Don’t Panic – Get a Safe Room

The 2002 movie with Jodie Foster made the term “Panic Room” famous but “Safe Rooms” have been protecting people and things for centuries. The Pharaohs built hidden chambers in the pyramids, ancient rulers had “keeps” deep within their castles, worried Americans built bomb shelters during the cold war, and homeowners still flee to storm cellars.

Today, homeowners are increasingly requesting panic rooms. Whether you are considering a safe, or panic room might depend on who you are, what you do, or where you live. High-profile celebrities, public figures, top level corporate executives, perhaps even criminals – have safe rooms. They fear being kidnapped for ransom, or they need to hide money or protect valuables. Some may wish to avoid potentially dangerous stalkers. For these people, the sky’s the limit and every amenity from property-wide closed circuit TV to fully stocked wine cellars are included. It should also come as no surprise that increased terror alerts over the past decade has boosted the popularity of safe rooms, particularly in cities or regions that are likely targets of terrorism.

Perhaps the most logical and common use of a safe room, however, is protection against nature. We have all witnessed catastrophic weather events in recent years and the best safe rooms are built with materials that protect its inhabitants through tornados, hurricanes and more. Steel floors and ceilings, Kevlar walls, bulletproof doors, emergency generators… a panic room can be a temporary safe haven or a mini-fortress. While a home invasion panic room can be located anywhere, and is often accessed from a bedroom, weather-safe rooms should be built on or below the ground floor unless there is a distinct danger of flooding in which a second level room is a better alternative.

The best time to add a safe room is during construction when ducting, water supply, generators, materials and even layout and location are easily planned. However, existing bathrooms, closets, utility rooms or even wine cellars are viable candidates for a makeover. If you are considering adding a “Panic Room” to your home, consult an experienced builder because being safe is much more complex than simply locking the door.

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