"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"
I mean no disrespect to whoever said that, but in the world of survival, that's a bunch of bullshit.
You don't want your house to scream "we have valuables for sale."
You want it to look as normal and unremarkable as possible so you don't lose the survival gear you've worked hard to gather.
In this article, we'll teach you exactly how to do that. Let's get started:
Why is it vital to blend in to defend yourself?
When disaster strikes, many people will be unprepared. They'll struggle to find food, water, and other basic necessities. Desperate is the best word to describe them.
And if there's anything we know about desperate people, it's their tenacity. They'll do anything to stay alive, even if it means looting stores and breaking into homes.
The best way to stay off their radar? Camouflage your home.
We're not talking about painting it camouflage (please don't). Rather, it's about making your home blend in with your surroundings. This suggests to everyone that you're as unprepared as they are, even if you're quite the opposite and have a clever SHTF plan.
They'll move on to more promising targets, and your emergency stash will remain intact.
How to hide your house from view?
Hiding your home is very simple and you don't have to worry about the cost. As you'll see below, it's just a matter of common sense:
Don't reveal your secrets
It may seem harmless to tell a good friend about the water, food, and survival gear you've stocked up on, but it's a serious mistake. Keep your mouth shut.
The last thing you want is for everyone in your neighborhood or the next town to ask you for help in an emergency. Sure, it's your job to help, but you certainly can't take care of everyone.
Look and act average
To avoid having your house noticed, be the gray man and do as the other neighbors do.
You will need to:
- Dress like everyone else. If your neighbors are wearing jeans and a top, don't be the only one wearing tactical gear.
- Drive an average-looking car. No garish, unpleasant colors. No bumper stickers that might set off alarm bells.
- Be friendly enough, but don't let your guard down. Don't get into political discussions. Stick to pleasant, non-traditional conversations.
- Act like you don't know what's going on or what to do. Like most people, you want to appear desperate.
- Build fences
- There are many reasons why you should build a fence around your property:
Fences are both physical and mental obstacles. They take time to climb, and potential thieves will think it's better to attack another house.
They make escape more difficult. Since they can't get a full overview of your property, they won't be able to escape right away.
It helps keep your personal belongings secret. You can build your underground bunker with peace of mind.
But remember, your home shouldn't stand out from the other houses in your neighborhood.
If you have a very high fence while your neighbors have simple picket fences, your home will become a target. This tells bad guys that you have tons of valuables you want to protect.
Hide Your Lights and Backup Power
After a disaster, your house may be the only one for miles around with working lights and power.
Don't let anyone find out, or you could be in trouble.
You know the neighborhood gossip. They'll get suspicious, pry into your business, and report you.
You can cover your windows with dark blinds and curtains to block out the light. And if you want to use a backup generator, make sure it's not too noisy.
Let Mother Nature do her thing
What do plants like bougainvillea, honey locust, and rose bushes have in common?
Thorns. Lots of them.
Before sophisticated security alarms were invented, these natural deterrents already existed to keep unwanted visitors out.
No one will feel out of place if you plant bushes and shrubs with sharp thorns around your property. It's the perfect way to boost your home's defenses.
Be discreet about your business
While your neighbors might be fine with someone buying groceries in bulk, they'll have a lot of questions about the freeze-dried food you order every month.
It's easy to sneak in your survival supplies if you buy them personally, but it'll be harder to keep your preparations a secret if you buy them online and have them delivered. If you can, have large orders sent when most people aren't home.
Likewise, be discreet when you go out to practice your crafting skills. To avoid attracting attention, put your gear in a bag. Luckily, it's easy to store this e-tool folding shovel with your other tools.
Be careful what you throw away
People going through your trash, really? It's true.
Some people will do anything to get information on a potential target, even if it means going through your discarded belongings.
So, either shred receipts and old documents first before throwing them away, or dispose of them (along with the box that came with your brand-new espresso machine) elsewhere. Also, remove shipping labels from your orders. They could be used against you.
Get a PO Box
If your mailbox is full of mail, you're telling the world that you haven't been home in a while. Don't give unwanted guests the opportunity to take advantage of it.
A PO box would be a wise choice. It's more secure than a mailbox and doesn't cost much.
Remember that the inside matters too
If you think no one is smart or desperate enough to break into your home, don't be too confident.
Survivalism is all about covering all your bases, no matter how unlikely the scenario. This includes securing valuables like jewelry, money, and your emergency supplies in case of a break-in.
A safe is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but you can also get creative and hide these items in unusual places. Here are some examples:
- Diversion Safes: You can find fun ones online, like this fake shaving cream box, this Morton salt container, and this legit-looking hairbrush.
- Stuffed Toys: Who would suspect a child's teddy bear?
- Empty food containers: We bet no one will touch these canned "anchovies."
- Hollow books on a shelf: They will blend in with the rest of the books.
- Under the floorboards.
Whatever you choose, don't put all your eggs in one basket... and make sure you remember where you hid them!
Final Thoughts
In every neighborhood, there's always that one house that everyone's talking about for one reason or another.
Don't let that house become yours.
If it's not a secret that you have a whole stash of survival supplies, people will head straight there in a crisis, like civil unrest.
The moral lesson here is to make your home look like everyone else's.
No red flags = more chances of keeping your supplies and, more importantly, your family safe.
What do you think is the most important aspect of hiding your home in plain sight? Feel free to share your ideas below.
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