Cheap Security System Hacks That Do The Trick
You can’t afford to take any chances with your home security, even during the good times. Someone’s always gonna be lurking and wanting to take your hard-earned stuff.
It’s worse when SHTF. When society collapses, the most basic items will suddenly become hot commodities. And there’s a high chance that even the most law-abiding citizens could turn into minor-league thieves who’d do whatever it takes to fill their bellies with food.
Your home, with its fully stocked pantry and top-of-the-line gear, would be the ultimate jackpot. It should be protected at all costs.
Now, we’re not saying that it has to be on the same level as Fort Knox. Heck, you don’t even have to blow your entire life savings on home fortifications. The trick is really to be clever.
The items we’ve listed below can help you deter looters or even stop ‘em from breaking into your home. The best part? Most of these are fairly inexpensive.
Signs
Nothing screams stay off my property better than the perfect sign—literally.
A few Beware of Dog and Secured by ADT signs here and there’ll give the impression that you’re the wrong person to target (even if you don’t actually own a dog or have a legit alarm system).
Of course, you’ll need more than signs if the trespassers are desperate and won’t leave you alone. Still, they work pretty well as a first step to deter unwanted visitors.
Alarm System
If an intruder smashes a window or finds their way inside your door, an alarm system automatically notifies the alarm company who then gets in touch with your local law enforcement.
But while having a solid 24/7 alarm system can help you sleep better at night or give you some form of peace when you’re away, it’s not entirely perfect. Law enforcement may get to your home when it’s too late. And while the alarms can startle the intruder, they won’t stop them from breaking in if they’re desperate. The system also won’t be any good during a power outage, if it’s not battery-operated or if you don’t have a backup power source. It’s not so cheap, either.
Security Cameras (Real or Fake)
Alright, security cameras aren’t necessarily cheap. But they’re worth the price. Install ’em around your property to keep an eye out for home invaders.
If you don’t have the cash to spare for the real cams, then you could buy dummy surveillance cameras or even just make your own—like in the video above. This could trick potential thieves into thinking that you’ve got a fully guarded fortress.
Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights are a nifty and cheap security system. They get triggered when someone—a trespasser, maybe—walks by.
Criminals don’t want to be discovered, so when your motion sensor lights detect their presence, they’ll scatter like cockroaches.
Install ones that are battery or solar-powered in case of power outages during emergency scenarios. Place them around your yard and be careful not to put ‘em in dead zones.
Dogs
Dogs won’t hesitate to defend their masters and protect their turf. They also can sense danger way better than humans can, making them perfect companions for preppers.
Your canine pal Bruiser may be harmless when you give him belly rubs, but when he sniffs out and senses an intruder? Fierce guard dog mode activated.
Plants, Plants, and More Plants
Plant strategically. You want enough trees or hedges to give you privacy but at the same time, you don’t want invaders to use your landscape to conceal themselves from you.
We also suggest planting thorny shrubs outside windows and near fences to provide obstacles to trespassers. Roses, blackberry vines, and bougainvillea are good options. They’re sharp enough to threaten the bad guys but are still easy on the eyes.
It wouldn’t hurt (for you, at least) to have a few cacti inside your home, either. Place them under windows so that unsuspecting criminals will have the surprise of their lives—if they somehow make it inside.
Planning on doing the landscaping yourself? Then you’d wanna have the right shovel for the job. TAC9ER’s entrenching tool would be a good choice, as its serrated edge makes it easier to dig through dirt.
Also, this is a no-brainer, but it’s best to wear sturdy gloves while you’re doing this. We recommend this pair (another one of TAC9ER’s best sellers). These gloves are lined with Kevlar to help protect your hands from the sharp bushes.
Fences
Fences are a great line of defense against home invaders. There are many kinds available and at different costs. But based on our experience, we’d say to invest in the best quality you can afford.
Security-wise, wire mesh or wrought iron fencing would be ideal because these prevent intruders from hiding.
You don’t want your fences to be too high or to look too intimidating, though—especially if it’ll make you stick out from your neighbors like a sore thumb.
Windows
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in terms of home security is keeping windows vulnerable. Potential thieves can easily shatter or pry them open, so it’s in your best interest to beef ‘em up.
You should take these items into consideration:
Security Bars
Burglar bars do a fine job of keeping bad guys from entering your home through windows, even when they’re open or have been broken. The catch is that they’re a big eyesore. And while they prevent thieves from breaking in, they could also trap you in a fire.
If you do decide to install these bars, make sure they’ve got a quick-release feature in case you need to escape during an emergency.
Security Window Film
You could substitute your current windows with double-glazed panes to better secure your home from burglaries, but that’s gonna be an expensive job.
If you wanna save, then you can apply security window film to your windows as an alternative.
This cheap security system won’t keep your windows from shattering, but it’ll make it a hell of a lot tougher for home invaders to penetrate.
Here are other tips to help you make your windows less vulnerable:
- Close blinds or curtains after dark.
- Place curtains, blinds, or reflective film on garage windows to keep the contents inside from being seen.
- Upgrade to storm windows.
- Install window latches and sash locks.
- Put security window well covers on basement windows.
Upgraded Doors
Ever seen those movies where the bad guy kicks open a door like it’s nothing? Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that CAN actually happen in real life if your doors aren’t the strongest ones out there.
You need to make upgrading your doors a priority when it comes to home security.
Take the following options into consideration:
Door Jammers
Door jammers can help you delay a criminal’s attempts of breaking into your home. You know those old cartoons where they wedge a chair under a door to keep villains from coming in? Door jammers are pretty similar. Intruders won’t be able to kick their way in now.
Metal Frames
A door may have the fanciest lock system in the market. But if it’s set into a wooden frame, it’s gonna be pointless—a criminal can still easily break it. Get metal door frames installed instead. This is the best thing you can do to fortify your doors. These’ll make them way tougher to destroy.
Deadbolt
Deadbolts are one of the most basic yet effective elements of home security.
This type of lock has a bolt that extends into the door jamb and the door frame’s strike plate. You’d want yours to be made out of tough steel. The same goes for the strike pin.
Now, you’ve got the option of choosing between two kinds of deadbolts, single-bolt and double-bolt.
The former needs a key on one end, though the opposite end can be opened with a knob. In contrast, you’ll need a key for both sides if you go with a double-bolt system.
The double-bolt system is more effective in keeping intruders out, but it can threaten your safety in a fire. Go for the single-bolt instead. It can delay the bad guys while ensuring you can flee when the need arises.
Bells or Chimes
Hang bells or chimes on your doors. The jingle jangle of the doors closing and opening can get annoying, we know. But if you’re up in the middle of the night to fix yourself a snack and hear that unmistakable grating sound, then at least you’ll be alerted to someone’s unwelcome presence.
Chicken Wire
In an SHTF scenario, some good old chicken wire can come in handy.
You could attach the wire around your home’s windows to get additional protection against trespassers who may throw bricks or swing a bat to smash the glass and enter your house. If your home has a balcony, then you can also use chicken wire to block bad guys from entering through it.
Self-Defense Tools
Okay, call it a long shot, but what’d you do if you discover that a bad guy (or two) has cut across your defenses and wiggled their way into your house?
Well, after you get over that split-second of disbelief, the answer’s easy—defend yourself, your family, and your belongings.
While it pays to take a few self-defense classes, it also won’t hurt to arm yourself with a few self-defense tools, like:
- Pepper spray: This is a classic self-defense tool because it’s easy to use, easy to conceal, and is non-lethal. It lasts around 30 to 60 minutes, which should buy you enough time to restrain an intruder.
- Tactical flashlight: Tactical flashlights are known to be brighter than average lights. They can startle criminals and impair their vision for a few crucial seconds.
- Taser: The best thing about a taser is its range. You can use it to shock criminals from a safe distance (7-10 feet). No need to worry about making direct contact.
- Tactical pen: In the right hands, this survival device provides awesome protection against enemies. It’s discreet and you can pull it out quickly to defend yourself.
- Makeshift tools: When some bad guys are inside your home, you’ve got to be creative and think fast. You can use ordinary stuff like keys, belts, and screwdrivers as improvised self-defense tools when you’re in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
How to fortify your home against looters? Think like a thief.
Thieves typically like to take the path of least resistance, so it pays to beef up your home’s security by investing in the things we’ve mentioned above.
Add an alarm system, place some menacing plants, put up a fence, and upgrade your doors and windows. Just don’t go too overboard; otherwise, you may give the bad guys reason to pay your home a visit.
Is there anything we missed out on? Let us know in the comments!
