The following article has been generously contributed by a fellow blogger named Karen. It has been published or republished with permission of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of PreppingToSurvive.com.
According to the FBI, there is a home burglary in the United States every 13 seconds. Imagine how much worse it’s going to get as we steadily approach the end of the world as we know it.
About the only thing more disturbing than these burglaries is the fact that a large percentage of them could have been prevented. That’s why, if you have a home and you have a family, you need to listen up: your home is your castle and you have the right to feel safe in it.
However, that’s not going to stop the Have-nots from trying to help themselves to your things, which is why you need to protect your home and your loved ones. Listed below are just a few suggestions you can use to secure yourself, your family and your home.
Man’s Best Friend
Dogs have been protecting us long before the days of gunpowder and sophisticated surveillance systems, and they will continue to do so on into the brave new world. When it comes to protecting your home, a dog is a stalwart companion that can often hear approaching footsteps and cars long before you do. Not to mention that the mere presence of a canine, especially German Shepherds, Huskies, Rottweilers and even Doberman Pinschers, is enough to drive would-be intruders away.
But how will you feed your dog with no PetsMart around the corner?
You’ll have to prepare the food yourself.
Nutrition is important for both humans and dogs alike, so you need to make sure your dog gets the proper vitamins and minerals.
Rice is easy to prepare, easy to digest and a great source of carbohydrates. As far as vegetables go, green beans are packed with nutrients and fiber. Other vegetables to consider are broccoli, peas and carrots. Depending on your dog’s preferences, you have a number of choices for meat. Chicken, tuna, beef, eggs and turkey are all viable options. Make sure to cut the meat into small portions and feed your dog two equal portions in the morning and evening.
Safe Room
Some people call them Panic Rooms.
A Safe Room is usually a fortified room within the home that you can lockdown in case of disaster, home invasion or anything else that might threaten the well-being of you and yours. These usually contain defensive equipment, emergency supplies and communication equipment to contact law enforcement.
While most people don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on constructing a high-tech Safe Room, the good news is that you can still create one for a fraction of that cost. A windowless closet or interior room can double as a great panic room.
Once you’ve chosen an appropriate room, replace the regular door with a solid-core door equipped with a state-of-the-art deadbolt and peephole.
Additionally, you should supply your Safe Room with a flashlight, batteries, masking tape, a first-aid kit and non-perishable food and water. The Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day.
Home Security
There are lots of different ways you can approach home security. You can go to www.securitychoice.com for some electronic security system options. Many of those will help today but that’s not going to do you a lot of good after the end of the world as we know it.
Another way you can improve the safety and security of the home is through some basic home improvement.
If there are tall hedges flanking both sides of your door, you ought to consider cutting them back. You should be able to see over the tops of these. Another great intruder-deterrent is the installation of motion-sensing exterior lights. You can pick these up in most hardware stores and some are even solar powered.
Additionally, you’ll need a firearm for self-defense. There are a number of directions you can go, so it’s important to carefully weigh all your options. Handguns are the most logical choice, given they are convenient and easy to carry. The .9mm, .44 Mag, .40 cal and .38 special are the most popular self-defense handguns.
Get Some Peace of Mind
Like I said before, no one should live in fear – especially in their own home. While no one can be completely sure what the future holds, many of you reading this have no doubt seen the writing on the walls.
Your family and your home must be protected!
PreppingToSurvive.com 
January 17, 2013 at 8:24 am
My friends wonder if its better to bug in or bug out. My answer is prepare for both.
#1 live in a fairly safe area. #2 when shtf lay low and bug in somewhere. #3 have a plan for mobility, incase your primary dwelling is destroyed or compromised. That means a 4×4 or large vehicle able to carry all your STUFF. Highly mobile recreational vehicle parked out back set up well for survival is ideal.
January 19, 2013 at 9:20 pm
the 44 Mag is popular as a home defense gun? by whom and from what?? maurauding brown bear?? As a firearms industry professional, i must disagree with this bloggers comments. The .45 ACP and.357 Mag werent mentioned and they are far more popular for home defense than a .44 mag. No reflection on this great mailing list or its great information, but i cringe to think of some uninformed person ordering a S&W 629 from a website, thinking its a good HD round. Keep up the otherwise ‘spot on” prudent info.
January 19, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I carry a 4” 44mag for self defense outdoors, 9mm keltec pf-9 in my pocket for wal-mart.
January 20, 2013 at 9:04 pm
I do as well (S&W 629), and i like the .44MAG, but i think we can agree its not a gun for a new shooter, and touching one off in the confines of the home is a life changing experience in more ways then one.
January 21, 2013 at 7:00 am
Hi JS & Shockanawe –
I agree. I debated about whether to add a personal comment in parenthesis to that guest poster’s article explaining that in my opinion the .44 mag is not the first choice for home defense for most people. After much consideration, I opted to not make the in-post comment and let the community vet the choice.
However, I think going forward, it would be of more value for me to offer some thoughts inside the post if they are very different that what I’d consider commonly held by most people. I try to balance the desire to give guest posters the respect to share their experiences and opinions with the need to provide good and actionable information to the community.
Thanks for your comments. I really do appreciate them.
Joe
January 21, 2013 at 12:00 am
loved this post- made my mind go into a whirl with ideas. why did you recommend masking tape for the safe room? i really liked this article. keep it up!
January 21, 2013 at 7:04 am
I have duct tape in all of our get-home, bug-out, and EDC bags. There are so many uses for it. From covering the beginnings of a blister to making a temporary repair on a shelter, to splinting a sprained ankle or wrist.