My Mothers Storm Shelter

[Matt In Oklahoma]

My Mom got a new storm shelter installed. I put togther a kit for her and she will put her own food and water in it because she's kinda got a limited/picky diet. She's no hardcore survivalist but does believe in being prepared. This should tide them over until the first reponders and eventually myself get there.

Storm Shelter Kit
1 can of yellow paint to paint the steps for higher visibility
1 food grade bucket

[thedreamers]

Looks cool. How big is it?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Looks cool. How big is it?

actually havent seen it but it's a standard drop in unit normally Inside dimensions: 6' wide x 8' long x 6'2" tall

[Grand58742]

Being sporadic from hot to cold weather lately I might suggest some long johns or thermals and some warm socks just in case the temp drops after going in.

[miked2345]

actually havent seen it but it's a standard drop in unit normally Inside dimensions: 6' wide x 8' long x 6'2" tall

Is that what they do in your area? Are most houses there built without basements? I'm guessing there's alot of clay there? I read somewhere that in many parts of the country, you can't really dig a basement due to heavy clay...

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Is that what they do in your area? Are most houses there built without basements? I'm guessing there's alot of clay there? I read somewhere that in many parts of the country, you can't really dig a basement due to heavy clay...

That and a real high water table
I gave her the stuff today, she was thrilled! She had already got a couple of chairs to put in there and had bought her water/food that she likes.

[Bearman202]

I suggest that you test the sterno. They're designed to keep food warm, not to cook it. Also, when I did the test by burning it in the oven, to see if it would make it hot enough to bake with, it would not. It reached a temp of 140, and that was it. There was also a definate odor afterwards that took a day or two to get rid of. She'd be better off with a Coleman camp stove of some sort. The propane bottles are reasonably cheap right now, and you can get a connector that will allow you to refill the small canisters from a 20 gallon tank. For an exercise, you might think about showing up at her house on a Friday, telling her that "A storm has just hit, and we've both hungry" and going to the shelter and making one meal. It would be educational, at the very least. Also, check with her about anybody she plans on taking with her to the shelter. If more than one, she might want to consider some sort of shower curtain/other kind of thing to drape around the toilet....

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I suggest that you test the sterno. They're designed to keep food warm, not to cook it. Also, when I did the test by burning it in the oven, to see if it would make it hot enough to bake with, it would not. It reached a temp of 140, and that was it. There was also a definate odor afterwards that took a day or two to get rid of. She'd be better off with a Coleman camp stove of some sort. The propane bottles are reasonably cheap right now, and you can get a connector that will allow you to refill the small canisters from a 20 gallon tank. For an exercise, you might think about showing up at her house on a Friday, telling her that "A storm has just hit, and we've both hungry" and going to the shelter and making one meal. It would be educational, at the very least. Also, check with her about anybody she plans on taking with her to the shelter. If more than one, she might want to consider some sort of shower curtain/other kind of thing to drape around the toilet....

Yep, we have used sterno before, wasnt my first choice but more of a compromise. I would have wanted a stove like mine and one may find it's way in there yet even though she doesnt want to mess with those "complicated things" remember Moms getting old. Her food wont take cooking though but it will provide heat. I'll be back down there in a week or so and they will want to show it off and that will give me the chance to eyeball it and see what else might be needed. I'm watching the news this morning and as i type there are tornandoes on the ground in another Mississippi so my goal was to get this sent with her ASAP as a starter. Grand thats a good idea too I'll see what i talk them into

[claymore]

How about a folding cot instead of the chairs?

[610Alpha]

Nice little setup for sure...I hate confined spaces one of the reasons I will be cremated and have my ashes spread when I die...I know I would be dead and it won't matter its just the thought of being in a confined space.

My concern would be flying debris blocking the air vents. Don't know how sturdy the vent covers are or if they could sustain a direct hit from a tree.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Nice little setup for sure...I hate confined spaces one of the reasons I will be cremated and have my ashes spread when I die...I know I would be dead and it won't matter its just the thought of being in a confined space.My concern would be flying debris blocking the air vents. Don't know how sturdy the vent covers are or if they could sustain a direct hit from a tree.

The air vents are tinfoil almost, beats being in the debris cloud bro. When you die your gonna be in a confined space anyway :) LOL it's a reason i put the fan in there cause it helps when you put it right in their face and tell them to pretend they are on a bike riding

How about a folding cot instead of the chairs?

Thats what I have in mine as well as chairs but they said no, gotta do what Mom wants ya know LOL

[mosby's men]

i would offer to paint the inside white for her , get her a L.E.D lantern and a radio and maybe a mp3 player with her favorite music on it stored in there.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

i would offer to paint the inside white for her , get her a L.E.D lantern and a radio and maybe a mp3 player with her favorite music on it stored in there.

The lantern and radio are covered in what she already had to put down there. The white paint might be a good idea though the inside of the shelter concrete is fairly light colored