TIPS, TACTICS AND GO-TO GEAR TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE

BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

A shotgun, such as this Mossberg pump with a Crimson Trace Lasersaddle sight, can be a devastating close-range weapon. Mossberg photo

Providing for your security is not complicated, but it does take considerable effort. Get the gear, learn the tactics, train like it’s real, limit access to your safe spaces, develop emergency plans and condition yourself to be ever vigilant. Become an expert at conflict avoidance, but be abl e to recognize when violence is imminent. Most of all, know when you should stand and fight and when it’s wiser to retreat. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1.0 HOMEGROWN HELP

Your home contains the people you love and all the things you’ve worked hard to attain. Control and limit access here. Don’t show everyone your preps and security measures. It’s okay to have a few secrets. Your friendly neighbor can be your worst enemy when he’s cold, hungry and desperate, or if he ’s a chatterbox.

1.1 Family Affair

Everyone in the family needs to make sure doors and windows are locked and should be able to recognize when the dog’s bark TIPS & GEAR indicates a threat and not just the arriv al of the mail man. Everyone needs to know basic first aid and ho w to work the alarm system and the emergency generator. If you answer a knock at the door and ar e overpowered, what will happen to the rest of your family? So, yes, everyone needs to know how to handle your weapons safely and effectively. Go over family emergency plans, rehearse plans for when the power goes out and people are breaking in.