Even if conflicts occur halfway across the world, it can have a direct affect on the way we live everyday and the items we often take for granted can suddenly become scarce or disappear altogether. Below are various approaches one can take to minimize the personal impacts of war abroad as well as domestic social tension.

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SECURING HOME BASE

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Priority #1 is fortifying one's residence AND its perimeter so that all members of the household and all possessions are safe. It is easy to say, "Well, all I need to do is exercise my 2nd Amendment rights", but there's much more to consider.

 

In addition, online security with cameras and electronic surveillance systems simply aren't enough when it comes to defending home base in the event of social conflict or war. Offline defense mechanisms must be in place so as to offset any power cutoffs or electric grid shutdowns.

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Create a "grey home" by covering windows with one-sided visibility film (you can see out, but no one can see in), install window smash-proof film, forward mail to a post office box.

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One can fortify their "home-space" by installing bulletproof window shutters, install concrete blocks to the walls around the home structure, install steel doors and double bolt all entry ways.

 

Protect against fire blasts by purchasing fire extinguishers, fire blankets, gas masks, install fireproof foam insulation within your home's walls and install a "panic room".

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Offline home defense measures include a trained dog. Perimeter fencing should be lined with defensive plants. When landscaping, use of pine straw around the structure of the home is too quiet. Gravel will produce more sound if someone trespasses and is safer in terrain that is susceptible to forest fires.

 

Outdoor generators should be bolted onto a concrete block and housed with a small roof vent above. Water cisterns need to be housed to prevent freezing and sabotage of the water supply. Fishing wire triggers can set-off noise alarms and a barrage of booby-traps.

 

"Secret Rooms", underground bunkers and multiple escape routes are ideal if all defense measures fail. These escape measures must have survival supplies and BOBs (bug-out bags) within them, equipped with everything needed to thrive.

 

A safe meeting place must be agreed upon by household members (your survival team) until the nearest "safehouse" or alternative location is reached by foot or use of a personal transport vehicle.

 

FOOD & WATER

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With inflation at 30%, prices are now higher than at any time for the past 40 years. Coupled with recent plans of a Soviet invasion into neighboring countries, prices will only increase. It is most prudent to devise a plan to lessen your dependency on manufactured food items and public municipalities for water.

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Of course, grow your own food and source water from your own well are the most ideal situations when it comes to providing nourishment to your family. Alternates can include rent land to grow food, source water from a neighbor's well, network with farmers from nearby Farmer Markets, harvest water from rain cisterns.

 

Learn what local edibles grow in the wild, seed what you would like to grow locally and create a home culture of preserving, canning and pickling.

 

But what to do when scenarios of conflict occur, and you find yourself unprepared? Hoarding overtly expensive, canned goods from a supermarket is not what you want to do. Make plans for food and water, now!

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ENERGY & FUEL

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If an EMP attack were to occur; whether it is domestic or foreign; all things electronic would become useless; from airplanes to pacemakers. It is prudent to consider independent, alternate energy sources, not reliant on fossil fuels, and create or purchase a Faraday cage or comparative device.

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Energy considerations include: install home solar panels and miniature wind turbines, purchase portable, electric power stations and hybrid power generators. Stock up on firewood, lanterns, and safety candles.

 

Use heavy duty aluminum foil or a metal garbage can grounded with a rubber tire to produce Faraday effects that can protect your electronics from an EMP event. Make plans for independent energy production, now!

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COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY

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The wartime playbook maintains a stance in cutting off power and communications including utilities and internet services, produce cyberattacks and attempt to crash the enemy's economy.

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We believe in literary readiness; meaning one should have a library of "How-To" and DIY paper books, maps and manuals. All e-books stored in any device should be printed or hard copied. Maps should be laminated. All electronic files should be backed up on flash drives and stored in Faraday-type containers.

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Purchase and learn how to use HAM radios, CB radios, weather radio devices, satellite phones as well as walkie-talkies to maintain contact with the "outside" world - never disclosing your location.

 

Primitive technology will be the only technology available in the event of an EMP attack. Train carrier pigeons to relay messages. Learn foreign languages to confuse enemies. Learn Morse Code, as most people do not know it. Learn Sign Language for stealth communication.

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MONEY & BARTERING

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Maintain an eye on investments and cash out when it's most beneficial. Keep a ready supply of cash at-hand in case ATMs, banks and financial institutions shut down.

 

Be ready to barter with silver and gold coins and keep them "handy" as well. Hold on to "hard-to-find" items as they will increasingly grow in value and can be bartered if your supplies begin to dwindle.

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ONE LAST NOTE: Keep in mind, having is not enough. Knowing is not enough. It is high time for DOING and PRACTICING survival life skills, right NOW!