Offense scores the points but Defense wins the game!

We all remember when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and we watched a whole city crumble with no control over what was taking place. We watched from the comforts of our homes while millions were forced from their homes with nowhere to go. We saw people resorting to looting to survive and some just to have extra comforts. That was one city dealing with an event that forced them from their homes. Imagine if an event took place that ended super market reliance. Eventually those heavily populated urban areas are going to be evacuated and people will come towards the more rural areas. 

Since the masses will be coming towards those of us that are prepared for these events its important to remember that human nature is to survive. I know many people are not exposed to the darker side of people in real life, but let me tell you that people WILL come to take your things if they see a weakness. 

Remember I am not a militaristic person so I do not have great tips on how to establish a glorious fortress! What I do have is a basic knowledge of how to prepare my house. 

First thing you have to consider is who can you trust? In the worse case scenario you can trust no one except those closest to you. However, in less extreme scenarios you can trust people you know but what do you do when someone you do not know approaches your house?

This is where your discretion can come into play. You can give the person food and shelter and try to establish a new relationship with this person in hopes of securing more man power to tend to household chores or you can open fire on him if he does not get moving within 30 seconds of being warned. 

In both cases there could be consequences to your actions that you need to take into consideration. In the first case when you open your home to the stranger, you expose your weaknesses within your home. That person can find out that while all your doors are securely enforced your side door is only locked and is easier to open in the event of an emergency. Then this person might return within a week with backup knowing this weakness and break into your home to steal your goods. 

This person might also take advantage of your offering and then move on his way only to inform others of your kindness which will bring other strangers to your home in search of a free meal and clean drinkable water. 

In the event that you open fire on the individual you might be subject to retaliation by a group of people that the person was associated with. In the end you might be putting your family at risk simply because you did not take the time to communicate with the person. 

The actual home security should be taken seriously! I gave you the scenarios first just to make it real that people will come whether they are friendly or not! Some of the things to consider is boarding up windows but leaving gaps big enough to see though or to fit a rifle through if needed. I would also spray paint the windows black so that light during the night is not shown on the outside of the house. Another thing you might want to do is establish a vantage point. For me I would put a hole in my roof with a trap door so that I could get on the roof through the attic without going outside. 

You also want to set up a warning system of some sort letting you know if someone is on your land possibly trying to steal your resources. Something like this would be hard to set up without the use of power. You would be best off going back to the dark ages and establish watch times for family members or others that are with you. This brings me to my next tip for security; if the event is not some kind of medical outbreak invite close friends or family to move in with you. In times like this power will come in numbers! 

In the end remember Offense scores the points but Defense wins the game!