Best Home Fortification Tactics To Stop Break-Ins

Few Human Initiatives Are As Ancient & Respectable As Home Fortification

We separated ourselves from the animal kingdom by the strength of our wits and our knack for self-defense.

So to defend our family from others, we need to become home fortification experts.

Especially if the world we know collapses and desperate people want to take what’s ours.

Home fortification doesn’t require a moat or mangled barbed wire fence ringing your lawn.

Creating a secure home can be done by adding a few simple tactics.

It all depends on how far you want to take it.

So first, you must ask yourself:

• Do you want a secure house that looks as normal as possible?
• Or do you want it to resemble a bunker with maximum defense capabilities?

The bottom line is:

The more difficult your home is to penetrate, the more likely a criminal will choose an easier target.

That’s the ultimate goal.

Make it an absolute pain in the ass for the enemy, and he’ll move on to easier targets. (a.k.a your neighbors).

So, today I’m going to rely on my Engineering, Design, and Survival & Preparedness background to share the best home defense tips, tricks, and strategies:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How To Fortify Your Home

Home Break In Statistics…

1. Reinforcing Front | Back Doors

2. Security Cameras

3. Protecting Your Windows

4. Motion Triggered Lights

5. Bells or Chimes

6. Securing Your Walls

7. Block Up Those Chimneys

8. Guard Dogs | Exotic Pets

9. Strategic Fencing

10. Landscaping – Trees & Shrubs

11. Nature’s Barbed Wire – Cacti

12. Blend In – Don’t Stick Out

13. Train Your Family

14. Take Your Family Shooting

15. Martial Arts

16. Melee Weapons

17. Firepower | Boobie Traps

Introduction – How To Fortify Your Home

Here are 2 videos that do a solid job covering many of the best home fortification tactics worth watching:

↓ Home Fortifications for SHTF, Home Invasion, and Burglary Prevention ↓

↓ HOME HARDENING | Fortifying a Place of Residence ↓

Home Break In Statistics

Focus On The High Risk & Weak Points First

It might seem intuitive to you, but you’d be surprised how many people are shocked when burglars gain access to their homes.

Normally it’s through an unlocked window or a fragile sliding glass door!

Let’s break it down statistically and take a look.

Here are the top seven common points of access criminals use to invade homes:

34% – Through the front exterior door

23% – Through the first-floor windows

22% – Through a back exterior door

  9% – Through the garage doors

  6% – Though unlocked storage areas

  4% – Through basement or window

  2% – Through the second-floor window

The most important places to fortify are the front and back doors.

Next are all the first-floor windows.

But don’t stop there; you should reinforce all possible entry points for maximum security.

1. Reinforcing Front/Back Doors

Since most break-ins occur through doors or windows – that’s where you should spend most of your efforts!

Armor Concepts Door Armor

Door Reinforcement Armor

Armor Concepts sells door armor! 

Door Armor is a patented door security device that reinforces your existing doors’ weak points.

So you should always reinforce those points of entry as best as you can. These products help you do just that!

And the cost of these products is very reasonable if you ask me – especially for what you get –> “insane peace of mind.”

Watch the following video on how well this door reinforcement device works.

↓ Door Armor Independent Security Testing ↓

Security Cameras Are Excellent Deterrents – Even If They Don’t Work

2. Security Cameras

A simple Google search will provide many home security and surveillance options.

Systems you can purchase and have installed directly into your home.

Usually, these security services allow you to “arm” your home when you are not there or after you have gone to sleep.

Once the system is armed, any windows breaking or doors being forced open will trigger an alarm that notifies local authorities.

They call 911 for you when someone breaks in.

However, this constant monitoring is not cheap.

Basic DIY surveillance systems are cheaper and can be set up relatively easily.

However, you can’t personally watch them 24/7.

So you have to decide which home fortification option is right for you…

The good news is that a potential intruder doesn’t know if that security camera is tied to a monitoring system (or not).

They see cameras and will likely move on to an easier target.

However, if you’re not willing to take that gamble and have the dollars to spend, there are quite a few home security and surveillance systems you could look into.

Just do your homework before signing a long-term monitoring contract.

NOTE: Since this article was written, DIY surveillance systems, home security systems, and even doorbell cameras have dramatically improved.

Most can alert you with a notification on your phone when they detect motion and allow you to talk and listen through the devices.

↓ 7 Common Security Camera Installation FAILS and How to Avoid Them ↓

3. Protecting Your Windows

Once all your standard entry points are protected with an alarm system, you should focus on your windows.

I will assume all your windows have locks – make sure you use them.

But I’m not a big fan of window alarms.

Why? Because a burglar can shatter and break a window out WITHOUT having to slide the window.

If the window doesn’t slide – traditional window alarms are useless.

Instead, you have two better options…

First is burglar bars. They are a great deterrent, but they’re not the best-looking option.

So if you want extra security and want it to look good, research security window film

The film will slow intruders down and force them to make more noise.

First, if you’re serious about protecting your windows – you should read our article about Security Window Film.

It covers many details we don’t have time to discuss here…

There are several film types and other window security solutions, such as burglar bars, riot glass, or security screens.

But for most people who want a quick, good-looking window security upgrade, window security film is your best bet.

↓ 5 Easy Ways to Fortify Your Windows – Downtown Tactical ↓

4. Motion Triggered Lights

These handy motion-sensing illuminators are a cheap, simple way of detecting when intruders are intruding.

Fair warning, though: you will doubtlessly catch some unsuspecting wildlife by surprise occasionally.

↓ Home Perimeter Motion Alert System ↓

5. Bells or Chimes

Hang a doorknob chime on your door or some chimes just inside your door.

Your mind will become accustomed to the jingling sound of your doors opening and closing.

If you are asleep and wake in the middle of the night to jingling and jangling …

You know something unusual is afoot.

6. Securing Your Walls

Usually, walls do not present a problem … unless the hulk is trying to break into your home (in which case: GOOD LUCK).

But if someone decides to start shooting at the exterior of your home, drywall and wooden studs will not save you.

Brick or stone walls are the best for mitigating this threat.

But leave yourself “loopholes.”

These are small openings from which you can see and shoot without being seen or shot at.

7. Block Up Those Chimneys

Who knows, right? Maybe someone is so intent on breaking into your home that they decide to take the ash-tunnel route.

If you are in extreme danger and must fortify to the greatest extent possible, block up your chimney.

You don’t want any bad Santas coming down the pipes.

8. Guard Dogs | Exotic Pets

Whether you like them or not, these furry companions are one of the most effective home protectors.

Big dogs are better, for obvious reasons, but even little dogs can serve as an alarm or a deterrent.

↓ Military Canine Handler’s Top 5 Home Protection Dogs ↓

While a dog can be a good option, sometimes more exotic pets can offer an extra level of intimidation.

If someone breaks into a house and comes face-to-face with a Bengal tiger living in it, there is no way they will follow through with their villainous intentions.

But proceed with caution.

Wild animals don’t always understand the difference between “good guys” and “bad guys.”

9. Strategic Fencing

The age-old technology of the fence is one of mankind’s greatest accomplishments.

They keep people out of places you don’t want them to be.

Install one if you’re concerned with home fortification.

Just be smart about it.

They can create a false sense of security and even make you a target.

A fence too close to the home will provide cover for a thief.

Keeping him hidden while he performs his evil bidding.

Plus, most home fences are easily scaled.

Instead, use strategic fencing to create choke points, visual deterrents, and psychological effects.

↓ How to Defend Your Home from THE PURGE! ↓

Big flamboyant houses with exuberant features and huge fences make for excellent targets.

It shouts,

“We have lots of expensive stuff. So expensive we put up a huge fence.”

NOTE: Click here to see why you should avoid a tall fence around your home. 

Not all fences are bad, but most are child’s play for an experienced criminal or a desperate mob.

But there are ways to help conceal your house, protect your privacy, and provide security.

Mother Nature’s got you covered.

Criminals won’t be able to scope your property and develop a solid game plan if they can’t see your windows from the street.

10. Landscaping – Trees & Shrubs

If you are lucky enough to live in a house with a lawn or acreage…use it.

Planting a lot of trees and shrubs around your home is not just good for property values; it is also effective at concealing your privacy.

They can also help block windows and driveways, front doors, patios, or backyards from view.

And the fewer prying eyes roam your home, the better.

Shrubs can be planted strategically to funnel invaders into defined areas that are easy to watch.

Thorny bushes like blackberry and raspberry vines can act as physical barriers against threats.

↓ Landscaping with Home Security in Mind ↓

11. Nature’s Barbed Wire – Cacti

These are nature’s barbed wire fences. During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, Spaniards would plant Mesquite around the perimeters of their homes.

This gangly, wild-looking cactus would grow to well over 8 feet tall.

It can serve as a perfect means of protection against unwelcome intruders.

Don’t underestimate a well-placed thorn bush or Cacti beneath your first-floor windows.

I don’t care how motivated you are to break in; nobody wants to get stuck with a bunch of thorns trying.

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Don’t Allow Anyone To Peer In Your Windows When You’re Not At Home

12. Blend In – Don’t Stick Out

Eye-catching, expensive-looking houses are more likely to become targets.

So do your best to keep your home flying under the radar.

You do not have to paint the house with a camouflage green to achieve this (actually, that would stick out worse in most neighborhoods).

Avoid bright colors and stick to more natural hues.

Park your vehicles in garages, around the back, or hide them under tarps.

Also, use window blinds or curtains to keep outsiders from seeing valuables or expensive items you might have.

13. Train Your Family

No sane individual would knowingly break into a house full of highly trained, sharp-shooting badasses.

Not only does a well-trained clan deter potential intruders, but it also ensures that every family member is capable of self-defense.

This alone will grant you some semblance of peace of mind.

But before you ship your relatives off to an army boot camp, do everything you can to prepare them with simpler means first.

14. Take Your Family Shooting

It can be survival air rifles, .22s, .357s, AK-47s, or a survival bow.

You’ve done your job as long as you get your loved ones to understand how guns work, how to use them, and how to stay safe.

Shooting is a great skill everyone should learn. It is useful for hunting and imperative for effective self-defense.

15. Martial Arts

Enrolling in a martial arts school is one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself for a home invasion.

I’d rather have a firearm than not, but I won’t be a sitting duck if I end up unarmed.

Picking a specific style can be difficult.

Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Mui Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu are decent options for getting started.

16. Melee Weapons

A simple kitchen knife, baseball bat, or golf club can become an effective self-defense weapon.

But only if it’s in the hands of someone who knows how to use it effectively.

Bottom line:

Your entire family should be physically and mentally prepared to keep intruders at bay.

17. Firepower | Boobie Traps

Ensure you are well-armed and equipped to manage a home invasion situation.

Planting trees, painting the house, and getting a German Shepard is great, but it is not always enough.

You need to outfit your home fortification with as much firepower and ammunition as is necessary.

If you are serious about home defense (and you should be), set some booby traps on your property.

Things like tripwires with bells attached can be enough to alert you to intruders.

But please, do not set up any lethal traps inside your house.

First off, they are highly illegal.

People have died at their own hands because they set off a booby trap they set.

Be careful when you set traps. If you are not vigilant, you might catch yourself.

↓ DIY Perimeter Defense – Area Dential Devices ↓

Home Fortification – A Final Warning

Here’s the rub:

Don’t forget if someone is 100% determined to enter your home and rob you (or cause bodily harm), they probably can.

Unless you have a well-defended bulletproof home, it can be broken into if a large enough group coordinates an attack.

So you have 2 choices:

1. Work towards making your home bulletproof.
2. Have a backup plan if you cannot get it up to bulletproof standards. Specify a “bug-out-location” with your family or roommates to regroup should your defenses fall.

Which leads to the next dark truth.

You may be unable to stay in your house forever if you’re unprepared.

This is especially true if you find yourself in an urban city during an End Of The World As We Know It scenario.

Areas with higher populations are more susceptible to violent riots and high crime levels.

So if you live in a big city or around many people, developing a backup plan is certainly in your best interest.

Evacuation doesn’t have to be bad; change can be overcome if you plan on it.

With luck, you’ll never have to defend your home from anyone or anything.

That’s the hope.

But if things go south and you must defend your home, you can ensure you are prepared to the highest degree.

Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,

Cofounder Of Skilledsurvival.com & TheResilientLife.com

Born & Raised On A Rural Farm In The Midwest

Mechanical Engineering Grad From A Major University

Engineer With A Major Food Manufacturing Company

10+ Years Researching, Writing, & Teaching Preparedness

Mission: Help Folks Stop Living A Life Fragile To The Future

P.s. Are you ready for the tough times ahead?

Find out now by taking my short Readiness Score Quiz - it’s absolutely free. Once complete, you’ll know exactly where you stand on the “fragile” vs.” resilient” spectrum.

So click here to start the Quiz….And don’t worry; the questions are so easy a 3rd grader could answer them. Click on the image to begin the Quiz and find out once and for all if you're part of “The Fragile Masses” or “The Resilient Few.”

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