Urban settings pose different needs when compared to a rural / homestead setting. The lack of space limits and confines the amount of preparations one can make in an apartment or a small house on a 1/4 acre lot. In addition, the number of people close to your immediate proximity can be astronomical when compared to the countryside.

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Despite these unique challenges, you can still maintain a "grey" home, store an ample supply of needs, and plan an adequate way of escape from the city which is your priority when a mass-scale event transpires. Let's address how you can counter these challenges head-on.

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1. THE "GREY" HOME:

"Don't wear your money" is a common saying among preppers. With that in mind, neither should anyone advertise their home, unnecessarily in times of crisis. It's literally laying out the welcome mat to mass marauders and uninvited "guests". Here's a short list of what to do:

- Plant defensive bushes and flora in front of windows: prickly and thorny are best,

- Install and use thick-hinged, metal window shutters,

- Install black, opaque curtains to hide the use of lights during a blackout,

- Install camouflaged cameras onto nearby trees,

- Install thick bolts and locks onto each door, and

- Install shatter-proof film over your windows.

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2. SUPPLIES:

Water - keeping in mind the average person needs one gallon of water per day. So, a household of four will need to store up 120 gallons for a month's supply.

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Food - stocking up solely on canned goods will lead to high sodium intake, toxic accumulation from canned linings and malnutrition. Create a healthy storehouse of food that will contain preserves, dry canned goods, pickled vegetables, dehydrated and vacuum-sealed fruit, fresh microgreens and herbs.

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Energy - seek out an indoor, electric generator that has the ability to be charged via portable solar panels. Purchase ample firewood, batteries and blankets.

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Medical supplies - stock up on vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements to which you are already familiar. Medical conditions will only be amplified under stress and duress; so make sure to purchase items to counter stress-related symptoms and disorders. Purchase a first-aid kit. Get a CPR certificate.

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Waste - purchase additional paper products including paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, paper towels, bathroom tissue and sanitary napkins. Purchase ample trash bags of various sizes. Purchase kitty litter to absorb odor from human waste. Purchase disinfectant sprays, bleach, ammonia and other cleaning solutions (not to be stored near your water supply).

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3. ESCAPE THE CITY:

If a calamity occurs while in the office or away from home, an Everyday Carry Bag (EDC) will prove essential to make it home.

 

Next, let it be said concerning "bugging-out", always "bug-in" unless it is absolutely necessary and life-saving. If one must "bug-out", it should not extend beyond a 3-day trek by personal transport (bicycle, skateboard, roller blades) or by foot.

 

The route taken must be pre-routed and planned in advanced with caches of supplies buried every 3-5 miles up to your safehouse destination. Having pre-planned, alternate routes is highly advisable.

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