Securing your home against riots and looting requires preparation, deterrence, and strategic defense. When civil unrest spreads, law enforcement becomes unreliable, leaving homes vulnerable to break-ins, arson, and mob violence. Well, we have a big dog. We live in the country, but that may be in question during an actual survival scenario. My dog is very protective, though.
The goal is to make your home a hard target while maintaining an escape route if things spiral out of control. Looters and rioters look for easy, high-value targets, so a well-fortified home that doesn’t attract attention is less likely to be breached.
The first priority is controlling access points. Doors and windows are the weakest links, and if they fail, the home becomes indefensible. Heavy-duty deadbolts, door braces, and reinforced strike plates make forced entry more difficult.
Barricading doors with furniture, metal bars, or 2×4 beams across the frame adds further resistance. To prevent easy break-ins, Windows should be covered with plywood, metal security bars, or heavy furniture. If plywood is unavailable, stacking sandbags or large obstacles inside the house in front of windows adds another layer of protection.
Visibility control is key to preventing looters from targeting your home. Blinds and curtains should be kept closed to avoid showing signs of occupation or stored valuables.
If lights are used at night, they should be kept dim or restricted to interior rooms to avoid drawing attention. During daylight, movement near windows should be limited to prevent detection.
Deterrence is just as crucial as fortification. Homes that appear occupied, defended, and difficult to breach are often bypassed in favor of easier targets. How is your setup for deterring looters? Do you have any unique ideas for defending your home and loved ones? I’d love to hear from you about this important process. Please leave a reply below in the comments.
