We talk about survival and prepardness what about the home?

[Badger]

Do you have outside lights and are they on at night? Specifically Front and where applicable rear or side entry points?

Own my house, in the mountains, unique setting/terrain/locale in brief. Outside lights yes, also above entry points. They are not always on at night however which is by and large a tactical choice. I use NV quite frequently to periodically monitor my surroundings.... a fact most in the neighborhood would probably freak out about, but hey, sneaking up on me is NOT an easy task and I prefer it that way. We do have motion sensitive lights, but again, I don't always opt to turn them on, just depends on how "normal" I wish to appear to suspected outsiders.

Ground floor windows?

Bushes that are deterrents for access, rose bushes, small evergreens etc

Yes.

2nd story emergency exit

A few actually.

Perimeter.

Fenced, trees, bushes, well lit if nothing keep anything out

Fenced, plenty of trees and bushes, again lighting available if required and alternative viewing methods of the area as well.

DO YOU HAVE A SAFE WORD, SAFE areas are the kids secure??

Yes in a sense, we utilize a method that while not entirely obsolete or undecipherable, would not likely be understood by any outsiders.

Cell Phone and flash light at bedside.

Cell phones do not work in our area, land line yes, butt-set in a small grab bag with a few other "rare use" essentials if necessary. Flash lights in multiple areas of the home as well as candles, and lanterns. (Might seem odd to some, but remember "mountain" area and suddenly the decor becomes 'functional'.)

Those pita toys you're always after the kids to pick up, are one of the best natural land mines for an intruder, PITA @ 3 when you have to pee, is the downside.

While I understand the practical use of such things, this is a massive "no-no" in our home. Our kids are actually grown and on their own, but we do have a girl we consider a daughter and her daughter living with us. All toys are to be off the floor and back in the toy box after 7pm. Anything that would allow me to identify someone else's steps, would also potentially alert a would-be intruder to my location if I stepped on them.

Where are the kids rooms in relation to your bedroom. Are they safe? Are you upstairs and the kids down? If someone were to kick the door in, do they have straight access or is there are couch, table, chairs etc impeding the way?

Kids room upstairs, but to get there from the outside one would have to already come up the stairs out there which would already alert me. IF.... they were to make it that far, and knew the lay out of the house, they could access Sam and Kaylee's room..... but I've taught Sam many things.... things even her dates perhaps wish I hadn't, but as I said above... I regard her as a daughter and WILL protect her as such.

DO YOU Have a way to look out the back or front door w/out exposing yourself?

Yes, many locations including upper windows if I choose. I've also made the local PD uncomfortable on a couple occasions, but this being a relatively small town they know that if shit really hit the fan they can likely ask me to assist.

Do your kids answer the door or phone and say. their not home now.
Why are they answering the door or phone w/out a basic answer?

No and somewhat N/A though. Sam is rather vague unless speaking to family. Kaylee won't talk to anyone she doesn't know, she runs to get one of us first. Calls go to the answer machine if they're unrecognized anyway.

FWIW: Do the neighborhood weak link test.

Who knows you may be a weak link
Garage and or front doors open 24/7. We all see it, fence gates open the car windows never closed, partial when hot is ok.

All doors always locked, vehicles locked, gates locked, all neighbors not only know this, they also know to call in advance or as a simple courtesy, "walk heavy" when approaching so they won't be greeted with a Badger's wrath. The same courtesy is returned even though most of them are not as likely to come to the door locked and loaded just because someone walks a little stealthily.

Knowing your neighbors by name having a phone tree and the best.

Numbers are memorized also just in case, but a quick reference list is also on hand.




Badger

[Tinelement]

Great thread Jim, and all the other input so far.

I gots me some work to do.!

[Great-Kazoo]

Cell phones do not work in our area, land line yes, butt-set in a small grab bag with a few other "rare use" essentials if necessary. Flash lights in multiple areas of the home as well as candles, and lanterns. (Might seem odd to some, but remember "mountain" area and suddenly the decor becomes 'functional'.)

Oddly enough 911 does work almost anywhere.
Our daughter and then S-I-L broke down in the desert between mojave and whatever on the 99 going north 2-3am.
End result after dealing with cell co due to issues with emergency response and their lack of reply. I had contacted CHP once our daughter was able to get cell service. CHP said a 911 call works any where AND while only a vehicle issue, they considered any issue in the desert an emergency.
This may only work in CA, however until this thread i have not contacted verizon to see what they say regarding 911. Because well i forgot
I know any cell phone no matter how old and not activated, if there is power, dialing 911 will get you connected to an emergency responder or dispatch person.

[Badger]

I've heard 911 calls are supposed to work no matter what, haven't tried it personally though.

On a slightly related note to that, if we did have to dial 911 for anything it would typically be around 30 or more minutes before we'd see any emergency response of any kind simply due to our location. The pros/cons of living there I suppose.

One area that I never feel one can have "too much" training in however is of course medical. While I have a fair amount of knowledge, there's always room for improvement in the household. Ironically the wife's job of working with animals has also taught us several emergency tips for human kind too. Take knowledge from where ever it may come really.



Badger

[Great-Kazoo]

I've heard 911 calls are supposed to work no matter what, haven't tried it personally though.

On a slightly related note to that, if we did have to dial 911 for anything it would typically be around 30 or more minutes before we'd see any emergency response of any kind simply due to our location. The pros/cons of living there I suppose.

One area that I never feel one can have "too much" training in however is of course medical. While I have a fair amount of knowledge, there's always room for improvement in the household. Ironically the wife's job of working with animals has also taught us several emergency tips for human kind too. Take knowledge from where ever it may come really.



Badger

+1 on any medical. Today's small cut could be tomorrows major infection, if not properly treated.
IF a situation came up, the medical community would be swamped. Basic suturing, immobilizing a broken bone, dealing with someone in shock etc is something we can all learn.

[Monky]

Emergency calls do work no matter what.

even on a locked phone you can place an emergency call to 911. ONLY to 911.

However, if you lack reception it doesn't matter. No amount of pushing the buttons will connect you.

[Badger]

However, if you lack reception it doesn't matter. No amount of pushing the buttons will connect you.

That's what I meant by cell phones don't work at our house.... no signal. (Technically speaking cell phones don't get signal for at least 6 miles in this region.) Wife has one, daughter has one, neither of them get any signal at the house. I don't own a cell phone, haven't really justified a need for one being that I rarely have to leave the area.

Sold some tires to a guy on Craig's List last year, I kept offering directions but he kept insisting he has some badass 400g something or other insert ridiculously priced electronic gizmo of a phone here... He refused to believe that no matter how uberwicked he thought his phone was, it simply wouldn't work here...... Late in the evening he eventually called from the top of Crow Hill (12 miles away) and I gave him directions.... Could have saved him lots on gas LOL.


Badger