Creating a Viable Panic Room

It’s the middle of the night and you hear prowlers in your home. That’s when you need a panic room – a place that can provide you and your family with a few minutes of safety until law enforcement can be called and arrive.

A panic room doesn’t have to be as elaborate as those seen in the movies. It’s not likely you will have intruders willing to spend hours or days attempting to do you bodily harm. Most burglars just want to get in, steal your valuables and leave as quickly as possible.

Here are some ideas to help you create your own panic room.

One of the first few things to consider is making sure the room is easily accessible, situated in the interior of the home and preferably without windows. One area you may want to consider is the bathroom because most bathrooms are easily accessible, have toilet facilities, running water and personal supplies such as medicines. A hardened walk-in closet situated in an upstairs living area may also be a good choice.

A cell phone or a ham radio is a necessity, allowing you to contact emergency personnel and stay on top of what’s happening outside. A roof antenna connection should be set up if getting a cell signal is difficult.

The entry to your panic room should be a solid-core door that intruders can’t easily kick in and include a quality deadbolt lock that you can only lock or open from the inside. A peephole will allow you to see law enforcement officers when they arrive.

A panic room should also contain at least one ceiling-mounted electric light, battery-powered flashlights with spare batteries and a roll of masking tape to seal off the door from smoke or pepper spray.

Any weapons you own, such as firearms, should be stored in the safe room or kept locked in a safe so that perpetrators can’t access them. Make sure you have a control panel for your home alarm system installed in your panic room.
Wireless surveillance cameras, with a monitor in your room, will also keep you abreast of any activities happening in the rest of your home.

Here are some additional tips to consider once your panic room is in place:

• Make sure the 911 operator knows the location of the safe room so emergency personnel can be advised.

• Stage regular drills so everyone can become familiar with the safe room.

If the room also serves as a storm shelter, stock food, water and other items, accordingly.

• Do not vacate the room until emergency personnel have arrived to the safe room door.

• Do not provide any information to an intruder and keep quiet.

• Don't abandon other home security measures like a monitored alarm system. The safe room should be your last resort, not the only one.

• Contact a security consultant for additional tips.
 

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