Preparedness
Protect Your Essentials: Top Crisis Looting Targets Revealed
In times of crisis, theft often follows a predictable pattern, reflecting the basic human needs outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy. Essential items such as food, water, and safety-related goods become prime targets. Unfortunately, looting and theft are common occurrences after natural disasters, as seen in various incidents across the United States.
For instance, after Hurricane Milton devastated parts of Florida, homeowners who had evacuated returned to find their belongings stolen. According to a WFLA report, “Missing from the home was a generator, laptop, backpack, and jewelry. There was a broken safe and an opened can of soup left on the counter.” This highlights the importance of securing valuables before a crisis strikes.
Following another natural disaster, Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas, the theft of firearms was a significant issue. A report from WSPA in Asheville stated, “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Shooting Sports Foundation announced on Tuesday a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of people who stole guns from a licensed firearms dealer in Asheville after Hurricane Helene.” This incident emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to safeguarding essential items.
To mitigate the risk of theft, it’s crucial to protect the items most likely to be stolen during a crisis. Start by hiding supplies in multiple locations, using decoy stashes, and securing essential items in hard-to-reach or non-obvious places. For instance, non-perishable foods like canned goods and bottled water are primary targets, as grocery stores and warehouses are often looted first following disasters.
To keep your food and water supplies hidden, avoid advertising your emergency stash. As My Patriot Supply suggests, “secrecy is security,” and their products are shipped in unmarked boxes. Additionally, disperse your supplies across various locations in your home to distract potential looters.
Fuel sources, such as gasoline, propane, and firewood, become top priorities when access to power is limited. After Hurricane Helene, police were stationed at gas stations to prevent fights over fuel. To protect your fuel supplies, leave decoy empty gas containers outside and use chains and locks to secure propane tanks.
Generators are another hot commodity during power outages. The Sonoma Index-Tribune reported, “Generator theft is on the rise in Sonoma during outages.” To deter thieves, conceal your generator from view, consider a storage unit, and mark it with identifiable features like paint or initials.
Prescription drugs are also at risk, particularly when addicts or those in need know you have them. To safeguard medications, avoid advertising what you have and store them in various hidden locations around your home.
Guns and ammunition are invaluable during emergencies, and their theft is a serious concern. To protect firearms, obtain a concealed weapon permit to keep a gun on you and store others in secure, locked gun cabinets. Consider diversifying storage locations, such as under the bed or behind a false panel, to prevent losing everything to a single break-in.
Camping gear and off-grid items like sleeping bags and lanterns become essential when homes are damaged or power is out for extended periods. To protect these items, store them in locked bins, mark them for identification, and use locks and chains for larger equipment.
While theft of luxury items like electronics may occur, they are not the primary focus during a crisis. However, leaving doors unlocked and windows open increases the risk of opportunistic theft. By taking proactive measures to secure your belongings, you can better protect your essential items and ensure you’re prepared for any crisis.
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