Secure Steel Safe Room
A steel safe room can be thought of as an ultra secure location within your residence.
Sometimes referred to as a Panic Room, the steel safe room concept is fairly straightforward
– to prepare a room within the interior of the residence where your family can retreat
safely in the event of a threat such as a home invasion, terrorist threat or from
tornados and other natural weather phenomenon. From the safe room, help can be reached.
The safe room can be thought of as a box with only one opening. If you seal the
six sides to the box and put a sturdy door on the opening, you have an impenetratable
enclosure to keep the occupants safe.
Some safe rooms are be constructed from several inch thick concrete walls – more
like a bunker – and are often dual purpose to store valuable jewels, cash and collectables.
They can be equipped with a cellular telephone, video monitor and alarm keypad.
Any homeowner can create a safe room with little effort and expense. The room needs
only to be fortified enough to delay an intruder so that the alarm can be raised
or call made to the police.
To make a simple safe room, just choose an interior room in your house or even large
closet with no windows or skylight. Install a solid core wood or steel door and
hang it so it opens outwards. Replace the wooden doorjamb with a steel one or reinforce
the door trim with steel angle iron to prevent the door from being kicked open.
On wood doorjambs, install large screws in the door hinges. Use a keyless Grade
1 deadbolt to prevent the keys from falling into the wrong hands.
A common reason for the average person wanting a safe room in their residence is
to protect them in an assault from a burglar, invader or even an abusive spouse.
Corporate executives need safe rooms for fear of kidnapping for ransom or the fear
of robbery.
Other reasons for a steel safe room are from protection from disasters such as tornados,
hurricane or fire.
A disaster supply kit should include:
- emergency tools, including a battery-powered radio
- one change of clothing and footwear per person
- one blanket or sleeping bag per person
- a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil
- an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash
- portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries
- special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members
- a first-aid kit, including prescription medicines
Always prepare and rehearse a Family Evacuation Plan. Every member of the family
must be aware of his or her role in the evacuation – don’t just chance it to luck
that everyone will be safe.