Tulsa couple gets a 'safe room' thanks to the News on 6

Monday, April 28th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Many people are taking advantage of the newest tornado safety ideas, and they're having safe rooms built into their homes. News on 6 reporter Rick Wells talked to a north Tulsa couple who have a brand news safe room thanks to the
News on 6.

Leona Isaac: â€œWe feel a lot safer with it here." Itâ€™s a brand new safe room. She won it from us. She registered at the News on 6 Tulsa Womenâ€™s Show. We also took registrations at the Auto Show. Jessie Isaac: â€œAnytime she sees a give-a-way she signs up for it." Well this time she was a winner in a big way.

Vince Mims with FamilySafe Storm Shelters: "This is FamilySafe's 4 x 6 unit." It's about $3,000 worth of safe room. The Isaac's chose to put it next to the patio 'cause one day they may close this area in, but this thing will work anywhere. â€œSafe room can go indoors outdoors behind north south east or west wall, brick, siding, sheet rock, it really doesn't matter as long as it's anchored securely to the proper slab."

FamilySafe uses a Hilti anchoring system to secure these units, and the unit has been tested at the Texas Tech University engineering lab, to ensure this safe room is truly safe. It passed. FamilySafe is based in Oologah, and they've installed their safe rooms in homes from Iowa to Texas and as far east as Birmingham.

These above ground, in home safe rooms are a relatively new concept, we all remember the below ground storm cellars like this one in the movie "Twister". There's always something new. There's a man in Texas who's invented what he calls a safe bed. Same basic idea as the safe room except you lift the lid under your mattress and lie down inside. It's been tested at Texas Tech too, so it's safe, it just might be a little bit creepy.

These in-home safe rooms start at about $3,000 and go up from there. There are property tax breaks available for homeowners. You can get the form you need from your County Tax Assessor's office.