Just because people are residing in the existing houses, it doesn’t preclude them from upgrading their residential security by adding residential safe rooms. Several reasons people consider building a safe space in their home are protecting the family against a planned attack, valuables against burglary, and keeping themselves safe from a natural disaster. Professional contractors will have the skills and materials necessary to add a safe room. This article comprises the steps involved in building a safe room in a home.
Step 1: Select the Safe Room Location
When considering the location of the safe room in a home, bear in mind these points:
Pick a room with no existing windows, as it will help conceal the presence of a new safe room and minimize potential entry barriers.
Place the panic room as close as to the living spaces that are frequently visited.
Consider picking a location where a criminal couldn’t expect to find the panic room.
Step 2: Determine the Possible Threats
Every decision related to building a safe room will depend on what threats an individual wishes the space to protect him from. First, homeowners should determine if they are looking forward to protecting valuables, family, or both. Moreover, do they expect criminals to use axes or hammers to enter the home, or might they be assaulted or attacked by guns?
Step 3: Select the Windows and Walls of the Safe Room
Always construct the safe room’s walls using materials that can withstand forced entry and firearms. Make sure to get window panels that are relatively easy to install, cost-effective, and don’t interfere with WiFi and cellular signals. Homeowners can find panels in multiple bulletproof and forced entry-resistant levels.
Step 4: Select Secure Entry Door
An essential security feature is a door to be installed at the entry of a safe room. It is usually the first place criminals can attempt entry through the panic room. The door-locking capabilities should depend on the planned use of the panic room. For instance, if planning to protect valuables, make sure to install a door that is lockable from the outside. And when planning to protect people during an emergency, the door should be lockable from the inside.
Step 5: Install the Safe Room Components
After selecting the quality components for the safe room, next, it’s time to install them. Consider hiring a professional contractor to install all crucial components to the residential safe rooms, including doors, windows, door locks, essential items, security systems, etc. These professionals take precise measurements and install each component efficiently, eliminating the risk of injury.
Conclusion
Adding a safe room in a home is the most effective way to secure valuables and people from life-threatening situations. When planning to build a safe room, consider the intended purpose as it will influence the location, type of material, control system access, and security procedures for the residential safe rooms. Furthermore, apart from these steps, create and practice an emergency plan. Formulating an emergency plan will help maximize the value of the panic room.
