Limited Grant Program Helps Oklahomans Afford Safe Rooms

Whenever severe weather threatens, interest increases in storm shelters. While there's no tax incentive to buy one, there are a limited number of government grants.

Wednesday, April 17th 2013, 6:18 pm



Whenever severe weather threatens, interest increases in storm shelters. While there's no tax incentive to buy one, there are a limited number of government grants.

The shop floor was busy Wednesday, where Jim Giles' Safe Rooms are built in Sapulpa. They're one of the companies making safe rooms that are certified to stand up to any tornado. They make several sizes and have installed hundreds of them all over Oklahoma.

"It picks up this time of year, and we could set two or three a day this time of the season,' said George Barnes, the chief installer for the company.

Their all-steel models usually go into garages, and they also install concrete outdoor shelters built by another company.

Both work in the same way; they put a solid barrier between people and the flying debris of a tornado.

"We usually get a lot of calls and orders, because people are concerned the next tornado might be in their area.

News On 6 Weather Producer Tom Bennett is the president of Jim Giles' Safe Rooms.

He said a lot of people just want them for peace of mind, and points to a video made by a girl in Bartlesville, pleading for her parents to get one as proof. That family has one on order.

"We have seen an up-tick over the last 18 months, since Joplin, of people adding them to their floor plans in new construction or renovation," Bennett said.

The usual installation has shelters bolted into a concrete slab. While the total cost is generally $4,000 and up, there is a government grant, awarded by lottery, for up to $2,000 of that cost.

Go here to enter a for a chance to win a "Sooner Safe" grants.

Starting next week, we'll give away 21 safe rooms free to viewers over the next month.

Find Out More About Trav's Safe Room Giveaway

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