| Securing your cabin can be a difficult task - | | | | looking for a "cheap" or for that matter a "free" |
| especially if you're "off the grid" and don't have | | | | good time. Some people even put up signs: "No |
| the easy luxury of electricity and an "alarm | | | | Alcohol on the Premises", as a deterrent for the |
| system". But, there are some common sense | | | | cheap thrill type of vandals. |
| steps to follow and a couple tricks of the trade, | | | | Never leave firearms on the premises. If you |
| that'll help secure your property in the off season. | | | | have to, then make sure they are trigger locked |
| If you're in the position of not having purchased | | | | and kept in a locked gun cabinet. |
| your cabin or land yet, you might begin by | | | | If you can, hire someone over the off season to |
| considering the security conundrum right off the | | | | keep your lawn mowed, plants and flowers |
| top. Location, location, location is imperative here, | | | | watered, the driveways plowed and sidewalks |
| and if you can avoid purchasing a piece of | | | | shoveled - anything and everything to give the |
| property that is overly exposed to the public and | | | | appearance of a constant presence. |
| main thorough fair traffic than you're definitely | | | | Although you may not be capable of installing a full |
| ahead of the game. Private access roads and | | | | alarm system if your cabin is "off the grid", you |
| secured gating are both pluses. | | | | can try trip-wire systems. With such systems |
| If you're building your cabin from scratch think | | | | you can trigger a sound device to go off, or rig it |
| about limiting expensive building materials. You | | | | so objects fall with a crashing sound. Yes, it's sort |
| might also go for the "shabby chic" cabin look | | | | of a seemingly archaic alarm system, but you |
| over designing with lush curtains and fancy, | | | | have to work with what you got. And you'd be |
| expensive furniture- these tend to be indicators | | | | surprised at what'll work. Some systems will allow |
| of more wealth inside. If you must have such | | | | you to trip-wire to a battery operated alarm |
| luxury items at least store them away as best as | | | | system or camera monitors that you can see |
| possible when you're away - or take them home! | | | | from home! |
| Think about security as you're building your cabin | | | | If you're looking for protection and safety while |
| and build the home in a way that intruders won't | | | | you're at the cabin, a dog with a good strong |
| be able to get in. | | | | bark is a good idea. Not only will they protect the |
| When you leave for the season, make sure you | | | | fort, but you'll have their canine companionship to |
| seal up everything. Try putting boards or barriers | | | | boot! |
| on your doors and windows. Go as "fortress" like | | | | One last hint: remember that not all intruders are |
| as you see fit- esthetics won't matter so much | | | | human. Thrill seeking teenagers are one problem, |
| when you're not at home! Intruders generally go | | | | but rats, mice and bugs are a whole other ball |
| for path of least resistance- so don't give them | | | | game. The best way to avoid rodents is to |
| any opportunity to think yours will be an easy | | | | ensure that there isn't a scrap of food in the |
| steal. If you're not intending to board up your | | | | house when you leave. Foods also have the |
| windows, at the very least put up some dark | | | | potential to attract wintering insects as well, so |
| blinds and close them before you go. You don't | | | | take it all - sugar, flour and every measly scrap |
| want your valuables to be visible. | | | | you find. |
| You can also install heavy duty dead-bolts on all | | | | Be smart and thorough in securing your cabin for |
| doors and use lock-bars on sliding doors. | | | | the off season and you'll have much less of a |
| Never leave alcohol in your cabin. Much of the | | | | problem with intruders of all kinds! |
| trespassing population tend to be young kids | | | | |
