With the increase of technology has come the decrease in privacy and other simple pleasures that some people still hold dear. This has led some families to look into living off the grid. Whether you’ve already decided but haven’t moved yet or are only now exploring the idea of it, there are specific safety considerations that you’ll have to take into account since you won’t have some resources readily available after you leave. Here are some of the top ways to stay safe when living off-grid.
Consider Your Landscape
When you live in a neighborhood, you have a defined yard and a bunch of other people living around you that make you safer by proxy. Living off the grid doesn’t give you such conveniences. Granted, there will also be fewer people around who could try to get into your home, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely safe from the possibility.
That’s why it’s good to find a well-protected location near a river or a large hill or mountain covering one side. At the very least, putting up your new home in a heavily wooded area will make you harder to find for would-be intruders.
Set Up a Security System
While we’re not suggesting that you get a modern security system, if you have access to electricity, some level of automated protection would make you safer. For example, keeping some outdoor lights on throughout the night would discourage unwanted guests from sneaking onto your property. If that would use too much electricity, set up some motion sensor lights.
Use the same motion sensors to alert you when someone crosses them in case you’re asleep at the time. Of course, you will likely have wildlife passing by, so try to position them as a level that will catch people but not most animals.
Get Some Level of Protection
At the end of the day, there’s no better way to stay safe when living off-grid than to have some at-home defenses. The number one choice that comes to most people’s minds is a firearm. There are many things to consider when using a firearm to keep your home and family safe, but they are the best option and will have a number of uses out in the wild other than protection.
Another go-to option is a guard dog. They can sniff out a potential threat before it even gets to your home and effectively keep those threats at bay. Plus, when they’re not guarding the house, dogs make a great addition to your family that everyone will love and cherish.
