Fortify Your Home

News of riots in London recently has compelled me to address the subject of protecting one's home and family from rioting.

In the event of widespread rioting, it's obvious that going outside into danger should be avoided if possible. It's up to you to decide, based on immediate circumstances, whether it is safer to shelter in place or evacuate. If your decision is to shelter in place, here are some things you can do to make your home safer.

The key to fortification is to create layers of defense. Employing all of these options simultaneously will improve your safety.

Obscure the inside of your home from outside observation. If you appear to be vulnerable, rioters may select you for attack. Covering your windows from the inside with black plastic (garbage bags are an inexpensive way to do this) can help eliminate any visual clues about your potential vulnerabilities. The plastic will also capture broken window glass, rather than the glass falling onto your floors where it can become a hazard. Small openings in the plastic can be used to observe what's going on outside, and can be easily covered to prevent persons outside from looking in.

Barricade access points. Use furniture to block doors. Blockades should be placed low for maximum effectiveness. For example, if a tall grandfather clock is used to block a door, it should be lowered onto its side rather than placed standing. Adding weight to blockades and/or "wedging" them in place (for example, placing a couch between a door and the bottom of a staircase) improves their effectiveness. A stick should be placed in the track of sliding doors and windows to prevent them from opening. Small wedges should be used as stoppers for doors, in addition to blockades.

Place disuasion devices around windows which can't be blocked. Intruders may avoid doors and instead attempt to make entry through windows, especially rear windows. An easy disuasion device is to use a piece of carpet or cardboard, which is as long as the window's width. Drive nails or sharp screws, approximately two to three inches apart, through the mat, pointing upward. Place on the floor- not the windowsill- so an intruder climbing through the window will step or fall onto it. (Note: Boobytraps employed within one's home are prohibited or regulated in some states. Check your local laws before constructing or using such devices.)

Exercise noise and light discipline. Sounds can alert outsiders to what you are doing, how many people are inside your home, your condition, etc. Convseration should be kept quiet, use of noisy radios, televisions, and appliances should be minimized, and so forth. Lights should be kept turned down. Give away as little information as possible.

Create a "safe room". Use a centrally-located room, with as few access points as possible, to shelter family members in case of intrusion. Use furniture- mattresses, a desk or couch, etc.- to make a barricade for protection. Stacks of books or buckets of sand, bound tightly together, can provide some protection from gunfire. Preposition food, water, medical supplies, and extra weapons here.

Arm yourself! Weapons should be made ready-to-use immediately and always kept on the person or within arms' reach. In addition to firearms, also distribute other weapons, such as knives and baseball bats, and distribute flashlights to everyone.

Be alert! Pay attention to unknown sounds. Look outside periodically (using openings in your window coverings, mentioned above) to assess what is going on outside. If there are multiple adults, sleep in shifts so someone is always awake. If you are the only adult, make yourself sleep in the early morning, as the worst violence will likely occur in the late evening or at nighttime.