Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Although homesteads come in all shapes and sizes, it stands to reason that the more acreage you have, the more challenging it is to keep your property safe and secure. Also, your risk can be heightened during a significant natural or human-made crisis.
While there are no guarantees for keeping your acreage completely intruder-proof, this article explains steps you can take to mitigate your risk. It covers 17 home security tips for homesteaders—let's call them “homestead security tips.”
Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It On Pinterest!
1. Evaluate Access to Your Property
Take a detailed walking tour, looking for any areas that provide access to intruders. You may want to invite your insurance agent or a local law enforcement officer for their perspectives on weak spots. Then, consider your options and develop a plan to secure these areas.
2. Build or Add to Your Fencing
Installing sturdy fencing along the perimeter of your acreage along with locked gates can be a powerful deterrent. Arrange to get alerts on your phone and other devices when your gates open.
3. Install Better Lighting
Thieves like to operate in the dark. You can make your place less appealing to them by setting up motion-detection lighting that illuminates your pathways and driveways. These sensors can be linked to your phone so you can know when someone is moving around on your property.
4. Set Up Video Cameras
Security cameras in key areas can alert you when someone enters your property and give you additional eyes and ears. You can link these cameras with your smartphone for round-the-clock surveillance no matter where you are.
5. Build Relationships With Your Neighbors
You and your neighbors can help deter crime by notifying each other when something or someone doesn't seem right. Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your place when you're away and offer to return the favor for them.
6. Install a Security System
You can find a security system to meet the needs of your homestead and your budget that includes window and door alarms, interior motion sensors, and other features.
7. Invest in Stronger Doors and Better Locks
How hard would it be to kick or push in the doors to your home, garage, and outbuildings? Consider replacing your existing doors with reinforced models that also have sensors to alert you when they open. Install heavy deadbolts to add to the security of stronger doors.
8. Get Some Dogs
Dogs have much better hearing than we do, and they often know the second a vehicle or person on foot enters their property. Although dogs of all sizes can serve as early warning devices, two or more large dogs with deep barks can definitely deter unwelcome visitors.
9. Use Pea Gravel On Pathways
Adding a layer of small gravel on all walkways on your property is another security measure. The crunching sound that occurs when anyone sets foot on small gravel can alert you (and your dogs) to an intruder’s footsteps or a vehicle on the driveway.
10. Use Your Landscaping Wisely
Do you love fresh berries? Consider having your berry bushes serve a dual purpose by planting them strategically. For example, when you plant a row of thorny bushes beneath windows, you can make an intruder think twice about trying to enter there.
11. Create Ditches
Another way to mitigate risk is to dig four- to five-foot ditches as boundaries in critical areas of your property. Be sure to check for any local regulations regarding digging ditches on private acreage.
12. Place Valuables in a Safe
Although you may have some valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank, there are certain things you want close at hand. A home safe can protect your cash, jewelry, documents, and other important items from fire and theft.
13. Forget The Welcome Mat
Instead, post signs that let folks know that you don't want uninvited visitors. Look for the following signs as a way to show you mean business:
- Security cameras in use
- No Solicitors
- Do Not Enter
- Private Property
- No Trespassing
- Beware of Dog
14. Maintain Your Property
Aim to show that you're home even when you're not to discourage intruders. Put interior lights on variable timers. Keep your yard and grounds neat and tidy. Arrange for all mail and deliveries to be picked up promptly.
15. Devise An Escape Plan
Following the previous tips will help make your homestead less of a target, but none of them are fool-proof. During these uneasy times, your family needs an escape plan to follow during emergencies.
Just as every homestead is unique, so will be each escape plan. Here are some of the main components to include:
- Create and print out maps of your property. Mark areas where to flee during a weather disaster, such as a wildfire or a tornado.
- Set a meeting spot away from the homestead for family members who may have been away from home during the emergency.
- Conduct practice emergency drills that include all members of the family.
- Plan ahead for livestock safety. This document from the USDA can help.
16. Avoid Oversharing
Refrain from posting photos and details online about the new equipment you just bought or the dream vacation you are taking. You never know who will see or pass along that information to your detriment. Teach your children to be mindful about how much information they share with others about your homestead as well.
17. Learn and Practice Self-Defense Methods
The best defense is to keep intruders off your property in the first place. However, if someone who intends harm has gained entry, self-defense takes center stage. There are many resources to help guide you in equipping yourself and your family members for self-defense. Here are a few of them:
- Protecting Your Homestead by Grant Cunningham
- Prepper's Self-Defense Tips by Ronald Williams
- Preparing for the Unexpected by Bush Garrison
- The Homesteading Guide To Security video by Ravenwood Acres
- Secure Your Homestead video by Heartway Farms
For the most part, thieves are looking for opportunity not confrontation. By using your common sense and following the tips in this article, you can take away any opportunities your homestead offers.
Like this post? Don't Forget to Pin It On Pinterest!
You May Also Like:
Related Posts:
