Ever since the 2002 movie Panic Room, starring Jodie Foster, the demand for so-called safe rooms or panic rooms has risen. Safe rooms used to be reserved for the very rich, as a last-ditch resort in case of a home security system failure, but are becoming increasingly more popular. The purpose of a safe room is to provide extra security to a person or family in the event of a burglary, attack, fire or other calamity. Though it might seem unnecessary, there have been a number of incidents in recent years in which families escaped from extremely dangerous situations by hiding in their safe rooms. No matter what your income is or where you live, adding a safe room to your home security system is an excellent precaution for a number of life-threatening events.
A safe room is basically a room in your home with fortified walls, floor and ceiling, and a single entrance with a fortified door. You can easily convert a large closet or a room without windows in your home into a safe room by replacing the door with a steel door with a deadbolt lock. If necessary, you can reinforce the walls with steel sheeting or chicken wire for added security. Of course, you can always have a professional home security company construct the safe room for you as part of your overall home security system, and add a direct line to the security monitoring system. No matter whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, make sure your safe room allows for sufficient air circulation. Once your safe room is constructed, it’s important to equip it with an emergency communication system. Make sure you have a landline, and keep an extra cell phone in the safe room at all times. Don’t forget to add a power outlet to load your cell phone. Stock the room with indispensable emergency items such as a flashlight and batteries, water, food and a first aid kit. Even if you never use the room, check it regularly to ensure all necessary items are there, and are in good working order. If you have children, explain to them what the safe room is and when to use it. It’s a good idea to have practice drills so they actually know what to do in case of an emergency. In the unfortunate event that you do have to use the safe room, make sure you lock the door securely and call the police immediately. Never leave the room until the police arrive, and never cooperate with burglars or other intruders.
Photo via bousinka
