Safe Room/Storm Shelter

[Heavyweight]

I’ve never thought much about this option for protection. In a home invasion scenario I always followed the old doctrine of defending the choke point in your home with your family safely behind you…..or just sucking it up and clearing your house if you have to in order to get to your loved ones. I’ve taken the courses and practiced for years. But I’m 56 now….kids are gone….just me and the Mrs. And recent global events make me want an option for determined invaders. I know it’s highly unlikely to ever be needed so I feel a little crazy doing it.

I live in Texas….no basements, but I’m thinking about doing a shelter under the slab in my garage. For about $12K they’ll put in a shelter that will seat up to 8 adults. Might as well have a little extra room or plan for visitors. This is a short term shelter….not a bunker. I’ve seen all of the above ground bolt on rooms….but I want something less obvious. Do any of you guys have any experience retro fitting a storm shelter under your home? If so what did you do and has there been any problems with it? Or if you went a different route for a shelter what did you do and how’s it working? Or do you think it’s a waste of money? I truly want your experiences and opinions.

Stay safe

Heavyweight


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[kerplode]

It's not something I would ever spend money on, but if it makes you feel better, then go for it.

I sat through an EF3 tornado in CO a handfull of years back...I watched it flatten the neighborhood across the street from the picture window of my second-floor bedroom. If it's my time, it's my time.

[Biggy]

My wife and I would go in our nice dry basement in my 12'x12' gun room underneath a strong table on the west wall. No huddling in the bathroom under a mattress for us, where a large tornado would wipe the house down to the first floor or more. No, when it's my time it's my time for us. If I felt that way about it, then why in the hell even carry a firearm to protect yourself, because if someone trys to kill or rob you, well I guess it's just my time. If I didn't have a basement, and the neighbors **close** next door had one I could get in quick, I would use their's whether they liked it or not. If I had no neighbors with a basement close, I would make an underground shelter just outside the house, that was strong enough and as low cost as I could.

[chuckman]

I don't have an issue against them for any reason, but look at it from risk/benefit and probability. A lot of money for a room that may not get used, at all; if it does, maybe once? I can use that money for other, more probable things.

[SteyrAUG]

My wife and I would go in our nice dry basement in my 12'x12' gun room underneath a strong table on the west wall. No huddling in the bathroom under a mattress for us, where a large tornado would wipe the house down to the first floor or more. No, when it's my time it's my time for us. If I felt that way about it, then why in the hell even carry a firearm to protect yourself, because if someone trys to kill or rob you, well I guess it's just my time. If I didn't have a basement, and the neighbors **close** next door had one I could get in quick, I would use their's whether they liked it or not. If I had no neighbors with a basement close, I would make an underground shelter just outside the house, that was strong enough and as low cost as I could.

So I assume you have no problem with your entire block coming to use your basement regardless of how you feel.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Backyard underground bomb shelters were a thing in the 60s. Great place for teens to party.

[SteyrAUG]

Backyard underground bomb shelters were a thing in the 60s. Great place for teens to party.

My grandfather built one in his basement. Made an excellent club house for our Viking Club when we were kids in the 70s.

[ddbtoth]

For civil disturbances I would not want to be in a hole in the ground, unable to fight. Think multi-layered defenses, dogs, alarms, choke-points, upgraded security fixtures and impediments to gain access.

[SteyrAUG]

For civil disturbances I would not want to be in a hole in the ground, unable to fight. Think multi-layered defenses, dogs, alarms, choke-points, upgraded security fixtures and impediments to gain access.

Locked in a safe room also might mean that's where they find you when home invaders light your house on fire. I'd rather have multiple points of exit. If you have family / kids you should have an emergency plan in case of fire or other things where they know how to get out of the house even if it means out the window. You should have an established meet up point, ideally at the home of a close and trusted neighbor who can call for help.

You also need to be able to evaluate what you are dealing with. If you are up and around and "probably armed" most intruders will be trying to escape as fast as they can. Anyone who sticks around, probably came for more than "let's see what we can steal" and you will have very different problems.

[ViniVidivici]

So I assume you have no problem with your entire block coming to use your basement regardless of how you feel.

Reminds me of the classic Twiligjt Zone episode "The Shelter".