Home Defense

[LittleRed]

Dry runs of this routine should be practiced by all family members residing in the house.

I would love some advice on how to go about the dry runs without causing undo panic and stress within the family. My wife is on board with the both firearms and being prepared, but I think this could easily have an effect of fear on her and my daughters as well. I know the answer is do it anyway, but some suggestions on how to do this more tactfully than tactically would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Timothy]

I would love some advice on how to go about the dry runs without causing undo panic and stress within the family. My wife is on board with the both firearms and being prepared, but I think this could easily have an effect of fear on her and my daughters as well. I know the answer is do it anyway, but some suggestions on how to do this more tactfully than tactically would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Make the rehearsal more about the safety than the firearm.  You should be able to practice the drills without needing to brandish your home defense weapon.  Then, when the time comes, the kids won't think about the tool so much as remembering what they've been taught and where to go during the incident.

just a thought...

[twyacht]

Fear is natural, but rehearsal and some routine "in case of" training goes a long way.

Like a fire drill at school, just think your plan through. For example,  A small handheld air horn, like on boats, and at football games, sends out an audible blast that is LOUD. This generally will scare the crap out of any BG in the house, and wake everyone up. Including some neighbors.

A couple short bursts will wake everybody up. Than provide an explanation to your family members, that this is similar to a fire drill, and "x,y,z" will be your plan when you hear it.

A 911 call, a safe room, lock the doors, stay low, etc,...whatever your plan is, just have one your family understands ahead of time.

I told my wife to stay low and call 911,  if I have to fire, I am aiming center mass or waist/chest high. She hits the deck, calls 911, and we hold up in the Master Bedroom.

When my son is here for the summer, and sleeps on the other side of the house, we have a verbal command, (small house), and he hits the deck, and calls 911. Cell phones are great that way.

Numerous options, as well as variables. 2 story houses, layout, etc,....play a role. Be cool, calm, and make it a routine that should also include, housefires, tornado's, or other emergencies that may effect your house.

Depending on the age of your children, this will be up to you to encompass the "Family Drill Hour" so everyone is prepared.

It's not impossible, and can be achieved. Good Luck, perhaps Rob, or Michael J, can chime in on SD Home Plans that involve children.

[PegLeg45]

Like TW and Tim said, emphasize the household safety aspect first.
Start with simple fire drills and storm/hazard evac drills, then it'll be easier to say, "Hey, while we are at it, we also need to practice what to do if an intruder invades our space......." and go from there.

[Michael Bane]

We covered a lot of this in Season 1...."fire drill" is an excellent staring point for family prep...in fact, "fire drill! " is an excellent code word for assembling the family. I thin it makes sense, if you're going to be the " lead" person, to spend some time when you're home alone to "work the corners," to go through your house with an AirSoft or a "blue" dummy gun and learn where your most dangerous points are. You'd be surprised at what you will learn. It dill also help you explain the necessary tactic to your Spousal Unit or older children.

As you know, at TBD we are huge proponents if the "safe room" concept. The safe room gives you the grounding of a solid strategy for you and your family!

Michael B

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Every company that has a fire evacuation plan uses the basics of the safe room by designating  specific areas for employees to gather which provides for rapid accountability of personnel, the same method is recommended for home escape plans. Other emergencies, such as break in or tornado can simply build on the initial rally point.