The Best Burglar Deterrents Your Home Needs Before the World Gets Worse

Crime is rising in places where it never used to exist, criminals are getting bolder, and society keeps acting shocked every time something awful happens, as if the writing hasn’t been smeared all over the wall for the last decade. Maybe you still cling to the fantasy that calling the police will magically solve everything. Well, I hate to break it to you—but by the time help arrives, the criminals will already be gone, and they’ll likely be holding half your belongings and your sense of security hostage.

If you want to keep your home—and your sanity—intact, you need deterrents. Not hopes. Not wishes. Not naïve trust in your ZIP code. You need real, physical, tactical strategies that send a crystal-clear message: Go bother someone else.
Below are the best burglar deterrents that actually work in this collapsing world.


1. Outdoor Lighting That Doesn’t Apologize for Existing

People talk about “warm,” “welcoming,” or “eco-friendly” outdoor lighting. Forget that nonsense. You need lighting that burns brighter than your disappointment in modern society—lights that flip on the moment a would-be intruder so much as breathes near your property line.

Motion-activated floodlights are one of the simplest deterrents you can install. Criminals rely on shadows, darkness, and people pretending not to notice them. When a floodlight blasts them in the face like a stadium spotlight, they rethink their life choices real fast.

Look for:

  • LED bulbs (long life, high brightness)
  • Wide-angle sensors
  • Waterproof housings
  • Placement higher than 9 feet so they can’t be smashed easily

You’d be amazed how many criminals abandon their brilliant plans the moment they’re confronted by a wall of blinding illumination. It’s almost poetic, really—rotting intentions exposed by light.


2. Security Cameras—Yes, Even the Fake Ones Work

We live in a surveillance era whether you like it or not. Cameras are everywhere except, ironically, on the homes of the people who actually need them the most. Criminals hate being recorded. They want to slither around unnoticed like the bottom-feeders they are.

You need cameras that are:

  • Visible
  • Weatherproof
  • Night-vision capable
  • Cloud-backed (so they can’t destroy the evidence)

Place them where they’re obvious—above entrances, near garages, overlooking walkways. You’re not trying to be subtle. You’re sending a message.

And here’s the kicker: Even dummy cameras help. A burglar sees a lens and a blinking LED and instantly starts questioning whether your house is worth the trouble. Sure, a seasoned professional might know the difference—but most people breaking into homes aren’t “professionals.” They’re desperate, sloppy opportunists hoping the universe will hand them something for free.

Not today. Not from your home.


3. Reinforced Doors and Windows—Because Builders Don’t Care About You

You’d think the front door—the main barrier between your life and the chaos outside—would be built strong. But no. Most doors are so flimsy they might as well be made of cardboard and optimism. The average door frame can be kicked in by anyone with working legs and bad intentions.

You need:

  • Reinforced strike plates
  • 3-inch screws
  • Solid-core or steel doors
  • Window security film
  • Anti-lift devices on sliding doors

When some intruder tries kicking in your door and it doesn’t budge, they get confused. Criminals panic when things don’t go as planned. That’s where deterrence becomes protection.

Your windows? Same deal. Most are so easy to breach it’s insulting. Add security film so they don’t shatter like your hope for society’s future.


4. Alarms—The Loud, Obnoxious Kind

A burglar wants silence. They want time. They want a sense of control.

So your job is to remove all three.

A screaming alarm that sounds like a mechanical banshee is one of the most effective deterrents on Earth. The moment that shriek hits, the criminal knows every second increases the chance someone will notice them.

You don’t need a fancy subscription service or a contract that traps you like a mortgage. Even standalone alarms work:

  • Window alarms
  • Door alarms
  • Glass-break sensors
  • Smart alarms that alert your phone

Once that thing wails, criminals usually bolt. Nobody wants to get caught—especially not burglars who barely have functioning plans to begin with.


5. Dogs—The Original Security System

Forget what the commercials tell you. Forget the cutesy anecdotes. A barking dog is one of the most proven burglar deterrents in existence.

Criminals don’t want unpredictability. Dogs are unpredictable. They make noise. They draw attention. They bite.

Even a medium-size dog is enough to make a burglar reconsider their life choices. And if you happen to have a larger breed? Congratulations—your home just jumped several tiers on the “not worth the risk” list.

But don’t rely on the dog alone. You need overlapping layers. Dogs are wonderful, but they sleep. They get distracted. Technology doesn’t.

Combine the two and you’ve got a fortress.


6. Signs—Because Humans Fear Warnings More Than Reality

Does a sign stop a truly determined criminal? No. But it absolutely stops the lazy, opportunistic ones. And those are the majority.

Use signs like:

  • “24-Hour Video Surveillance”
  • “Beware of Dog”
  • “Security System Installed”
  • “Private Property – No Trespassing”

Some people say warning signs are “aggressive.” Good. Let them think that. You’re not running a daycare—you’re protecting your home from vultures.


7. Neighborhood Awareness—Even If You Hate People

Let’s be honest: Most preppers aren’t exactly thrilled about mingling with neighbors. But here’s the cold truth: Criminals thrive where nobody pays attention.

You don’t have to bake cookies together or exchange holiday cards. Just:

  • Learn their faces
  • Know what cars belong on your street
  • Pay attention when something feels “off”

You don’t need community spirit. You just need community awareness. Even the most pessimistic prepper can benefit from a quick text message warning them a suspicious individual was lurking around the mailboxes.


The Harsh Reality: Security Is Your Responsibility

No one is coming to save you. Not your city. Not your state. Not your neighbors. Not the system that keeps telling you everything is fine.

If you want security, you build it yourself.

The best burglar deterrents aren’t complicated—they’re layered. Combine lighting, cameras, reinforcing materials, alarms, signs, and situational awareness, and suddenly your home becomes the hardest target on the block.

Criminals don’t want a challenge. They want easy prey.

Make sure that’s never you.

How To Stay Alive During a Los Angeles Riot

When the streets of Los Angeles erupt in chaos—burning storefronts, sirens wailing, mobs overrunning city blocks—you don’t want to be figuring things out in the moment. As a seasoned survival prepper and self-defense trainer, I’ve learned that survival doesn’t depend on luck. It depends on preparation, situational awareness, and knowing how to respond when society takes a nosedive.

Riots, especially in a sprawling city like LA, are unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes. It doesn’t matter if you’re caught in Koreatown or driving near Melrose when the flash mobs hit—you need to know how to defend yourself, protect your loved ones, and get out alive.

This guide lays out 8 must-know self-defense skills, 3 DIY weapons you can make from household items, and the mindset you need to adopt when the city turns into a war zone.


Understand the Environment

First, get real about where you are. Los Angeles is a sprawling urban jungle with over 4 million people, and it has a history of civil unrest—from the 1992 Rodney King riots to the George Floyd protests in 2020. When a riot starts, it spreads fast. You need to know the chokepoints, escape routes, and danger zones in your neighborhood.

Download offline maps and mark exits out of your area. Freeways can get jammed—sometimes it’s better to travel on foot through alleys than be stuck in a car.


8 Must-Know Self-Defense Skills

These aren’t gimmicks. These are battle-tested techniques that can save your life:

1. Situational Awareness (SA)

Your first and strongest weapon. Always know your surroundings—who’s near you, where cover is, and where the exits are. Riots are fluid; mobs move. Don’t stand still and don’t look like an easy target.

Pro tip: Keep your head on a swivel—avoid tunnel vision.

2. Verbal De-escalation

Not every confrontation needs to go physical. Being able to read body language and talk someone down is underrated. Stay calm. Use strong, clear voice commands. Maintain distance and confidence without aggression.

3. Open-Hand Strikes

If you must defend yourself, open-hand strikes are safer for your hands than punches. Target the eyes, throat, and nose—areas that disable, not just hurt.

4. Knee Strikes

If someone gets too close, a knee to the midsection or groin can end the fight quickly. Practice good balance and aim.

5. Escape From Grabs

Learn basic escapes from wrist grabs, chokes, and bear hugs. Practice the principle of going “with the grab” to break free using leverage and momentum—not strength.

6. Improvised Weapon Use

A pen, belt, flashlight, or broken chair leg can become a powerful weapon if used right. Practice using household items as force multipliers.

7. Ground Defense

Fights may go to the ground. Learn how to shrimp, bridge, and get to your feet. Never stay flat on your back during a riot—mob mentality shows no mercy.

8. Team Movement Tactics

If you’re with family or a small group, you need to move like a unit. Establish hand signals. Appoint a point person. Never break formation unless you absolutely have to.


3 DIY Survival Weapons From Household Items

If you’re caught without a firearm, knife, or baton, don’t panic. The best survivalists know how to build tools with what’s available. Here are three effective DIY survival weapons you can create with common items in a pinch.

1. PVC Pipe Baton

Materials: 18-24 inch PVC pipe (¾” diameter), duct tape, sand or nails for weight.

How To Make: Fill the pipe with sand or nails, cap both ends with duct tape, and wrap the handle with extra tape for grip. It’s lightweight, concealable, and can deliver bone-cracking force in close quarters.

2. Sling Weapon From Paracord and a Sock

Materials: Paracord, a rock or a padlock, thick sock.

How To Make: Place the heavy object inside the sock, tie the open end with paracord, and now you have a makeshift flail. Easy to conceal, fast to deploy, and devastating when used against limbs or to clear space.

3. Modified Tactical Flashlight

Materials: Heavy-duty flashlight, steel nuts, epoxy.

How To Make: Epoxy a couple of steel nuts around the head of your flashlight. You’ve now turned a common tool into a bludgeon that can break bones and glass alike.


What to Do When the Riot Starts

1. Get Off the X
If you see crowds forming or hear sirens nearby, move. Don’t film it. Don’t spectate. The X is the danger zone—get off it and don’t look back.

2. Secure Your Home
If you can’t evacuate, barricade entrances using furniture and tools. Booby-trap the approach with noise-makers (like aluminum cans on string). A dog, even a small one, can give you vital early warning.

3. Blend In
Wear neutral colors—gray, tan, brown. Avoid tactical clothing or bright colors. Don’t give anyone a reason to think you’re with the opposing side. Use calm, slow body language. Avoid eye contact.

4. Go Grey Man
Blend into the environment. Hide valuables, ditch flashy gear, and move low-profile. The grey man survives because no one notices him. That’s your goal.

5. Know When to Fight and When to Flee
A real survivalist doesn’t fight every battle. If escape is possible, take it. If confrontation is unavoidable, finish it fast and disappear.


Bonus Tips for Staying Alive

  • Have a go-bag with first aid, water, a multi-tool, N95 mask, flashlight, extra phone battery, gloves, and protein bars.
  • Memorize key phone numbers. Don’t rely solely on your cell service.
  • Use radios or encrypted apps like Signal if communication goes down.
  • Secure your documents and cash. Riots are a magnet for looting—if your home burns, your ID and emergency cash better not be in your sock drawer.

Train Before You Need It

None of this matters if you’re not training. Self-defense and survival are perishable skills. Practice them. Drill your family or group. Take classes in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or urban survival tactics. When it hits the fan, you’ll either react with clarity—or panic and become part of the problem.


Final Words

Los Angeles is a beautiful, complex, and volatile city. If the next riot breaks out tomorrow, will you be ready? Or will you be scrambling for supplies, wondering how to defend your home with a frying pan and hope?

Get prepared. Stay trained. Think ahead. And never underestimate the power of calm, confident readiness.

Stay sharp out there.

Home Defense & Security – Fortifying your home, surveillance, and defensive landscaping.

If you think your cozy little house is safe just because you’ve got a lock on the door and some curtains drawn, you’re dead wrong — and sooner or later, that complacency will get you gutted like a fish. In these chaotic times, home defense and security aren’t optional extras; they’re lifelines. If you don’t fortify your home like a damn fortress, you’re inviting disaster. And I’m not talking about paranoia — I’m talking cold, hard reality.

You want to survive, you want to keep your family alive? Then you better get serious. This isn’t a game. This is about turning your home into a stronghold — a place where anyone trying to invade will regret it immediately. If you’re not prepared, you might as well just hand over the keys and roll out a welcome mat for looters, thieves, and worse.

Here’s the no-bullshit truth: You must have layers. Layers of defense. Layers of surveillance. Layers of deterrents so thick it’d make a tank look like a paperweight. So buckle up. I’m going to lay out 15 survival skills you need for home defense and security, and finish with 3 DIY survival hacks that will save your ass when the chips are down.


15 Survival Skills for Home Defense & Security

1. Fortify Every Entry Point

Your doors and windows are your frontline. If your doors aren’t solid core, get them replaced. Use heavy-duty deadbolts, reinforced strike plates, and long screws that reach the frame studs — no cheap shit. Windows? Reinforce with security film, bars, or shutters. Don’t leave any weak spots.

2. Perimeter Surveillance

Set up multiple layers of surveillance around your property. Motion-activated cameras with night vision are a must. They’re not just for catching criminals after the fact — they’re your early warning system. You want to know before someone sets foot on your property, not after they’ve kicked your door down.

3. Alarm Systems Are Essential

Get a loud, reliable alarm system. One that’s wired or battery-backed and can’t be easily disabled by power cuts. Loud alarms aren’t just noise; they’re a psychological barrier. Criminals hate attention.

4. Defensive Landscaping

Plant thorny bushes or thick shrubs under windows to deter burglars from getting close. Keep sight lines clear — no giant trees or bushes giving cover to creeps trying to sneak up. Gravel or stone pathways can alert you by making noise when someone walks over them.

5. Strategic Lighting

Use motion-activated floodlights all around your property. Darkness is the criminal’s best friend. When a light flips on, they bolt or get caught. Don’t skimp on lighting — this isn’t about beautifying your yard; it’s about scaring the hell out of intruders.

6. Secure the Garage and Outbuildings

Most people forget that garages and sheds are just as vulnerable as the house itself. If someone gets in there, they can grab tools or gain entry inside your home. Lock these up tight and reinforce doors like you do the main house.

7. Learn Proper Firearm Use and Safety

If you live in a place where guns are legal, knowing how to use a firearm safely and effectively is critical. A gun isn’t just for hunting or target shooting — it’s a last line of defense. Train until it’s second nature.

8. Create Safe Rooms

Designate and reinforce a safe room inside your house — a place with solid walls, a strong door, and supplies where you can retreat if your home is breached. It’s your fallback point, your lifeboat in the storm.

9. Master Hand-to-Hand Combat

When the worst happens and firearms aren’t an option, know how to defend yourself with your hands. Basic martial arts or self-defense skills could save your life. Never underestimate the power of a well-placed strike.

10. Escape and Evasion Plans

Have multiple escape routes planned from your home in case you’re overrun. Know where to go, how to get there quietly, and what you’ll need to take with you if you have to bolt. Survival isn’t just about fighting — it’s about knowing when to run.

11. Noise Discipline and Stealth

Learn how to move quietly and how to identify noises outside that signal danger. You want to hear the intruder before they hear you. Avoid making unnecessary sounds that reveal your location.

12. Use Barriers and Traps

Not lethal traps — legal ones — like trip wires connected to noisy alarms or obstacles that slow down an intruder’s progress. The more time you buy yourself, the better your chances.

13. Communication and Signaling

Have radios, signal mirrors, whistles, or other devices ready for emergencies to communicate silently with family members or neighbors. If you need backup or help, every second counts.

14. Stay Physically and Mentally Fit

Survival isn’t just about gear; it’s about mindset. Train your body to handle stress and fight or flight situations. Mental toughness will make the difference when the adrenaline’s pumping.

15. Practice Regular Drills

Set up scenarios with your family or housemates and run through your defense plans regularly. When it counts, everyone needs to know what to do without hesitation. Practice keeps panic at bay.


3 DIY Survival Hacks for Home Defense & Security

Hack 1: DIY Door Barricade with a Steel Rod

Take a heavy-duty steel rod or rebar about the length of your door’s width. Cut it to size so it fits snugly between the door handle and the floor at an angle. When you want to secure the door, wedge the rod firmly in place. This simple, cheap barricade can stop even the toughest kick-ins. It’s easy to install and remove but a serious barrier against forced entry.

Hack 2: Homemade Tripwire Alarm

Get some cheap bells or even old cans and string them up across common intrusion paths outside your home. Tie fishing line or thin wire across bushes or along pathways at ankle height. When a person walks through, it trips the wire and sets off the noise — alerting you immediately. It’s a classic, overlooked trick that works like a charm and costs next to nothing.

Hack 3: Mirrored Reflectors for Night Surveillance

Take old CDs or use small mirrors and hang them in your yard or near windows. Position them to catch moonlight or streetlight and reflect flashes toward likely intrusion paths. This flash of light can disorient or warn you about movement. Intruders don’t want to be caught in the spotlight — even one they don’t expect.


Final Word of Warning

This isn’t about turning your home into a fortress just for kicks or paranoia. It’s about survival. About defending what’s yours against a world that’s getting more violent and unpredictable by the day. If you don’t take home defense seriously, you’re a sitting duck.

Every inch of your property needs to be hardened, every possible weak spot reinforced, and every family member trained. You can’t afford to be lax. The criminals, the looters, the desperate people looking for easy targets — they don’t care about your comfort. They want what you have, and they won’t hesitate to take it by force.

So don’t wait until it’s too late. Start building your fortress today. Lock down every window and door, set up surveillance, light the perimeter like a stadium, and learn these survival skills like your life depends on it — because it does.

Get angry. Get prepared. Get ready to fight for your home.

Defend Your Ground: Practical Strategies for Survival Security

Listen up. If you think survival is some cozy little hobby, like gardening or birdwatching, you’re dead wrong. Out here in the real world, the second things go south, your safety is your responsibility — no one else’s. And if you don’t defend your ground, you might as well pack it in and become someone else’s snack. The world’s a ruthless place, and if you’re not prepared to defend what’s yours with every ounce of grit and grit alone, you’ll lose it all.

I’m sick of the wannabe “survivalists” who think stockpiling a few canned goods and a flashlight makes them ready. Bullshit. You want to survive? You need skills — real, practical, fight-or-flight skills that will keep you alive when every second counts and the stakes are your life.

Here’s the cold, hard truth: Defending your ground means being proactive, ruthless, and ready to act before things get ugly. The moment you hesitate is the moment you lose. So, strap in. I’m going to lay out ten survival skills you need burned into your brain, plus three DIY survival hacks you can build with your own two hands right now.


1. Situational Awareness: Your Sixth Sense

If you don’t see danger coming, you’re already dead. Period. Situational awareness isn’t just “looking around.” It’s knowing your environment like the back of your hand — every nook, every shadow, every possible threat vector. Train your eyes and ears to catch the smallest anomaly. Hear that twig snap? That’s not a squirrel; it could be someone stalking your perimeter.


2. Firearms Mastery

If you don’t have a working knowledge of firearms and practice regularly, you’re a liability — not an asset. Learn your weapon inside and out. Clean it, maintain it, shoot it until your hands bleed. In a crisis, hesitation or fumbling is a death sentence. Know how to handle firearms safely, but never underestimate their power to defend your ground.


3. Improvised Weapon Crafting

Sometimes you won’t have a gun handy. Fine. You better know how to turn anything into a weapon. A sturdy stick becomes a spear with a sharpened rock. Nails hammered into a plank make a nasty club. Learn how to craft improvised weapons fast — speed and creativity save lives.


4. Fortifying Your Perimeter

Walls and fences aren’t enough. You have to harden your base with layered defenses — think tripwires, camouflaged pits, and noise traps. If an intruder sets foot on your property, they shouldn’t just know you’re there — they should be afraid, confused, and disoriented. Make your defenses a maze of hazards.


5. Close-Quarter Combat

When an assailant breaks through your defenses, it’s going to come down to close-quarter combat. Learn how to fight dirty — elbows, knees, chokeholds, and strikes to vulnerable areas. Hand-to-hand combat isn’t Hollywood fancy; it’s brutal, fast, and messy. Get in, incapacitate your attacker, and get out.


6. Stealth Movement

Sometimes the best defense is not being detected at all. Move silently, blend with your environment, and avoid confrontation when you can. Stealth isn’t just for ninjas; it’s a survival skill. Learn to move like a shadow and never give away your position.


7. Escape and Evasion

No matter how strong your defenses, sometimes you have to bug out — fast. Know multiple escape routes and practice evasion tactics. Use terrain to your advantage, cover your tracks, and never go in a straight line. Staying mobile and unpredictable is key.


8. First Aid Under Fire

If you’re wounded defending your ground, a tourniquet and pressure bandage can be the difference between life and death. Learn trauma first aid like your life depends on it — because it does. Stop bleeding, manage shock, and keep moving.


9. Communication Without Tech

When the grid goes down, forget your phone. Know hand signals, mirror flashes, or whistle codes to communicate silently with your team. Noise can attract unwanted attention. Communication is survival, so master low-tech methods that work when everything else fails.


10. Mental Fortitude

The battlefield isn’t just physical — it’s mental. Fear will try to freeze you. Panic will cloud your judgment. You have to train your mind to push through exhaustion, pain, and fear. Mental toughness is what separates the survivors from the corpses. Build your resilience every damn day.


Three DIY Survival Hacks to Secure Your Ground

Alright, theory is fine, but you need actionable hacks you can set up today with stuff you already have lying around. Here are three DIY survival hacks to boost your security without breaking the bank:


Hack #1: Nailboard Tripwire Alarm

All you need is some scrap wood, old nails, and string or wire. Hammer nails into a wooden plank, sticking out a bit like spikes. String a thin wire or string across your perimeter, attaching it so that when triggered, it pulls on the nails, producing a loud rattling noise that will alert you instantly if someone crosses the boundary. Cheap, simple, and it can buy you precious seconds to get to your weapon.


Hack #2: DIY Sandbag Barricade

Sandbags are the backbone of any defensive perimeter. Don’t wait for a natural disaster supply run to find them. Use old pillowcases or sacks, fill them with dirt, sand, or even gravel, and stack them around doors and windows. They absorb shock, provide cover, and slow down any forced entry. Reinforce weak points on your property fast with this makeshift barricade.


Hack #3: PVC Pipe Spiked Fence

Cut sections of thick PVC pipe lengthwise, sharpen the edges with a file or grinder until they’re razor-sharp. Insert these into the tops of your fences or around your property’s vulnerable points. It’s not just ugly — it’s painful and will discourage any foolhardy intruder. Sharp PVC spikes cost pennies and can be mounted almost anywhere for a quick security upgrade.


Final Warning

I don’t care if you think your neighborhood is safe or your government has your back — when the grid collapses, all bets are off. The law won’t be there. Police? Military? Gone or overwhelmed. Your survival depends on your ability to defend your ground with everything you’ve got.

If you think security means locking your doors and hoping for the best, wake up. It’s a full-time job, a mindset, and a commitment. You will sweat, bleed, and maybe even lose some friends. But if you don’t prepare now, you’ll lose your life later.

Survival isn’t pretty. It’s raw, ugly, and relentless. But it’s the only truth out here. So get angry. Get prepared. Defend your ground — because no one else will.