Residential Security Checklist

Written by Orlando Wilson on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: This article was generously contributed by Orlando Wilson. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter the Prepper Writing Contest today!

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Residential security (RS) is something that is usually taken very lightly, most believe putting in an alarm system and maybe a camera or two is all that’s required.  It is common knowledge that one of the favored places for criminals and terrorists to target a victim is when they are in, entering or leaving their residence; Residential security must be taken very seriously. In times of civil unrest looters will be looking to target any location that has valuables, weapons or assets that they can use and that has minimal security, this means most residential properties.

If your threat is from criminals or terrorists and you’re going to hire security personnel for your residence or office make sure they are in some way trustworthy, just because someone has a security or private investigators license it does not mean they are competent or not working with the criminals. What a lot of people forget when hiring security personnel is that you get what you pay for. I am approached all the time by people who require security personnel, many of whom are having problems with their current security contractor, but they do not want to pay a professional rate. Sure, you can always get a cheaper option but don’t expect the budget security guard to be too concerned about your assets or well-being.

The basic procedures I have listed here can be applied on all residences or offices. What will differ is the type and size of the residence, the manpower and budget available. When taking over or moving into a residence, a threat assessment must be compiled and all vulnerable spots identified. A set of orders needs to compile and procedures drawn up for every eventuality. Before you occupy a residence, the residence and its grounds need to be searched for IEDs, electronic surveillance devices and contraband such as illegal drugs or weapons that could have been left there by the previous occupants.

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If the budget allows, electronic security devices should be employed. There is a vast array of security devices available on the commercial market, ranging from CCTV to laser sensors. Always choose the best that you can afford and buy it from a reputable dealer; it is best to also get a service agreement and have all equipment regularly serviced by trusted people. Even if your residence is in an apartment block, CCTV should be considered for the corridors and public parts of the building. Covert and portable CCTV systems are available at affordable prices and have a variety of uses. These days there are also affordable CCTV system that you can monitor over the internet. I had one client who told me while he was working in East Africa he watched Hurricane Katrina destroy his house in Louisiana over the internet. Remember if you use internet camera’s they can be hacked into, if someone gets access to your computers, passwords or on a more professional level access to your server they can also see what you’re up to.

Many people have alarms systems and panic buttons in their residences and it amuses me that a lot of people believe that installing an alarm is all they require to protect their families. We have all seen the adverts on TV where a woman is home alone, the alarm goes off, the bad guy runs away and the alarm company phones here to make sure she is OK; if only the world was that perfect. What if the bad guys aren’t worried and expect an alarm to go off because know they have at least 15 minutes before the police will respond. If you have an alarm system you need to know what the response time will be for those responding, be it an armed response company or the local police. In some places the response can take hours, even in the U.S. if the responding police believe there is a serious incident taking place with shots fire they will usually back off, call for support, cordon the area and assemble a SWAT team to respond if you’re lucky this may take an hour or two!

Another criminal tactic to counter alarm system on a residence is to keep setting them off until the target turns the system off. Think about it, if over a period of two weeks the alarm on your back door keeps going off between 1am to 4am what would you do? Initially for the first few alarm activations the police will respond, in a lot of places after 3 false alarm activations the police will no longer respond, if you have an armed response company they will be charging you for every alarm they respond to. So, I am sure you will call out the alarm company to fix the alarm but they will find nothing wrong with it. Would you keep putting up with the cost and aggravation of the apparently false alarm activations or just turn the alarm off? Take nothing at face value, if you have an alarm that starts going off for no apparent reason, look deeper!

CCTV should be considered for the corridors and public parts of the building. Covert and portable CCTV systems are available at affordable prices and have a variety of uses.

Security for a residence needs to be planned in depth with multiple rings of defense, how many you have will depend on the type and size of the residence. When planning the security for a residence you need to think like the criminals. In 1994 I was working in South Africa and was tasked to provide security for numerous residences that had active threats on them. My working day usually started in the early evening and went through to after first light the next morning. When I arrived at a residence the first thing I would do would be to assess the area around the residence for likely criminal surveillance points and approach routes. I would then assess the fence or wall around the garden for the most likely point the criminals would use as an entry point. I would then take up a position in the garden where I could see the likely criminal entry point or points and as much of the residence as possible, then I waited.

So, the first cordon of security you should consider is the general area around the residence. You need to identify any potential surveillance positions, choke points and possible ambush locations. Consider using CCTV to cover the streets and exterior of the walls of your grounds. All routes leading up to the residence need to be regularly searched for IEDs, surveillance and signs of an ambush which may be in the process of being set up, to do this the routes and exterior would need to walked by trusted and alert personnel.

If your residence is in an apartment block, the next level of security could take the form of covert CCTV in public areas or placing the building under general protective surveillance. In a large house, this cordon will be the walls or hedges that surround the grounds; these can be monitored by CCTV, with sensors or where legal topped with razor or electric wire.

In a large residence the next cordon would be the grounds or garden. This area could be covered by CCTV and be patrolled regularly by security personnel, day and night and in all weather. All external buildings such as garages and tool sheds need to be properly secured. A lot of people ask me about using guard dogs, something which I tend to dissuade people from doing. Dogs can be weapons and must be keep under control, in South Africa I had two German Sheppard’s attack me; they did not die because the client was screaming at me not hurt them. The dogs had been let out of their cage, as they usually were in the evening, by a staff member who did not know I was working there. OK, it was only me, so no problems but what if it was a child or woman and dog’s owner was not there to take control of them?

If you use dogs they must be properly trained, if I was in a high risk area would I consider having trained dogs in my garden, sure but they would need to be properly trained. Dogs can be targeted as same as security personnel, if they are not trained properly they are easy to poison. Guard dogs that bark a lot are easy to counter, same as an alarm system, we have used this in numerous times in parts of Latin America where every house seems to have a pack of dogs, you just need to get the dogs barking and keep them barking, the owner will soon get fed up with it or the dogs will get tired.

The next cordon would be the residence itself, all doors, windows and skylights need to be secured and controlled and if possible, alarmed. Consider defensive gardening to deter criminals gaining access to windows; below the window plant thorny bushes that would make it difficult and noisy for the criminals to get through. Ideally, all rooms should be fitted with motion detectors and in high risk areas locked when not in use.

Now you need to consider what you are going to do if criminals try to make entry to your residence; you need to make plans and preparations for this. On my courses I usually ask people what they would have done if someone tried to break in to their house the previous night, a lot of people say they don’t know or just then start to think about it. You need to put together sensible procedures, and then if you have an issue you will know what to do and not panic.

There are two general considerations when planning your procedures; are going to stay in the residence or evacuate, what you do will depend on your situation. A secure room needs to be designated within the residence to be used as a safe room for you and your family in the event of an attack where immediate evacuation is not practical.

The room should be lockable from the inside and have several good communications links with the outside world; there should be a list of emergency numbers in the room, so help can be summoned in the event of an emergency. What equipment is in the room will depend on your situation and the length of time you will need to possible stay in to room, this where you need to know the approximate response times of those coming to help you. The main thing a safe room needs is an escape route, if I was a criminal and wanted to target someone who I knew took their security serious I would not enter their residence. In reality if someone knows how to defend a building SWAT and room clearing tactics won’t work, you’re going to have big problems. The easiest way to clear a building is to cordon it and set it on fire, then hit the inhabitants as they exit, if they don’t exit then criminals have saved some bullets. Always have an escape route!

A set of procedures will need to be drawn up for dealing with visitors to the residence; this is the downfall of most residential security programs. A good example of this resulted in the kidnapping in Haiti of a family member of a business associate of mine. This person has a large residence and employed an armed guard to man his front gate. One evening the guard opened the gate to talk with someone who was asking after one of the staff members, as soon as he stepped outside the gate he had a gun to his put to his head by a criminal who was waiting next to the gate. The criminal with their crew gained access to the residence, as the doors were left open, robbed the place and kidnapped four people.

Why should the criminals try to break into a residence when in a lot of cases they can get the occupants to easily open the doors and come to them? As you read this now what would you do if someone crashed into your car; go outside and see what had happened, now you can be kidnapped and the bad guys have access to your house. A lot of houses have their electric mains outside, same in places where generators are use, so if the criminals cut the power what will most people do; go out and investigate. Sever the connecting to most people satellite TV and what will they do, go outside and check the dish. See the pattern, so do the criminals!

Residential Security Checklist

Here is list of things you want to consider when planning the security for your residence. Not everything will apply to you but take what does and use it, a lot of the considerations here can be applied to most houses or apartments.

• Always plan security in depth, you want as many cordons of defense as possible.
• Have several means of communications; land-lines and cellular, check them regularly.
• Have planned escape routes.
• If the residence overlooked what sniper or surveillance positions are there?
• Check to see if the residence under surveillance.
• Has the residence been searched for IEDs, electronic surveillance devices or contraband?
• Is the residence ever left unoccupied, if yes it needs to be searched before re-occupation?
• Does the residence have a fence or wall around it and can it realistically keep out intruders?
• Are there gates to the residence, can they stop an intruder or a car, are the gates locked at all times and what are the procedures for greeting visitors.
• Is there anything to help criminals climb over the garden walls or gates, such as trees or poles around the exterior of the property?
• If the residence is in an apartment block, are there fire escapes or scaffolding that could give the criminals a way in?
• Where along the routes in and out of the residence could an ambush be concealed?
• Consider putting the residence under protective surveillance.
• Always use counter-surveillance drills before entering and upon exiting the residence.
• Regularly photograph or video the areas surrounding the residence and always watch for suspicious vehicles and people.
• What security lights are there, do they work, when are the lights turned on and where is their control switch? If the control switch is outside, move it inside.
• Lights should shine away for the residence not on to it.
• Consider attaching lights triggered by movement detectors outside of doors and venerable areas.
• Any defects to floodlighting or other security lights should be fixed ASAP.
• If you are in an apartment block, is the reception manned 24hrs a day and If yes, are the people manning it competent? Consider a penetration test.
• Do your doors have peepholes- peepholes are best positioned at the side of the door or in the wall so, you cannot be shot through the door. If using a peephole always distinguish any lights behind you.
• Consider using a video phone to greet visitors and cameras to cover the doors and surrounding areas.
• Consider an armored layer on the inside of main doors.
• If you have a residential security team (RST) do they know their orders?
• Are the RST from a quality trustworthy company and have they been vetted and well trained?
• Do an assessment on your security personnel and evaluate how much you can really trust them; will they fight, flee or just rollover if there is a problem.
• Make sure the RST patrols the grounds at all times in all weathers; bad weather is the best time for raids as guards are usually seeking shelter and un-alert.
• If you are using guard dogs, make sure that they are well trained and preferably under the control of their handler.
• Are all doors to the residence solid and are the door frames solid, most times a door frame will break before the lock on the door.
• Are the locks on the doors of a good quality and have you changed them since taking over the residence?
• If a key is lost or an employee fired who has access to keys change your locks.
• Consider using deadbolts at the top and bottom of a door and wedges in conjunction with the normal locks.
• Can the locks be unlocked from the outside, if a window is broken or can the door hinges be unscrewed?
• Do you have control of all the keys to the residence and have a list of everyone with keys?
• Have all unused entrances and exits secured.
• All windows need to be secured on all floors of the building. It is a fact that in 90% of burglaries, access is gained through windows. Check that windows are properly shut, secured and if possible alarmed.
• Consider putting thorny bushes under windows and around the perimeter of your garden to deter intruders. Thorny bushes can be put on the inside of perimeter walls also to tangle up and alert you to anyone jumping over.
• Use laminated glass and heavy curtains where there is a threat from IEDs as they will help prevent flying glass. Wood blinds also work for extra privacy and protection.
• Beware of casting shadows against windows which can be seen from the outside.
• Consider putting a gravel walkway around the outside of your house so you can hear anyone approaching or stalking around.
• All skylights and roof doors need to be secured and preferably alarmed. Roofs need to be secured and monitored.
• Is the attic of the residence adjoined to another roof or attic from which someone could gain access?
• What alarms are in the residence, are they working and when were they last tested?
• All doors and windows on outbuildings need to be secured, regularly checked and, if possible, alarmed.
• Are the roofs of the outbuildings secured; an IED or assailant on the roof of a garage stands a better chance of not being spotted than one in a driveway.
• Do all padlocks have spare keys and who has them?
• Are the padlocks of good quality and difficult to pick or shim?
• Are all weapons in the residence legal and are they secured when not in use?
• Do you and the RST know their rules of engagement and the laws for use of force?
• No vehicle should be given access to the grounds of the residence without a member of the security team at least physically checking the interior of the passenger compartment. You never know- your personal driver flashing his light and laying on his horn at the gate might have a gun in the back of this head or a bomb in the trunk of his car.
• What firefighting equipment is there in the residence and is it in a serviceable condition?
• Are there any fire alarms and do they work? Fire is the largest cause of loss and damage to private and commercial properties. Fire prevention is, therefore, one of the highest residential security concerns.
• Flooding is a major threat to property and equipment, common causes include taps that have been left running, leaks in plumbing systems or faulty air conditioning systems, heavy rain or snowfall.
• Are all valuables kept secure and do you have pictures of all valuable artwork, jewelry etc.?
• Are all valuables insured and have you recorded the serial numbers of all TVs, computer and stereo equipment?
• Do you, your family and staff have security, emergency procedures and does everyone know them?
• Do you, your family and staff know how to report any suspicious activity in the area?
• Do you, your family and staff know how to the raise the alarm, in the case of an emergency?
• Make arrangements for power cuts, keep spare batteries and bulbs for torches, several means of communications and check them regularly.
• If you have a backup generator ensure it is serviceable and you have plenty of fuel in a secure location.
• Keep all sensitive and security documentation secure and confidential.
• Keep computers and hard drives secure and password protected.
• Have your staff and employees been profiled and had background checks?
• Do not discuss sensitive or security related subjects in front of staff, consider giving them disinformation on such things as travel and business plans.
• Don’t let any of the security personnel get over familiar with any of the other staff.
• Consider monitoring all phone calls from and to the residence.
• All contractors must have appointments and must be searched before entering and leaving the residence. Searched when entering to check for contraband, IEDs or electronic surveillance devices and when leaving to make sure they are not stealing anything.
• Contractors should be accompanied at all times.
• If suspicious of visitors, turn them away or keep them outside and preferably illuminated, until their credentials are verified. Also consider that they could be testing your security or a distraction while others try to access your residence.
• Never illuminate yourself in a doorway or a window, darkness is your friend.
• All deliveries should go through the RST and be checked for anything suspicious, have a secure area to isolate any suspicious packages.
• Use a mailbox or virtual office address rather than your residential address.
• Be suspicious of unexpected power outages, faulty alarms etc.
• Always have escape routes and don’t let security procedures obstruct them.
• Know the location and safest routes to safe houses, emergency rendezvous points, hospitals, etc.
• Think like a criminal and plan for every eventuality.

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Oversight of Hillary's FBI investigation pt1

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The Party of Voter Fraud Exposed

As things are closing in on election day 2016, one of the hot button topics that should be being discussed, but isn’t, is voter fraud.

The Democrat primaries were rife with fraud, even though the party officially denies it. But in state after state, Bernie Sanders lost, not to an overwhelming number of Hillary votes, but due to an overwhelming amount of voter fraud. And Democrats still accuse the Republican Party of fraud.

Back in the 2012 presidential elections, the Democrats accused Mitt Romney of voter fraud, long before the elections, simply because a relative owned stock in one of the companies which supply the computerized voting booths. There was absolutely no evidence of any Republican voter fraud brought to light, but the howling on the left was all but deafening.

But then, there’s one thing you can be just about sure of, where the Democrats are concerned. That is, they are probably doing anything they accuse the Republicans of. They constantly accuse Republicans of being racist, and also of building up the national debt, in order to hide their own spending.

So, it’s perfectly reasonable to assume that their accusations of voter fraud are merely a cover for their own efforts to fraudulently win the elections.

Rather than listen to all the noise, we’ve got to look at where the action is. And where it’s been for who knows how long is in the Democrat camp. Time after time, reports come forth, talking about how votes are switched from Republican to Democrat. But the opposite never seems to happen.

Then there are those districts which Democrats win with more votes, than there are voters living in the district. Somehow, that never seems to happen in favor of Republicans. But enough cases like that happened, in both the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, that Obama might not have won without them.

With the voter fraud propagated by the establishment Democrats in the primaries, there is no reason why anyone should think that November’s election might be any different. On top of that, Jeh Johnson, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking over the elections, supposedly to ensure that they are “fair” elections.

What I’d like to know is what definition of “fair” is Johnson using. It’s quite possible that his definition of fair, like many Democrats, is that Hillary Clinton wins and occupies the White House, regardless of how the people vote.

There’s a strong possibility that the fix is already in on this election. George Soros, the financial power behind all things liberal, legal and not so legal, made it clear in an interview that Donald Trump will win the popular vote, but Hillary Clinton will be the next president. There are several ways that this can happen and his statement could have been pure braggadocio, but it’s also possible that he knows something that nobody else does.

Video first seen on sara wan.

If there’s anything that has become clear this year, it’s that there are things going on in the background, which aren’t for public consumption. What kinds of things? The type which normally make up conspiracy theories. There are people in power, movers and shakers in the world, who work to make things come out in their favor. These are the true one percenters, the people behind the one world government.

These “elite” think that they are smarter than the rest of us and therefore have the right to decide the course of the world. What they really are is a bunch of ruthless money men, who use their wealth and the resulting influence, to make politicians and businessmen dance to their tune. In doing so, they effectively control the world.

These are the kinds of people who are behind the Democrat Party, and George Soros is either the first amongst equals or their front man. He calls the tunes and the Democrat Party dances to them. One of the tunes he has called, is for Hillary Clinton to be the next president.

No wonder George Soros hates Donald Trump. Soros is worth an estimated $24.2 billion, alongside of which Trump’s $4.2 billion is pocket change. Yet Trump is running against Soros’s horse in this race, and doing rather well. This alone speaks well for Trump, as he is unwilling to go along with the elites who are trying to call the shots.

The Mexican Backup 

Over the last several years, we’ve seen Obama politic and posture to create a lasting Democrat Party legacy. More than anything, he has worked to ensure that the Democrat Party has ongoing control of the White House, and through it, the country’s destiny. Some of his biggest actions have been done with nothing more than that in mind.

The whole argument about voter identification is about this. To say that requiring voter ID is racist is ridiculous; especially when you consider that Mexico requires voter ID, and Democrats say that requiring voter ID disenfranchises Mexican voters.

Actually, saying that requiring voter ID is too big a burden to place on minorities is racist in and of itself. By saying this, they are saying that minorities don’t have the intelligence and ability to get a legal identification. Yet, they require identification from these people to get their food stamps and other government handouts. So clearly the racism argument is one of convenience, not one of principle.

Of course, the voters they are concerned about disenfranchising aren’t American citizens; but rather, Mexican citizens who crossed the border illegally and are now living in the United States without legal permission. These people can’t get an acceptable ID for voting with, because they don’t have the right to have such an ID.

But then, getting those people in the country and getting them to vote is all part of the plan. Most Mexicans vote Democrat, because the Democrats cater to the poor and needy, promising to give them free handouts. Since most illegal aliens qualify as being poor, they vote for the party who will help them out, when they can vote. It just so happens that it’s the same party who thinks that they have a right to be here and take advantage of all our social services, even though they aren’t here legally.

In this, we see the second part of the Democrat plan to gain total dominion of the United States. If they can get enough people in the country who are dependent on the government, they can win election after election, no matter what Republicans do.

This is somewhat like the story of two wolves and a sheep voting on what they are going to have for lunch. Since the sheep is outnumbered by the wolves, their vote doesn’t matter. Likewise, if the Democrats can get enough poor people to be dependent on government handouts, and they are the party pushing for those government handouts, then the votes of the working class won’t matter.

Obama’s illegal actions to give executive amnesty to illegal aliens fits in here. By doing so, he is increasing the Democrat Party voter base, without it costing the Democrats a thing. All they have to do is keep giving away taxpayer money, and those who have received amnesty will keep their loyalty to the Democrats and keep voting for them. To do this, they need to intentionally keep the Mexican voters ignorant about who they are.

The cynicism of all this is mind-boggling. The black community is waking up to the idea that the Democrats are merely using them to get their votes. But the Hispanic community hasn’t seen that yet. When they do, the exodus of Hispanics from the Democrat voter rolls will be much faster and much more furious than Eric Holder’s scandal.

All this ties together. It’s all part of the same plan. Democrats are interested in one thing and one thing only; that’s power. They want to control every aspect of our lives, making us slaves in all but name. And they’ll dip to whatever level is necessary to complete that goal. Voter fraud, lying to their own voter base, keeping people ignorant, allowing non-citizens to vote, it’s all the same to them.

In their eyes, the ends justify the means. As far as they are concerned, nothing they do is wrong, and nothing they can do is as evil as allowing Republicans to have control of our country. If they have to break the law to keep that from happening, they will… then they’ll blame the Republicans for doing it.

 

This article has been written by Bill White for Survivopedia.

References:

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-hollingsworth/legal-experts-allowing-dhs-secure-elections-would-set-dangerous

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/19/obama-actions-shield-most-illegal-immigrants-from-/ 

http://heavy.com/news/2016/04/election-fraud-voter-registration-changed-suppression-party-affiliation-sanders-clinton-ca-ny-az-md-pa-what-to-do/

http://time.com/4389251/donald-trump-1-percent-support-poll/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros

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How to Live Off Grid Successfully

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from John L. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today.

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If you have been wondering how to live off grid – “is it really possible?” and “Can I do it?” the short answer to all of these questions is, “Yes!”.

Remember: The only sure thing in life is Change itself. There is another important rule of life that is often overlooked:
“Anyone can only teach you what they know.” Learning is a lifelong process. The long answer is still yes, just with a lot more things to take into consideration. Living off grid will take a commitment of time, resources, and determination. You will really need to believe in what you are doing, have a vision for it, and want to make it work despite the obstacles that will plague you.

Living off Grid Takes Practice

Living off grid is not the easiest way to live. Until you do it you don’t even know the things that you are going to have to give up. The big things are easy to figure out: Refrigerators, Heating systems, Television, Kitchen Appliances, and THESE ARE THINGS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP!

There are other things that many people don’t think about until they are actually in the midst of it. Like indebtedness, careers, local churches & schools. Sometimes families and friends.

It still takes money to live

There are probably more Americans living off the grid that are on SSD (Social Security Disability) than any other group. Most of them would tell you they love it, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Having a small income makes all the rest of it possible, you then can develop an income program that puts the “Icing on the cake” and improves your comfort zone. These parts of your personal economy, are called self employment. This needs to be discussed in a separate letter, but I will say this, it is easier than you think, and very financially rewarding.

There are a myriad of small electronics that people use daily that may not work with your new lifestyle. It isn’t that they are necessary objects, they are conveniences. Yet, for many of us, convenience gives us the foundation of our lives.

If you are still thinking of living off grid then there are a few decisions to be made. What worked for me was the awareness that getting by with less was a way to need less. Finding a comfortable zone to live in meant having money left over, on pay day.

Every time I could find a way to either live without or get for nothing it meant more money in my pocket.

Designing an Off Grid Home, (RV or trailer lifestyle)

Your Off-Grid location can be anywhere you want. Even were you are right now.

• When you go off grid are you going to do it in your current home?
• Will you need to move?
• Will you choose to build a new home or restore an old one?
• What part of the country will you choose?

Knowing how to live off-grid in different environments will help you to make the choice that is best for you. The point is: Living off Grid, is a collection of small things that you can do, that collectively change your life, to give you more of what you want and less control of your life by an unappreciative society, country or world. If you think having a job, even a good job, is just another form of slavery, then you are a candidate to “live off the grid”. It’s your choice; it’s your life, to live your life the way you want. I suggest that making an ongoing list of small things to change and learning how to prioritize that list, is a good place to start.

Going Off Grid Where You Live Now

You might think that those questions are secondary but they are not. It is entirely possible to go off grid right where you live, if you own your own home or where you rent, In fact you can begin learning how to live off grid today. Become aware of how powerless you are in your present life because it will give you an insight into the changes you can make in your own life NOW!

A suggestion: This is not about Religion, Ask yourself….“In whom do you place your trust?”

Interesting how many organizations and people are living off your pay check, not just your wife and kids, But your local Municipal government, including police dept, fire dept, water & electric dept, tax office, Sewer dept, all depend on you to support them.

Living off the grid starts with a change in attitude

Solar panels can be added. Circuits can be turned off. Water can be discontinued and wells can be dug. Research should be done into alternative forms of energy, appliances, and different ways to run a household when standard energy isn’t being used.

In my case, I want to keep it simple, I rent a place to park, It includes water, sewer and electric. It has worked well for the past 5 years. It is harder to move off grid in a subdivision but it can be done, depending on your homeowner’s association and local policies.

The world is getting smaller, It is getting harder to find privacy.

It’s easier to move off the grid, when you park your motor home in an RV park and plug it in, or park in a spot and turn on your own generator or plug into their electricity.

Moving to a New Location

If you are planning to move then take the time to consider your needs, desires, and the various benefits and negatives of different parts of the country. For example, in Texas where I live the benefit is apparent. The winters are basically mild. While we do get cold snaps they are interspersed with warmer weather. There are a total of three growing seasons. It doesn’t take a whole lot to stay warm in the winter if you can handle 50 to 60 degrees.

Gardening (not my thing)

On the other hand we can go two to three months in the summer without a drop of rain. This means that you will be hand carrying water to your garden. Summers are hot. Living without air conditioning when it is 110 outside is challenging, at least until you get used to it. I prefer a good Wal-Mart for groceries; good Mexican grocers or farmers markets can be good for fruit & Veggies.

If you are going to make a move then you should consider areas where there are not extremes of temperature or of rainfall.

Things to Consider

The other important thing to consider is the locality.

• Will you continue to work at a job?
• If so how long will your commute be?
• How far can you afford to live from the place that you work?
• Is the location you are looking at economically sound?
• Will you have access to groceries, church, gasoline, medical care?
• RVing around the country can be a great way to research these questions, while enjoying your younger years. Remember, we all get old and our needs WILL change.

All of these questions will need to be researched and answered before you begin to look at moving to a new location.

Learning How to Live Off Grid

Now that you have established where you are going off grid the question is how to do it. The best place to start is by analyzing all of your electrical usage for a month. Exactly how much electricity do you use on an average?

Most off grid systems cannot handle the load that modern man puts on them. You will probably need to cut back on your usage. The next thing to do, then, is to figure out how to cut back on your energy use. Will you use a propane stove or refrigerator? Wood stove?

If you choose to use a wood stove or heat will you have access to wood? How will you light your home in the evenings?
What type of solar do you plan to use? Is your home designed in such a way that passive solar can be used?

Types of Off-Grid Energies

There are a number of types of energy for off grid homes.

• Electric power line
• Electric Solar
• Electric Wind
• Wood heat / cooking
• Electric Gas Generator (I’m getting ready to do a gas to propane conversion on the Onin Generator out of an old Motor home)
• Electric / heat / cooking Propane
• Water (micro-hydro)
• Geothermal

The biggest need will be for heat and cooking. Once you have those two things decided you are pretty much good to go. Cooking on a wood-stove is difficult for most people to adjust to but it can be done. Many people, once they learn to do it, would not go back to cooking in an electric oven! Conserving energy is one of the best ways to deal with your energy needs. Anyone can do that, no matter where they are.

What Can I Do Today?

Start right where you are. Most people cannot afford to just go off grid one day. It is a process of both investing in the products needed and doing the research to gain the knowledge to do it. The second part is, were all different, and our want, needs & expectations need to be honored.

Tips for Saving Energy Right Now Conserve energy where you are

• Use solar hot water heaters
• Use heat exchange units
• Caulk doors and windows
• Let your body acclimate to colder than normal or warmer than normal temperatures
• Get a clothesline and stop using the dryer.
• Upgrade insulation.
• If your refrigerator or freezer is over 10 years old, consider buying a new, energy efficient model, or even a propane one.

In other words, see how low you can go. Get rid of the electric clock radio, the power drill, and the microwave. Try to get the electric bill down to the bare minimum.

Evaluate Your Need for Power

Once you get your electric usage under control you will be in a better position to see whether or not you will be comfortable going off grid completely. Even if you decide going off grid completely is not something you want to do you will have learned how to save on your electric bill, and that is a big benefit.

Going off grid is not for everyone. It is really an investment in a much simpler lifestyle. It does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Just do what you can, where you can.

Taking the steps slowly, researching, and learning how to live off grid will help you to make a smooth and successful transition if you decide that going off grid is for you.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF GOING OFF THE GRID
Living off the grid has nothing to do with being a environmentalist, It does have to do with living your own life, within your own economical means.

About the Author – John Lindquist soon to be 80. I live in the woods between Austin and Phlugerville, have been practicing living off the grid since 1985. Attached is my E Mail, I can always use a new friend JohnLindquist625@Gmail.com

“I do what I have to do, the rest of the time I do what I want to do.”
“Everything in moderation”

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The post How to Live Off Grid Successfully appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

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