It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: your family is in danger, and you’re not prepared to defend them. While it is recommended to have a handgun in an easily accessible safe next to your bed, and to keep a firearm on your person at all other times, there are situations in which you may not have access to a firearm in the timeframe in which you need it. The good news is that you have two other valuable resources at your disposal: your brain and your body.

Your brain is your primary defense; it can formulate and execute a plan that removes your loved ones from danger. You can train your body and your mind to not need your weapon. Vulnerabilities on the body are universal, and you can target areas on the threat that will render them useless.

But as Tim so often points out, the goal is not a physical altercation or a shooting; the goal is to get your family to safety. If a dangerous situation can be avoided, it should be. And to that end, there are major investments you should be making into your home that will deter criminals from ever attempting to gain access to your house.

Make Your Home into a Fortress

Your goal should be to make your home look like too much work to anyone who might break in. There are straightforward steps you should take to protect your property.

• A dog is the #1 deterrent to home invasion, as well as making a great companion. Your dog does not need to be trained to attack; their bark is enough because people know that they cannot control an animal the way they can control a person.
• A security system is an important investment and does not have to be expensive to be effective. There are systems that you can buy and install yourself, and even have access to the cameras on your phone. Criminals don’t want to be caught on tape.
• Adding bright lighting to both the front yard and backyard, especially motion sensor lighting, is another way to keep criminals away from your house.

Strategically Place Firearms

A handgun in your nightstand is a great starting point for having access to a firearm when you need it. Carrying one on your person around your home is also advisable. And if your collection is big enough, it is suggested that you hide additional guns throughout your home so that you almost always have one handy. The key to good hiding places is that they are not easily found or reached by children, guests, or thieves. Some suggested hiding spots are:

• Empty food boxes in your pantry or cabinets
• Under wooden floors
• Under your couch, in the fabric
• Book gun safe
• Inside cabinets, fastened to the bottom of the countertop

Know Pressure Points

If you have made all of the preparations that you can and still fear being caught without a gun, take some self-defense classes. Knowing the 9 main pressure points on the body can save your life. Keep in mind that if you deliver a blow to one of these points with enough pressure, you can kill your attacker.

1. Sciatic Nerve (Midline of the inner thigh)
2. Jaw
3. Biceps
4. Brachial Plexus (Where arm meets collarbone)
5. Groin
6. Eyes
7. Hands (Between fingers)
8. Tibialis anterior muscle (Shin)
9. Parotid Lymph Node (Behind the earlobe, between the jaw and neck)

Talk to your family about a plan of action if a danger ever enters the home. At a minimum, you and your spouse should have a plan of who goes to the kids and where to take them. Prepare for all possible scenarios, including ones where you do not have access to a firearm.