Ever since Hurricane Katrina, homeowners are more aware of the need to prepare for disasters. One disaster that is not as well known but could happen in days is looters breaking into your home. If you don’t want to be one of those unfortunate people who have their homes looted, it’s essential to take precautions before any disaster.
Who are Looters?
Looters are people who take advantage of a disaster situation to break into homes and businesses to steal valuables. They often target homes that have been abandoned or those that are unprotected. In some cases, looters will even pose as rescue workers to gain access to a home. Looters typically strike quickly and then move to another target, making it difficult for authorities to catch them.
Looting is a severe problem during natural disasters and can lead to further violence and destruction. People need to be aware of the dangers of looters and take steps to protect their property. If you see someone looting, you should immediately report it to the authorities.
Why is there a Need to Protect your Home from Looters?
Following are the reasons to protect your home from looters:
To prevent your belongings from being stolen is the most common and apparent reason to protect your home from looters. No one wants to come home to an empty house.
To keep your family safe- Looting often leads to violence. You are also protecting your family from potential harm by protecting your home.
To prevent your home from being damaged- Looters can cause a lot of damage to your home quickly, and you can prevent it from being damaged or destroyed by protecting your home.
There are many reasons you want to protect your home from looters. The most common reason is to prevent your belongings from being stolen, and another reason is to keep your family safe. And finally, you may also want to prevent your home from being damaged.
How do you Protect your Home from Looters?
Replace Glass Windows
Plexiglas is a non-breakable material that can be used to replace glass windows. It is the same as having steel bars installed on your windows, and Plexiglas has advanced significantly, making it more durable and appealing to the eye. Because most robberies and break-ins happen through a window, eliminating that option eliminates any prospective looter.
Windows with Steel Bars
Steel bars are unsightly, but they are functional. Spend the few hundred dollars on the bars if you don’t mind your house looking like a prison. Most looters won’t bother with barred windows unless they’re desperate, in which case they’ll walk on.
All Exterior Door Locks Should be Replaced with Heavy-Duty Deadbolts
Most doors are pretty simple to dismantle; find a huge rock and thrash it against the lock. Most looters would go for a window first, but if Plexiglas bars your windows, they’ll go on to the door. The deadbolt is nearly always broken or pulled through the frame, causing the door to open. You’ll be giving intruders a rough time if you use a heavy-duty deadbolt.
All Exterior Doors Should be Replaced with Steel Doors
The door will break if the deadbolt does not break. Make sure there are no glass windows in your doors. An intruder can easily shatter the window and open the lock from the inside. Most doors are constructed of wood, and an ax will swiftly cut them down to size. You’ll be fine if you get a lovely, thick steel door.
Make a Secret Hideaway for Supplies and People
Hopefully, your home will never be raided and robbed, but if it is, having a secure hiding area or “safe/panic room” will be beneficial. Anywhere in the house can be turned into a supply stash. Inside most interior barriers, there is plenty of room. To gain access to a decent hiding area, a simple cut in the drywall can be made behind a painting or piece of furniture. A modified closet or walk-in space can suffice for a safe room. Remove the doors and cover the opening with drywall. Build a robust, hidden hatch or small door to keep attackers out and make an entrance that everyone can use. It’s easier said than done, so be inventive and do what feels right.
Items that Help You Protect Your Home
Any urban survival plan must include a strategy for defending your home. Your house will have to be transformed into a fortress (either hidden or visible). Make an emergency plan that includes hiding, defending, and evaluating activities. The following are some essential objects for home defense:
A guard dog with firearms
Crowbars, hammers, tools, lumber, plywood, and other building materials are available.
Shovels and an ample supply of sandbags are required.
Bear mace/pepper spray
Paint using a can of spray paint
Firearms
Firearms are strongly advised for obvious reasons. They can be used to defend oneself as well as to intimidate others. Many people are not comfortable with firearms, and that is perfectly fine. There are other ways to defend oneself and one’s home without firearms. Non-lethal weapons such as tasers, mace, and pepper spray are also helpful for self-defense. These can be used to deter an attacker or to hinder them temporarily.
Guard Dogs
Any family attempting to defend their house would benefit significantly from including a well-trained guard dog. You’ll need more food and water, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Their senses of hearing and scent are unrivaled, and they may be savage. They aren’t inherently lethal, but they effectively keep people at bay. A vast, growling dog with its teeth protruding effectively instills terror in people. If you have the dog for a long time, it will become a family member. They are fiercely devoted and will happily put themselves in harm’s way to protect you. Dogs are also light sleepers, so expect to be awoken by the sound of barking regularly.
Crowbars, Hammers, Tools, and Construction Materials Are all Available.
You’ll want to reinforce the windows and doors whether you’re dealing with extreme weather or looters. Even though a 24 tacked across a window frame is simple to remove, it has a psychological purpose, and most people will pass your property and move on to the next. Instead of nails, use screws and strengthen them so that an intruder will find it impossible to get past them. If you opt to cover the windows with plywood completely, make sure you drill a hole or cut a slit to look through it.
Shovels and an Ample Supply of Sandbags are Required
There’s a reason why the military loves sandbags so much. They’re inexpensive, light, portable, and excellent at absorbing gunshots. Burlap bags can be used to produce simple garments or blankets or be cut and used as standard carry bags. Burlap and sand are so cheap that even massive constructions can be built on a shoestring budget. Sandbags were created with precise dimensions and weights in mind to be interlocked like bricks and transported around conveniently. In addition to fortifications, you can stack the bags behind the doors to prevent attackers from entering.
Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is an excellent non-lethal deterrent and should be in everyone’s arsenal. It is reasonably priced and readily available. It will render looters unconscious and give them a horrible memory (the pain is awful!). On the negative side (possibly), it may serve as a reminder that they should kill you first the next time they return for your meal. Don’t get the small bear maces; instead, get the large, mighty bear maces that can spray up to 50 feet.
Paint with a Spray Gun
You’ll need spray paint to build signs and let looters know what they’re in for. If you’ve already gathered the lumber and plywood, stake them outside with signs like “looters will be shot” or “equipped with an ice pick and chainsaw… brighten my day.” Make it both descriptive and terrifying. Many New Orleans survivors utilized this strategy to protect themselves. People will not risk their lives unless it is essential. The majority of looters will walk right by your home.
What to do if rioters come to your house?
If you’re in Canada and a riot is coming your way, don’t panic. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your home:
Call 911 immediately and tell them what’s happening
There are a few reasons why you should call 911 during a riot. First, they can provide you with important information about the situation and what to do. Second, they can help protect you and your home. Third, they can help keep the peace and restore order.
Protect your home and belongings
If there’s a riot going on outside, there’s a good chance that your home and belongings are at risk. Make sure to take precautions to protect them, such as boarding up windows and doors, putting away valuable items, and turning off all electronics.
Stay inside
It’s generally not a good idea to go outside during a riot. There’s a higher risk of being injured or becoming a victim of theft. Stay inside and keep the doors and windows locked until the situation has calmed down.
Be aware of your surroundings
It’s important to be aware of your surroundings during a riot, especially if you’re in a high-risk area. Keep an eye on the protesters and the police, and be prepared to take action if necessary.
Stay calm
Riots can be very chaotic and frightening. However, it’s important to stay calm and think clearly. If you panic, you’ll only make things worse.
Close all windows and doors to keep the rioters out
This one’s a no-brainer. If you don’t want the rioters coming into your house, close all the windows and doors.
Move furniture in front of the doors and windows to further protect your home
If you’re really worried about the rioters getting into your house, move all of your furniture in front of the doors and windows. This will make it more difficult for them to get in.
Put away valuable items
It’s a good idea to put away any valuable items during a riot. This will help protect them from being stolen or damaged.
Turn off all electronics
Rioters are often looking for targets, and electronics are an easy target. If you can, turn off all of your electronics to help protect them from being damaged or stolen.
Stay safe!
Riots can be a scary thing, but if you take the proper precautions, you can protect yourself and your home. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to call 911.
Take Home Insurance Which Protect You From Looters
There are a few reasons why you should take home insurance to protect yourself from looters. First, home insurance can help cover the costs of any damage or theft that may occur. Second, it can help you get back on your feet quickly if something happens. Third, it can help you feel more secure in your home during a riot. If you’re considering taking out home insurance, be sure to shop around and find the best policy for you.
So, what can you do to protect your home from looters in a disaster? The best way to deter looters is through visible security measures such as fences, gates, locks, and alarms. It would help if you kept all doors and windows locked when not at home. If you have valuable possessions that you don’t want to be stolen, consider storing them in a safe or a safe deposit box. Finally, be sure to have a plan in place if you need to evacuate your home quickly.
There is no guarantee that your home will not be looted in a disaster, but taking these precautions can help deter looters and give you peace of mind.
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