Home storm shelters are becoming more common, due to numerous examples where they have saved peoples lives. These stories have come from across the United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Threats Storm shelters are designed to protect against high winds from natural causes — hurricanes and tornadoes. Shelters for protection against NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) and home invasions have different requirements. Terminology FEMA uses the term “safe room” to refer to constructions which meet FEMA 320 and 361 criteria; they use the term “shelters” to refer to constructions designed to meet the ICC 500 criteria. Section 442 of Florida Building […]

Over the past two decades, it has become increasingly popular for consumers to purchase home security safes to store valuables and private documentation. Making a smart choice on the type of safe or lockable box can save valuable time and / or money in the event of a home break-in or fire. There are a variety of safe-types available on the open market today depending on one’s budget, value of material to be safe-guarded, and whether or not the purchaser needs to buy a fireproof container. Home Security Facts Before making a decision regarding the type of safe to purchase […]

Common door locks fall into one of three categories: cylinder locks, rim locks, and mortise locks. Cylinder locks are the most common type of door lock.  They are designed to fit into pre-cut holes in standard doors. Rim locks are an older type of lock that is seldom seen anymore.  They can sometimes be useful to add an additional layer of security to an existing door lock. Instead of going through a hole in the door like a cylinder lock, rim locks are screwed onto the interior surface of the door. Mortise locks are similar to cylinder locks in that […]

Garage doors create a number of security vulnerabilities for the average home.  They are often weak points against entry, but they can also enable surreptitious entry where attackers can then wait for your family or attack your main defenses without being visible. Remote Garage Door Opener Security Remote control garage door openers work by sending an electronic code from the remote to the receiver in the garage door opener. Remote garage door opening systems have had many security vulnerabilities since their introduction: The first remotes featured no security. All remotes opened all doors of that model. The next generation of remotes […]

Home fires kill approximately 2,500 Americans every year and injure five times that many. They also cause more than six billion dollars a year in property damage. Burns and smoke inhalation damage can be extremely unpleasant, even if you do survive. Children five and under are twice as likely to die in a house fire as adults. Nearly 100% of these tragedies are preventable. Fire security begins with preventing unintended fires from occurring in the first place. Grab a notebook and a pen and walk through your house, conducting a fire audit of each room. Note the presence of any […]