#1: Keep Your Family Safe From Harm
Since we are about to hit the active period during our hurricane season here in the US, I thought it would be beneficial to create a 'Top 10 List' of things you should know how to do without electricity. Most of these things will be extremely important if you had to go without electricity for a few weeks (or longer). However, many of them also apply to power outages of just a few days. So, every Friday, until we countdown to #1, I will highlight a necessary skill to keep your house running as 'normal' as possible. Once you learn about these 10 things, you should be able to keep your house running normally during any power outage from a few days to a few months or longer, if that becomes necessary.
I do want to mention, none of these things will include the use of a generator. While generators do work short term, IMHO, there is no way you can store enough gasoline to keep the generator running for a long term outage. My strategy is to use 18th and 19th century skills to keep my house running. I don't even own a generator.
I created this 'Top 10 List' and the subject matter and countdown order are mine alone. You may not agree with my list. That is no problem! You are welcome to share your ideas in the comments section. We all learn when differing viewpoints are shared respectfully!
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I don't like to think about this, but the world is full of evil. Pure evil. When we (as a society) eliminate God from our everyday world, Lucifer fills the void. I don't like it, but I accept it. And because I accept it, I am determined to protect my family from it if/when it becomes necessary.
When the power is out, long term, because of a winter storm, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or any other disaster, evil can come knocking on your door. Don't think it will happen? How on earth did people turn into such monsters during hurricane Katrina? What about hurricane Sandy? When power goes out for a long time, looting happens. It is almost like we return to living in the wild west!
In my opinion, the most important thing you must know how to do when you lose electricity is to protect your family from others. There are lots of ways you can do this. Research options you are comfortable with and learn how to use them. At our house, we choose to protect ourselves with guns. I went to the range earlier this week and took a picture of my target when I was done. I used a Glock 19 at 50 ft. The target is eight inches wide.
Your answer to personal protection may not be guns. I know some people who are proficient with a bow and arrow. (I think I am going to have to learn that skill!) Some people are skilled at karate. You will need to determine for yourself what is the best way to defend your family.
This is a really important issue everyone should think about. My concern is not about the 'things' in my house. They can all be replaced. My concern is keeping everyone in the house alive and unharmed. I had someone at church tell me once that they could not shoot a person for any reason. I have a different point of view. If the decision comes down to whether I live or the person coming to my house to harm me lives, the answer is obvious. However, I hope I never have to find out what it is like to shoot someone in my home. After all, we are all children of God and I really don't want to have to harm anyone to prevent them from harming me. Still, I will shoot if my life or the lives of others in my home are in jeopardy.
Before it gets to that point, there are some things you can do now to harden your house to prevent unwelcomed access. There is a product called The Door Sentinel that can be easily added to your door to prevent anyone from kicking it in. There is also a kind of film you can put on your windows that will prevent someone from breaking them and gaining access. You can learn about both here. You can also do things like plant thorny bushes under the windows and use motion sensors (on battery backup) on the outdoor lights. It really would be better for everyone involved if you could prevent unauthorized access in the first place!
Police are not always available in the aftermath of a disaster. In a situation like this, you are responsible for your own safety. Think about how you are going to protect your family from others who want to do you harm.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
When the power is out, long term, because of a winter storm, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or any other disaster, evil can come knocking on your door. Don't think it will happen? How on earth did people turn into such monsters during hurricane Katrina? What about hurricane Sandy? When power goes out for a long time, looting happens. It is almost like we return to living in the wild west!
In my opinion, the most important thing you must know how to do when you lose electricity is to protect your family from others. There are lots of ways you can do this. Research options you are comfortable with and learn how to use them. At our house, we choose to protect ourselves with guns. I went to the range earlier this week and took a picture of my target when I was done. I used a Glock 19 at 50 ft. The target is eight inches wide.
Your answer to personal protection may not be guns. I know some people who are proficient with a bow and arrow. (I think I am going to have to learn that skill!) Some people are skilled at karate. You will need to determine for yourself what is the best way to defend your family.
This is a really important issue everyone should think about. My concern is not about the 'things' in my house. They can all be replaced. My concern is keeping everyone in the house alive and unharmed. I had someone at church tell me once that they could not shoot a person for any reason. I have a different point of view. If the decision comes down to whether I live or the person coming to my house to harm me lives, the answer is obvious. However, I hope I never have to find out what it is like to shoot someone in my home. After all, we are all children of God and I really don't want to have to harm anyone to prevent them from harming me. Still, I will shoot if my life or the lives of others in my home are in jeopardy.
Before it gets to that point, there are some things you can do now to harden your house to prevent unwelcomed access. There is a product called The Door Sentinel that can be easily added to your door to prevent anyone from kicking it in. There is also a kind of film you can put on your windows that will prevent someone from breaking them and gaining access. You can learn about both here. You can also do things like plant thorny bushes under the windows and use motion sensors (on battery backup) on the outdoor lights. It really would be better for everyone involved if you could prevent unauthorized access in the first place!
Police are not always available in the aftermath of a disaster. In a situation like this, you are responsible for your own safety. Think about how you are going to protect your family from others who want to do you harm.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
- 10 Things Countdown: #10 Think Safety First
- 10 Things Countdown: #9 Maintain Cleanliness
- 10 Things Countdown: #8 Wash Clothes
- 10 Things Countdown: #7 Cool or Heat Your Home
- 10 Things Countdown: #6 Provide Essential Lighting
- 10 Things Countdown: #5 Store Shelf Stable Foods
- 10 Things Countdown: #4 Have & Use Non-Electric Appliances
- 10 Things Countdown: #3 Handle Sanitation
- 10 Things Countdown: #2: Obtain Safe Drinking Water
Thank you, Elizabeth, for your "10 Things Countdown" series. I have learned a lot of useful information. I found particularly helpful your link to Patriot Supply. I have been pricing the ballistic film products for window protection but found most other sources too pricy. Patriot's kits are definitely within reason. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
DeleteHey Kate! Thank you for the information. We have The Door Patriot from Patriot Crime Defense (used to be Sentinel) and love it. They were easy to install and give us peace of mind that now our deadbolts can do their job. Why invite a confrontation?
DeleteGood for you! I agree that the best thing to do is to avoid a confrontation if at all possible!
DeleteI have yet to install mine but it is rapidly making it's way to the top of the 'To Do' list.