suburbansurvivalist.net

Hiding canned (or any longer term storage food) is both important and requires pre-planning. A recent hint from SurvivalBlog.com is as follows:

First, buy a “hide-a-bed” couch (queen size is the best). Remove and discard the entire bed frame internals and mattress (or find another use for them). This will require some tools, and before purchasing this couch, it would be good to inspect it to make sure it can be removed without damaging the structure of the couch. Then build a framework of 2×2s to replace the bed frame that was just removed. Cover the wood framework with a cut piece of 3/4″ plywood to support the seat cushions.

Store food (or other supplies) in the wooden framework and then cover with the plywood (but leave detached for easy access). Cover with cushions and make sure the wood is not detectible. A throw, blanket, or sofa cover may be used to add to the camouflage.

No suburban survivalist’s home would be complete without candles. Have a large number of candles in storage is a key preparation, but ensure that you have several ‘ready for use’. On a fireplace mantle, corner desk, bar or any other convenient location have several larger candles (and maybe a few votives in glass jars) ready to go. Also keep a small box of matches or a lighter nearby and obvious (but out of a child’s reach). If at all possible have this location in a place that will get some natural starlight or in a room that has an emergency night light (that comes on automatically when power goes out).

This setup not only gives the sense of security of being able to see in the dark during an emergency, it also adds a location for a diversion safe. There are several places you can purchase these emergency candles for this setup, but make sure you find one that is a real burning candle manufactured with a weighted metal container inside. If the candle is used, the metal container will provide some protection to the contents. The extra weight makes the candle feel real when picked up (and not suspiciously light-weight).

When putting items in the candle, pack in tightly with cotton balls to keep the contents from moving when the candle is picked up and moved. If there is concern that this candle may appear ‘like others’, then as an added touch burn the candle some (but only if other candles in the display are burnt) so that it blends it to the soundings.

Diversion Candle Safe Here is an example of a diversion pillar candle safe that can be purchased. It has a 3.75” x 2.5” secret compartment, and is made of 100% vegetable candle wax. This site also sells other items like the M18 Taser (and other items) for self defense.

Having several fire extinguishers in the home is critical, even in non-emergency times. Some homes have a single fire extinguisher somewhere under the kitchen sink, but most homes do not have one in every room. Small ‘kitchen’ fire extinguishers can be purchased from $10 to $20 easily, and every major room should have one.

People often think of a tipped over candle or grease fire while cooking as possible concerns, but think they can easily be handled by ‘stomping them out’ or finding the baking soda and throwing it on the fire. Both of these are true, if you have experience doing this it is easy… if not it can be quite a challenge the first time. Then a small fire can turn into a lost home easily. How long will it take to find the baking soda: Just a minute or two? A small fire can expand to an entire room in that time frame. When a small fire starts, the time frame to take quick decisive action is 10 to 15 seconds at the most. This means (1) Knowing where the fire extinguishers are; (2) Knowing how to use them; (3) And acting.

In a teotwawki scenario, running water and fire fighting services may not be an option. Having a way to put out a fire when it is small would be a critical preparation between loosing a residence or not. But in these scenarios, there is an added risk of flames inside the home for heat, light or cooking. There is also the added risk of a jealous neighbor or neighborhood thug throwing a small fire bomb at the home (on the porch or through the window. Again, the fire extinguisher can make the difference between loosing the home or not (which could be life or death in a teotwawki scenario).

If you get a lot of deliverys of items to your home, and your neighbors notice… to address this concern buy some nick nacks, and tell your neighbors you buy these useless nicknacks on ebay.

Thanks to John Galt for this idea!

During many disasters, fire can turn a minor disaster into a major disaster.

Check that all smoke (and carbon monoxide) detectors are functioning, and that there are some in every major room, as well as the areas where fires often start: Attic, garage, kitchen and near the hot water heater. Make sure a stock of extra batteries are handy.

Make sure that you home is animal proof. A cause of home fires can be from rodents chewing on electrical wires (mice, rats, squirrels, etc). Make sure all holes are plugged so that these animals are not hosting themselves in the attic or walls.

Buy several fire extinguishers. Have two in the kitchen at least. If possible have several throughout the house, with a goal of at least one in every room. Many times fires start small, but with in 45 seconds the fire becomes unmanagable. If in about 10-12 seconds of a fire starting a person could reach a fire extinguisher and put the fire out, the home would be saved. This will not help with all fires, but would be a home saver for some.

Know where the shutoff valves for water, gas, electricity, etc are in your home.

If possible have a barrier of empty space between the exterior of the home and the surrounding trees and brush. Always have a water hose hooked up that will reach all the way around the home. If there is a fire approaching the home from the neighbors, these two preps will give a better chance of success if it is determined that fighting the fire instead of evacuating is a wise idea.

It may be wise as products are purchased to ensure that they do not have an RFID tag attached. And if they do have an RFID tag attached, remove or disable it. The distance that an RFID tag can be detected is somewhat up to debate. If products can be identified in your household by a vechile driving in the street, then it would become an issue if anti-hording laws are passed. (If this is actually possible is up to debate). Regardless of the range, having a tracking tag on your prep items can be troubling, if for no other reason than for privacy.

Food will become more of an critical issue. A Majority of people will now be searching for food.

After about 14 days, if official government assistance has not yet arrived, then more and more people will begin to loose hope that it will ever arrive. As this hope disappears, desperation will set in and people may take to extraordinary measures to aquire food and water.

If there is no power and / or no radio stations, the lack of information about news and information from what is happening around the country, or just semi-locally will have rumors flying around like crazy.

Unless law enforcement or the military have exercised powers and are in solid control of an area, expect that gangs will have begun to form, rove, and stake out territory. Some may be very weak and formed loosely; While others may become powerful with cartel or mob type tendencies.

Water that unprepared people were able to gather in the first couple of days will start to run out, and they may be searching for new sources of water.

More people will start to run out of food, however it may not be be majority of people at this point. Although most unprepared people will be thinking about how to get more food at this point.

If official government assistance has not yet arrived, the bulk of people will not have given up hope yet that the ‘government will save them’, and are just waiting on the food and water trucks to roll in and deliver them. Because of this hope, many will be passive, and not proactive about aquiring food and water, as long as they still have enough for just a couple more days.

Levels of being familiar with a firearm:

Novice — Can dissemble the firearm in a few minutes
Experienced — Ability to disassemble the firearm in the dark
Advanced — Without looking, can instruct others how to dissemble the firearm
Master — Can instruct others how to disassemble the firearm while both in the dark
Stupid — Forgets to clear the firearm in the light before performing any of these tasks

Work at trying to become a master, but please do not be stupid.

1. All guns are ALWAYS loaded, unless you personally have proven otherwise, and the firearm has not left your hands.
2. When picking up a firearm, clear the weapon. Even if the weapon was cleared before being set down.
3. Before handing a firearm to anyone, clear the weapon.
4. When recieving a firearm from anyone, clear the weapon.
5. When in doubt clear the weapon.
6. If distracted while clearing the weapon, clear it a second time.
7. If anyone pokes fun at clearing a weapon too often, they are a danger to you and everyone.
8. Never stay around anyone who is dangerous or unsafe with firearms.

Guns are a tool to kill. As a tool they will function as designed. Being “generally safe” or “safe most of the time” is dangerous and stupid. Treat all firearms with the respect they command, and be “completely safe” and “safe at all times”. It only takes ONE mistake to kill a spouse, child, or best friend.

Be Safe, Be Responsible.