Category Archives: Apartment Living

Apartment Hardening

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I saw an interesting segment on Apocalypse 101, a new survival show featuring the team at Forge Survival Supply.   I’ve only caught parts of the show, but this one caught my attention, because it was about an apartment dweller in Manhattan who lived in the second floor.  She wanted to bug in and barricade herself in the apartment, in the event of TEOTWAWKI.  The team showed her how to harden her apartment so she could survive as well as possible in a society collapse.

The team asked the lady to show them all possible entrances and exits to her apartment.

They then went to the hardware store where they picked up lots of nails, tools such as hammers, wire cutters, heavy duty staple gun, chicken wire, wood, etc.  I actually thought it would be a good idea to have tools handy in the apartment, before anything happens.  In a collapse, these tools would disappear from shelves very quickly.

Windows

First, the team reinforced the windows on the outside by stapling chicken wire all around.  The chicken wire would protect the windows from shattering in case bottles, rocks or even a Molotov cocktail was thrown at them.

They then covered the inside of the windows with black trash bags so no one outside could see in.  In a grid down situation, light will attract attention, which should be avoided.

Doors

In front of the doors that would most likely get broken into, the team hammered a bunch of large nails on a piece of wood, thereby making a doormat of nails.  If an undesirable someone were to step inside, they would “accidentally” step on the nails.

Fire Escape

In a dangerous, grid down scenario, the fire escape could be used to get into her apartment so they showed her how to make the ladder slippery by slathering on grease, and wrapping barbed wire around the area.  Of course, in “normal” times, rigging the fire escape and interfering with access would be against fire codes and therefore must not be attempted.  Again they were showing her tips to protect herself in case of TEOTWAWKI.  Another reason for the barbed wire was to deter attackers by giving them the perception that this unit would be a hard nut to crack and hopefully they would move on to something else.

I’m not sure how long these deterrents would hold up during an extended disaster; however, having these protections certainly would be better than nothing.  I would also make sure there is an escape route planned ahead of time, if all else fails.

Of course the most important factor to survive is the right mindset, and the lady featured seemed to have what it takes.

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

 

 

8 Ways to Protect Your Home or Apartment from Threat

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8 Ways to Protect Your Home or Apartment from Threat is a Guest Post by Tracy Meyers*

It’s always important to be active in your own home security. There are plenty of ways we protect ourselves from the damages we incur after a tragedy, such as renter’s insurance or home insurance for fire or break in. Hiring a security company is another great way to be proactive and put your money where your mouth is when it comes to home safety. But not every security measure can be covered through a home security provider or backed up by an insurance provider. There are some things that we, as homeowners and renters, need to be doing on our own to protect our property, prevent theft, and ward off break-ins. Not only will this make you and your family more secure, but you will also have the peace of mind that comes without doing it yourself and knowing it’s been done right.

Here are some of the top ways to secure your domicile beyond the middle man:

1.  Install window locks.

Window locks are extremely important, yet many of us settle for the same shabby locks that have been on the windows for years. There are many different variations on interior window locks, so head to a home improvement store and ask about which types would be best for your windows. Take some photos of every window in your home beforehand.

2. Close blinds and curtains.

Never leave the house without fully closing your blinds and your curtains. It’s best to have both, so criminals are not tempted to peek through the slats on blinds or look for silhouettes or shadows through curtains. Get blinds that will close fully and curtains that are thick. The more a criminal can see inside your home, the more information they will be able to ascertain about how to break in.

3. Request security light installation.

If you own your home, install your own security lights. You may need to hire an electrician to wire them. Timed lights work well, as do movement sensors. If you rent, contact your landlord about installing more lights. Go so far as to suggest the exact brand and model of light you want installed. Offer to pay for part of the installation to get the best quality lighting.

4. Block sliding doors.

Sliding doors can be one of the biggest security breaches, and many homeowners forget about them. The tiny locks on sliding doors can be easily picked. The best thing to do is place a long piece of wood or a metal rod inside in the area where the door slides to block the door from opening.

5. Install deadbolts in all entrances.

Install deadbolts in every entrance to your home, including back doors and garage doors. This is an extra level of protection, and these locks are much less difficult to pick or break.

6. Keep a light on.

Never leave the house without some lights on. When you’re out of the house, you should never make it seem like your home is deserted. It should seem as though, even if it’s clear no one’s home, someone will be returning shortly. In fact, timed lights inside your home are a great way to make sure it always seems as though someone is home.

7. Never let your front door or exteriors look shabby.

Criminals will assess every part of your home before attempting a break in, even if the break in is spur-of-the-moment. If your front door and yard are in pristine condition, it will send a signal that your home may not be easy to break into. Keep your front door freshly painted and the locks rust-free. Keep any bushes or trees trimmed, the lawn maintained, and the driveway and sidewalk free from cracks. If you rent, get on your landlord about these things.

8. Buy front door alarms for nighttime.

There are many versions of travel door alarms that work well in a pinch. Connecting an alarm to your front door that will go off if the door is opened is a good line of defense. The same goes for the windows. If you do not have a home security provider or want extra protection, having some portable security items around is a good thing.

*Tracy Meyers is a regular contributor for www.homeinsurance.org among other home and insurance-related blogs and websites. She prides herself in writing for today’s audience and providing the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

 

 

In case of shortages:

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Apartment Garden

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20130329_151958

Tomatoes

I mentioned in a previous Monday Musings I started the apartment garden.  The day I started the garden our area had a cold front, and temperatures were down in the low 30s (that’s cold for Houston this time of year).  I had to keep the plants indoors at night, and took them out for sun during the day.  Now that it’s warming up again, I can leave them outside.

20130329_151926Oregano and thai basil

20130329_151941Peppermint and Chocolate Mint

   20130329_152021Scallions grown from trash

This year I am covering all the plants with netting to avoid caterpillars and birds from attacking them.  I also placed the plants in different spots from where I had them last year. I hope I have better luck this year than last year.

Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:

 For beginning preppers

Visit SafeCastle for your preparedness supplies:

Visit SafeCastle for your preparedness supplies
Good ideas for building a food storage plan can be found here:

Would Your Car Doors Protect You from Bullets while Driving?

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A couple of weeks ago, when the Los Angeles police were searching for Christopher Dorner, the ex-cop who went on a shooting rampage, they mistakenly shot at innocent civilians who had a similar truck to the suspects.  See a photo here.  

This incident made me think about how much protection your car really gives you, should you get shot at while driving.  In the same way, I wondered about bullets and apartment walls, I had to look into cars as well.  We’ve all seen cop shows where the characters hide behind an open car door to avoid getting shot during a gun fight.

Concealment or Cover?

Concealment is just being able to hide from view, while cover means you are protected from getting hit.

This is not something I’d want to test myself, so I did some research online and watched a Mythbuster episode where the the hosts fired into an old Cadillac.

It turns out, most pistol calibers will pass right through a car door, possibly even through to the opposite side.  See Pistols and Car Doors from The Box O’Truth

The truth is, car doors do not offer protection against bullets.  Car doors only give you concealment but not cover.  Glass windows may or may not shatter immediately, but will weaken enough that subsequent bullets fired will most likely get through.

Short of bullet proofing your car, how do you protect yourself?

  • Be aware of your surrounding at all times
  • Wherever you are, have an exit plan.  While driving, keep an eye on the positions of cars around you and where you can maneuver to get away from the shots.
  • Avoid driving through unsafe areas, especially at night.
  • In a SHTF situation, body armor while driving through dangerous areas may be a consideration.  It’s not a guarantee of safety, but offers some degree of protection.

 

For beginning preppers

 

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

 

 

Common Prepping Supplies that Don’t Last Very Long

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After prepping for the last couple of years, I am starting to discover some items in the emergency kit or bug-out bag do not last as long as I thought.  Not only do you need to track your food storage, you also need to pay attention to your non-perishables.  I am not saying you should avoid stocking these items, but I do recommend you rotate these supplies often.

Batteries

I made the mistake of leaving batteries inside flashlights and lanterns and they leaked after a few months, ruining the gadget.  Batteries do expire and lose potency, or they leak battery acid when they get old.  A battery testerwill help you manage your battery supplies.  I still stock up, but I rotate frequently and I now keep rechargeable batteries which are cost effective.

Candles

Many sites don’t even recommend candles for emergencies due to risk of fire hazard, but many people stock up on candles for power outages.  Because we live in a hot climate for several months out of the year, we’ve had candles stored in the garage that have melted and warped.  If you keep candles, make sure to keep in a cool, dry place.  As a backup, learn to make inexpensive lamps from household items

2.5 gallon plastic water bottles

21epDtA-wpL._SL500_AA300_I used to store several 2.5 gallon water bottles but I have found the plastic containers degrade and can easily spring a leak.  I’ve had a few mishaps with them.  I still keep some but I rotate them frequently.   To avoid storage failures, I’ve added these heavy duty water containers to my water storage.

Lip Balm

Most bug out bags contain at least one lip balm and they are highly recommended when you are out in the sun.  However, like candles, they tend to melt into a gooey mess if left in the heat.  Store them in a cool dry place, and inspect them every year.  When they get old they also get more waxy tasting.

Adhesive Bandages

I have several boxes of adhesive bandages stocked up in several places:  car first aid kit, home emergency kit, office kit etc.  I recently used a few of the older ones and found they lose their adhesive properties over time.  They can be used but because they don’t stick as well, they need replacing more often.  You still need to stock up on them, just remember to use and rotate frequently.

Antibacterial wipes

I had a few boxes of individually wrapped antibacterial wipes from a year ago.  I opened a few packets to check and found that many wipes have already dried up.  The liquid antibacterial gel so far does not have any sign of deterioration.   I think the gel gets a bit thicker over time, but remains usable.

Sunscreens, Lotions and Mosquito Repellant

These liquids frequently have expiration dates but we all know most items are still usable post expiration.  However, they do have a shelf life.  Pay attention to the texture, smell and consistency of the liquid.  If you notice that the ingredients have separated, the item smells “off” or has changed color, it is time to get rid of it.  There is no point in hanging on to a product that has lost its potency.

Gasoline

Many apartment preppers are unable to store gasoline.  Due to the fire hazard, storing gasoline is usually prohibited in the lease.   However, if you are able to store gasoline, you will need to use CARB (if you live in California, it’s the California Air Resources Board or EPA compliant gasoline containers.  Even then, gasoline will stay fresh only for about 30-90 days at a maximum, depending on storage conditions.  You will need to use a gasoline stabilizer such as Sta-Bil, and continue to rotate your supplies regularly.

After storing supplies for a couple of years, I’ve learned that reality sometimes falls short of expectations.  I hate throwing unused stuff away but once it’s no longer effective, out it goes.  At that point, these old items are just clutter and you are just fooling yourself thinking you have supplies.  The worst thing would be to have prepping supplies fail you when you need them most, or when you can no longer buy new ones after an emergency.  Keeping close track of your stored items will help you avoid waste and nasty surprises later on.

 

Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:

 For beginning preppers

Visit SafeCastle for your preparedness supplies:

Visit SafeCastle for your preparedness supplies
Good ideas for building a food storage plan can be found here:

What to Do if Your Bug Out Vehicle is Too Small

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Prepping in small spaces is a topic we’ve discussed, but we have not discussed space issues in a bug out vehicle.

Many city dwellers are trying to save on gas, and are downsizing to a smaller vehicle.  Several relatives have switched to small economy cars or hybrids after getting tired of high gas prices.  If you live in a city, there is always a chance you may need to get out, hopefully you will be able to drive out while you can.

Now is a good time to evaluate your bug out vehicle, before any emergency happens.  Here are some considerations:

  • Number of people riding with you.
  • Trunk/storage space
  • Gas mileage
  • Ability to drive in flooding and rough terrain
  • Height of the car
  • Condition of the car

How much supplies you want to take with you?  You’ll need to be choosy about what will go into your bug out vehicle.  I realize many preppers favor “bugging in” instead of driving out.  I can understand it is much easier to shelter in place.  But everyone needs a “Plan B” in case you have to flee an immediate danger in the city.  You will need essentials such as water, food, shelter (tents etc), your bug out bags.  If you have pets you will also need space for them and their supplies.  You may also need a gas can or two, depending on the situation.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Clean out your car thoroughly.  I know people who carry a lot of clutter in their trunk such as sports equipment, bags of clothes they need to donate or take to the cleaners, even trash.  I’m not judging anyone, but if you happen to have junk in your car, get rid of it.
  • Maintain your car.  Are you overdue for an oil change or tune-up?   Do your brakes need replacing?  Are your tires balding?  I have been guilty of all of the above at some point in my life when I kept putting off repairs due to budget constraints.  Do your best to get your car serviced.  You don’t want your car to break down when you are trying to get your family to safety.
  • If your car lacks space for emergency supplies, now is the time to look into ways to increase storage space:

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Roof luggage rack

Roof Cargo bag Rooftop cargo box or rooftop cargo bag

Cargo Carrier

Cargo carrier

Before you buy, check the specifications carefully to make sure the space extender you are buying will fit your car.

Low budget idea:  If you have a built in roof rack, mount items on the rack with rope and a black or brown tarp,  but you will will need to practice doing this to make sure everything is secure.  Not very attractive, but if you are trying to leave in a hurry then you may not care about appearances, just try to avoid attracting attention.

You could also find these items used.  As people change cars, they will not be needing the old rack for the old car.

I’m not an expert on cars, and you may find other solutions work better for you.  Space in your car may someday be as critical as the space in your home.  The good news is, these space extenders are useful to have even if no emergency ever happens.

 

 

For your gold and silver coins, visit:

 

Compact, Efficient and Lightweight Survival Stove

Solo Stove

For beginning preppers

 

 

Short on Cash for Preps this Month? Here are a Few Ideas

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I had to do a double take when I noticed my paycheck this year has gotten much smaller. No, I am not working less hours, in fact, I have had to put in some late nights finishing up projects.  I compared the deductions line by line to see what had changed from last year:  health insurance went up, and mostly, taxes went up.  The country may have stepped away from the dreaded fiscal cliff, but for many workers, payroll taxes have taken a chunk out of their take home pay.

If I am feeling the pinch, I am sure a lot of other preppers out there are feeling strapped for cash as well.  But we don’t want to stop prepping.  Here are a few ideas to help you cope if you find yourself short on funds:

  1. Even apartment dwellers accumulate unwanted items and clutter:  Go through your home and find items you can sell easily such as books, CDs, XBox games.  List them on E-bay or on Zumu.   I have no financial affiliation with them but I have tried selling off items at Zumu myself and was happy I got rid of un-needed items and got a check after a couple of weeks.   I cashed the check soon after and used it for bulk food storage.
  2. Save up for more expensive items such as a good water purifier by setting aside the budgeted amount for the current month to carry over to next month.
  3. Have a no-spend week where you buy nothing that week.  It’s not as painful as you think;  I tried it and described the turn-out here.
  4. Devote the entire month to learning skills instead.  Each weekend, choose one survival skill to try out and devote a couple of hours to learning that skill:  filter and purify water, build a fire without matches, cook over an open flame, build a shelter
  5. If you feel you are already experienced, practice something you haven’t done in a long time.  It doesn’t cost you anything to map out at least three routes out of your city, take a free refresher course at a hospital or Red Cross such as CPR, basic first aid, etc.
  6. Visit your local library, get a library card if you don’t have one.  Check out emergency preparedness and survival books.  If you already have a library card, check your library’s website online.  Most city libraries allow you reserve books that are already checked out.  If you plan ahead, you’ll avoid wasting gas.
  7. Instead of buying more stuff, do a thorough inventory of all your emergency supplies and get yourself organized.  You may be surprised and find things you forgot you had, or find items that can be repurposed for prepping.  How much camping equipment do you have around?  I found some nice sleeping bags we used for a camping trip five years ago that were perfectly fine and only needed freshening up.  We also used the sleeping bags as additional comforters when we had an unexpected cold snap last month.
  8. Even if you have only $5-10 to spare, you can buy emergency supplies at the dollar store
  9. Have you considered barter?  A lot of Craigslist users are not in it for cash, but prefer to barter instead. Again you would have to get yourself organized and find items of value that you no longer need.  Make a list of survival or emergency items that you need.  Then list your items for barter.   If you do try Craigslist, make sure you are mindful of safety at all times.
  10. Sign up for free samples.  Use the free samples to supplement your bug out bag, office emergency kit or personal care buckets.  First, you must set up an email address just for signing up for free samples.  Do not use this email address for anything else.  Google “free samples” and sign up for the sites that look good to you.  Even Target and Walmart have sites designated to give away freebies.  Checking early in the morning seems to glean the best samples as they usually run out later in the day.

Being tight with cash is nothing to be depressed about.  Instead, think of things you can do, instead of what you can’t.  With a little creativity, you can continue to prepare for any emergency whatever your financial situation might be.

 

Learning to Repurpose Items

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Plate

Dessert platter made from mismatched plate and candleholder glued together

It’s no surprise that with prices for food increasing, and income shrinking, families are having to cut back on expenses and find even more ways to save.  Lately, I have been trying to avoid buying new stuff, but rather finding ways to reuse items in other ways:  repurposing.  Not only am I trying to save space, but also trying to save money by giving old items a new use.

So far it’s been very interesting and rewarding to be able to find new uses for old items.  Here are some things I have around:

Old office pencil holder now holds combs and hairbrushes
Old office pencil holder now holds combs and hairbrushes

 

A discarded paper towel cardboard  now holds trash bags reused as trash can liners

 

Old worn out car mat now protects the floor  beneath the cat litter box

I’ll post some more as I find new uses for things.  Not very exciting, but repurposing items can help you save money and time.  And it keeps useful things out of the landfills.  If the economy worsens, then it may become a necessity to rethink of other ways to use stuff.  Might as well start re-purposing now.

 

For beginning preppers

 

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

Guest Post: Halloween Apartment Security

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Apartment Halloween Security

Trick-or-treating isn’t just for kids living in suburbia. Kids everywhere love knocking on doors for candy, and apartment buildings are a sweet way to get tons of treats in the shortest distance! However, there are a couple of extra factors that come into play when celebrating this holiday, apartment security being one of them. If you’re expecting candy searching ghouls and goblins at your apartment this Halloween, follow these tips.

If You’re Expecting Trick-or-Treaters

  • Be Welcoming – Having decorations on your door will let trick-or-treaters know that you’re giving out the good stuff (candy). Maybe try these Halloween decorations for your apartment rental.
  • Beware of Dog – It’s always a good safety measure to keep dogs, cats, and other pets a safe distance from trick-or-treaters. Kids scare easily and some pets can get hostile or make a break for it out of the apartment, causing more of a headache.
  • Offer Trusted Treats Only – Parents have a lot to worry about when their children bring a bag-o-candy home, so give them a break by offering store-bought, pre-packaged treats.
  • Set The Stage – If you really love Halloween, go the extra mile. Hang a ghost from the trees in the front of your apartment building and put out some jack-o-lanterns.

Protecting Your Apartment

Halloween is an ideal time for vandals and burglars to attack. This goes the same for apartment dwellers. Here are some basic Halloween apartment security tips you can use if you plan on leaving or staying home at your apartment on Oct. 31.

  • Hold the Fort – Never allow anyone into your home, even if it’s the parent of a child. You never know who you’re letting into your apartment.
  • Lock Up – If you plan on leaving your apartment for the evening, don’t forget to lock your doors and windows. This should go without saying, but it’s amazing how many people still leave their doors unlocked, making the job for a burglar easier.
  • Set A Cut-Off Time – When I was growing up, our neighborhood had a cut-off time for trick-or-treating. For safety reasons, trick-or-treaters should be off the streets by 8 or 9. Answering your door after that exposes you to a greater risk of a home invasion or burglary.
  • Tweeting Your Halloween Plans – Some burglars scout their next target using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Try to avoid “tweeting” your Halloween plans, because if a burglar knows that you’re leaving your apartment vacant for the night, they’ll be tempted to strike.
  • Apartment Security System – If you have an apartment security system in place, don’t forget to arm it. It can be your first line of defense against an intruder or burglar. If you don’t have one, there are plenty of affordable DIY home security solutions out there that don’t require you to have a land line.

This guest post was written by Kevin Raposo, a blogger for SimpliSafe & Infobia.  Kevin covers issues related to home security, crime, safety, and consumer issues.  Kevin is a dedicated writer and musician, spreading the word through music and blogging. SimpliSafe is a leader in the wireless home security field.

 

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

Monday Musings 10/8/2012 There’s Still Time to Enter the Contest!

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Just a quick post today, as I have to get back to work.

Seasoned Citizen Relaunch  Check out http://seasonedcitizenprepper.com – it is being relaunched today with a new editor for the site, and lots of upcoming great topics in the works.  Here is the Seasoned Citizen Prepper mission statement:   Mission Statement: SCP is a site devoted to the older prepper that believes in prudent, practical preparedness. Self-reliance, frugal living, and faith are the cornerstones of this site. Our goal is to facilitate sharing of knowledge among our subscribers in order to build a sense of community.

Easy Dairy Products Made at Home.  It was easy enough making regular plain and Greek yogurt at home, but it turns out there are other easy dairy product recipes.  See  Easy Homemade Dairy Products  from Backwoods Home Magazine.  I’ve never considered making sour cream or even soft cheese at home, but this article sounds pretty convincing.

A Worthwhile Supplement to Consider  Omega 3 fats, which are normally found in fish sources, such as herring, salmon, and sardines have been found to lower the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease.  See Omega-3 Fats Seen as Natural Anti-Aging Nutrient

Server move issues  I had some difficulties posting articles last week due to the blog server move, but this week seems problem free (fingers crossed)  I didn’t get any reports of site loading problems from readers.  If you experienced any issues, hopefully they have cleared up by now.  Thanks for your patience.

Submit your entry now!  Don’t forget to submit your comment to enter to win the new book Brushfire Plague.  Drawing is on Tuesday, October 9th at 8 pm Central.

Take care everyone and have a great week!

 

 

 

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