In this week’s mailbag I’ll explain…
How long battery banks will keep their power…
The effectiveness of a reinforcement on your doors…
How to choose a gun if you have weak hands…
The biggest drawbacks for being away when things go wrong…
How scammers are targeting with fake numbers…
The benefits of owning a boat when things go bad…
And more!
Let’s dive in…
Do power banks lose power if they aren’t used frequently? How long will the bank still have the remaining power?
– Dave B
Answer: A quality power bank, such as one made by the company Mophie, can hold a charge for up to 6 months. The thing is, most power banks will slowly lose charge over time depending on the temperature the power bank is stored at.
In addition, lithium-ion, and lithium-polymer batteries used in power banks eventually lose their capacity over time (typically between 200 up to 1000 cycles depending on the battery cell quality.) The bigger the battery is, the less cycles you will need to charge it and the longer it will last.
I saw a demonstration of a strike plate put on a lady’s front door and it could not be kicked in. The man demonstrating it was a former crook who is now helping people know how to prevent a break-in.
He really kicked it. He quit after a few kicks because of the noise it was making and he wasn’t getting anywhere. I plan on putting them on anyway, if for no other reason than to give me some sense of security…
– Jenny B
Answer: Adding any type of reinforcement to your doors is a smart move and starting with a strike plate is something I would absolutely do.
Another thing I recommend, is installing some type of door brace such as a product called NightLock. This device installs on the inside of your door and has a steel piece that slides into place preventing the door from opening.
I went to an indoor gun range with girlfriends, took lessons and had a very difficult time loading and holding the gun. My hand was weak due to an old injury, but it made my hand weak just as you described.
I want to take lessons again with my own gun. Can you recommend a specific type of gun?
– Kathy W
Answer: One of the first things I would do is head back to the shooting range and rent different guns to make sure you find one you can easily manipulate.
Now, depending on your hand strength, you may not be able to pull the slide back on a semi-auto, so I recommend renting revolvers as well. If you do buy a revolver, stick to one made by Smith & Wesson or Ruger.
However, if you do want to try a semi-auto I would start with a Glock 19. This is a medium size, 9mm gun, which is pretty easy to shoot, especially for beginners.
What’s the biggest drawback for people who are outside of the city when things go bad?
– Joe K
Answer: During a disaster, the biggest problem for people outside of a city is the potential lack of resources or help. Now, this can obviously be good and bad. On one hand, you are away from the mayhem after a disaster. However, if you need help, you are also further away from rescuers.
Of course, this is why it’s critical to build up food storage and survival gear so you can be self-sufficient. I have all the gear and food I need to survive for a long time, so I would much rather be outside of a city, which is why I love living in a small town.
Is there a way to call someone using someone else’s phone number? Lately, I have been getting a lot of calls where when I call back, the number has been disconnected.
– Brett W
Answer: Unfortunately, this is a common way scammers will trick you into answering their phone calls. There are multiple apps that can be used to spoof a phone number.
Essentially, someone can call your phone and make any number they want appear on the caller ID. For example, I once received a phone call on my phone from my own number.
Is it ever a good idea to bug out by boat? Depending on the emergency obviously, bad idea for a hurricane, but I live near the marina where I keep my 26-foot boat. If there are mobs and looting, wouldn’t I be safer on the water?
– Ryan A
Answer: I would say bugging out by boat would be a great idea since the majority of looters or criminals probably wouldn’t have access to a boat.
However, if this is your plan, I would make sure you have plenty of supplies stored on the boat as well as a plan of where you will go. You need to dock somewhere eventually, so make sure you have a well-planned escape route.
Of course, as you mentioned, make sure to check the weather so you don’t head out to rough waters.
