Survival 101: 5 Reasons to set up a safe room or storm shelter

By virgiliomarin // 2021-06-21

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It makes more sense to bug in if a disaster suddenly hits your area than to bug out. In an abrupt survival scenario, heading out while a storm or twister is ripping through your neighborhood is very dangerous. It's much safer if you stay in an underground bunker near your home. This is where a safe room or storm shelter comes in. A safe room is a hardened structure designed to provide near-absolute protection during certain disasters, such as tornadoes and earthquakes. Similar to a safe room is a storm shelter, which is specifically designed to withstand dangerous high winds and flying debris. You should consider setting up a safe room or storm shelter so you can bug in with your family. Either of the two survival shelters offers protection from the following disasters: (h/t to FamilySurvivalPlanning.com)

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are mobile, destructive vortexes of violently rotating winds that can reduce structures to a pile of debris. They can happen everywhere, but in the United States they are most common in the Midwest. The most tornado-prone states are Texas, Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Nebraska. If you live in one of those states, you should consider building an underground storm shelter for your and your family's safety.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes also produce powerful winds that can level houses and other conventional structures. But these disasters come with additional threats, such as flooding and storm surges. So when installing a safe room, place it someplace elevated so it doesn't get submerged in water.

Airborne contamination

Airborne contamination can take the form of radioactive fallout, a biowarfare attack, a chemical spill or even the smoke from a wildfire. In any of those situations, the air is no longer safe to breathe. If inhaled, it can suffocate or damage your lungs and kill you. A properly equipped safe room can protect against airborne contamination. A full filtration and environmental/atmospheric system with air scrubbers, sensors and overpressure systems can clean the air. You can stay inside this safe room until authorities say it's safe to go outside. (Related: Will you know when it’s time to bug out? 14 signs to watch for.)

Earthquakes

The best course of action during an earthquake is to go outside and stay away from buildings, trees, power lines and any other tall structures that can collapse. But earthquakes are unpredictable. And if you live in a big house that's not built to withstand earthquakes, it can take several minutes before you reach the door. Consider building a storm shelter inside your home to protect against falling debris.

Terrorist attacks

A terrorist attack can take any form, from bombings to biological agent releases and the deliberate setting of mass fires. If an attack takes place near residential neighborhoods, a safe room that is heavily reinforced with armored walls can save you and your family.

Reminders when building a safe room or storm shelter

You should hire a professional to build your survival shelter because a safe room must meet the standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However, you can choose where to build it and then consult this location with a contractor. The basement and the garage are the best places to install a storm shelter, but the ideal location also depends on the disasters that typically hit your area. If your state is prone to hurricanes, you'll be much safer if you put it somewhere elevated than in the basement. Once you have a safe room or storm shelter at home, stock it with the following survival supplies:

Food and water
Cellphone and emergency radio
First-aid kit and medications
Weapons for home defense
Emergency toilet
Flashlights, headlamps and other sources of light
Blankets and body warmers
N95 masks
Portable oxygen tanks

It's important to have a safe room or storm shelter in or near your home so you can bug in should an unexpected disaster hit your area. Consult a professional when building a survival shelter to ensure that everything is up to code. Sources include: FEMA.gov FamilySurvivalPlanning.com Axios.com