In the event of a disaster, some preparedness plans suggest staying put until the danger passes or help arrives. However, some situations can force you to leave the comfort of your home and evacuate to a safer location. For some preppers, they’ll have a bug-out location available to escape to when things go south. Bugging out can be risky, but it can help keep you alive in the long run. However, reaching your bug-out location and keeping the location safe are two entirely different stories. Here are a few tips that can help you secure your bug-out location and keep yourself safe. (h/t to TheSurvivalistBlog.net)

Take note of location

Picking out the right location for your bug out shelter is one of the most important things to consider. If you happen to live in a crowded urban area, it might be best to get a location as far as possible to avoid potential looters. However, when picking a location, you have to ensure that it’s accessible by foot – meaning that it shouldn’t be blocked off by mountains or water. Your bug-out location will do you no good if you can’t get to it because the roads will be congested.

Natural resources

The safety of a bug-out location isn’t determined solely by its safety against invaders, but also its safety to reside in. Having easily accessible natural resources around the location can make your life significantly easier, especially in a time of crisis. One of the most important resources is a reliable and renewable fresh water source like a spring, creek or lake.

Another resource to consider is the amount of wildlife in the area. Hunting and fishing can provide food to supplement whatever you’ve stockpiled. The climate of your bug-out location also makes a big difference. Extreme weathers can make it difficult to survive on your own, especially if you weren’t prepared to deal with the specific weather. It may be best to choose a location in an agricultural region with little to no extreme weather conditions for optimal survival.

Analyze potential threats

When planning out where to put your bug-out location, you need to assess all the potential threats of the surrounding area. Choosing a place farthest away from the more dangerous things can make your bug-out location much more secure. Consider keeping your distance from areas that attract looters like stores, pharmacies and gas stations. Prisons, chemical plants and military bases are equally dangerous so try to keep the location a good distance away from these establishments.

Prepare early warning systems

If intruders might be an issue in the future, it is useful to set up some early warning systems around your bug-out location. Many people use security cameras, drones and game trail cameras for easy observation of the perimeter at all times. Others also plan out perimeter patrol shifts among members of the group or family to watch out for suspicious activity.

Make sure the location is easily defendable

In the event that intruders encroach on your territory, having an easily defendable location can make it extremely difficult to invade. Try to look for an area on the high ground or at least has a large portion of the property on the high ground. This allows you to have a very advantageous position against any potential invaders. Conversely, you should avoid setting up a bug-out location in low-lying areas or valleys which could be flooded after a bout of bad weather.

Set up perimeter defenses

Surveillance isn’t the only thing you need to secure the perimeter, you must also set up defenses that can deter intruders. These defensive strategies include building fences, concrete bollards, pit traps and defensive landscaping.

Stock up on firearms, ammunition and other weapons

When all hell breaks loose, having a weapon or two to help defend your property can make a huge difference. While nothing is more versatile than a knife, a reliable firearm can help you defend yourself and your property at a safe distance. Experts recommend having a rifle to eliminate long-distance targets while keeping a shotgun on hand to deal with close-quarter combat. Firearms can also be very useful when hunting, provided you have the proper training and equipment.

Have an escape plan ready

When all else fails and your location’s been compromised, you need to make sure you have an escape plan ready. This plan should involve what items to take with you and the path you have to take to start over in a new location. Some people also set up outposts in the surrounding areas to act as temporary shelters as they escape from danger.

Learn more tips and tricks about bugging out at BugOut.news.

Sources include:

TheSurvivalistBlog.net

ThePreparednessExperience.com

SkilledSurvival.com