Are there bushes in front of any of those windows, bushes that might provide concealment for someone looking to break in?All the preps in the world won’t help you if someone can easily take them from you. It’s important to implement at least basic security measures for your home and retreat.
The first step is to determine your vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Once you have those figured out, you can work toward plugging those holes, so to speak.
This week, we’re going to focus on structure hardening. This term refers to the security of your home’s physical structure. We first do a survey of your home, and next week we’ll work on fixing any problems we found. In other lessons, we’ll discuss things like perimeter security, early warning devices, and area denial.
Grab a notepad and pen, and take a walk around your house. Make a note of every single point of entry, including all doors and ground-level windows. Don’t forget basement windows.
Are there bushes in front of any of those windows, bushes that might provide concealment for someone looking to break in?
Do you have exterior lighting at all doors? Do the lights work?
Do you have keys hidden outside somewhere? How hidden are they really? Please don’t tell me you have a key under the doormat or in one of those fake rocks!
Do you have trees with branches that overhang your roof, allowing someone access to the upper levels?
Do you have window air conditioners? Can they be easily removed from the outside?
Do you have solid-core or metal-encased exterior doors? Do the doors have windows built in?
Do you have dead bolts on all exterior doors?
Are the hinges on exterior doors exposed to the outside?
Are all windows lockable from the inside? What kinds of windows do you have (casement, sliding, etc.)?
Do you routinely keep curtains/drapes over windows so people can’t see inside?
If you live in an apartment or condo, are the hallways well lit?
Is it a secured building? That is, is the building’s outer door locked at all times, requiring a key or buzzer for entry?
Do you have a pretty good idea of who lives around you? Would you recognize someone different in the immediate area?
Is the parking lot well lit, or are there deep shadows at night in spots?
Do you have a corded landline phone?
Does everyone in your family know what to do in case of fire? How about a break-in?
As you go through the survey, look at everything with an outsider’s perspective. What would strangers see when they look at your home?
TASKS
1. Go through the security survey above. Feel free to make notes of additional concerns I may not have mentioned. In the next lesson, we’ll talk about ways to fix problem areas.
2. Be sure you’re rotating through your food supplies. Take some time this week to go through the pantry and identify anything that’s approaching its expiration date, and plan to use it before it goes bad.
SAVINGS
Add $10 in the Prepper Savings Account.
TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT: 
WATER STORAGE
One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household.
TOTAL WATER STORAGE:
GROCERY LIST
3 cans vegetables, your choice
2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup
1 can chili or stew, your choice
1 package or jar gravy, your choice
1 box tea bags (even if you don’t drink tea, this is an excellent barter item)
1 jar pasta sauce, your choice
1 canister flavored drink mix, the type that has sugar already added
1 lb white rice
