Extreme Security: Creating the Ultimate Safe House

With the rise of terrorist threats, natural disasters, and property crime, more citizens than ever are concerned with home security. From motion lights and surveillance cameras to 2-way monitoring systems and panic rooms, there are endless options for people who want to add an extra layer of protection to their home.

While most people want to protect their homes from things like burglary and home invasion, others are concerned about the fallout from large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, nuclear war, or a zombie apocalypse. One particularly security-obsessed Colorado resident built a home that could withstand any number of disasters and emergencies, and also allow him to live off the grid. Its exact location is a closely guarded secret, though it has been advertised as being close to Durango and the San Juan National Forest.

The home is noteworthy because of its incredible construction and attention to detail. Although the house itself is extreme in its security measures, elements of its design can introduce the average homeowner to eco-friendly materials and security measures he or she may not have thought of before.

In the beginning, the homeowner did extensive research to determine what type of structure would be the safest in the face of natural and man-made disasters. Dome homes are known to hold up extremely well during earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, while Earthships are environmentally friendly and self-sustaining. In the end, the man decided that a concrete dome/earth home would offer the highest level of security and self-sufficiency.

The home itself has everything a person would need, such as multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a laundry room, pantry, and lots of storage space that can be used to house either spare belongings or guests.

The home also features a safe room, which has a bathroom, sleeping quarters, various communication devices like HAM and short wave radios, video cameras, and control over the home's water, propane, and electrical supplies. The safe room is enclosed by a steel vault door, and has a top-of-the-line air filtration system that protects its occupants from carbon monoxide and other biological and chemical agents.

There are few windows in the home, and they are equipped with steel shutters that help to fortify the structure.

A truly self-sufficient home like this one runs on solar power, and since it's located in Colorado, there's plenty of sunshine all year round. At times of extended poor weather, the home also has backup heating and cooking devices, including a wood and coal stove, a propane heater, a private well, and a large backup water supply. The backup water supply can even be used to fight fires inside the home.

Outside, there are video cameras throughout the property, each housed in a heated shelter so they can function in inclement weather. The property is also located in a very remote area near the woods. This location not only adds to the security of the home, but also offers an abundance of wildlife like elk and deer that can be hunted for food.

So, what can you take away from this homeowner? If you're looking to live off the grid, you'll need to be careful selecting your location. You need to have a fairly moderate climate with enough sun to make solar power possible, and be close enough to a town to stock up on supplies. It's also important to have an alternative water supply like a river nearby.

If you're wanting to beef up your home security, start with a 2-way monitoring system, which can provide a great deal of protection and peace of mind. It's also a good idea to have motion lights outside, and if you can afford it, a safe room inside your home that you can use as a fallout shelter. Even something as simple as posting a sign on your door that says that your home has an alarm system can be enough to deter most potential intruders. How far you go with your security system depends on your personal circumstances and finances.