Season 2: Episode 2: The Family Plan

[saltydogbk]

I really didn't think that the show could get that much better.  But it did.  This season has me thinking everything over once again.  That in its self is worth the time to watch.. Thanks to all involved.

[Michael Janich]

I may have asked this before, but I'm going to do it again.  This week you talked of the importance of a solid core door.  In other shows you have talked about cell phone with a script, storage of weapons and lights, and cover vs. concealment.  For next season, can you discuss construction details for both new construction and retrofit for a safe room?  I'm thinking about both storm shelter as well as home invasion.

We actually wanted to cover this in detail this season, but due to time, budget, and logistical constraints, it didn't happen. As Rob pointed out, it may be best addressed in a "run-to-length" production like those he is doing for PFD or a future Stay Safe Media production. My ultimate goal would be to take a true DIY approach and lead the viewer throught he process of selecting a door, cutting it down to fit (solid core doors are typically exerior doors and are wider than interior ones), selecting and mounting locks and reinforced strike plates, pinned hinges, etc. The often frantic production pace of TBD doesn't lend itself well to such a time-intensive endeavor.

With regard to the "what if" questions posed by Abouttime, as Rob said, it's impossible for us to cover every scenario and every conceivable home configuration. If your home is speread out, you might consider two-safe rooms--one at each end--and an intercom system between them. Again, the key to reacting quickly and properly is a proper cue that all members of the family will understand and respond to immediately. If you hear "safe room," your job as a family member is to get to the closest one with everyone on "your side" of the house and hunker down. Yes, if you have small children, that's harder. There is no "perfect" solution. The frustration that causes should be motivation to take the primary step that we were also unable to illustrate properly in the show: reinforcing the exterior of your house to make it as impenetrable as possible. The scene, though anticlimactic, would be a thug repeatedly kicking your front door as your dog barks maniacally and you methodically gather the family and get to the safe room. You then manually activate the alarm and call the police. The sound of the alarm and sirens sends the thug running.

The BEST Defense.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Timothy]

There are more than enough solid wood oak or other hardwood interior doors on the market today.  They are pricey but worth the cost.  That and having the hinge screws 3" long to screw through the jack and king studs with a solid steel catch plate with 3" screws as well and it would serve quite well against a hard shoulder or kick from a BG...

You can adapt any exterior door latch and lock to an interior door, even the deadbolt.  Just make sure it's set in solidly.  You can't stop everyone but you can slow them the f*#k down...

.02 and a bit..

[cook19709]

I liked the piece on "time" as in how long it might take to go from one part of the house to another, get the gun out and be prepared to defend yourself. . .

Ditto!

New guy here, love the show.  Always something new to think about, plan and adjust.

Gotta nurture those seeds with the family . . .

[@nthon11]

The first ten minutes ended up giving my wife nightmares...which is probably good as she is now anxious to make sure we have a plan in place that works and we both know.  Plus, maybe now I can convince her to get some training with me. 

Thanks for a great show!

[Sponsor]

[thedrick]

This show is fantastic. My wife watched you yelling at your at your wife to get to the room and her not listening and said if you came running up the stairs telling me to get to the room i wou.ld listen..This gave me 2 great oppertunities,1. to zing my wife with sure you would because you never listen to anything else i have to say. and 2 to make a plan. thanks for putting on a great show

[Rob Pincus]

Thanks Much, guys!