Door Barricade

Assess your doors first

Most Pakistani homes have:

• Main entrance: usually a solid metal door, your strongest barrier
• Interior doors: hollow-core or thin wood, which won't stop a determined entry
• Sliding doors/windows: weakest point (see FC: Window Reinforce)

Focus your effort on the main entrance and any door that leads to your safe room.

Quick barricade (under 5 minutes)

Furniture wedge method

1. Tilt a heavy sofa or bed against the door at a 45-degree angle
2. The bottom legs should be braced against the opposite wall or heavy furniture
3. The top edge presses against the door handle or just below it
4. Stack additional weight on top if available

Chair under handle

1. Tilt a sturdy chair so the top of its back is wedged under the door handle
2. The front chair legs should press firmly into the floor
3. Works best on smooth floors; on carpet, place a thin board under the legs
4. Only works if the handle is the lever type, not a round knob

Belt/rope lash

1. If the door opens outward (hinges visible), loop a strong belt or rope around the handle
2. Tie the other end to a heavy fixed point: a radiator pipe, bed frame bolted to the floor, or balcony railing
3. Keep the line tight and low

Additional reinforcement

• Door stop wedges: rubber or wooden wedges kicked under the door provide surprisingly strong resistance
• Screws in the frame: if you have time and a drill, drive 3-inch screws through the door frame into the wall stud at the latch point and hinge points
• Deadbolt: if you don't have one, install one when things are calm. It's the single most effective upgrade.

What won't work

• Pushing light furniture against the door without bracing it
• Locking a door with a simple latch (these can be forced with a kick)
• Interior hollow-core doors: these can be punched through