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So with the sentencing trial going on with the Connecticut home invasion that resulted in the rape/murder of a man's wife and daughters, it left me really thinking about establishing a solid self-preservation plan in the event of a home invasion. At first I considered escape routes and/or confrontational weapons, but decided that perhaps a better option would be to craft a makeshift "safe room" out of one of our bedroom closets. My question is, how to best fortify the door to increase the time we would have to call the police from our cell phone. At present it's just a simple (solid) wood door, so I was thinking of adding a deadbolt, but not sure what else to do to make it difficult to kick in (figuring hinges would also be a obvious weak point). Also, if there are any other ideas for what to put in there or alternative options, it would be appreciated. Again, this is not a long-term, end of the world safe room, but just a place to protect my family in the event of a violent home invasion while we are upstairs.
Ha ha - I do have a big dog with an even bigger bark, unfortunately she sleeps through pretty much anything. I think if I went the attack dog route, I would go rottie though, haha! I don't think there's a more intimidating look than when a rottweiler bows up on you with that massive chest and gives you the black death stare from within that gigantic muscular head.
Seems like the walls would have to be reinforced along with the door. Walls made of wood frame and drywall can easily be kicked in. Also, you may want to disguised the door to the closet.
Is there a window in the proposed safe room?
Any other way to sneak "through" rooms, possible trap doors, outside exits, even if it involves climbing down to lower roofs or using rope ladders?
Seems like the walls would have to be reinforced along with the door. Walls made of wood frame and drywall can easily be kicked in. Also, you may want to disguised the door to the closet.
Is there a window in the proposed safe room?
Any other way to sneak "through" rooms, possible trap doors, outside exits, even if it involves climbing down to lower roofs or using rope ladders?
Unfortunately there really isn't a way to do a secret entrance (although that would be really cool.) I definitely get what you are saying about reinforcing the framing around the door but not sure exactly to what degree to do this. I originally had thought interior closet because the door opens out (therefore not AS easy to kick in), but now I'm wondering if maybe a bathroom with exterior window might be better because (a) intruders would not have access to the hinges, and (b) we would be able to jump out the window if the intruders tried burn/smoke us out.
Unfortunately there really isn't a way to do a secret entrance (although that would be really cool.) I definitely get what you are saying about reinforcing the framing around the door but not sure exactly to what degree to do this. I originally had thought interior closet because the door opens out (therefore not AS easy to kick in), but now I'm wondering if maybe a bathroom with exterior window might be better because (a) intruders would not have access to the hinges, and (b) we would be able to jump out the window if the intruders tried burn/smoke us out.
Wasn't this in a movie? The one with Jodie Foster?
Wasn't this in a movie? The one with Jodie Foster?
Could have been...I saw it when it came out but not since. Something about being locked in an interior room with NO egress out bothers me, which is why I feel maybe the bathroom is a good idea (it would only be about a 12 ft drop hanging from the sill of the window).
Maybe I watch way too much Criminal Minds and invaders aren't as smart as that show makes them out to be but is there evidence to prove that families can be rounded up in enough time and get to the panic room before the perpetrator gets to you? Wouldn't you all have to be awake in order to get in the room quickly enough before the guy gets upstairs?
Not that I wouldn't be open to having a panic room if I had the wherewithal, I absolutely would, but we have a friend who is a SWAT agent and he's mentioned more than once that violent home invasions usually involve a lot of planning and organization on the part and/or the perpetrator is so sick in the head and hellbent on what they're trying to accomplish that little will stop them other than a gun.
That case is just awful, awful, awful. My heart breaks for that man.
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