Since @concepthomes1 has posted some post Irma advice on dealing with contractors (https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...fter-irma-dont-get-scammed.14436/#post-252828) I thought I might share some experience with pre and during emergency tips.
Over the course of my time on earth I have experienced a fair number of emergencies both as a private citizen as well as an LEO. It seems that emergencies either bring out either the best of people, or the worst, no way to predict.
One of the biggest disparities is going to be between those that have resources and those that don't. Don't be bragging to the neighbors about how much you have in the way of preps. THEY may not be inclined to steal/take anything from you but you don't know who they may tell about your stockpile that may come calling later.
If you're planning to use a generator, it MUST be outside obviously and that means that it can be seen AND heard. Don't illuminate your home like the damned White House. Use what you need but try to limit your need to make the neighbors feel like their in the dark. They already know their in the dark, so don't rub it in.
Have a sizeable chain and padlock to secure your genset to something that will make a LOT of noise if breached and would be very hard to remove to steal it. Don't keep the gas cans outside, ANYTHING outside becomes fair game to neighbors as well as people passing by.
Be aware of the traffic passing by. YOU know what vehicles belong in your neighborhood and which one's don't. Thugs and crooks will cruise neighborhoods at dinner time to see who's "cooking out" so they can come back later and lift your propane cylinder. After they make that list they'll cruise by again after dark and see who has lights on and listen so they can come after your genset later after you turn it off. Trust me they actually make a list of who has what, kind of like a shopping list.
If you must use a chainsaw make certain to secure it, and the gas cans while in use and after you're through. Brazen thieves will literally walk up to you and take the saw out of your hands knowing that you won't shoot them over property. It's not too late to post your property in accordance with your local requirements. Look them up and follow them to the exact letter. It may look strange right now but it strengthens your position in the event someone comes after something you have. After things settle down you can always remove them and go back to "normal"... Do NOT allow a stranger to get too close to you physically, stop them at a distance.
Be very cautious of ANYONE coming to your home, strangers or neighbors. Their coming for a reason and with a predetermined goal in mind. Keep ALL doors locked and secured. NEVER go out without having someone lock that door behind you. Be discreetly armed, not walking around like Rambo with your black rifle at port arms. After dark that changes obviously. This is where a weapon mounted light is priceless. You can move about in darkness but have light at the tip of your fingers.
Neighbors that you think you know will become different people when their back is against the wall. Their not all bad but you don't know who is and who isn't. During desperate times people become desperate. Don't underestimate them....
That's the majority of what I can think of right now but I may come back later and revise if something else comes to mind. Be safe, be cautious......
Over the course of my time on earth I have experienced a fair number of emergencies both as a private citizen as well as an LEO. It seems that emergencies either bring out either the best of people, or the worst, no way to predict.
One of the biggest disparities is going to be between those that have resources and those that don't. Don't be bragging to the neighbors about how much you have in the way of preps. THEY may not be inclined to steal/take anything from you but you don't know who they may tell about your stockpile that may come calling later.
If you're planning to use a generator, it MUST be outside obviously and that means that it can be seen AND heard. Don't illuminate your home like the damned White House. Use what you need but try to limit your need to make the neighbors feel like their in the dark. They already know their in the dark, so don't rub it in.
Have a sizeable chain and padlock to secure your genset to something that will make a LOT of noise if breached and would be very hard to remove to steal it. Don't keep the gas cans outside, ANYTHING outside becomes fair game to neighbors as well as people passing by.
Be aware of the traffic passing by. YOU know what vehicles belong in your neighborhood and which one's don't. Thugs and crooks will cruise neighborhoods at dinner time to see who's "cooking out" so they can come back later and lift your propane cylinder. After they make that list they'll cruise by again after dark and see who has lights on and listen so they can come after your genset later after you turn it off. Trust me they actually make a list of who has what, kind of like a shopping list.
If you must use a chainsaw make certain to secure it, and the gas cans while in use and after you're through. Brazen thieves will literally walk up to you and take the saw out of your hands knowing that you won't shoot them over property. It's not too late to post your property in accordance with your local requirements. Look them up and follow them to the exact letter. It may look strange right now but it strengthens your position in the event someone comes after something you have. After things settle down you can always remove them and go back to "normal"... Do NOT allow a stranger to get too close to you physically, stop them at a distance.
Be very cautious of ANYONE coming to your home, strangers or neighbors. Their coming for a reason and with a predetermined goal in mind. Keep ALL doors locked and secured. NEVER go out without having someone lock that door behind you. Be discreetly armed, not walking around like Rambo with your black rifle at port arms. After dark that changes obviously. This is where a weapon mounted light is priceless. You can move about in darkness but have light at the tip of your fingers.
Neighbors that you think you know will become different people when their back is against the wall. Their not all bad but you don't know who is and who isn't. During desperate times people become desperate. Don't underestimate them....
That's the majority of what I can think of right now but I may come back later and revise if something else comes to mind. Be safe, be cautious......
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