Select a suitable location for your safe room. Ready to upgrade your room to a safe room? Use these steps to create a space where you know you’ll be protected no matter what.
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Leverage the existing structure of your home to make the space as secure as possible. Whichever route you take, keep in mind that smaller rooms that have fewer doors and windows will be more protected and affordable to reinforce. If your primary concern is protecting valuables, on the other hand, the room does not need to be near people, and you should prioritize using spaces such as basements with solid walls. You should also ensure that no one in the home would need to encounter intruder access points to get to the emergency room. If your primary concern is protecting people within the safe room, you may want to put your emergency space on the level of the home where the most vulnerable people spend the majority of their time, such as the level where the children’s bedrooms are located. If you plan to retrofit the space in your home on your own to turn it into a safe room, understand the cost and time required and the high standards the room must meet to satisfy FEMA’s safe room standards. The ideal location would be a basement or interior room with no windows and sturdy walls and ceilings. Just note that not all rooms are suitable for conversion into a safe room. It’s also possible to turn an existing room into a safe room, which may be a more cost-effective option than building one from scratch. Can You Turn an Existing Room Into a Safe Room? Finally, ensure the exterior materials of the safe room are resistant to impact from items that may become wind-borne in a disaster. The structure should be independent of the home structure, but the entire space should be secured to the foundation from the top to help the area resist any uplifting wind forces from a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado. They’re typically made with reinforced concrete or wood-framed walls and ceilings with steel sheathing.
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To construct your own, you can either add it to a new build or add it to your existing structure. If you’re not up for the challenge, pre-made safe room options are available on the market, as well as ways to retrofit an existing room in your home to serve as a safe room. However, it is essential to note that building such a space requires time, money, and effort.
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It may seem daunting, but with careful planning and the proper knowledge, it’s doable. Whether you are facing natural disasters, home invasions, or other dangers, having a designated safe room can provide peace of mind and protection for you and your loved ones.īelow, learn about two methods to create your safe room and the most important things to stock it with so you’re always prepared for any emergency that comes your way. Can You Turn an Existing Room Into a Safe Room?īuilding a safe room is a great way to ensure the safety and security of your family in case of an emergency or threat.