Safe Space Episode 24: Panic Rooms & Safe Rooms

When it comes to home security, the terms panic room, safe room, and vault room often get tossed around like they mean the same thing — but they’re not always identical. Each serves the same purpose — protecting you and your loved ones in an emergency — but the details matter.

The strength of the door, whether it includes an internal lockout, and the addition of features like escape hatches or communication lines can make all the difference in how secure and practical your space really is. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right setup for your home and ensures your safe haven truly lives up to its name.

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Episode 24 Discussion Topics

1:36: What’s the difference between a vault room and a safe room or panic room?

6:57: What’s the difference between and escape hatch and a vault door?

8:29: Where's the best location for a panic room?

11:50: You're locked in a panic room for a week. What are the three items you would bring with you?

13:30: Good. Better. Best. Panic room doors.

Episode 24 Discussion Question Synopses

1:36: What’s the difference between a vault room and a safe room or panic room?

People often mix up the words panic room, safe room, and vault room. The short answer: they can all do the same job — keep you safe — but they sometimes have different features.

Doors Matter Most

One of the biggest differences is the door. Different door makers put different features on their doors. The door you pick affects how safe the room really is.

A key feature to look for is an inside lock (also called an internal lockout). This lets someone inside the room stay locked in even if someone outside knows the code or can break the lock. Not every vault door has this. Many vault doors have an internal bypass that lets people outside open the door if they have the combination. That means someone inside could be stuck if the person outside can defeat the lock.

Here’s an example: imagine you use an electronic lock and you close the door behind you. It might lock automatically. But if someone outside has the code or can hack the lock, they can still get in unless the door has a real internal lock that the person inside can control.

Some companies make great doors but don’t include a panic-room style internal lock. People in the business sometimes joke about that — like blaming “bad relationships” if someone outside has the code — but jokes don’t keep you safe.

What else can a panic room have?

A room made for safety often includes extra things:

• Hard-wired communication — a landline phone or a dedicated line so you can call for help even if cell service is down.

• Computer hookup — a place to power a laptop or monitor if you need it.

• Escape hatch — another way out of the room, like a crawl-space exit. If someone is getting in, an escape hatch can let you leave without walking past the door.

We sell escape hatches for people who want that extra exit. They give you another route to get to safety.

Ultimately — panic rooms, safe rooms, and vault rooms can overlap. The right door and inside lock make the biggest difference. Add communication lines and an escape hatch for even more protection. If you want to use a room to protect your family, plan the door and the inside features carefully — they’re what will keep you safe.

6:57: What’s the difference between an escape hatch and a vault door?

An escape hatch is a special safety feature you can add to a panic or vault room. Unlike the main vault door, it’s usually much smaller. It’s not meant to be your primary entryway. Instead, it’s a backup exit if someone breaks in.

Most escape hatches are built into a floor and don’t have locks. (They can also be installed in a wall.) They’re often left unlocked or open so you can quickly get out if needed. Some hatches, like the ones we carry, use gas hinges. That means you can easily pull them down, and once you’re through, you can secure them behind you.

The big difference is that it’s not a full-sized door. It’s more like a crawl-through opening. The idea is simple: if danger comes through the main door, the hatch gives you a way to “scurry out” and reach safety.

Panic Room vs. Vault Room

While escape hatches add an extra layer of safety, the main difference between a panic room and a vault room still comes down to the door itself. A true panic room needs a door with a lockout option — something that lets you secure the door from the inside.

This feature prevents someone from getting in, even if they know the code or can break the lock. A vault door without this option might be strong, but without an inside lock, it doesn’t give you full control in an emergency.

8:29: Where's the best location for a panic room?

A lot depends on the layout of your home. The most important thing is access — you want the room to be easy to reach in an emergency.

A lot of people will design their safe rooms during a remodel or new build. One great example is when homeowners are doing an addition. This is a popular time to pour a concrete room on the ground floor and have the master bedroom right on top of the safe room or vault room. That setup makes it fast and convenient to reach.

Another project we’ve helped with had the vault room in the middle of the main floor. It was hidden behind a bookcase near the entryway and kitchen, so no matter where you were in the house, it was easy to get to quickly. That room even had an escape hatch leading to a crawlspace that opened out into the woods.

Convenience Matters

Think about your vault room the same way you’d think about where to put a safe. The best spot is somewhere you can use it easily—not tucked away in a place you’d never get to fast enough.

While many people put their safe rooms in master bedroom closets (and we’ve converted plenty of those), there are also new options. Soon, we’ll be offering reinforced “armor doors.” These doors look like regular three-panel or six-panel doors but are built with extra strength.

Just like vault doors, armor doors can be customized with different levels of reinforcement, including bullet-resistant options. They don’t require you to pour concrete or reinforce an entire room, but they give you a strong barrier that buys you precious time in a dangerous situation.

11:50: You're locked in a panic room for a week. What are the three items you would bring with you?

If you were locked in a safe, space would be tight. But in a panic room, you might be in there for days — or even a week. That means you’ll need some basic supplies.

Water is the most important thing. Without it, nothing else really matters. Next is food. Many people already use their safe or panic rooms to store dry goods, so hopefully, you’d have something ready. Freeze-dried meals are a great option since they last a long time and are easy to prepare. Some of our favorite freeze dried meals come from Peak Refuel. (The Bison Ranch Mashers are a favorite, but they’re no longer on Peak’s site…so they might be discontinued.)

To heat those meals, you’d want something simple like a Jetboil stove. That way, you can boil water quickly and easily.

Finally, don’t forget about entertainment. If you’re stuck inside for a while, having a good book can make a big difference in keeping your mind calm and occupied.

So the essentials? Water, food, a way to cook, and something to pass the time. Simple, but important.

13:30: Good. Better. Best. Panic room doors.