Question- I have one child moving away to college soon. Can you do a college preparedness/ college safety video? I’m wondering if you would think of anything I haven’t. Thank you
Also be very careful about where and how you dispose of garbage. Piles of steadily growing garbage with food wrappers etc are a signal that you have food and supplies.
That's a very good point. Especially when dirty, food receptacles also will attract vermin. So you should have an opportunity of washing them inconspicuously.
I have an a hill in the yard. I put my empty pet food cans on it, & the ants clean them in 1 day. The ants stay home instead of trying to come in my home! That eliminates any smell, & nothing needed but to drop in recycling now. Shtf- hide or bury!
I never liked associating with my apartment neighbors, partly because I don’t like some of them, but also because i’m anti-social. Still, after hearing you talk about needing a MAG or at least realizing I need a community to survive an emergency scenario, I have started saying hi or good morning to my neighbors when I see them. Even interacting with the neighbor kids has led to me having more friendly interactions with the parents. Hopefully that leads to more prepper conversations or discussions about how to help look out for each other if there’s any threatening activity.
My husband made friends with someone who has parking spot beside us and on our floor. The management is on site as well. I made friends with lady on other floor and make point of always greeting.
I feel the same way. Although I'm not in an apartment community I am a little introverted so as I walk my dogs I've made an effort to notice who has what flags in their yard and to say hi to neighbors.
Good stuff! The truth is, these days people act like other people don't exist, especially in an apartment setting. However, in the wake of a disaster, EVERYONE will be forced to get to know EVERYONE due to the need for a sense of community!!
@@twashington9983 true. After Hurricane Andrew, no one had power so neighbors were sharing what they had and looking out for one another. It was really scary seeing the national guard roll into our neighborhood and making sure everyone was accounted for. They also set up checkpoints at night during curfew time.
@@barbaravyse660 I'm in South Florida & I remember. Please God, not worse than Andrew...but it could be if multiple places have disasters at once & the Guard must go elsewhere. Remember the sign someone painted on their wall? "Armed PMS & Out of booze & chocolate"
HIGH LEVEL RECOMMENDATION : If in an apartment get a storage garage if possible. You can keep some preps there in old boxes (hidden under an old thrift store couch or old mattresses). Worse case you must leave the apartment this can be a rally point for family and friends. Also, it may be possible to stay here if the apartment situation crashes quickly. Sleeping on that old couch or mattress is much better than under a bridge with people who are more desperate.
@@Mediumdoo I would think people would be looting and looking for resources quickly. Sell / trade able goods. I doubt people are going to sit down a search through an old box labeled Christmas ornaments or grandma’s scrapbooks. Also, if you were very creative you could have clear plastic bins with old clothes on the outside and preps hidden inside. Just make it look like junk.
I love that idea. you could also Mark the boxes school books or stuffed animals, because nobody would steal any of that stuff. also keep extra clothing and other items there because if anything ever happened to your house like a fire, you would still have some of the things you needed.
INDEED, I AGREE WITH YOU AS I HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. Do not keep all of your preps in YOUR APARTMENT. I have learned to NOT do this, and put some preps in a storage, insured facility, because if there is a fire, flood, tornado, weather disaster -- my stuff would NOT be destroyed. Having another place across town will provide a person to FLEE if needed -- when the apartment is NO longer a place to stay. Folks just do not think to do this, but I did. Preps can be damaged or destroyed in an apartment fire, flood, tornado/hurricane, etc. I am NOT SO THANKFUL TO HAVE MY STORAGE garage across town, easy accessible, and insured.
My apartment is 850 Sq ft. I have over 200 gal of water and enough food for the three of us for over a yr and it is all hidden. Get creative, use every inch. I have 15gal water barrels as nightstands and end tables. Food hidden on bookshelves behind books and dvds. Deep art on the walls has boxes of mac n cheese and rice a roni inside them. Our beds sit atop 5gal buckets of food with a bed skirt to hide them. Every pot in the cabinet is full of bags of beans. My van is loaded and ready to go. We have fire escape ladders and ready grab and go bags in each room. Over the door shoe holders on the back of each door are filled with goods, hygiene supplies and meds. Shoes in the closet each have a small bag of grains in them. Canned foods in each drawer and nook. Stacks of cases of canned goods covered with cloth make good tables. Fill your empty suitcases, stuff it under your couch, use shelves in your cabinets. I'm a single mother in college. If I can do this, you can do this too! If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.
As a former urban apartment dweller, I can say honestly that this is a brilliant and thorough assessment. I particularly like the idea of providing an anonymous local wifi hotspot. After living in a city apartment for a few years I adopted a few practises: I am overly prepared on fire prevention. I have a fire extinguisher for each room, plus an automatic fire extinguisher ball in my store room. If my neighbour has a fire during grid down, I want a fair chance of being able to put it out and still have kit left over. In apartments, your neighbours fire will quickly become your fire. Having a plan for that might secure your own location. I always have a few rolls of car body vinyl wrap in black and white. Its a great way to mask windows, but it has huge thermal qualities. White reflects light, and black absorbs it. Just one square metre of black wrap placed on an East facing window, will heat the room by a few degrees on a clear day, even during winter. Similarly, the white wrap will reflect light and heat. I have cheap Amazon door braces for both the front door and my bedroom door. (bars that snug up under the handle and prop against the floor) They turn relatively unsafe doors into a 3-5 minute exercise in door breaching. They are not perfect, but it means people have to use a lot of energy, and cause a lot of noise, and they buy you a few minutes. Excellent video as always.
I dedicated a whole closet to food storage and it’s stacked to the ceiling!!! Mind you, I live in a studio!!! Where there is a will there is a way!!! 🤟🏾
Something I recommend is for people to know various ways of navigating through their city. When I lived in New York I got to know the various subway stations and connecting tunnels that I could use to get around the city by foot. No, I was not a part of the mole people, I just hated really cold winters. I could get from Chinatown to Midtown with hardly ever having to go up on the street. Get some actual paper maps of the city. Since most cities are laid out like grids you can kind of figure out how to get from point A to point B even if you don’t have a compass.
@@lpsny4767 depends where you live. Some tourist kiosks have them, Rand McNally publishes road maps, you can also find topographical maps online. Also checking with your local library system would be a good idea. They sometimes have historical documents that might show long forgotten roads and alleyways. I’m sure that they were dozens of other places to find them out as well. Even Google Maps is good.
@@debbY100 She certainly does not mean the tunnels with the rails. These can be dangerous already because the current for the trains is conducted though cables on the ground. By "subway stations and connecting tunnels", she certainly means the tunnels which are ordinarily opened for passengers to walk through. Such tunnels for pedestrians in bigger cities often become hundreds of meters long.
I live in a mobile home park I sure would like to see a video where a SENIOR mobile home park is taken under consideration. We have a lot of veterans and retired medical people that maybe worked as nurses aids ECT... I have decided to take a leadership role because I'm only 63 instead of 80 a nd above. I think we should form a group now rather than later.
I’d like to see videos on this too I’m not a senior but I do live in a manufacture home park and have no clue what to do or even if we would have a chance
I would think that seniors with life experience would be an asset to most communities at large. They often have skills that younger people wouldn't know how to do. They have years of experience in communication and aren't afraid to speak their mind or offer suggestions, and at least a good chunk of the ones with military experience don't play around with threats. Before SHTF seniors have the benefit of discounts for building their preps. Defense of the area would probably be weaker in a senior community unless everyone had sufficient defense training and could carry a gun and had cognizant judgment as to how to fix it. The other issue is health needs. Those dependent on pharmaceutical medicine could become a liability over time depending on how long a SHTF moment would last. What would make the most sense would be to talk with your neighbors now and provide helpful suggestions for preparing while you still can. Build a neighborhood watch and have monthly meetings. Treat them as fun community gatherings where it is a potluck and discuss different topics regarding prepping and set goals for the next gathering. If some of your fellow neighbors have challenges or objections, consider brainstorming how you can help one another. Honestly, I think a senior community could have a good chance so long as they are well defended, use their location as a go to place for younger family members so long as they bring something valuable to survival, and have plans in place that everyone is on the same page about.
Remember if you are cooking and your neighbors are going hungry they're going to smell your food. It would be a good idea to get plenty of freeze-dried pouches so that all you have to do is boil the water and mix. This reduces the amount of smells. There's a good chance that a lot of your neighbors will not stay in place after a certain time and will move in with family. But until they leave be careful about the smells and the trash that you put out. If you can't afford those expensive freeze-dried pouches rice and lentils will keep you full and don't have much smell. Add spices after it's cooked. Make this until your neighbors go away or people are too weak to fight.
Cooking with hungry neighbors is called target practice. If they approach trying to take your resources and potentially your life the only thing to do is take their life and assume their materials.
To secure glass patio doors, prop up and secure a metal bed frame to the inside. I'm talking about the frames made entirely of metal bars, readily available from any mattress store. Very visible and a solid deterrent. You'll need to buy the metal clamps (small, very affordable) from the hardware store) before shtf to secure the frame pieces to the patio door frame. This method will also work to secure rectangular windows. Just be sure to have a plan for escaping in the event of a fire.
@@michaelallsup1 yes but that makes noise. And slippery footing as they entry and cut hazards. Patios on higher floors are harder to reach so less of a breach hazard. Best is not to just armor or tape in my opinion. Follow the gray man method and blend in. Don't make yourself stand out from the crowd or on this case, the other apartments
yes, well stated. Everyone DOES NOT HAVE LAND TO DEVELOP, AND MANY DO NOT HAVE $$$$$$$ TO LIVE IN THE RURAL AREAS, with criminals & bad dogs, squatters, weirdos, no law enforcement, religious cults, runaway teenagers, and foreigners.. There is a lot to consider in relocating to rural America to consider.
I recently moved cross country into an apartment where I was previously in a house and I had two separate storage units for preps. As always in the city, situational awareness and grey man approach should work. My advantage is looking middle aged female, uninteresting and unable. My new plan includes bullies breaking into my apartment so I turned my second bedroom into a "crafting room" where it looks like I horde crafts. My preps are hidden in plain sight. And now I have additional materials to barter with for people who actually do knit and sew if those things become unavailable.
Your continued reminder of water per person , per day ... is one of your most powerful reminders continually needed. Thank you. Keep up the repeating of this issue.
I love how you always emphasize how a community can be a major asset. All too often in the prepping community it seems the idea is that ALL outside of your own home are automatically and universally a threat, which they can be, but they can also be a huge source of support and help.
If they aren't part of your community they must be looked on as a threat and treated as such until they prove themselves. It will be a very different lifestyle.
Coming from the military I understand the creation of loyalty, and bonding. Shared trauma is a great one. If you think walking up to this group they will automatically protect you and support you would be a mistake. You need to quickly show your usefulness, and share in the trauma without complaint. You then join the group. This provides safety. I can rely on your through the trauma, you can rely on me. This makes a tough tight knit group regardless of sex, race, or whatever. But you can just have a bar-b-que and expect all your neighbors to join then it's singing songs and everything is great. Cause one of those neighbors saw you had all that food and propane to cook it and they are hungry. They are going to kill you, say thank you, maybe rape your wife and daughter for fun. And assume the life you were living . No you need to bond outside of oh we just both live here. You need to kill people together defending your homestead. You need to protect his family when he's not there. That will interlock those bonds of I have his back and will brutalize anyone that comes against him. You dodo the same for him and bam you have a community that is safe and only the stupid or mentally ill would mess with. Either way, they won't make it. Because you created a hardened group of individuals with shared hardships willing to do bad things in order to protect those they care about in their small communities.
On your commitment on windows. Duct taping them up giving you away. You cam also use clear contact paper. Or clear boxing tape. The clear boxing tape holds extremely well and it also allows you to see out the window. If you have a battery backup you can set up a small camera looking out the window as well so you can be aware of situations outside without having to take the chance of making yourself visible
One thing to be ready for is WASTE disposal. Got to have the supplies on hand to collect and get rid of it. There are tutorials online on how to use cat litter, portable toilettes, etc. If bugging into an apartment and water services are cut, having supplies on hand to safely discard waste is not just a matter of convenience, but preventing serious illnesses.
There are toilet blocks in case of a back up sewage issue. That would quickly make you apt uninhabitable. Pool shock is dehydrated, condensed chlorine. Easy to rehydrate for use. Cost $6-$20 for water the size of a swimming pool.
If you have a storage locker in a communal room in the basement consider if you can block or disguise what you store. When we were in an apartment I purchased plastic tubs that were mostly red and green and labeled “x-mas” even though majority weren’t and stored our bikes behind the tubs. Sure enough when there was a break in and thefts from numerous lockers, the tacky Christmas lady’s was untouched.
After the lockdowns in 2020 and the riots shortly after I invested in a few of those personal alarms, the ones that when you pull them apart a loud siren is set off....I picked up some heavy duty fishing line and rigged up a few early warning trip wires, didn't cost much and covered both entrances to my apartment
Keep in mind though to restrict your booby traps to sound effects only. Contrary to popular imagination, most localities label injury devices as criminal. If someone breaking in gets badly injured or killed, you could be going away for a lonnnng time.
There is no safer place to be during severe flooding than an upstairs apartment. I survived cut off from everything and surrounded by about 7ft of water in a third floor unit. Was eventually rescued by the Cajun Navy. Prepare for what you know is a possibility. I’ve experienced enough hurricanes to know that all year round I need at least a few extra days of food, a charged flashlight (not your phone’s), and some battery banks to keep your phone running.
That is something you do have to think about. Many people store dried or freeze dried food. They need water. Canned food does have liquid so you won't have to worry about hydrating to eat and may be the only source of liquid to consume, especially with a nuclear power plant spill or a nuclear attack.
Also the cans themselves can be used to make a heat supply for cooking food. By adding qtips inside of a small can that is surrounded by dirt inside of a bigger can.
Light and noise discipline are huge. Do not attract attention. Don't use lights if you can. Go to bed with the sunset and rise with the sunrise. Behind your drawn blinds or curtains- Sandbag your exterior walls and windows. This protects from bullets. If the power is still on, keep cameras on. Replace your door screws with longer door screws. Keep your windows closed while cooking if you can. Do not leave tools or ladders outside.
1. If living in an apt., where am I going to get enough sand to fill sandbags? 2. If your apartment faces the outdoors, piles of sandbags in front of your windows will be a dead giveaway that you have things worth stealing. Do that indoors. But access to this much sand isn’t reasonable for most apartment dwellers.
Although I'm a essential worker I sheltered in place on my days off in 500sq ft studio with a cat I have blackout curtains because I work the night shift I never ever see a neighbor because I sleep most of the day I prep ony off days while they're at work I get no packages there I pick them up on the other side of the borough or have them shipped to my job and bring them in the morning on my days off great video
@@robertvondarth1730 she has a cabinet of wet and dry food and threw shelves of treats I also have 3 bags of kitty litter my goal is to get 4 more from BJ's I rotate out her wet food she hates dry food but she will eat it o just cleared a shelf at the $1.25 tree with a new brand of food (wet) she's not picky about her food but she's picky about her snacks
Lots of good information in here. Stuff that people should 'memorize' and many things that will apply for small towns and rural communities as well. Re water preps: One thing I didn't here Kris explicitly mention is a "waterBOB". These things are great little emergency water cisterns. If you know there is an emergency it allows you to transform your bath tub into a potable water cistern. All it takes is the time to fill it up and you'll have an additional ~100gal of potable water. These should NOT be considered as part of your water preps! If you do have the time to fill one up though, you can boost your clean water reserves by 100 gal which is nothing to sneeze at.
Water from waterbobs should not be considered potable. While it probably is, better safe than sorry. A good water filter like a Berkey will solve that problem.
Unfortunately these are not useful for people who don't have bathtubs. I keep a dozen empty, 40 pound cat litter buckets that can be filled and stacked three high in one end of my shower. This is definitely NOT potable water so that filter is necessary (unless you have lots of firewood. :) )
Couldn't put it better myself about "do not tell everyone about your preps". The amount of self-entitlements out there would make most people sick to their stomach. Just pray you won't be the one encounters them otherwise you probably be stuck with them.
In my 55 plus park we now have regular security meetings within our community and are learning various protection methods and are bonding together to help the elderly that can’t help them selves as well as they wish they could… Our Prayers and knowledge of what’s ahead and planning are so important ❤️thank you for the tips ❤️‼️
I don't live in an apartment, a small house in an urban environment. It does seem to me that many of the points raised here are just as applicable. I would, however, caution against being over-cautious It is my experience that most people are kind and co-operative, and, in times of adversity, seek to come together and act for the greater good. So, yes, build relationships with the people around you, and be willing to share. If you really have developed the skills for survival, the community will look to you for guidance and leadership, and that benefits everyone. Blessings
If you are talking about a longer term, grid down situation where it is unknown if power will ever be restored consider doing as you have suggested within your community but have a few back up plans. Definitely bug out bags. Consider a 30-90 day supply of food & water for you & family. Have separate supply you willingly share with the people around you as you have stated. In a long term situation, things change. Some people may leave to seek out vulnerable family members. People without their psychiatric medications may become delusional or even dangerous. Eventually your group may be faced with gangs, criminals and other desperate humans. Your group could be over run. Your job is to survive and keep your family safe, then others. If you have a yard consider a few caches of food, water, medicines, maps, etc. If you truly believe in the others in your community, look to pass on skills that will make them independent like first aid skills and information; sprouting seeds, micro greens; foraging w/ a paper map of location of wild/cultivated fruits, veggies and seeds; how to make a 300 hr candle (2 hours a night for 150 days of winter); humanure sanitation; filtering rain water to your hot water heater for rain storage; water treatment; escape & evade skills. I hope and pray you and your community not only survive but thrive in a long term grid down situation.
@@kenyonbissett3512 Hi Kenyon. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate that much of what you say is pertinent, but to an ultimately apocalyptic scenario. I doubt very much that I have the skills or physical capabilities to survive a prolonged period in that scenario. However, if I am to survive such a scenario, it could ONLY be as part of a community. Whilst I accept the idea of criminal gangs and the dangers they represent, I personally think that is quite a short term problem. A gang attacking a "fortified position", attended by a number of people defending that position, would come off second best more times than not, and in a world of limited, if any, medical resources, even minor wounds can quickly pose serious problems. Since criminal gangs have probably made no kind of prep, they lose out there, too. Dangerous psychotic disorders are rare, so I don't regard that as a significant problem anyway. Ultimately, the question remains: How long can you go without sleep? How long can you sleep WITHOUT someone to watch your back?? Thanks for the feedback tho', I'll check back later to see if you have made any further contribution, you'd be most welcome to so do.
@@kenyonbissett3512 Bug out so you can volunteer to be a refugee in a setting that has historically seen refugees preyed on more than just about anyone?
Clear contact paper works better than duct to pervert glass from breaking. Contact paper will allow you to hold broken glass in place to keep heat in if applied correctly. It also is less visible to the public and could be applied early.
DO NOT let your prepping be detected by your "security guards" and doormen/women. Even though you're friendly and polite, they are VERY nosy and notice what you bring in. Dress in grey clothing and carry preps into the flat in a rucksack. If you need items delivered, have then delivered to a third party receiver.
For added door security, I use a deadbolt door locker with a Brinks security bar. The deadbolt locker makes it so someone with a key can't turn the deadbolt and the Brinks bar wedges under the handle. I put the Brinks bar on a rug with a non slip bottom because it would slide on linoleum. It works really well!
One thing about the windows- there are cling film-like coverings that make your windows look like frosted glass. It’s not as sturdy as duct tape but would be more stealth and keep the glass from shattering as much!
I would recommend trash management and maximizing their purpose. I used to live in 4th floor so getting down every two days just to throw trash away was so tiring and tedious. What I did was to rinse/wash the plastic packaging that have food residue, let it dry, fold and tie them to make them smaller in size. The same with paper and other solid trash. This can be use as burning fuel if really necessary. Food or kitchen waste that might become smelly are kept separately in closed container or much better composting them so you can plant something with it. Smell can be kept at minimum and be stored much longer if they are much drier. I also wash the inside of egg shells so it will not attract housefly or smaller bugs that might hatch their eggs there. If done properly, the numbers to go out just to throw away trash will reduce dramatically. During SHTF, there might be no people available that will come to collect the trash at dump site. I have seen this during covid lockdown. Also, water to wash hands can be conserve by using small spray water bottle instead from direct tap or bottle. I used this trick when water supply is not available and in my car when going outside.
I got a door jam that you shove under knobs and prevent easy opening (Amazon). I got it when maintenance kept going to wrong building during renovation and tried opening my door. I STILL need to figure out how to deal with balcony door as it opens outward--but thinking to tie knob to sofa so it's difficult to open. I have water stored, a water filter, and several means to heat food etc. We have wood burning fireplace and I make fire logs using junk mail (not hard). We buy rice in bulk, have various beans ( I'm veg), a mini freezer to provide extra storage for meat my husband buys. I have put in solar light bulbs and have built a solar transmission cooler ac as well. Now I have started building a solar can heater to go into the windows for passive heating. I have my crisco candles and additional crisco and wicks to build more. We have a large walk-in with the hot water heater so I put small bookcases in there and have extensive prep pantry. I also bought an escape ladder which is under the bed. Fire is only thing I am REALLY worried about. I also got clothes line and have rack for laundry. I have walkie talkies thinking that the men and establish security between the 2 buildings. I am making balcony garden this year...only did tomatoes last year. Recently saw a way to collect passive water collection for my plants. I have the collapsible water containers full and tucked into the very back of cabinets where difficult to reach but have been repurposing small plastic containers for smaller things like rice and lentils if I need to share or easy to-go. Since I am in PNW earthquake is only thing I have been really prepping for. Having been thru power outages in Boston after Noreasters and Gulf with hurricanes. While my husband and son know gun use, I don't so I got a taser for myself. Every month I try to get 1 book and at least 1 prep item in addition to extra can or 2 when shopping every time. I think we can go 3 months which isn't long enough but goal is 6 months rn. I also need to add more medical like sutures and a few items. I also got free maps online from various tourist agencies. I have 2 bug out bags with the basics and all our papers (thinking fire escape). It is a step by step process. For others, think about pool shock to make own bleach since takes up little space. As well as door jams, dehydration (and get Vit C since it is lost when dried), and fire plans (extinguisher and ladder). Also if you are in earthquake area check out your soil in area since it can liquify--also check where the nearest emergency spot set by government. Show up to get food and water so you look just as needy as those who never prepared anything. Get solar even if couple $20 power banks, a lantern and crank radio. I only put about $60/month into it now except for the added cans each trip to store. Locate where you can get water-nearest lake, passive water collection, etc and ways to filter and treat. It is totally possible to be prepared.
Two things learn and get comfortable with firearms and realize if shtf you can’t just choose to be a vegan anymore. Vegans/vegetarian didn’t really exist prior to well established society. Just mentally prepare for eating animal products if things go south. And get comfortable with those firearms! You got this!
Freeze the rice bag for 3 days to kill larvae or you may find it crawling with worms when you open it. I do this with anything that is long term storage, i.e. lentils and flour or wheat berries.
TY for mentioning pool shock. It will last at least a year, whereas readymade bleach is not reliable past 6 months. You only need a very little. Just a little pinch at most per gallon of water - and remember to WAIT a half hour b4 consuming!
Store water in laundry soap bottles that haven't been rinsed for washing, you can store water behind your couches and chairs. You can store water in 55 gal water barrels. Purify your water with 3R purogene, 2T will treat 30 gal of water. Cover your water barrels with nice cloth and put plants on top.
Every time there are videos about apartments on this channel, I pay attention. They really come in handy. A little bit about me… I am a military veteran so my experience in the service has come in handy when it comes to survival. Preparedness runs in my family, and both my parents and my grandparents taught me things growing up that are very useful. I live in a Second floor apartment. It was harder to get my furniture up and down the stairs but I picked the upper floor for a reason. It’s harder to break into, and I’m protected from the brunt of any major storms if they should happen. I can also get an overview of the parking area so that if our building was surrounded by people with bad intentions I could defend myself. I have enclosed my back patio in plastic to turn it into a type of greenhouse and it also helps keep all the pollen and dust and pollutants off of my plants which I use for food and medicine. A tip I can suggest for taping your windows is to use clear strong tape such as the clear gorilla tape. I also live within 15 miles of a nuclear power plant so that puts me in the emergency zone if anything were to go wrong. I’ve already stocked bug out bags and I have preparations in my car just in case I have to leave quickly. I stocked the things which I believe I will need and I may need to have when my family members are with me. I would say if you live in an apartment find out where you have space that is being wasted or not used under beds, A couch, daybed, corner table or anywhere not just a cabinet 10 under your sinks… Use it. Stock and stack whatever you can fit under there. You can use crates or vacuum seal bags or whatever but use the space. I would also say you should have extra things around the apartment to do minor DIY repairs not only to keep people from having to come into your apartment but also if you ever get into an SHTF scenario you will need these things. Get them while you can. I’m lucky because I have gotten to know two or three of my neighbors. One of them is a cop. Another one works for the Postal Service. Another one is a nurse. All three are good to know. Everything Chris is saying in this video is bang on the money. I’ll be starting some sprouts in jars and sprouting containers on the windowsill soon but I am waiting to see what happens with all of the global conflict that is going on at the moment. I’m still trying to build up my medical and food supplies. Still trying to purchase little things here and there one step at a time. My biggest crisis right now is financial. The rent has increased by 15% where I live and it’s the same everywhere else too. It’s like they know the ship is sinking and they are going to grab a handful of gold while it’s going down. It’s despicable profiteering behavior but what Can we do? So there was a reason why you should have preparations already in place. Wherever you are if you were living in an apartment count yourself lucky if they are not increasing the amount you’re paying for rent. It’s gotten so bad here because we have people flowing in from other states and countries. I would love to have my own home away from all of this but for now it’s where I am living.
During any emergency, I try to AVOID ANY OPEN FLAME. They are not worth the risk considering the fire or carbon monoxide risks. I only use an open flame outside and with a fire extinguisher, bucket of water or sand/salt.
Less than a week is probably doable. More than a week and you won't want the exposure of cooking outdoors. Both of those concerns can be overcome by a.) vigilance during cooking (and that fire extinguisher/baking soda) and b.) proper ventilation.
Generally, safety in an apartment is lower than a single family home. A couple of suggestions: Get one of those door bars for when you're home so people can't kick in your door. Also, consider setting up cameras. For all you know, even in normal times, your maintenance person may be coming in and stealing from you or going through your stuff. Simply Safe is one option or just a couple of nanny cams is another. Best to know what goes on when you're not around. 👍
@@im_linus Not all apartments have that door setup. There are other vulnerabilities, as well. Apartments are not safer overall. Mine certainly isn't. The only thing I like about it, is that the "ceiling" is solid concrete, so stray projectiles can't enter that way. That's not worth the long list of vulnerabilities.
@@kimgordon3695 People have forgotten there are cameras which do not connect to the Internet, and are not wireless. I am shopping for a wireless system now.
Glad you mentioned being discreet about your preps. Apartment dwellers have a lot of management inspections/maintenance visits - hide your preps in plain sight, such as storing in an entertainment center that people assume contains electronics or DVDs. Label any buckets or boxes with other names that don't give away the contents. Try to be present when any of those maintenance or inspectors visit your apartment-I've seen some of them trying to snoop.
Living upstairs is a must for me. the amount of advantages far outweigh the inconveniences. Also i like having to walk up and down stairs a lot for general fitness.
PLEASE do one of these for full-time RVers! There's over a million of us out here and growing. Our doors swing out, not in, negating most entry deterrence for apartment dwellers use. We only have a half inch throw on our locks. Most I've asked say they have a firearm to deter entry, but bullets can travel through multiple RVs before they stop. 😲 In an average 200 square foot RV, if you use pepper spray you're both going down. 🤪 Please give us a heads up 4 nonlethal ways to avoid entry into RVs.
You do know 5 layers of silk fabric works like a bullet proof vest. It was shown in the wild west with a silk neck scarf Which would be light weight. Multiple hits with it may weaken it. It may be a way to protect your walls and windows but pretty costly.
@@reginafetty6374 I'm doubtful. I'd have to see an actual demonstration. I can link to a number of charts and articles about which materials stop which projectiles, and how much it takes, and how many they will stop. Everything is far more substantial than silk. You should see what even frangible 9mm will do to concrete block.
@@TUKByV a sledge hammer swung by a human can tear up a concrete block. Silk is very strong I was skeptical as well. I don't remember where I saw it. They were using different products to use for bullet proof vests. Silk(5 layers) or telephone books were proven to work as well as a bullet proof vest. Silk was also a good layering fabric to keep warm but it's strength was a surprise to me, as pertaining to bullets. Unless you want to add weight by putting steel plates around an rv, thick layers of heavy dense materials between you and the projectiles are the only choice.I have been trying to figure out ways to protect in that way as well. We travel with our rv and will possible use it to bug out. You never know when you might run into a situation ,that you need that protection. That is when I ran across those experiments people were doing on items being bullet proof.
Thank you for all the excellent ideas. Good to know about these now vs later. I also heard about a bathroom idea. Drain your toilet, put a large garbage bag inside it..fold over the edge..add scoopable cat litter. You can scoop everything and throw that.
I live in an apartment and the relationships I build with people is probably my greatest asset and prep. I know where local gardens are, we have a heavy gate protecting our community and we've all gotten used to each other's routines. Don't be afraid of making connections with neighbors you get along with
I live on the top floor of a 3-story apartment in Idaho, my pantry is full of food and water, and I have a few lead spitters. If need be, I could survive for quite a while if the city became unsafe. As far as I can imagine, a fire is my biggest threat. Otherwise, one way in, two ways out (I could repel off the balcony). My balcony is perfect for a small foldable wood burning oven for cooking food. My local Dollar Store is my go-to for budget prep items. It's a gold mine!
30 years ago we lived in a townhouse in the suburbs of Denver. It was just as the neighborhoods were generally becoming empty during the day. We started having break-ins, and the police who was helping us try to deter them said: "You can't stop anyone who is determined to get in. Your best bet is to make it hard enough that they will go looking for an easier place to break in to." CANDLE/FLAME safety is paramount. Do not have an open flame: put candles inside of chimneys, or even in vases or glasses. Never leave a burning candle/flame unattended, any vibration or even your pet can make it fall over.
Honestly I watch this channel because he has some good info but it also makes me appreciate my situation. We own a farm and for the most part pretty self sufficient. I applaud all of you because not being able to have control over water electricity and I mean sustainably for long periods is a battle of its own. I’m also assuming you are deep in a city which means no access for hunting or fishing. I hope nothing happens but if it does I know I will be ok. I think the biggest obstacle everyone forgets about is sanity. Most people are conditioned for group and social interaction. No amount of prep can prepare you for potential inevitable end of social relationships with others.
We have a tiny apartment. I have 5 collapsible 5-gallon jugs that will be filled to water my veggie plants for a while. I figured that If I need to really reinforce the patio doors, I'll just take off the closet doors to cover them more. I have already added a film over the windows. I have duct tape and plastic. I think it is important to have thought out the worst-case scenarios.
In my long ago past I needed to put storage in a room but not overtake it. So I put the metal wire costco shelves along one wall, filled the shelves and then put plywood against the shelves and secured it. Then I painted the plywood to match the walls. No one realized I had all that stuff stored along that wall.
Thank you SO MUCH for making this video. Moving from a spacious home with acreage to an apartment for a while has made me painfully aware that being prepared is far more challenging. Thank you for your tips. Several I had not thought of yet. Thank you, also, for pointing out the potential advantages. You are appreciated, Kris!
I looked for a while before selecting my current apartment. I selected one that has an attached garage which is directly accessible from the inside of the apartment unit itself. So, I can drive in and then close the garage door so that no one can tell what I load or unload from my vehicle. But it is a first floor unit.
living in a condo myself, i use a cedar chest as a side table, a footlocker is my coffee table, a bench with storage sits by my front door all storing preps, i store paper products under my bed due to limited height and baseboard heaters. Seeing how our building has laundry facilities i got rid of my washer/dyer and created a prepper pantry with the money instead. I also have a small storage unit off site, and a few storage bins at my daughter's place, you never know where you'll end up
Cut a broomhandle and place it in the bottom of your sliding glass doors, if you have access entry from a porch type area. They also make attachments that fold down to block the sliding door from being slid open, with a small metal piece that keeps those from being flipped up and out of the way. Yes, an intruder can break the glass, but that means you have a chance of hearing it, rather than someone just standing over your bed in the middle of the night. Broomhandle can be flipped up, but it takes time, and skill to do so, as well as tools. Cat burglers want to get in and out quickly, so they might hit another apt. rather than yours. If there is reason (civil unrest or crime) to suspect the glass will be broken for entry, there are ballistic films that can be applied to the glass to make it resistant to breaking. Check with landlord before applying.
I think one of the best advantages in living in an apartment building is leaving on the 2nd 3rd or 4th floor.. however the first blow is always the worst because it's prone to flooding people break into that the first floor first everything happens there first.. while on the 3rd or 4th floor you're pretty safe and you have a chance to protect yourself before they rise up to the top..
I think finding balance is important. I used to live in 4th floor and it's already very tiring to climb the stairs just to bring things up which also meant if things went south, you are the slowest to leave the area when necessary. Most people neglected some situations which our house might not be necessarily the best place to feels safe. It might become a death trap if you can't leave the building, such as in event of fire and smoke. The higher you are, the more unlikely you will jump.
You can hide canned goods in walls, like cut out a space in drywall behind the refrigerator or oven. In case there’s a chance of gunshots in the building and so bullets tearing thru the walls, you could make a shield to hide behind by using a 4x4 sheet of plywood, cover it with thick fiberglass, coated with layers of polyurethane resin, then top it with porcelain tiles.
ALSO, GET A STORAGE garage and NOT keep all of your preps in the apartment. Due to fire, floods, hurricanes, and other weather disasters, preps can be destroyed.
Things in urban environment fall apart rather then just collapse. I am planning for outages and shortages but I am aware I can't hold my apartment no matter what. I need running water, I need power of some sort and given I am in an earthquake area, that is always an issue. We have examples from Ukraine how disasters play out in urban areas in the worst way.
Seeing middle class folks having to flee Ukraine unexpectedly was definitely eye-opening. Lots of $300 suitcases, easily accommodated by subway shelter. We don't have subways here, though. Where are we all going to flee to with simple backpacks? I don't know that I'd trust the fema facilities.
Look up transmission cooler ac that runs 100% solar. Mine runs off small solar panel in window and solar power bank. And also solar can heater which also can run off the same power bank. I have solar lights that can be used, crank radio and flashlight as well as plenty other crank lights. I have rechargeable batteries with USB plug on charger so it can also hook up to another solar power bank. Crisco candles, alcohol burners also good and easy to store. Small planters for a garden on balcony and lids with mess so I can do microgreens. I'm in PNW so earthquake prep is new for me but since I have lived weeks without power after hurricanes and even few days in Boston after Noreasters it's not huge issue. It all about basics, food Water and shelter. Fire is biggest threat I foresee.
I am so happy I am no longer living in an apartment!! So many RUDE, noisy people. Living in an apartment made me really bitter towards humanity, now that I am back in house, my own house...I can start to like people a little more! LOL!
Walmart has toilet seat lids that attach securely to 5 gallon buckets for around $13. You will find them in the camping section of the store. I highly recommend them. One for liquid waste and the other for solid waste . Be sure to line the bucket with a good quality trash bag. Quite literally you are good to go.
If you have kitty litter for the bags, that can help. So you don't have a pet? Can always say you store a bit to provide winter traction for your vehicle.
Keep your phone bill paid. When they cut off service for non-payment it is an automatic systematic process. And service isn't restored until the account is brought current or the phone company has a plan in place in case of disaster like they did for Covid or places affected by Hurricanes. Also have an alternate communication method.
According to my friend in Venezuela and what I learned from NOLA hurricanes, it's just not doable without water and power in an apartment. It's too much hauling needed up stairs. Due to no water fir flushing toilets, people Starr urinating in your hallways after 24 hours instead of going downstairs to find a toilet 5 times a day.
You could do a 5 gallon bucket composting toilet. there are many RUclips videos that show you how you put sawdust or pine shavings inside them. Walmart and academy sports both have the plastic snap-on lids that are very comfortable. Academy has them for about $8.
Thank you for addressing this. I live in an apartment in a large city, with very limited space. However, I'm being creative with storage. Grow lights and indoor garden is another option. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Excellent video! We love our apartment. Most of our neighbors all have kids the same ages as ours, we help each other with small things, let the kids play, etc. Everyone knows I am learning to garden 😆 hubby is learning to fish, etc. Our community is quite peaceful compared to other apartments we have lived in.
Excellent video. Thanks for the information. The Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” I would add that you should have a basic first aid book and even an army survival guide. They can be picked up in thrift stores and on Amazon pretty inexpensively.
There are also apps that work offline with survival info and maps. Just have on old phone if don't want to use space on reg device. Have way like solar power bank to recharge
I use storage bins to put backstock canned foods in and kitty treat containers with lids to put poches of mashed potato's in and it works great and I put them all over the apartment and jugs of water under the bed. And duffel bags of bugout foods in I have 2 filled with extra stuff in.
Definitely hide your preps. I had cases of canned food out one day and my friend came over to visit. Though he laughed at why I had it, he did mention if anything happened, he knew where to go. Who knows how many he would bring too. No friends in survival.
Easy to tell the occasional Nosy Nellies that get a peak at your items that you collected for a food bank pantry project and ask for them if they want to contribute. Usually that changes the conversation in light speed.
This is something I’ve thought about a lot . I live in an apartment. I have my laundry room set up with bookshelves with all my preps. They work perfect because they’re thin enough to fit along the walls and tall plus long enough to fit a lot of things! I also have a small green house on my patio plus planters. It’s very small but I looked up how to grow the best crops in pots! It’s really great! We already have a plan in place. The only thing I wonder about is I have a fireplace I’m assuming it would not be smart to use this in case no heat and for cooking because it would cause attention . I have other things in place like a small collapsible camping stove and things to make a safe but good little heater. You can also get plastic storage containers from the store and fill up with water if needed. These stack easily and fit neatly in a corner or patio storage closet! Hope this helps! Thank you for the video!!!
Following your channel over the past two years, I was happy to find out your subject about living in an appartment and trying to prep the right way. That's my case actually. By myself, in a three rooms and a closet appartment, I have dedicated one room and the closet to store all the items and tools with what you have taught us being essentials to our survival... Many thanks, I feel a bit more comfortable and still far behind on my personnal goal... Water is my main and the biggest issue so far even if, at this hour, I can already rely on a 63 gallons stock, that's a good start...
I stay in a studio apartment and some of these things I have already like a door alarm system, spy cameras which can watch the nearby street, self defense tools such as a karambit knife and dragged, baseball bat, & ax. Thanks again for the advice City Prepping
*Walmart etc sell storage benches for your balcony or even inside that you can put so much food and water in. *Get rid of all your extra junk. Most people have way too many pots pans dishes glasses clothes shoes purses etc all that take up space that they never use. Get rid of everything you don't need. It makes fleeing easier if needed. It also makes moving easier. Most of all it makes food storage way way better!!
I would board up the windows with spread out 2x8 pine boards on the outside. And reinforce the door with several 2x4 cross blocks on the inside. No different than for a house.
You can store can food under your couch and frequent goodwills to replace your side tables, tv stands etc with suitable options that offer more storage
It may sound silly, and it can be costly but, hurricane shutters on the inside of an apartment. They cannot be taken down from the outside, steel ones are least expensive but can provide some bullet protection especially if doubled up with a small 1/8 to +/4 inch between layers. If you have high ceilings (over 7 feet) you can build loft areas, even one foot clearance will hold a lot of non perishable supplies. Under beds, couch and chairs are overlooked storage areas.
Being forced to flee is the worst case scenario for all of us. There's no way to carry that much valuable stuff in a backpack. Wouldn't it be great if there were giant lockers on the outskirts of a neighboring town (secure, easily accessible, temperature controlled, and affordable) where we could store some valuables? When we store a bug-out bag in our vehicle it gets ruined quickly. And let's face it: no one is going to pay $400/mo for a storage space just in case the shtf.
Why would you ever be forced to leave within a couple minutes. I don't really think those scenarios are too plausible. I suppose with a hurricane or tornado weather event.
Lol, most people over here in appartments are very happy when its the end of the month and they have 20 euros left... most people dont live in a appartment when they can pay a real house... so ofcourse nobody is going go to rent a box for 400 a month lol😂
I'm currently in a condo in a suburban area. Mostly old folks in this building and I'm the youngest at early 50's (and a child). Luckily there is a nice large storage bin in the indoor garage for storing extra supplies. I'm slowly filling up opaque bins with long term food, growing some non-GMO food plants, and gathering emergency supplies which have been quite useful for the power outages we have in any season. Still waffling about a gun.
Have some 2x4 and some 8 inch screws and a power drill at the ready. In the event of shtf and you live on a bottom floor you’ll want to block any extra windows you may have leaving you with just your door and an escape window. have a new deadbolt to install on your main door to prevent any master key access.
As always this is an excellent video full of great and useable information! Thank you for addressing the advantages and weaknesses of apartment living!!! For the very first time prepping for disasters I feel safe and truly ready for what's to come in my apartment home! Kris ur page and the information you provide, not only is life saving but a blessing! Thank you for all the research, time, effort and love you share! Sending prayers ur way, God bless! 💗🙏👍💕
Literally I was having this convo with a friend of mine this morning who lives in a apt. and I forward her the link. I have a basement that can be a tad bit more secure. She’s just now getting onboard to prepping so it’s hard to feel sorry and she won’t get a invitation to my home but I can offer advice and direct her to those who know more than I do.
According to my friend in Venezuela and what I learned from NOLA hurricanes, it's just not doable without water and power in an apartment. It's too much hauling needed up stairs. Due to no water for flushing toilets, people start urinating in your hallways after 24 hours instead of going downstairs to find a toilet 5 times a day.
@@Pamela-B Exactly. In both instances I mentioned above, my friend had her family member living in an apartment come to her house and stay until power returned. In NOLA, same thing. I can't tell you how many tweets I read about apartment dwellers leaving to someone's house because they could shower and they had a generator.
WG from the Bronx Hello 👋 everybody: 👍 THANK you CRIST (CITY PREPPING) I Like your lecture Iwill use A couple of you IDEAS BECAUSE I'm STAYING IN APARTMENT NO CHOICE ❗
@@sesamefrederick6618 Hello 👋 Frederick : well some times is the Heath, that makes us Change and check priority list, BUT IT'S WHEN ,,TRUE KNOWLEDGE, Pus EXPERIENCE Makes A Difference in the GAME SO CALL LIFE.
Wow, Chris, you read my mind with this timely video release. I'm in a condo with a 2-car attached garage, but no basement. You've shared a lot of great ideas here, some that I've already done, but some that I haven't. Thanks for the valuable info & God bless!
A properly stocked and supplied apartment is, with a few potential caveats, in a better a position than 99% of non-“prepping” single family home households out there. Especially where I live and the task of heating presents perhaps the biggest survival challenge, and stand-alone homes with plumbing going through outer walls presents a much more acute emergency than anything that would occur in my apartment complex. The main immediate benefit, which can make up for a host of disadvantages of a SFH, is the space you get. If properly-used, this is the main sell. But it’s an empty benefit if your heating contingency fails when you’ve still got months of stored food left.
I've talked about several of the same situations. I'm a home owner in a small metro area, but I've got friends in apartments that have inquired about what they can do... without the landlord having an issue. I've shared a few ideas of security & safety, it really comes down to the setup of the unit and building and creativity.
Small solar lights and panels that can be set in windows, transmission cooler ac and solar can heaters both with fans run off solar power banks, several solar power banks to power any electronics, rechargeable batteries and USB power option that work with the solar power banks, crank lanterns and radios. There are so many options that can be done.
There's a LOT they can't do. They need to recognize their limitations and develop workarounds ASAP, as well as accept they have a greater chance of needing to bug than house-dwelling folks. In some cases, their chances are not IF, but how many days until WHEN. For me, it'll be 2 weeks at the most, unless somehow trash pickup continues and the sewage doesn't back up. Either way, life is going to get very hard, very fast on this block.
Download the FREE Cyberwarfare Survival guide here: bit.ly/3sRabvA to ensure you are ready.
👍🏽
@Christopher Norris 💯
Question- I have one child moving away to college soon. Can you do a college preparedness/ college safety video?
I’m wondering if you would think of anything I haven’t. Thank you
@@crystal7217 that is such a great idea
@@AlpinePreparedness thank you.
Also be very careful about where and how you dispose of garbage. Piles of steadily growing garbage with food wrappers etc are a signal that you have food and supplies.
That's a very good point. Especially when dirty, food receptacles also will attract vermin. So you should have an opportunity of washing them inconspicuously.
Need to pre-plan for the disposal.
That’s using your noodle ! Great suggestion !
I have an a hill in the yard. I put my empty pet food cans on it, & the ants clean them in 1 day. The ants stay home instead of trying to come in my home! That eliminates any smell, & nothing needed but to drop in recycling now. Shtf- hide or bury!
Was supposed to say ANT hill!
Thank you for mentioning us city apartment dwellers in a positive light. Most channels tell me I'm doomed .
Best to avoid hyper-preppers who like to stoke terror in order to sell you more stuff they just happen to have in stock .... A pox on their house.
I never liked associating with my apartment neighbors, partly because I don’t like some of them, but also because i’m anti-social. Still, after hearing you talk about needing a MAG or at least realizing I need a community to survive an emergency scenario, I have started saying hi or good morning to my neighbors when I see them. Even interacting with the neighbor kids has led to me having more friendly interactions with the parents. Hopefully that leads to more prepper conversations or discussions about how to help look out for each other if there’s any threatening activity.
My husband made friends with someone who has parking spot beside us and on our floor. The management is on site as well. I made friends with lady on other floor and make point of always greeting.
I feel the same way. Although I'm not in an apartment community I am a little introverted so as I walk my dogs I've made an effort to notice who has what flags in their yard and to say hi to neighbors.
Good stuff!
The truth is, these days people act like other people don't exist, especially in an apartment setting. However, in the wake of a disaster, EVERYONE will be forced to get to know EVERYONE due to the need for a sense of community!!
@@twashington9983 true. After Hurricane Andrew, no one had power so neighbors were sharing what they had and looking out for one another. It was really scary seeing the national guard roll into our neighborhood and making sure everyone was accounted for. They also set up checkpoints at night during curfew time.
@@barbaravyse660 I'm in South Florida & I remember. Please God, not worse than Andrew...but it could be if multiple places have disasters at once & the Guard must go elsewhere. Remember the sign someone painted on their wall? "Armed PMS & Out of booze & chocolate"
HIGH LEVEL RECOMMENDATION : If in an apartment get a storage garage if possible. You can keep some preps there in old boxes (hidden under an old thrift store couch or old mattresses). Worse case you must leave the apartment this can be a rally point for family and friends. Also, it may be possible to stay here if the apartment situation crashes quickly. Sleeping on that old couch or mattress is much better than under a bridge with people who are more desperate.
Funny you say that because my discussions are those are first to get hit (unless it’s well hidden)
@@Mediumdoo I would think people would be looting and looking for resources quickly. Sell / trade able goods. I doubt people are going to sit down a search through an old box labeled Christmas ornaments or grandma’s scrapbooks. Also, if you were very creative you could have clear plastic bins with old clothes on the outside and preps hidden inside. Just make it look like junk.
I love that idea. you could also Mark the boxes school books or stuffed animals, because nobody would steal any of that stuff. also keep extra clothing and other items there because if anything ever happened to your house like a fire, you would still have some of the things you needed.
I had two onsite storage units in my last apartment. They didn’t have any windows so they would make an ideal place to ride out the emergency.
INDEED, I AGREE WITH YOU AS I HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. Do not keep all of your preps in YOUR APARTMENT. I have learned to NOT do this, and put some preps in a storage, insured facility, because if there is a fire, flood, tornado, weather disaster -- my stuff would NOT be destroyed. Having another place across town will provide a person to FLEE if needed -- when the apartment is NO longer a place to stay. Folks just do not think to do this, but I did. Preps can be damaged or destroyed in an apartment fire, flood, tornado/hurricane, etc. I am NOT SO THANKFUL TO HAVE MY STORAGE garage across town, easy accessible, and insured.
My apartment is 850 Sq ft. I have over 200 gal of water and enough food for the three of us for over a yr and it is all hidden. Get creative, use every inch. I have 15gal water barrels as nightstands and end tables. Food hidden on bookshelves behind books and dvds. Deep art on the walls has boxes of mac n cheese and rice a roni inside them. Our beds sit atop 5gal buckets of food with a bed skirt to hide them. Every pot in the cabinet is full of bags of beans. My van is loaded and ready to go. We have fire escape ladders and ready grab and go bags in each room. Over the door shoe holders on the back of each door are filled with goods, hygiene supplies and meds. Shoes in the closet each have a small bag of grains in them. Canned foods in each drawer and nook. Stacks of cases of canned goods covered with cloth make good tables. Fill your empty suitcases, stuff it under your couch, use shelves in your cabinets. I'm a single mother in college. If I can do this, you can do this too!
If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.
Terves will overcome! Resist & Persist!
As a former urban apartment dweller, I can say honestly that this is a brilliant and thorough assessment. I particularly like the idea of providing an anonymous local wifi hotspot.
After living in a city apartment for a few years I adopted a few practises:
I am overly prepared on fire prevention. I have a fire extinguisher for each room, plus an automatic fire extinguisher ball in my store room. If my neighbour has a fire during grid down, I want a fair chance of being able to put it out and still have kit left over. In apartments, your neighbours fire will quickly become your fire. Having a plan for that might secure your own location.
I always have a few rolls of car body vinyl wrap in black and white. Its a great way to mask windows, but it has huge thermal qualities. White reflects light, and black absorbs it. Just one square metre of black wrap placed on an East facing window, will heat the room by a few degrees on a clear day, even during winter. Similarly, the white wrap will reflect light and heat.
I have cheap Amazon door braces for both the front door and my bedroom door. (bars that snug up under the handle and prop against the floor) They turn relatively unsafe doors into a 3-5 minute exercise in door breaching. They are not perfect, but it means people have to use a lot of energy, and cause a lot of noise, and they buy you a few minutes.
Excellent video as always.
I dedicated a whole closet to food storage and it’s stacked to the ceiling!!! Mind you, I live in a studio!!! Where there is a will there is a way!!! 🤟🏾
Studio!! Same!!!:)
Something I recommend is for people to know various ways of navigating through their city. When I lived in New York I got to know the various subway stations and connecting tunnels that I could use to get around the city by foot. No, I was not a part of the mole people, I just hated really cold winters. I could get from Chinatown to Midtown with hardly ever having to go up on the street. Get some actual paper maps of the city. Since most cities are laid out like grids you can kind of figure out how to get from point A to point B even if you don’t have a compass.
Where do you recommend getting one?
@@lpsny4767 depends where you live. Some tourist kiosks have them, Rand McNally publishes road maps, you can also find topographical maps online. Also checking with your local library system would be a good idea. They sometimes have historical documents that might show long forgotten roads and alleyways. I’m sure that they were dozens of other places to find them out as well. Even Google Maps is good.
That’s impressive! I never even considered using the tunnels to get around. Would you actually ride the subway or just walk?
So right in any city. Known hot spots to avoid & marked on map are vital.
@@debbY100 She certainly does not mean the tunnels with the rails. These can be dangerous already because the current for the trains is conducted though cables on the ground. By "subway stations and connecting tunnels", she certainly means the tunnels which are ordinarily opened for passengers to walk through. Such tunnels for pedestrians in bigger cities often become hundreds of meters long.
I live in a mobile home park I sure would like to see a video where a SENIOR mobile home park is taken under consideration. We have a lot of veterans and retired medical people that maybe worked as nurses aids ECT... I have decided to take a leadership role because I'm only 63 instead of 80 a nd above. I think we should form a group now rather than later.
I’d like to see videos on this too I’m not a senior but I do live in a manufacture home park and have no clue what to do or even if we would have a chance
We are in the same situation. I totally agree with you.
@@jone5799 at least you have a little space outside to gather water and grow food, unlike many apartment dwellers.
Sitting ducks
I would think that seniors with life experience would be an asset to most communities at large. They often have skills that younger people wouldn't know how to do. They have years of experience in communication and aren't afraid to speak their mind or offer suggestions, and at least a good chunk of the ones with military experience don't play around with threats. Before SHTF seniors have the benefit of discounts for building their preps. Defense of the area would probably be weaker in a senior community unless everyone had sufficient defense training and could carry a gun and had cognizant judgment as to how to fix it. The other issue is health needs. Those dependent on pharmaceutical medicine could become a liability over time depending on how long a SHTF moment would last. What would make the most sense would be to talk with your neighbors now and provide helpful suggestions for preparing while you still can. Build a neighborhood watch and have monthly meetings. Treat them as fun community gatherings where it is a potluck and discuss different topics regarding prepping and set goals for the next gathering. If some of your fellow neighbors have challenges or objections, consider brainstorming how you can help one another. Honestly, I think a senior community could have a good chance so long as they are well defended, use their location as a go to place for younger family members so long as they bring something valuable to survival, and have plans in place that everyone is on the same page about.
Remember if you are cooking and your neighbors are going hungry they're going to smell your food. It would be a good idea to get plenty of freeze-dried pouches so that all you have to do is boil the water and mix. This reduces the amount of smells. There's a good chance that a lot of your neighbors will not stay in place after a certain time and will move in with family. But until they leave be careful about the smells and the trash that you put out. If you can't afford those expensive freeze-dried pouches rice and lentils will keep you full and don't have much smell. Add spices after it's cooked. Make this until your neighbors go away or people are too weak to fight.
Cooking with hungry neighbors is called target practice. If they approach trying to take your resources and potentially your life the only thing to do is take their life and assume their materials.
To secure glass patio doors, prop up and secure a metal bed frame to the inside. I'm talking about the frames made entirely of metal bars, readily available from any mattress store. Very visible and a solid deterrent. You'll need to buy the metal clamps (small, very affordable) from the hardware store) before shtf to secure the frame pieces to the patio door frame. This method will also work to secure rectangular windows. Just be sure to have a plan for escaping in the event of a fire.
It would also tell people that you have something to protect and that they want it. JMHO
Still easier to just break the glass and go in anyway.
I've lived in apartments that had super thin walls. I'm sure you could easily break right through to the next unit, and even from the hallway wall.
@@ArcadeFires they are weak and easily breached.
@@michaelallsup1 yes but that makes noise. And slippery footing as they entry and cut hazards. Patios on higher floors are harder to reach so less of a breach hazard. Best is not to just armor or tape in my opinion. Follow the gray man method and blend in. Don't make yourself stand out from the crowd or on this case, the other apartments
Thank you! It seems like most RUclips preppers assume we all have land, an arsenal, and huge sums of money.
yes, well stated. Everyone DOES NOT HAVE LAND TO DEVELOP, AND MANY DO NOT HAVE $$$$$$$ TO LIVE IN THE RURAL AREAS, with criminals & bad dogs, squatters, weirdos, no law enforcement, religious cults, runaway teenagers, and foreigners.. There is a lot to consider in relocating to rural America to consider.
@@sesamefrederick6618 What? I may have misread your reply?
@@sesamefrederick6618 I'm just curious, where are you from?
I recently moved cross country into an apartment where I was previously in a house and I had two separate storage units for preps. As always in the city, situational awareness and grey man approach should work. My advantage is looking middle aged female, uninteresting and unable. My new plan includes bullies breaking into my apartment so I turned my second bedroom into a "crafting room" where it looks like I horde crafts. My preps are hidden in plain sight. And now I have additional materials to barter with for people who actually do knit and sew if those things become unavailable.
Going grey man works for some but as a 40+ woman you are virtually invisible!
Your continued reminder of water per person , per day ... is one of your most powerful reminders continually needed. Thank you. Keep up the repeating of this issue.
I love how you always emphasize how a community can be a major asset. All too often in the prepping community it seems the idea is that ALL outside of your own home are automatically and universally a threat, which they can be, but they can also be a huge source of support and help.
If they aren't part of your community they must be looked on as a threat and treated as such until they prove themselves. It will be a very different lifestyle.
Coming from the military I understand the creation of loyalty, and bonding. Shared trauma is a great one. If you think walking up to this group they will automatically protect you and support you would be a mistake. You need to quickly show your usefulness, and share in the trauma without complaint. You then join the group. This provides safety. I can rely on your through the trauma, you can rely on me. This makes a tough tight knit group regardless of sex, race, or whatever. But you can just have a bar-b-que and expect all your neighbors to join then it's singing songs and everything is great. Cause one of those neighbors saw you had all that food and propane to cook it and they are hungry. They are going to kill you, say thank you, maybe rape your wife and daughter for fun. And assume the life you were living . No you need to bond outside of oh we just both live here. You need to kill people together defending your homestead. You need to protect his family when he's not there. That will interlock those bonds of I have his back and will brutalize anyone that comes against him. You dodo the same for him and bam you have a community that is safe and only the stupid or mentally ill would mess with. Either way, they won't make it. Because you created a hardened group of individuals with shared hardships willing to do bad things in order to protect those they care about in their small communities.
On your commitment on windows. Duct taping them up giving you away. You cam also use clear contact paper. Or clear boxing tape. The clear boxing tape holds extremely well and it also allows you to see out the window. If you have a battery backup you can set up a small camera looking out the window as well so you can be aware of situations outside without having to take the chance of making yourself visible
One thing to be ready for is WASTE disposal. Got to have the supplies on hand to collect and get rid of it. There are tutorials online on how to use cat litter, portable toilettes, etc. If bugging into an apartment and water services are cut, having supplies on hand to safely discard waste is not just a matter of convenience, but preventing serious illnesses.
There are toilet blocks in case of a back up sewage issue. That would quickly make you apt uninhabitable. Pool shock is dehydrated, condensed chlorine. Easy to rehydrate for use. Cost $6-$20 for water the size of a swimming pool.
If you have a storage locker in a communal room in the basement consider if you can block or disguise what you store. When we were in an apartment I purchased plastic tubs that were mostly red and green and labeled “x-mas” even though majority weren’t and stored our bikes behind the tubs. Sure enough when there was a break in and thefts from numerous lockers, the tacky Christmas lady’s was untouched.
After the lockdowns in 2020 and the riots shortly after I invested in a few of those personal alarms, the ones that when you pull them apart a loud siren is set off....I picked up some heavy duty fishing line and rigged up a few early warning trip wires, didn't cost much and covered both entrances to my apartment
Keep in mind though to restrict your booby traps to sound effects only. Contrary to popular imagination, most localities label injury devices as criminal. If someone breaking in gets badly injured or killed, you could be going away for a lonnnng time.
There is no safer place to be during severe flooding than an upstairs apartment.
I survived cut off from everything and surrounded by about 7ft of water in a third floor unit. Was eventually rescued by the Cajun Navy. Prepare for what you know is a possibility. I’ve experienced enough hurricanes to know that all year round I need at least a few extra days of food, a charged flashlight (not your phone’s), and some battery banks to keep your phone running.
Also keep in mind that canned goods do have some liquid in them, like canned veggies. Not exactly ideal, but at least it's liquid.
That is something you do have to think about. Many people store dried or freeze dried food. They need water. Canned food does have liquid so you won't have to worry about hydrating to eat and may be the only source of liquid to consume, especially with a nuclear power plant spill or a nuclear attack.
Also the cans themselves can be used to make a heat supply for cooking food. By adding qtips inside of a small can that is surrounded by dirt inside of a bigger can.
Yes. And any left over juice in the can can also be used as means to flavour bland food. Such as rice.
I really appreciate your level headed approach to things.
Don't bug out, until if and when you absolutely have to. You can outfit your own apartment with enough supplies to last a very long time.
Light and noise discipline are huge. Do not attract attention. Don't use lights if you can. Go to bed with the sunset and rise with the sunrise. Behind your drawn blinds or curtains- Sandbag your exterior walls and windows. This protects from bullets. If the power is still on, keep cameras on. Replace your door screws with longer door screws. Keep your windows closed while cooking if you can. Do not leave tools or ladders outside.
I see a lot of people saying use sand bags. In the UK sand bags are really expenses. I couldn't buy enough realistically. Even taros are expensive.
@@witchysam4273 Buy empty sandbags then fill them up yourself.
@@sentinel5555 still a bit of a stretch for my budget but I'll keep an eye out. Thank you
1. If living in an apt., where am I going to get enough sand to fill sandbags?
2. If your apartment faces the outdoors, piles of sandbags in front of your windows will be a dead giveaway that you have things worth stealing. Do that indoors. But access to this much sand isn’t reasonable for most apartment dwellers.
Although I'm a essential worker I sheltered in place on my days off in 500sq ft studio with a cat I have blackout curtains because I work the night shift I never ever see a neighbor because I sleep most of the day I prep ony off days while they're at work I get no packages there I pick them up on the other side of the borough or have them shipped to my job and bring them in the morning on my days off great video
Be sure to have a lot of catfood, and cat litter
@@robertvondarth1730 she has a cabinet of wet and dry food and threw shelves of treats I also have 3 bags of kitty litter my goal is to get 4 more from BJ's I rotate out her wet food she hates dry food but she will eat it o just cleared a shelf at the $1.25 tree with a new brand of food (wet) she's not picky about her food but she's picky about her snacks
Lots of good information in here. Stuff that people should 'memorize' and many things that will apply for small towns and rural communities as well.
Re water preps: One thing I didn't here Kris explicitly mention is a "waterBOB". These things are great little emergency water cisterns. If you know there is an emergency it allows you to transform your bath tub into a potable water cistern. All it takes is the time to fill it up and you'll have an additional ~100gal of potable water. These should NOT be considered as part of your water preps! If you do have the time to fill one up though, you can boost your clean water reserves by 100 gal which is nothing to sneeze at.
Bingo 🎯
Hes talks about water at 5 min mark and specifically talks about tub liners!
@@freedomfighter1861 explicitly mention is a "waterBOB".
Water from waterbobs should not be considered potable. While it probably is, better safe than sorry. A good water filter like a Berkey will solve that problem.
Unfortunately these are not useful for people who don't have bathtubs. I keep a dozen empty, 40 pound cat litter buckets that can be filled and stacked three high in one end of my shower. This is definitely NOT potable water so that filter is necessary (unless you have lots of firewood. :) )
Couldn't put it better myself about "do not tell everyone about your preps". The amount of self-entitlements out there would make most people sick to their stomach. Just pray you won't be the one encounters them otherwise you probably be stuck with them.
In my 55 plus park we now have regular security meetings within our community and are learning various protection methods and are bonding together to help the elderly that can’t help them selves as well as they wish they could… Our Prayers and knowledge of what’s ahead and planning are so important ❤️thank you for the tips ❤️‼️
I don't live in an apartment, a small house in an urban environment.
It does seem to me that many of the points raised here are just as applicable.
I would, however, caution against being over-cautious
It is my experience that most people are kind and co-operative, and, in times of adversity, seek to come together and act for the greater good.
So, yes, build relationships with the people around you, and be willing to share.
If you really have developed the skills for survival, the community will look to you for guidance and leadership, and that benefits everyone.
Blessings
If you are talking about a longer term, grid down situation where it is unknown if power will ever be restored consider doing as you have suggested within your community but have a few back up plans. Definitely bug out bags. Consider a 30-90 day supply of food & water for you & family. Have separate supply you willingly share with the people around you as you have stated. In a long term situation, things change. Some people may leave to seek out vulnerable family members. People without their psychiatric medications may become delusional or even dangerous. Eventually your group may be faced with gangs, criminals and other desperate humans. Your group could be over run. Your job is to survive and keep your family safe, then others. If you have a yard consider a few caches of food, water, medicines, maps, etc.
If you truly believe in the others in your community, look to pass on skills that will make them independent like first aid skills and information; sprouting seeds, micro greens; foraging w/ a paper map of location of wild/cultivated fruits, veggies and seeds; how to make a 300 hr candle (2 hours a night for 150 days of winter); humanure sanitation; filtering rain water to your hot water heater for rain storage; water treatment; escape & evade skills. I hope and pray you and your community not only survive but thrive in a long term grid down situation.
@@kenyonbissett3512 Hi Kenyon.
Thanks for your reply.
I appreciate that much of what you say is pertinent, but to an ultimately apocalyptic scenario.
I doubt very much that I have the skills or physical capabilities to survive a prolonged period in that scenario.
However, if I am to survive such a scenario, it could ONLY be as part of a community.
Whilst I accept the idea of criminal gangs and the dangers they represent, I personally think that is quite a short term problem.
A gang attacking a "fortified position", attended by a number of people defending that position, would come off second best more times than not, and in a world of limited, if any, medical resources, even minor wounds can quickly pose serious problems.
Since criminal gangs have probably made no kind of prep, they lose out there, too.
Dangerous psychotic disorders are rare, so I don't regard that as a significant problem anyway.
Ultimately, the question remains:
How long can you go without sleep?
How long can you sleep WITHOUT someone to watch your back??
Thanks for the feedback tho', I'll check back later to see if you have made any further contribution, you'd be most welcome to so do.
@@kenyonbissett3512 Excellent advice! Makes you admire our pioneer ancestors!
@@kenyonbissett3512 yours is some of the best, logical advice I've read so far. Thankyou.
@@kenyonbissett3512 Bug out so you can volunteer to be a refugee in a setting that has historically seen refugees preyed on more than just about anyone?
Clear contact paper works better than duct to pervert glass from breaking. Contact paper will allow you to hold broken glass in place to keep heat in if applied correctly. It also is less visible to the public and could be applied early.
Bubble packaging can also be used.
DO NOT let your prepping be detected by your "security guards" and doormen/women. Even though you're friendly and polite, they are VERY nosy and notice what you bring in. Dress in grey clothing and carry preps into the flat in a rucksack. If you need items delivered, have then delivered to a third party receiver.
Why gray clothes?
So you don't stand out & are not memorable
@@llianneolivoreyes "Grey man" principle. Doesn't have to be grey--just not flamboyant--don't stand out or advertise your ideologies.
@@sillylilysallykaye4917 now I get it. Thank you
@@blondhairblackstrat makes sense
For added door security, I use a deadbolt door locker with a Brinks security bar. The deadbolt locker makes it so someone with a key can't turn the deadbolt and the Brinks bar wedges under the handle. I put the Brinks bar on a rug with a non slip bottom because it would slide on linoleum. It works really well!
You can also use earthquake tape or museum putty to hold a door bar.
One thing about the windows- there are cling film-like coverings that make your windows look like frosted glass. It’s not as sturdy as duct tape but would be more stealth and keep the glass from shattering as much!
This comment deserves more attention. Cling film is the "better" of both worlds when weighing security vs stealth.
I would recommend trash management and maximizing their purpose. I used to live in 4th floor so getting down every two days just to throw trash away was so tiring and tedious.
What I did was to rinse/wash the plastic packaging that have food residue, let it dry, fold and tie them to make them smaller in size. The same with paper and other solid trash. This can be use as burning fuel if really necessary.
Food or kitchen waste that might become smelly are kept separately in closed container or much better composting them so you can plant something with it. Smell can be kept at minimum and be stored much longer if they are much drier. I also wash the inside of egg shells so it will not attract housefly or smaller bugs that might hatch their eggs there. If done properly, the numbers to go out just to throw away trash will reduce dramatically. During SHTF, there might be no people available that will come to collect the trash at dump site. I have seen this during covid lockdown.
Also, water to wash hands can be conserve by using small spray water bottle instead from direct tap or bottle. I used this trick when water supply is not available and in my car when going outside.
I eat a lot of peanuts and raisins, from those sealable cans with lids--they make great mini-trash cans for food garbage. Used Zip-lock bags also.
How much washing water are you planning on storing?
I got a door jam that you shove under knobs and prevent easy opening (Amazon). I got it when maintenance kept going to wrong building during renovation and tried opening my door. I STILL need to figure out how to deal with balcony door as it opens outward--but thinking to tie knob to sofa so it's difficult to open. I have water stored, a water filter, and several means to heat food etc. We have wood burning fireplace and I make fire logs using junk mail (not hard). We buy rice in bulk, have various beans ( I'm veg), a mini freezer to provide extra storage for meat my husband buys. I have put in solar light bulbs and have built a solar transmission cooler ac as well. Now I have started building a solar can heater to go into the windows for passive heating. I have my crisco candles and additional crisco and wicks to build more. We have a large walk-in with the hot water heater so I put small bookcases in there and have extensive prep pantry. I also bought an escape ladder which is under the bed. Fire is only thing I am REALLY worried about. I also got clothes line and have rack for laundry. I have walkie talkies thinking that the men and establish security between the 2 buildings. I am making balcony garden this year...only did tomatoes last year. Recently saw a way to collect passive water collection for my plants. I have the collapsible water containers full and tucked into the very back of cabinets where difficult to reach but have been repurposing small plastic containers for smaller things like rice and lentils if I need to share or easy to-go.
Since I am in PNW earthquake is only thing I have been really prepping for. Having been thru power outages in Boston after Noreasters and Gulf with hurricanes.
While my husband and son know gun use, I don't so I got a taser for myself.
Every month I try to get 1 book and at least 1 prep item in addition to extra can or 2 when shopping every time. I think we can go 3 months which isn't long enough but goal is 6 months rn. I also need to add more medical like sutures and a few items. I also got free maps online from various tourist agencies. I have 2 bug out bags with the basics and all our papers (thinking fire escape).
It is a step by step process.
For others, think about pool shock to make own bleach since takes up little space. As well as door jams, dehydration (and get Vit C since it is lost when dried), and fire plans (extinguisher and ladder). Also if you are in earthquake area check out your soil in area since it can liquify--also check where the nearest emergency spot set by government. Show up to get food and water so you look just as needy as those who never prepared anything. Get solar even if couple $20 power banks, a lantern and crank radio. I only put about $60/month into it now except for the added cans each trip to store. Locate where you can get water-nearest lake, passive water collection, etc and ways to filter and treat.
It is totally possible to be prepared.
Awesome
Two things learn and get comfortable with firearms and realize if shtf you can’t just choose to be a vegan anymore. Vegans/vegetarian didn’t really exist prior to well established society. Just mentally prepare for eating animal products if things go south. And get comfortable with those firearms! You got this!
@@JoshSmith-mm1fi I am veggie too but if things goes really south I am prepared to eat my neighbour’s children! 😂 No kidding…
Freeze the rice bag for 3 days to kill larvae or you may find it crawling with worms when you open it. I do this with anything that is long term storage, i.e. lentils and flour or wheat berries.
TY for mentioning pool shock. It will last at least a year, whereas readymade bleach is not reliable past 6 months. You only need a very little. Just a little pinch at most per gallon of water - and remember to WAIT a half hour b4 consuming!
Store water in laundry soap bottles that haven't been rinsed for washing, you can store water behind your couches and chairs. You can store water in 55 gal water barrels. Purify your water with 3R purogene, 2T will treat 30 gal of water. Cover your water barrels with nice cloth and put plants on top.
I'll add piping/hose and small pump for ease and convenient
Pool shock. Treats a lot of water with minimal amounts
@@eone2345 thank you
@@Bluepeacocks88 thank you
@@franceshenderson1334 thanks to you too. I got idea to make water storage tanks for my upcoming little garden project
Every time there are videos about apartments on this channel, I pay attention. They really come in handy. A little bit about me… I am a military veteran so my experience in the service has come in handy when it comes to survival. Preparedness runs in my family, and both my parents and my grandparents taught me things growing up that are very useful. I live in a Second floor apartment. It was harder to get my furniture up and down the stairs but I picked the upper floor for a reason. It’s harder to break into, and I’m protected from the brunt of any major storms if they should happen. I can also get an overview of the parking area so that if our building was surrounded by people with bad intentions I could defend myself. I have enclosed my back patio in plastic to turn it into a type of greenhouse and it also helps keep all the pollen and dust and pollutants off of my plants which I use for food and medicine. A tip I can suggest for taping your windows is to use clear strong tape such as the clear gorilla tape. I also live within 15 miles of a nuclear power plant so that puts me in the emergency zone if anything were to go wrong. I’ve already stocked bug out bags and I have preparations in my car just in case I have to leave quickly. I stocked the things which I believe I will need and I may need to have when my family members are with me. I would say if you live in an apartment find out where you have space that is being wasted or not used under beds, A couch, daybed, corner table or anywhere not just a cabinet 10 under your sinks… Use it. Stock and stack whatever you can fit under there. You can use crates or vacuum seal bags or whatever but use the space. I would also say you should have extra things around the apartment to do minor DIY repairs not only to keep people from having to come into your apartment but also if you ever get into an SHTF scenario you will need these things. Get them while you can. I’m lucky because I have gotten to know two or three of my neighbors. One of them is a cop. Another one works for the Postal Service. Another one is a nurse. All three are good to know. Everything Chris is saying in this video is bang on the money. I’ll be starting some sprouts in jars and sprouting containers on the windowsill soon but I am waiting to see what happens with all of the global conflict that is going on at the moment. I’m still trying to build up my medical and food supplies. Still trying to purchase little things here and there one step at a time. My biggest crisis right now is financial. The rent has increased by 15% where I live and it’s the same everywhere else too. It’s like they know the ship is sinking and they are going to grab a handful of gold while it’s going down. It’s despicable profiteering behavior but what Can we do? So there was a reason why you should have preparations already in place. Wherever you are if you were living in an apartment count yourself lucky if they are not increasing the amount you’re paying for rent. It’s gotten so bad here because we have people flowing in from other states and countries. I would love to have my own home away from all of this but for now it’s where I am living.
More cities just approved rent control in case you end up moving.
During any emergency, I try to AVOID ANY OPEN FLAME. They are not worth the risk considering the fire or carbon monoxide risks. I only use an open flame outside and with a fire extinguisher, bucket of water or sand/salt.
Less than a week is probably doable. More than a week and you won't want the exposure of cooking outdoors. Both of those concerns can be overcome by a.) vigilance during cooking (and that fire extinguisher/baking soda) and b.) proper ventilation.
Generally, safety in an apartment is lower than a single family home.
A couple of suggestions:
Get one of those door bars for when you're home so people can't kick in your door.
Also, consider setting up cameras.
For all you know, even in normal times, your maintenance person may be coming in and stealing from you or going through your stuff.
Simply Safe is one option or just a couple of nanny cams is another.
Best to know what goes on when you're not around.
👍
The digital evidence sits in circuit Court for the duration :'(
@@kimgordon3695 What is that???
@@im_linus Not all apartments have that door setup. There are other vulnerabilities, as well. Apartments are not safer overall. Mine certainly isn't. The only thing I like about it, is that the "ceiling" is solid concrete, so stray projectiles can't enter that way. That's not worth the long list of vulnerabilities.
@@kimgordon3695 People have forgotten there are cameras which do not connect to the Internet, and are not wireless. I am shopping for a wireless system now.
Glad you mentioned being discreet about your preps. Apartment dwellers have a lot of management inspections/maintenance visits - hide your preps in plain sight, such as storing in an entertainment center that people assume contains electronics or DVDs. Label any buckets or boxes with other names that don't give away the contents. Try to be present when any of those maintenance or inspectors visit your apartment-I've seen some of them trying to snoop.
Those old-fashioned folding privacy screens could be handy. They can be expensive new. I'm thinking about building my own.
God, thank you
I'm so thankful that someone sees us
Who live in motels or apartments
Living upstairs is a must for me. the amount of advantages far outweigh the inconveniences. Also i like having to walk up and down stairs a lot for general fitness.
PLEASE do one of these for full-time RVers! There's over a million of us out here and growing. Our doors swing out, not in, negating most entry deterrence for apartment dwellers use.
We only have a half inch throw on our locks.
Most I've asked say they have a firearm to deter entry, but bullets can travel through multiple RVs before they stop. 😲
In an average 200 square foot RV, if you use pepper spray you're both going down. 🤪
Please give us a heads up 4 nonlethal ways to avoid entry into RVs.
You do know 5 layers of silk fabric works like a bullet proof vest. It was shown in the wild west with a silk neck scarf Which would be light weight. Multiple hits with it may weaken it. It may be a way to protect your walls and windows but pretty costly.
@@reginafetty6374 I'm doubtful. I'd have to see an actual demonstration. I can link to a number of charts and articles about which materials stop which projectiles, and how much it takes, and how many they will stop. Everything is far more substantial than silk. You should see what even frangible 9mm will do to concrete block.
@@TUKByV a sledge hammer swung by a human can tear up a concrete block. Silk is very strong I was skeptical as well. I don't remember where I saw it. They were using different products to use for bullet proof vests. Silk(5 layers) or telephone books were proven to work as well as a bullet proof vest. Silk was also a good layering fabric to keep warm but it's strength was a surprise to me, as pertaining to bullets. Unless you want to add weight by putting steel plates around an rv, thick layers of heavy dense materials between you and the projectiles are the only choice.I have been trying to figure out ways to protect in that way as well. We travel with our rv and will possible use it to bug out. You never know when you might run into a situation ,that you need that protection. That is when I ran across those experiments people were doing on items being bullet proof.
Thank you for all the excellent ideas. Good to know about these now vs later. I also heard about a bathroom idea. Drain your toilet, put a large garbage bag inside it..fold over the edge..add scoopable cat litter. You can scoop everything and throw that.
I agree...Much more comfortable than a bucket.
I live in an apartment and the relationships I build with people is probably my greatest asset and prep. I know where local gardens are, we have a heavy gate protecting our community and we've all gotten used to each other's routines. Don't be afraid of making connections with neighbors you get along with
I live on the top floor of a 3-story apartment in Idaho, my pantry is full of food and water, and I have a few lead spitters. If need be, I could survive for quite a while if the city became unsafe. As far as I can imagine, a fire is my biggest threat. Otherwise, one way in, two ways out (I could repel off the balcony). My balcony is perfect for a small foldable wood burning oven for cooking food. My local Dollar Store is my go-to for budget prep items. It's a gold mine!
30 years ago we lived in a townhouse in the suburbs of Denver. It was just as the neighborhoods were generally becoming empty during the day. We started having break-ins, and the police who was helping us try to deter them said: "You can't stop anyone who is determined to get in. Your best bet is to make it hard enough that they will go looking for an easier place to break in to." CANDLE/FLAME safety is paramount. Do not have an open flame: put candles inside of chimneys, or even in vases or glasses. Never leave a burning candle/flame unattended, any vibration or even your pet can make it fall over.
This is perfect. Watching now. I have a Condo. Love you channel. Thank you for all you do for the Community and Humanity!
AGREED
Fire ladder! Good for escaping more than just a fire 😀
Yup they are only about $25
Never thought listening to such advice would be necessary here in my life! God be with you all!
One subject that I have heard nothing about from any prepping channel, and that is shoes...and by extension means to repair them (Shoo-Goo).
Honestly I watch this channel because he has some good info but it also makes me appreciate my situation. We own a farm and for the most part pretty self sufficient. I applaud all of you because not being able to have control over water electricity and I mean sustainably for long periods is a battle of its own. I’m also assuming you are deep in a city which means no access for hunting or fishing. I hope nothing happens but if it does I know I will be ok. I think the biggest obstacle everyone forgets about is sanity. Most people are conditioned for group and social interaction. No amount of prep can prepare you for potential inevitable end of social relationships with others.
We have a tiny apartment.
I have 5 collapsible 5-gallon jugs that will be filled to water my veggie plants for a while.
I figured that If I need to really reinforce the patio doors, I'll just take off the closet doors to cover them more. I have already added a film over the windows. I have duct tape and plastic.
I think it is important to have thought out the worst-case scenarios.
In my long ago past I needed to put storage in a room but not overtake it. So I put the metal wire costco shelves along one wall, filled the shelves and then put plywood against the shelves and secured it. Then I painted the plywood to match the walls. No one realized I had all that stuff stored along that wall.
Thank you SO MUCH for making this video. Moving from a spacious home with acreage to an apartment for a while has made me painfully aware that being prepared is far more challenging. Thank you for your tips. Several I had not thought of yet. Thank you, also, for pointing out the potential advantages. You are appreciated, Kris!
I looked for a while before selecting my current apartment. I selected one that has an attached garage which is directly accessible from the inside of the apartment unit itself. So, I can drive in and then close the garage door so that no one can tell what I load or unload from my vehicle.
But it is a first floor unit.
Get extra locks for garage door to use from inside
living in a condo myself, i use a cedar chest as a side table, a footlocker is my coffee table, a bench with storage sits by my front door all storing preps, i store paper products under my bed due to limited height and baseboard heaters. Seeing how our building has laundry facilities i got rid of my washer/dyer and created a prepper pantry with the money instead. I also have a small storage unit off site, and a few storage bins at my daughter's place, you never know where you'll end up
Cut a broomhandle and place it in the bottom of your sliding glass doors, if you have access entry from a porch type area. They also make attachments that fold down to block the sliding door from being slid open, with a small metal piece that keeps those from being flipped up and out of the way. Yes, an intruder can break the glass, but that means you have a chance of hearing it, rather than someone just standing over your bed in the middle of the night. Broomhandle can be flipped up, but it takes time, and skill to do so, as well as tools. Cat burglers want to get in and out quickly, so they might hit another apt. rather than yours. If there is reason (civil unrest or crime) to suspect the glass will be broken for entry, there are ballistic films that can be applied to the glass to make it resistant to breaking. Check with landlord before applying.
I think one of the best advantages in living in an apartment building is leaving on the 2nd 3rd or 4th floor.. however the first blow is always the worst because it's prone to flooding people break into that the first floor first everything happens there first.. while on the 3rd or 4th floor you're pretty safe and you have a chance to protect yourself before they rise up to the top..
I think finding balance is important. I used to live in 4th floor and it's already very tiring to climb the stairs just to bring things up which also meant if things went south, you are the slowest to leave the area when necessary. Most people neglected some situations which our house might not be necessarily the best place to feels safe. It might become a death trap if you can't leave the building, such as in event of fire and smoke. The higher you are, the more unlikely you will jump.
@@eone2345 get escape ladder or learn knotting and build one with Paracord. I got escape ladder for $25. Kept ready under my bed.
@@Bluepeacocks88 thanks for the tips 👍
@@eone2345 actually my friend you met some great points as well I needed I did look at it that way that's the downside..
@@skapunkoialternativeliving6522 you have great channel there, I subscribed, keep it up bro 💪🏽
Stack jars carefully with something in between so you don’t create a false seal. Heat the contents of home canned food to protect against botulism.
WINDOW FILM can be purchased to keep the windows from shattering...perhaps it may offer the feature of see out but not in...one way.
Wear clothing a size too large to appear not well fed.
Also, jacketed hollow point.
You can hide canned goods in walls, like cut out a space in drywall behind the refrigerator or oven.
In case there’s a chance of gunshots in the building and so bullets tearing thru the walls, you could make a shield to hide behind by using a 4x4 sheet of plywood, cover it with thick fiberglass, coated with layers of polyurethane resin, then top it with porcelain tiles.
ALSO, GET A STORAGE garage and NOT keep all of your preps in the apartment. Due to fire, floods, hurricanes, and other weather disasters, preps can be destroyed.
Apartment dwellers ..fires are a certainty ...with no help.coming...and in fact the EXACT opposite...
Most excellent video. I have adult children who live in apartments. Your information is both timely and gives hope if prepared.
yes
You aren’t related to a chantri stump per chance are you?
Things in urban environment fall apart rather then just collapse. I am planning for outages and shortages but I am aware I can't hold my apartment no matter what. I need running water, I need power of some sort and given I am in an earthquake area, that is always an issue. We have examples from Ukraine how disasters play out in urban areas in the worst way.
Seeing middle class folks having to flee Ukraine unexpectedly was definitely eye-opening. Lots of $300 suitcases, easily accommodated by subway shelter. We don't have subways here, though. Where are we all going to flee to with simple backpacks? I don't know that I'd trust the fema facilities.
Look up transmission cooler ac that runs 100% solar. Mine runs off small solar panel in window and solar power bank. And also solar can heater which also can run off the same power bank. I have solar lights that can be used, crank radio and flashlight as well as plenty other crank lights. I have rechargeable batteries with USB plug on charger so it can also hook up to another solar power bank. Crisco candles, alcohol burners also good and easy to store. Small planters for a garden on balcony and lids with mess so I can do microgreens. I'm in PNW so earthquake prep is new for me but since I have lived weeks without power after hurricanes and even few days in Boston after Noreasters it's not huge issue. It all about basics, food Water and shelter. Fire is biggest threat I foresee.
@@Bluepeacocks88 well stated
Don't forget warmth in winter to prevent hypothermia, & cooling in the sumner to prevent heat stroke.
I am so happy I am no longer living in an apartment!! So many RUDE, noisy people. Living in an apartment made me really bitter towards humanity, now that I am back in house, my own house...I can start to like people a little more! LOL!
Walmart has toilet seat lids that attach securely to 5 gallon buckets for around $13. You will find them in the camping section of the store. I highly recommend them. One for liquid waste and the other for solid waste . Be sure to line the bucket with a good quality trash bag. Quite literally you are good to go.
If you have kitty litter for the bags, that can help. So you don't have a pet? Can always say you store a bit to provide winter traction for your vehicle.
Yup in Amazon also. Get the contractor trash bags too.
Keep your phone bill paid. When they cut off service for non-payment it is an automatic systematic process. And service isn't restored until the account is brought current or the phone company has a plan in place in case of disaster like they did for Covid or places affected by Hurricanes.
Also have an alternate communication method.
Thank you for giving apartment dwellers hope.
According to my friend in Venezuela and what I learned from NOLA hurricanes, it's just not doable without water and power in an apartment. It's too much hauling needed up stairs. Due to no water fir flushing toilets, people Starr urinating in your hallways after 24 hours instead of going downstairs to find a toilet 5 times a day.
Some people in my building already do that now
You could do a 5 gallon bucket composting toilet. there are many RUclips videos that show you how you put sawdust or pine shavings inside them. Walmart and academy sports both have the plastic snap-on lids that are very comfortable. Academy has them for about $8.
@@tennesseeterri You can even cut and split a pool noodle and put it on the rim for a more comfy seat!
Thank you for addressing this. I live in an apartment in a large city, with very limited space. However, I'm being creative with storage. Grow lights and indoor garden is another option. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Excellent video! We love our apartment. Most of our neighbors all have kids the same ages as ours, we help each other with small things, let the kids play, etc. Everyone knows I am learning to garden 😆 hubby is learning to fish, etc. Our community is quite peaceful compared to other apartments we have lived in.
Excellent video. Thanks for the information. The Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” I would add that you should have a basic first aid book and even an army survival guide. They can be picked up in thrift stores and on Amazon pretty inexpensively.
There are also apps that work offline with survival info and maps. Just have on old phone if don't want to use space on reg device. Have way like solar power bank to recharge
@@Bluepeacocks88 Thanks for the info!
Thank you for the video I am in apartment and it makes me nervous sometimes but more information about bugging in makes me feel better!
I use storage bins to put backstock canned foods in and kitty treat containers with lids to put poches of mashed potato's in and it works great and I put them all over the apartment and jugs of water under the bed. And duffel bags of bugout foods in I have 2 filled with extra stuff in.
Definitely hide your preps. I had cases of canned food out one day and my friend came over to visit. Though he laughed at why I had it, he did mention if anything happened, he knew where to go. Who knows how many he would bring too. No friends in survival.
Easy to tell the occasional Nosy Nellies that get a peak at your items that you collected for a food bank pantry project and ask for them if they want to contribute. Usually that changes the conversation in light speed.
@@Messymy I even offer to help them set one up, but they often have other items to buy. A motorcycle, new car, no preps though.
TRUE
This is something I’ve thought about a lot . I live in an apartment. I have my laundry room set up with bookshelves with all my preps. They work perfect because they’re thin enough to fit along the walls and tall plus long enough to fit a lot of things! I also have a small green house on my patio plus planters. It’s very small but I looked up how to grow the best crops in pots! It’s really great! We already have a plan in place. The only thing I wonder about is I have a fireplace I’m assuming it would not be smart to use this in case no heat and for cooking because it would cause attention . I have other things in place like a small collapsible camping stove and things to make a safe but good little heater. You can also get plastic storage containers from the store and fill up with water if needed. These stack easily and fit neatly in a corner or patio storage closet! Hope this helps! Thank you for the video!!!
be careful when using camping stoves & fuel indoors due to toxic fumes (carbon monoxide; propane & butane, even sterno etc)
Totes containers are ok for very short term water storage but keep in mind they're not food grade. Not good for longterm storage of drinking water.
More attention than the greenhouse on your patio?
Following your channel over the past two years, I was happy to find out your subject about living in an appartment and trying to prep the right way. That's my case actually. By myself, in a three rooms and a closet appartment, I have dedicated one room and the closet to store all the items and tools with what you have taught us being essentials to our survival... Many thanks, I feel a bit more comfortable and still far behind on my personnal goal... Water is my main and the biggest issue so far even if, at this hour, I can already rely on a 63 gallons stock, that's a good start...
Yes! I'm in a condo, but it's the same
YES
Had thought about turning a shed into green house.
I stay in a studio apartment and some of these things I have already like a door alarm system, spy cameras which can watch the nearby street, self defense tools such as a karambit knife and dragged, baseball bat, & ax. Thanks again for the advice City Prepping
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Check out the Cold Steel "Gladius Machete"--affordable and very effective in an enclosed space.
*Walmart etc sell storage benches for your balcony or even inside that you can put so much food and water in.
*Get rid of all your extra junk. Most people have way too many pots pans dishes glasses clothes shoes purses etc all that take up space that they never use.
Get rid of everything you don't need. It makes fleeing easier if needed. It also makes moving easier.
Most of all it makes food storage way way better!!
Sell it on Facebook market
I would board up the windows with spread out 2x8 pine boards on the outside.
And reinforce the door with several 2x4 cross blocks on the inside.
No different than for a house.
You can store can food under your couch and frequent goodwills to replace your side tables, tv stands etc with suitable options that offer more storage
It may sound silly, and it can be costly but, hurricane shutters on the inside of an apartment. They cannot be taken down from the outside, steel ones are least expensive but can provide some bullet protection especially if doubled up with a small 1/8 to +/4 inch between layers. If you have high ceilings (over 7 feet) you can build loft areas, even one foot clearance will hold a lot of non perishable supplies. Under beds, couch and chairs are overlooked storage areas.
Being forced to flee is the worst case scenario for all of us. There's no way to carry that much valuable stuff in a backpack. Wouldn't it be great if there were giant lockers on the outskirts of a neighboring town (secure, easily accessible, temperature controlled, and affordable) where we could store some valuables? When we store a bug-out bag in our vehicle it gets ruined quickly. And let's face it: no one is going to pay $400/mo for a storage space just in case the shtf.
Why would you ever be forced to leave within a couple minutes. I don't really think those scenarios are too plausible. I suppose with a hurricane or tornado weather event.
Lol, most people over here in appartments are very happy when its the end of the month and they have 20 euros left... most people dont live in a appartment when they can pay a real house... so ofcourse nobody is going go to rent a box for 400 a month lol😂
Get a cooler for your vehicle and keep
your bug-out bag or just water and food in the cooler to insulate it from cold or heat.
I'm currently in a condo in a suburban area. Mostly old folks in this building and I'm the youngest at early 50's (and a child). Luckily there is a nice large storage bin in the indoor garage for storing extra supplies. I'm slowly filling up opaque bins with long term food, growing some non-GMO food plants, and gathering emergency supplies which have been quite useful for the power outages we have in any season. Still waffling about a gun.
Have some 2x4 and some 8 inch screws and a power drill at the ready. In the event of shtf and you live on a bottom floor you’ll want to block any extra windows you may have leaving you with just your door and an escape window. have a new deadbolt to install on your main door to prevent any master key access.
I shared this my friend who lives in central Paris, he is just getting to understand the importance of prepping. Thx CP.
As always this is an excellent video full of great and useable information! Thank you for addressing the advantages and weaknesses of apartment living!!! For the very first time prepping for disasters I feel safe and truly ready for what's to come in my apartment home! Kris ur page and the information you provide, not only is life saving but a blessing! Thank you for all the research, time, effort and love you share! Sending prayers ur way, God bless! 💗🙏👍💕
Literally I was having this convo with a friend of mine this morning who lives in a apt. and I forward her the link. I have a basement that can be a tad bit more secure. She’s just now getting onboard to prepping so it’s hard to feel sorry and she won’t get a invitation to my home but I can offer advice and direct her to those who know more than I do.
💯
According to my friend in Venezuela and what I learned from NOLA hurricanes, it's just not doable without water and power in an apartment. It's too much hauling needed up stairs. Due to no water for flushing toilets, people start urinating in your hallways after 24 hours instead of going downstairs to find a toilet 5 times a day.
@@jkco4300 just pee, etc (2 separate containers) into an empty 32 oz yogurt container, put the lid on it. KEEP YOUR CONTAINERS & LIDS PEOPLE !
@@sunset6010 that’ll last for a day. What exactly will you do with all those “containers” once they’re full?
@@Pamela-B Exactly. In both instances I mentioned above, my friend had her family member living in an apartment come to her house and stay until power returned. In NOLA, same thing. I can't tell you how many tweets I read about apartment dwellers leaving to someone's house because they could shower and they had a generator.
WG from the Bronx Hello 👋 everybody: 👍 THANK you CRIST (CITY PREPPING) I Like your lecture Iwill use A couple of you IDEAS BECAUSE I'm STAYING IN APARTMENT NO CHOICE ❗
NOT EVERYONE HAS MONEY, TIME TO BUILD AND LIVE IN RURAL AMERICA. THIS IS LIFE NOW IN AMERICA. HOUSING & water is a problem!!!!!!!!
@@sesamefrederick6618 Hello 👋 Frederick : well some times is the Heath, that makes us Change and check priority list, BUT IT'S WHEN ,,TRUE KNOWLEDGE, Pus EXPERIENCE Makes A Difference in the GAME SO CALL LIFE.
Thank you for this comprehensive guide on apartment prepping and security, for those who need it!
I packed preps upward to the ceiling of my spare bedroom in NYC. You have no idea how much you can store this way.
Wow, Chris, you read my mind with this timely video release. I'm in a condo with a 2-car attached garage, but no basement. You've shared a lot of great ideas here, some that I've already done, but some that I haven't. Thanks for the valuable info & God bless!
A properly stocked and supplied apartment is, with a few potential caveats, in a better a position than 99% of non-“prepping” single family home households out there. Especially where I live and the task of heating presents perhaps the biggest survival challenge, and stand-alone homes with plumbing going through outer walls presents a much more acute emergency than anything that would occur in my apartment complex.
The main immediate benefit, which can make up for a host of disadvantages of a SFH, is the space you get. If properly-used, this is the main sell. But it’s an empty benefit if your heating contingency fails when you’ve still got months of stored food left.
I am so happy that there is a positive vlog on apartment survival.
Thank you thank you!
I've talked about several of the same situations. I'm a home owner in a small metro area, but I've got friends in apartments that have inquired about what they can do... without the landlord having an issue.
I've shared a few ideas of security & safety, it really comes down to the setup of the unit and building and creativity.
Small solar lights and panels that can be set in windows, transmission cooler ac and solar can heaters both with fans run off solar power banks, several solar power banks to power any electronics, rechargeable batteries and USB power option that work with the solar power banks, crank lanterns and radios. There are so many options that can be done.
There's a LOT they can't do. They need to recognize their limitations and develop workarounds ASAP, as well as accept they have a greater chance of needing to bug than house-dwelling folks. In some cases, their chances are not IF, but how many days until WHEN. For me, it'll be 2 weeks at the most, unless somehow trash pickup continues and the sewage doesn't back up. Either way, life is going to get very hard, very fast on this block.