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American Morning

Why Are People Creating Panic Rooms in Homes?

Aired April 04, 2002 - 07:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: So aside from the obvious reasons, why are people creating these so-called panic rooms in their homes? Well, let's turn to CNN security analyst Kelly McCann, who joins us now from Washington. I haven't seen you in a while -- good to see you -- welcome back.

J. KELLY MCCANN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Hi, Paula -- thanks.

ZAHN: So, Kelly, first of all, how common is it to find these rooms in homes across America, maybe not of the $75,000 variety, but maybe a $5,000 kind?

MCCANN: Not uncommon. The high-end ones certainly are mostly high profile people, but on a much lesser degree, people have layers of security around themselves, and I think it's pretty common that people pay a little bit of attention to it anyway.

ZAHN: Why don't we put up on the screen now some of the things that one would install in a safe room? And you can analyze this list with us. A panic alarm?

MCCANN: Basically a one-strike button, Paula, that would alert authorities. It usually goes through a guard company and would be very simply to do under duress.

ZAHN: And most people, if you have a security system in your home, don't you have a panic alarm? Isn't that sort of part of the system?

MCCANN: Right. That's correct.

ZAHN: All right. And then a solid core door with strong locks?

MCCANN: Something that's going to keep the intruder outside of your safe room, until the police response time is, you know, going to allow them to get there. So if it's three minutes in general situations that police can get there, and the person should be able to be held outside for three minutes.

ZAHN: Closed circuit TV?

MCCANN: Not necessary for the less expensive models. Obviously, a peephole in the door that you could look out and see if this person is out there would suffice. ZAHN: And then a cell phone...

MCCANN: Uninterrupted communication...

ZAHN: ... which most people in America have right now? Yes.

MCCANN: Absolutely. Uninterrupted communications with the outside world, so that you can have that life link to authorities.

ZAHN: And do most of these panic rooms have special exit doors?

MCCANN: The most preferred method, Paula, is always going to be to escape. If someone breaks in, I don't really want to be there. You can take my stuff. I just don't want myself or my family hurt. So if you can leave, that's always the best way. So a throw-down ladder or anything that will let you get away would be perfect.

ZAHN: All right. Now, a lot of people watching this morning are going to say, look, I'm not going to spend $5,000 on this kind of system to make sure my family is safe. They can't afford, or they don't want to afford it.

MCCANN: Right.

ZAHN: Let's go through some of the home intruder safety tips that almost anybody could implement at a very limited cost. Cell phone and charger next to bed, good idea?

MCCANN: Yes. Absolutely.

ZAHN: Bright handheld light?

MCCANN: A bright handheld light, because of the intermittent nature of electricity, of course, and also in darkness, if you put a bright light in someone's face, it buys you precious seconds, because now they don't have their night vision. So you don't have to contact them to use it as a weapon. It actually is a passive weapon system while you escape.

ZAHN: First aid kit?

MCCANN: In case you do confront and are wounded, get cut or slashed, you want to be able to retreat, lock yourself in and keep yourself from going into shock, so that you can maintain that life link with authorities.

ZAHN: And we see that solid core door again. And we want to move onto the next list with nightlights, convex mirrors, less lethal weapons, aerosol, baseball bat, escape route, drop down-adder.

MCCANN: Absolutely. The nightlights are to backlight rooms and used in conjunction with convex mirrors, so that if you look in the convex mirror, you'll see movement or hear sound and know somebody is in the house with you so you could retreat. And the less lethal weapon, obviously we want to model success but consider failure. If someone does break in, what now? You don't quit. I mean, the mentality and the will to win and not be victimized are most key.

ZAHN: This subject obviously is getting a lot of attention, because this movie has done so well. But what is your sense from the kind of work you are consulting on now about how concerned Americans are about their safety? We know everybody is nervous about terrorism, but how about other kinds of attacks on personal freedom?

MCCANN: Oh, absolutely. You will always be more at risk by violent criminals, because there are so many more of them. And the chance of the average person being targeted by a terrorist, of course, is next to zero, unless you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So generally raising security around yourself, your family, your children, being more interested in your personal security, or even accepting the fact that you have to consider your personal security is a huge step forward for most.

ZAHN: All right. J. Kelly McCann, as always good to see you.

MCCANN: Thanks, Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks for your help this morning. And you can see that list of safety tips on our Web site if you weren't able to get to it, because of all of the distractions in your household this morning. That address is cnn.com/AM, or the other way around, AM@cnn.com if you want to e-mail us.

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