Every year, several states in the U.S. and other countries across the globe are struck by hurricanes and tornadoes. Can a safe room really protect them from such wrath of Mother Nature?
In case you were wondering what a safe room meant, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) described it as "a hardened structure specifically designed to... provide near-absolute protection in extreme weather events, including tornadoes and hurricanes," as quoted by Realty Times.
The term "near-absolute protection" offers a reassurance that the standards of building the safe room are based on their current understanding of tornadoes and hurricanes. Having a safe room at home reportedly provides a "high probability of being protected from injury or death." This can also help reassure households by reducing their anxiety during such events.
The outlet further noted that having a safe room increases your window of safety, as the recommended time for finding shelter after a tornado warning has been issued is only 13 minutes. The minimum recommended size of a safe room is 7x10 feet.
While many households in tornado-prone areas are interested in having safe rooms at home, several of them actually have one installed because of the installation costs. The price of a safe room is higher when installed in an existing home, as compared to costs incurred when installed during construction.
The basic cost for an 8 x 8 ft. safe room is approximately $8,000 - $9,000 while a 14 x 14 ft. room is priced at $14,000 - $17,000. The price will, of course, vary depending on the type and company; one can purchase a safe room as a "prefabricated unit" while others can install it from scratch.
Good news for some areas like Ohio, Fox8 recently reported that the state is offering rebates for homeowners who will be adding safe rooms in their houses. The publication stated that the Ohio Emergency Management Agency will grant homeowners up to 75 percent or a maximum of $5,250 discount on installation or construction.
