How To Fortify Your Home for SHTF (3 Fool-Proof Ways)

Sure, some people might think you’re crazy right now, but when you and your family are safe in the event of Sh*t Hitting The Fan, they’ll be the ones begging to hide out the end of the world in your perfectly protected home.

So how do you fortify your home for SHTF? Read on to find out...

Likewise, many US citizens are also probably equipped with an appropriate, licensed firearm that they are trained to use safely and appropriately, so we aren’t going to bore you by suggesting you think about guns.

We’re not talking your average robbery here, we’re assuming the worst: zombie outbreak, world-ending natural disaster or other similar apocalyptic event, meaning you want to keep you and your family in the house and everything else out.

PRIMARY RULE OF PREPPING: Blend in, stay camouflaged, and don’t give yourself away - it’s every man for himself, afterall, and you don’t want to share your survival stock for just anybody.

How To Fortify Your Home For SHTF: The 3 Steps

Step One: Reinforce Your Windows And Doors 

Whether alive or dead, you’re going to want to do everything you can to upgrade your average household door and double-glazed windows to withstand any attempted break ins, because as they are, a single bring would do it.

Deadbolts are the first place to start if you don’t already have them - the highest quality possible, and as strong and rust-resistant as you can find.

Because you want it to last forever and withstand any conditions, even the nuclear winter.

Hollow-cored wooden doors are useless and easily kicked in - if the main front and back doors, hell, all of your doors aren’t reinforced with metal or thick, solid slabs of wood in the first place, you’re going to want to replace them.

When it comes to your windows, spare no expense: if you can afford to go for bulletproof glass, then get it.

Ss not only will you save on your energy bills before SHTF, but when it does, you won’t have to fear immediate invaders.

Planting thick, thorny bushes or plants below your windows are an excellent deterrent for potential burglars (or worse) and will also make a lot of noise should anyone dare to trespass.

Burglar bars (inside only, as they have a mechanism to allow removal should you need to make a very sudden exit) might sound - and look - a little drastic, but you won’t be saying that when the zombies can’t get their teeth around them!

Step Two: Perimeter Fences

Ensuring that the front and back of your house has been thoroughly protected with absolutely no breaches or potential sneak-throughs that could be used to a potential criminal’s advantage, blocking all gaps up with chain link or chicken wire.

Some preppers would advise you to make these as tall as possible.

But this is like holding a giant sign above your house saying “I HAVE VALUABLES, COME AND TRY TO STEAL THEM!”, so a traditionally tall height is advised.

Wait until the S actually HTF before reinforcing with barbed wire or spikes, as these can be very unsightly and might land you in trouble with the neighbors.

But be sure the equipment you need to do so is on standby for when you need it.

Large trees and shrubbery can also serve as additional perimeter protection, without adding to the “We’re Preparing For The End Of The World” look that your house is beginning to take on.

Plus, you could grow food with them! Double whammy.

Leaving room between your home and outdoor space allows for a clear line of sight should intruders make themselves known, so don’t be scared of leaving land free for recreational activities and enjoying the outdoors, even in the apocalypse.

Step Three: Motion Sensors/Outdoor Lighting

Whilst you’re likely already set up with surveillance equipment that provides you with video feeds to monitor the inside and outside of your home.

It’s easy to extend the security this provides with some added improvements.

Large flood lights that are triggered by movement will not only frighten the living daylights out of unsuspecting trespassers.

But illuminate them clearly to you, providing a clear view to aim at should you need to defend yourself.

Without using sensors that are oversensitive to the point where a bug wandering across your patio will set them off (as you really don’t want the hassle of late night false alarms), ensure the trigger points are placed where they’ll be most useful.

You could also put wind chimes or bells on your porch or right by your entryway or back door, as should they somehow evade your cameras,  the breeze created will alert you to the presence of the intruder before you actually see them.

Don’t Forget Food And Water

Any prepper worth their salt will know that having plenty of non-perishable foods and fresh water stocked up in your panty, basement or cupboards is high on the list of being ready for any potential end-of-the-world scenario.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you of this though, as it’s a huge part of ensuring your house is fortified in the event of an emergency: you won’t be able to stay in the confines of your secured perimeter if there’s nothing to eat inside!

Additionally, you might not be able to depend on your home’s plumbing system for water in the event of an apocalypse, so a couple of crates of bottled water are worth having on hand just in case.

Installing a well on your property is going to cost you a pretty penny, but it means that, should things really go south, you won’t have to abandon your fortified home after a few months because the water’s been cut off and your supplies are dwindling.

Now you know how to fortify your home for SHTF, congrats and stay safe!