take a look around and determine all of the access points to it. Look for spots intruders get exploit to get inside your homestead. Let your insurance agent or even a local law enforcement officer tag along and provide you with their insights concerning weak spots. From there you can develop a plan to make those weak spots more secure.
Next, you can build fencing or install additional fencing to what you already have in place along the perimeter of your property. Locked gates can act as deterrents to those intruders who have thievery on the brain. You can also have alerts sent to your phone or computer whenever the gate is opened, allowing you to always know when someone is coming and going from your homestead.
Thieves are real big fans of the dark, so make sure you install adequate lighting around your perimeter. Motion detection lighting is a fantastic way to light up different areas of the homestead so that you know when someone is moving around on your grouds.
Here’s a few more tips you might want to consider:
4. Set Up Video Cameras
Security cameras in key areas can alert you when someone enters your property and give you additional eyes and ears. You can link these cameras with your smartphone for round-the-clock surveillance no matter where you are.
5. Build Relationships With Your Neighbors
You and your neighbors can help deter crime by notifying each other when something or someone doesn’t seem right. Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your place when you’re away and offer to return the favor for them.
6. Install a Security System
You can find a security system to meet the needs of your homestead and your budget that includes window and door alarms, interior motion sensors, and other features.
7. Invest in Stronger Doors and Better Locks
How hard would it be to kick or push in the doors to your home, garage, and outbuildings? Consider replacing your existing doors with reinforced models that also have sensors to alert you when they open. Install heavy deadbolts to add to the security of stronger doors.
8. Get Some Dogs
Dogs have much better hearing than we do, and they often know the second a vehicle or person on foot enters their property. Although dogs of all sizes can serve as early warning devices, two or more large dogs with deep barks can definitely deter unwelcome visitors.
The report also mentions using pea gravel on all of the pathways on your property. The crunchy sound will help alert you to movement on your property. Utilize landscaping as a means of property protection. Plant thorny berry bushes beneath windows. Dig ditches, four to five feet in depth, as a boundary around critical areas of your property. Before you take that step you need to check with local regulations concerning ditches on private acreage.
Make sure that your most precious valuables and treasures are placed inside a locked safe. Post up signs all over the place letting intruders know that they are risking their lives by being on your homestead without permission. Inform them with signage that says “Do Not Enter,” “Beware of Dog,” and other phrases so they know you mean business.
You should also make use of interior light timers, which will turn lights on and off at various times throughout the day and night, giving the appearance that someone is home even when they aren’t.
Another important way to protect your property is to have an escape plan. Print maps of your property and mark areas where you can flee to safety during weather emergencies like a tornado, flood, or wildfire. Have a meeting spot in case family members are separated during such an emergency. Conduct drills so that everyone knows what to do when things go south.
Try not to share a lot of photos of your property on social media. Also avoid displaying pictures of new equipment you’ve purchased. Don’t post vacation photos until after you return from your trip. Teach your kids to be very reserved about the amount of information they share online.
Finally, your whole family needs to learn self-defense and hand-to-hand combat. Take shooting courses that are situation based and will help you and your family learn how to safely, properly handle various firearms. Learn how to knife fight. Martial arts like Kali have great weapons curriculum. Boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will equip you with hand-to-hand skills to help you protect yourself. Consider an Urban Combatives class too.
“For the most part, thieves are looking for opportunity not confrontation. By using your common sense and following the tips in this article, you can take away any opportunities your homestead offers,” the report concluded.
"*" indicates required fields