“All my new houses have safe rooms,” he said. Michael Hewitt, a builder with Royal Oak Custom Homes in Plano, Texas, began integrating it into his homes this year and has been besieged by requests since the event. In fact, it’s simmering as a national design trend.Ī concrete home featuring a safe room made a splash in January when it was featured at the National Association of Home Builders show in Dallas. The safe room concept isn’t novel to this region. Options include a phone jack and emergency lighting. The rugged, final product can withstand winds up to 260 mph. The nature of the panels prevents the conversion of existing structures. The business installs pre-engineered concrete panels in pantries, laundry rooms and closets under construction. “People don’t want to spend the extra money until something like this happens,” said Dennis Towell, vice president of Insulwall. Now, in the advent of storm destruction, the company has lined up 12 parties craving the polished caverns. Insulwall, an Orlando venture which counts safe room construction among its specialties, began offering the sheltered parlors two years ago. “People are just scared to death of these tornadoes,” he said. The flame-retardant quality isn’t what’s attracting people as of late. “It’s something you could stay in for several hours,” Nasrallah said. Many homeowners want the concrete nooks built in bedroom closets in case a blaze traps them with no place to run. “Nobody wants people to know they have one,” he said.Īnother element safe rooms can help deflect is fire. Nasrallah uses code words on blueprints to mask the room. Because it’s designed for security and safety, few owners discuss the feature. Perhaps the sluggish buzz is due to the room’s cloak-and-dagger nature. “A year ago no one had heard about it, but people are slowly finding out.” “Primarily, it’s for the safekeeping of personal items and the safety of the person,” Nasrallah said. Nearly 15 area homes he designed boast the accouterment for a variety of reasons. Winter Park architect Mark Nasrallah has been sealing up safe rooms for the past three years, primarily in tony estates. Lucia modeled his safe room design after fallout shelters, which were all the rage during the Cold War climate of the 1950s and ’60s. A total of 42 people perished, and millions of dollars in property damage were left in the wake. He got the idea after a lethal pack of tornadoes swarmed across Central Florida in February. So far, only three of his clients have chosen the safe room option, but he expects interest to pick up once word gets out. But the main thing we want to do is keep anyone from getting hurt.” “It doesn’t really change property damage. “It’s still pretty new, and people are taken aback for a moment, but then they go home and think about it and decide to do it,” Lucia said. It’s a makeshift cave with comfort – and it’s wooing parties, mostly upscale so far, interested in such protection. The room can be painted, wallpapered and designed to suit any needs, whether it be a den or a home theater. To top it off, the ceiling also receives a thick layer of concrete, lacing the space with five tough walls of protection, and a steel door is added. If you have more questions regarding pet safety, you can contact Kelly Olson with ADV Urgent Veterinary Care at 54.The concept is simple: Lucia designs a room, whether it be a living room, a pantry or even a bathroom, and builds four concrete walls surrounding the space with structural beams bracing each wall. Provide a life jacket if needed, and never leave your pet unattended near water. Pool Safety: Remember that not all dogs are natural swimmers and even those that are should be supervised closely.Keep your furry friends indoors, preferably in a quiet, secure room during fireworks displays. Fireworks Safety: Some animals find fireworks distressing.Proper Identification: Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar with current ID tags.Protect Against Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes: If you’re planning to spend time outdoors, ensure your pet is up-to-date on preventive medications and uses appropriate flea, tick, and mosquito repellents.Remember that certain foods like onions, chocolate, grapes, and alcohol can be toxic to animals. Practice Responsible BBQ Etiquette: Even if your pet is begging with big eyes, avoid sharing tasty grilled treats with them.Be Mindful of Heat and Sun Exposure: As the weather gets warmer, ensure your pets have access to shade and plenty of fresh water.Maintain a Pet-Friendly Environment: Create a designated area for your pet to retreat to during gatherings or noisy celebrations.‘There have been lots of tears’: VT veterinary hospital helps poodle walk againĪDR shares the following tips to prevent any discomfort to your animals:
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