Secure Your Castle

What is the worst scenario for your physical survival? Would it possibly be the loss of your home? Could it be the inability to secure your home from theft and destruction?

Your home is your castle is an old adage. This adage applies even today. Sheltering in your castle involves securing your home. In the old medieval castles there were moats, turrets, wall torches, drawbridges along with sentinels that guarded the towers. Such was the privilege of the feudal lords and kings of long ago. Hundreds of wars were fought and countless lives lost to gain possession of castles and serfs.

Regardless of your housing structure, there are basic considerations for securing your castle. Consider the door to your home. This is your main drawbridge into your inner castle. Would a deadbolt withstand a firm kick on the door? Examine the deadbolt and the door hinges. Determine the strength of the door. Perhaps a screen door in front of the door would provide an extra barrier into the entrance.

Secondly, the main entrance to the home should be well lit. To use the feudal castle analogy, this is comparable to the castle torches. A dark house at night invites theft and trouble. Motion detectors can turn on at dusk. Solar lights can also be installed in front and back of the house. Even a porch light can serve as a deterrent.

Thirdly, consider the windows to your domain. In the castle example, windows are similar to castle turrets. Can they be broken? Storm windows are usually recommended in areas of tornadoes and hurricanes. Shutters are another viable option. Rolling aluminum shutters or wood shutters can also protect your windows.

Another barrier for windows is to have thorny plants like cactus or roses under windows to deter burglars, especially if you live in apartments or small dwellings. Roses and small cactus can also be kept in large, heavy pots.

Barking dogs and loud parrots can serve as your sentinels into your castle or home. Loud sounds from domestic animals do distract thieves and criminals.

Old medieval castles had moats or were perched on slabs of rock high on the hill. If you don't have a high wall or fence around your property, think of building terraces with rock and boulders instead of grass and flowers. Also, trees scattered around the perimeter of the house serve as your own protective towers.

Finally, don't forget to bless your home. Having a roof over your head is always a blessing.

Wherever you live, see your home as your castle. Make it the best refuge to be during unforseen disasters and crisis. You are king in your home. Secure your castle.