[Mic]

Okay, this is something this has jumped into my mind a time or two. So, I've given it a little thought and come up with a possible solution.

Scenario: The zombies are coming. Okay, truth be told, I'm not a zombie guy, but that is code for 'some shit happened, things have gotten very bad, and I have to move the family to my little plot of peace (BOL)". For whatever reason, taking the cars is not possible and we've either got to bike out or walk and we cannot do it all at once. I have to make two trips to get the family out. Insert whatever other scenario here, but the key is that I have to leave part of the family behind.

Since I have to leave half the family behind and I worry about looters, scavengers etc, I have been thinking of how to keep them safe.

One possible idea came to mind. I smash in the windows in the front, wreck the place good, leave spraypaint on the walls, leave the cupboards open and empty, leave some blood stains on the wall. Have I convinced roaming looters that the place has already been gone through so that they don't bother going to the back of the house where the family hides and waits, guns ready? Or did I just wreck my shit a little sooner than they did and not added any security? Any other ideas?

 

[PrepCajun]

I believed if you are going to be leaving the house then the damage to the house shouldn't matter.
)
Plus a little fire damage would make it less likely looter would check it out. (not to the point it would collapse, a little char would do.)

 

[PrepConsultant]

Personally, i don't think I would separate the family.. Although, it depends how far the BOL is. If it is a long distance away it could take weeks or even months on foot or even bicycle to get to the BOL get things settled and then return home. I believe it would be safer in one trip. I am of the mind to get as much of your stuff as possible to your BOL in advance. I hear people say they plan to walk or bicycle (not you but in general) and I'm not sure they know what they are in store for. Unless it is Florida or a few other states, there will be some mountains or some larger hills they will have to navigate. It is hard enough on foot but if they are carrying weapons,food and equipment, it will make it much harder.

Try as hard as you can to stockpile your BOL in advance. Then take your family all at once to make it safer for them and yourself. Just my 2cc's

 

[PrepCajun]

Also another consideration to walking situation is that you don't want to take roads directly in a crisis. You are out in the open asking for a dangerous situation. So you will be walking threw the woods and in harsh terrain like PrepConsultant was talking about.

 

[Mic]

PrepCajun - I like the idea of charring to add to the "move on to the next house".
PrepConsultant - I agree with having as much stuff there as possible and that is in the works. I am working on this being a weekend escape place for us (slowly, but still working it). I completely agree that taking the whole family at once is the best idea. One of my family members has a disability though, so this person walking that far is highly unlikely. Getting there via an auto is definitely the way I'd like to do it, but I can forsee there being a possibility of having to get there in two groups. It won't be my primary plan - I currently don't have one completely hashed out, but I'm contemplating how to get there if a standard 4-wheeled vehicle won't cut it and that's where this theory came in.

 

[bigdogbuc]

In this scenario, if I were leaving, I would just leave. If I were staying, and assuming things were really down the toilet for as far as one can see, I would be more likely to create the "We've already been ransacked, now move along" look as a deterrent. But a deterrent is just that and won't stop everyone from potentially checking the place out. If they come in, they shouldn't leave. Except to dump them in the alley. Or add them to the decoration on the front lawn. I sure as heck don't want to feed them.

My ransacked look would entail maybe one slightly broken window most visible to the street, scatter some stuff on the porch and lawn and other "cosmetic damage". No sense in going crazy. You still have to keep the weather and critters out.

 

[Prepadoodle]

If I had to move in groups, I would be thinking in terms of a safe room at the starting location. Maybe beef up a walk in closet that would be barred from the inside until you get back, or build some sort of hidden crawlspace room or whatever. If you think it's needed, build a safe room at your BOL too.

 

[StarPD45]

I think a lot of your planning would depend on the size of the family and the various ages. You didn't say, not that I blame you.
If it's mostly adults, you could leave in two groups, at different times, and by different routes.
As to the disability, not knowing what type of disability or if it is an adult or child, consider the possibility of a small 2-wheel cart, something akin to a pull-along golf bag cart.

 

[Go2ndAmend]

I can't imagine leaving part of my family behind unless there was a low threat level and I was confident they could handle it on their own. I would ensure they were well armed and able to defend/attack as the situation requires. Destroying your home to make is less inviting to thugs and hoping they will just move on has little merit in my book. A panic/safe room is at least something, but how long can they last in it and how secure is it really? It is a difficult situation to resolve, but one well worth considering ahead of time. Good thread.

 

[Prepadoodle]

I dunno, but I would be thinking more "well hidden" than "well armed," but they could be both. I don't think you want your family to get into a firefight if it can be avoided.

 

[Tundra Dweller]

If scavengers can get in your house and cant get in a room they will know there is something worth while in there.. IF they cant have it good chances are they will burn your house down. If they hear one peep from family in a spot they cant find they will also toss a match and walk..

 

[PaulS]

Making two trips to evacuate a building triples your chance of failure. Someone is going to get hurt or killed if you make the move twice.
Find a way to make it in one move - even if you have to travel slower.