Have you ever heard the terms safe room or panic room? If not, here is a scenario for you…Picture it, the neighborhood is on alert, there is a gunman on the loose. And he is very close to home. However, you don’t have to worry, because you have a room tucked away in your home with everything you need to survive. This is where your panic room comes in handy!
Today we learn about what a safe room is, what it entails, and why you may need one.
What Is a Safe Room?
A safe room—AKA a panic room or a secure room, is a room in your home that is optimized for safety. People use this room for emergencies, like tornado watches, other severe weather warnings, or threats to their safety. Basically, a panic room has everything you need in it to survive for at least 72 hours. And to withstand severe weather or bullets, these rooms are built tough!
Choose the location of your safe room carefully. It is generally better for a panic room to be on the upper floor of your home, rather than in the basement. Intruders will likely come in through a lower floor rather than a higher one. Also, it is better for you to be close to this room at all times, so you can access it quickly and easily.
A safe room can be made using various items and within a budget. Most panic rooms will have reinforced doors and windows, and solid locks. But any room can be a panic room, even a closet, with the proper reinforcements.
Safe Room Doors
Panic room doors should have a bullet and weatherproof exterior and sturdy steel interior framing. Although these doors are heavy, they must move swiftly when an emergency strikes. As well, the door must be easy to secure from the inside, with zero chance of tampering from the outside.
Safe Room Security Features
A good quality security setup with security cameras on the outside, and observable from the inside, is vital for a safe room. A walkie-talkie, phone, or two-way intercom allows you to communicate with “the outside”. In addition, some people are extra-cautious and soundproof their safe rooms to avoid intruders hearing their conversations or communicating with them.
Ventilation
For your panic room to be liveable for a long period (ie: you don’t suffocate and die), you will need a proper ventilation source. Oxygen masks or air filtration systems are both decent options. Also, we don’t recommend that a safe room has a window, as these can shatter during severe weather events. They are also easy to access from the outside, making them vulnerable to intruders.
Power
Any proper safe room needs power! In most basic safe rooms, hand-cranked radios and batteries will suffice. Many panic rooms also use generators but you will need a bigger space for this (which means more time to build and more money). You have to be mindful of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning when using a generator so some people choose to make their secure room larger with this in mind.
Plumbing
Obviously, you and your family will need a place to “do your business”. You can go as basic as a portable toilet or go balls-to-the-wall and install a separate septic system and toilet. You will also need water— a gallon per person and a two-week supply should suffice.
Supplies For Your Safe Room
Your panic room will need to be fully stocked with supplies. Remember, having an emergency preparedness kit is paramount, even if you don’t have a safe room! Stock your safe room with enough supplies to survive for a while. But it should have enough supplies for you and your family to survive for at least 72 hours.
Some supplies you may need:
- Water (1 gallon/person per day), 2 weeks worth
- Non-perishable food items and/or field rations.
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Candles (practice fire safety, please!)
- Toilet paper
- Entertainment items (magazines, books, puzzles, etc)
Check out the link above (emergency preparedness kit) to see these items broken down into more detail.
When Would You Use Your Safe Room?
You may be wondering if a safe room is worth all of this work and money. Why would you need this extra expense? And which safety scenarios prove vital for having a secure room in your home?
Some scenarios where a panic room is useful
Home Invasions: When an intruder breaks in, you can rush to your safe room, lock the door, collect your thoughts, and call emergency services. A well-reinforced safe room will keep you secure until help arrives!
Severe Weather: If a tornado or hurricane hits your area, or you get a severe weather watch/warning, you will have a safe place to go. All of your supplies and everyone in one place.
Hostage Situations: Hopefully this never happens, but if you are taken hostage in your home, you have somewhere to go. Also, your panic room is a safe and quiet area for people to communicate with the cops or hostage negotiators.
Home Security: If your safe room is well-hidden, you can hide your items in it, just in case of a burglary. Also, if you experience a break-in, in your home, you will have somewhere safe to hide.
Medical Emergencies: If someone in your home experiences a medical issue, like a heart attack, or other life-threatening event, a safe room is the perfect place to administer First Aid. Not only is it quiet, but it has a phone, so you can call for emergency services.
Civil Unrest/ Terrorism/ Armageddon: This is why many people build secure rooms. They fear a catastrophic event in the future (and with the state of the world, who could blame them). Large groups of people can cause a lot of damage, especially when panic or unrest is involved. Having a secure, ballistic-proof area in your home is every prepper’s dream. And it is a smart move. In fact, many preppers don’t tell others they’re prepping just in case SHTF (shit hits the fan). Understandably, this is because they fear being robbed or raided for their supplies.
Should You Get a Safe Room?
This is a personal choice, but if you fear any of the scenarios listed above, that is your answer. We here at Personal Safety School believe strongly in preparing for the worst, and these scenarios are the worst-case scenario. However, if you don’t have the funds or time to make a panic room, make sure you have your emergency preparedness kit ready! It’s better to be safe than sorry…
Be aware, and stay safe!
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