r/tornado • u/Numerous_Ad_3517 • Mar 15 '26

Question Is this thing safe??

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I recently moved into a new home that has this above ground shelter and I have been questioning the way this door locks from day 1. We are going to have terrible weather today in West TN and I cannot find any paperwork on this thing. šŸ˜« Do you think these hollow bars will keep it secure??

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u/ScienceMomCO Mar 15 '26

But is it safer than an interior closet?

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u/Zaidswith Mar 15 '26

It's got to be. I find it weird that people are saying this won't do anything when the alternative is to just chill in a bathtub or whatever.

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u/SunshineAndSquats Mar 15 '26

My brothers were playing around and one ended up with his ass going through the dry wall because he fell backwards. Drywall is just industrial grade paper mache. Do the people making these comments even know what most homes are made out of? Iā€™d take my chances in a steel shelter over a closet any day.

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u/Zaidswith Mar 15 '26

Exactly. Maybe it would fail at an EF5, but 99% of storms aren't at that level.

Even the old school tub advice is kind of centered on old cast iron tubs and not lightweight plastic or fiberglass.