How to Create a Safe Room to Survive Disasters
You never know when a disaster--natural or otherwise--will strike, so be prepared. A good starting point is to create a "safe room" in the home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Do a walk-through of your house. Ask yourself which room would accommodate your loved ones (including pets). Closets, cellars or storage rooms may fit the bill. According to FEMA, a small interior room above grade is the best choice. Pick a room.
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If you don't have an existing room that fits the bill, you may want to hire a contractor to add a safe room to your house. Some safe rooms are prefabricated products and can be installed within your home or added on. For most prefab safe rooms, construction time usually takes only a day or two. These products may cost about $15,000 on the high end and $5,000 on the low end (see Resources below).
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If you're handy, another option is to install a prefab safe room without a contractor. In doing so, ask for documentation that the prefabricated product meets FEMA's standards. To get permits, your shelter must conform to FEMA 320 plans, or plans that have been tested to meet the National Performance Criteria for Tornado Shelters.
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Get proper building permits for all construction.
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Tips & Warnings
If you live in a flood zone, a safe room may not offer enough protection for you. FEMA recommends that you evacuate rather than ride out the storm in your safe room.
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockxchng.com, SXC terms
