Safe Rooms

When it comes to a safe room, many people think of a super high tech, armored vault such as is depicted in Hollywood movies. Unless you are a celebrity or a very wealthy executive this type of protection is probably not necessary, much less affordable. (Although this type of 'panic room' is available.)

What we are talking about is a room you can run to if you hear someone breaking into your home or if you live in fear that someone is seeking to do you harm. It can bring you peace of mind if you are a parent who has children at home alone, or if you travel and have to leave your family alone at night. It is also a very effective deterrent to the daytime burglar who is ransacking your home looking for your valuables.

Typically it is a bathroom, walk-in closet or bedroom. Each has its own advantages that we will mention later.

Once again it all starts with the door and windows. A typical interior, hollow core door provides zero protection, even if it is locked. The door will simply bust apart if someone gives it a good body check. We take a solid core or exterior door that closely matches your decor and treat it just as we would for an entry door. A good security lock-set and deadbolt, and reinforced door frame are good starters. If your room has a window it needs to be upgraded or replaced to be shatterproof.

It is important to place an inexpensive, dedicated, pre-paid cell phone in the room on a charger. You want to be able to call the police, not be trapped. Even if you have other family members in the home and not with you in the safe room, the police will be there in a matter of minutes and in the case of a home invasion robbery, the thieves (or worse) know that they are not in control and are unable to terrorize you into submission, and their time is up.

Let's briefly discuss the advantages of using different types of rooms.

The Bedroom

• If your fear is waking up with someone hovering over you, or you are being harassed and under threat, this may be a good choice.

• The disadvantage is that it only works if you lock the door every night.

A Bathroom

• A good choice if is accessible from the bedroom. It is well lit, has water, and even a place to sit and wait for the police.

A Walk-in Closet

• Perhaps the most secure. If you do not want to change the look of the doors in your home, a false wall with a pocket door can be added to the inside of the wall. Close and lock the pocket door and no-one is getting in.

• It can double as a safety vault to store your valuables when you are not home.

There are many more options: reinforcing or bullet proofing the walls, having a video monitor, etc., but it all depends on what you perceive your threat level to be.

[Next Page - Safety Tips]

  Crime Report Links

  U of A Burglar Arrested

  Home invasions increasing