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Hi, I'm horror and science fiction author Steve Kozeniewski (pronounced: "causin' ooze key.") Welcome to my blog! You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon. You can e-mail me here, join my mailing list here, or request an e-autograph here. Free on this site you can listen to me recite one of my own short works, "The Thing Under the Bed."

Friday, February 20, 2015

Zombie-Proof Your Apartment (Guest Infographic)

You guys may not know (or you maybe you do know, because I've been bitching about it so much this year) but I scramble to try to bring interesting, original content to this blog.  If you ask me, there's nothing more boring than a writer droning on about the craft or, God forbid, saying, "Here's an excerpt from a work-in-progress you don't give a shit about.  I wrote XXXX words today!"
 
So you can imagine I'm very pleased when someone reaches out to me with content, especially apropos content.  You'll all probably remember Naomi Shaw's infographic from Halloween.  Well, Naomi's company reached out to me again with another pretty neat infographic which you're probably already scrolling past all of this preamble to gawk at.  So, go ahead!  Enjoy!
 

Guest Infographic

 
Once the Zombie Apocalypse hits, you’ll want to make sure that your apartment is as zombie-proof as possible. You likely won’t have access to modern luxuries like electricity, phone or other amenities. So, you’ll have to make do with a lot of DIY knowledge. Follow these tips to ensure safety from zombies in your home.
 
Zombie Proof Your Apartment

Know Your Zombie
Not all zombies are created equal, so it’s important to be prepared for whatever version of the undead you may face. Here are a few classic types:

Basic walkers: These classic zombies are slow and steady in their quest for flesh. They’re relatively easy to neutralize but travel in growing packs, and once they start piling up against barriers, you better watch out.

Runners: Start training, because these zombies are fast. You will not outrun them, so you’ll want to fortify your apartment and wait it out.
Stalkers: These are the biggest threat to apartment dwellers. As quadrupeds, they can scale buildings, which means most apartments will become giant zombie vending machines.

Your Defense Starts at the Door
It’s all about the materials; here’s a breakdown of the strengths of various options based on the number of zombies needed to break through:

Doors:
• MDF door (3 zombies)
• Solid wood door (7 zombies)
• Steel door (14+ zombies)

Locks:
• Traditional knob (1 clever zombie)
• Knob plus security chain (2 zombies)
• Deadbolt (5 zombies)
• Bar lock (9 zombies)

Next Stop, the Windows
Your best bet for windows is finding an apartment with tempered glass, which is used in car windows, underwater equipment and for bulletproofing. It will also break into cubes rather than shatter into life-threatening shards if you need to escape. At minimum, it’s about four times stronger than standard window glass.

But since glass will never be strong enough to completely resist a zombie, the next step up would be getting your apartment iron bars to keep the living dead at bay. It might buy you time against an extra four or five zombies versus an unprotected window.

Blackout curtains are a must HAVE, not because of zombies but for potential raiders who might identify you as a target and come after your supplies.

Safeguard Your Stockpile
Ensure your apartment shelves have the minimum needed to survive, then pace yourself:

With risk of losing weight:

• 1,200 calories a day for women
• 1,500 calories a day for men

To maintain your current weight:

• 1,600 to 2,400 calories for women
• 2,000 to 3,000 calories for men

If you’re facing the classic brain-eating zombie, it would consume an average of 2,065 calories per brain!

Here are some essentials that are best to have on hand — in bulk:

• Peanut butter: high in protein and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
• Whole grain crackers: high in fiber and edible (though maybe not delicious) well after the expiration date.
• Dried fruit: keeps for six months to a year and is loaded with nutrients.
• Canned soups, chilis and vegetables: will last for years, so buy plenty and buy often.
• Multivitamins: because eventually you just need the basics. They’re compact to store and come with a long shelf life.

Prepare for the Worst

Odds are good that if the zombie attack lasts long enough, you’ll start running out of the essentials. Here are a few things you can do to increase your supplies:

• Got a balcony on your apartment? Secure it and start a zombie-proof garden!
• Set up rainwater collection buckets to draw from when utilities like water finally go out.
• Many apartments get fantastic sunlight, so consider solar panels as a renewable energy source.
• It’s worth investing in a good sledgehammer or pickaxe … not only as the perfect tool for bashing in zombie heads but also to break through walls into neighboring apartments without risking infested hallways!

Battle the Undead

There are plenty of things in your apartment that you can use to eliminate the zombie threat. Anything blunt, sharp or heavy will do the trick. Here are a few items everyone should have lying around:

• Baseball bat: highly effective, simple to use and inexpensive
• Kitchen knives: remember to keep them sharp … really sharp
• Household tools like hammers and screwdrivers
• Pots and pans
• Fire extinguishers: All apartments have them; gather several to bash and distract unwanted zombie callers.
• DIY polearm: Duct tape a kitchen knife onto a shower bar to defend yourself at a safe distance.
• DIY mace: Lock a frying pan onto the end of a bicycle chain and swing it around like a mace for small groups of undesirable undead.
• Safety first! To defend yourself against bites, use a cooking board, cookie sheet or even the lid of your toilet as a shield.
• Remember to resist the urge to do things using fire or chemicals to fight the zombies, because you may harm yourself.

If you do go toe-to-toe with a zombie, heed your target’s vulnerabilities:
Head: 100% effective
Arms and legs (cutting them off): arms 40%, legs 75%

Plot Your Route to the Roof
If we know anything from movies, it’s that rooftop helicopter rescues are the way to close out a heroic and daring experience. Make sure you know exactly how to get to the roof of your building when the cavalry finally swoops in.

Ultimately, an apartment has pros and cons when it comes to surviving a zombie apocalypse. You have the benefit of a raised vantage point, but in the end, you could find yourself cut off by zombie-infested elevators and hallways. The best strategy is to buckle down and prepare for the worst.
Sources:
 

About Amber Heckler: 


Amber is the Social Media Manager for For Rent Media Solutions™ and has been with the company since April 2007. In her role, Amber helps execute and optimize a social media strategic plan across multiple channels, as well as manages the company's social media product. This would include blogs, social networks, video sharing sites, and other conversational media. She spends a great deal of time building relationships with consumers, social media influencers, and bloggers to generate awareness of For Rent Media Solutions brand. Amber is also an avid lover of goat cheese and bacon (separate or together; it doesn't matter). She is also obsessed with Pinterest and puppies.

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