When a security alarm isn't enough, some homeowners install pricey high-tech safe rooms

"On average, it takes from seven to 10 seconds for a bad guy to travel from the break-in point to the master bedroom, where cash and valuables are usually stashed. A homeowner jolted awake by a blaring alarm may not even make it to a nearby safe room, which is why securing a bedroom itself, or better - transforming a master suite into a safe core is recommended."

"You need to already be safe when you go to bed. Safe rooms are nearly always a room conversion; they are seldom add-on builds. An ability to communicate with police and others is often key beyond a cellphone, with such rooms often including an independently wired phone and surveillance system."

"Safe rooms are becoming very popular, especially as home prices go up. The trend was first spotted about three years ago, especially among multimillion-dollar new builds in Los Angeles, as security concerns increase and homeowners seek additional protection for their valuable properties."

Safe rooms, also called panic rooms, are heavily reinforced secure spaces built inside homes to protect residents during break-ins. They function by buying time, as intruders typically take 7-10 seconds to reach master bedrooms where valuables are stored. Rather than adding separate rooms, experts recommend converting existing bedrooms or master suites into "safe cores" where residents can already be secure when sleeping. Communication systems are critical features, including independently wired phones and surveillance systems beyond cellphones. Safe rooms are increasingly popular, particularly among high-value properties and multimillion-dollar new builds in Los Angeles, as home prices rise and security concerns grow.

Read at Los Angeles Times