A safe room, also known as a "miklat" or "mammad," is a reinforced security room required in all new buildings by Israeli law. The law was introduced in 1992 by the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command, which established new civil defense regulations. The regulations mandated the inclusion of a protected room in every newly constructed building, be it residential, communal, or institutional. Safe rooms are designed to protect against the threat of an airstrike and can withstand blast and shrapnel from conventional weapons, as well as offer protection against chemical and biological weapons.
Safe rooms in Israel are commonplace, and it is customary for Israeli homes to incorporate these specially designed secure rooms. They are often appointed like a living room or bedroom, while others are more sparsely furnished. They typically feature steel doors with reinforced locks, concrete walls, and, if they have windows, they are constructed from shatter-proof glass. Safe rooms are equipped with essentials like electricity and Wi-Fi for comfortable stays during emergencies.
While safe rooms are commonplace in Israel, they are essentially non-existent in Gaza. Residents all over Israel are making use of emergency shelters in their homes and public spaces as the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas escalates. Air raid sirens warning of rocket attacks blare without warning at all hours, giving Israelis just 60 seconds to find shelter.
In summary, a safe room in Israel is a reinforced security room required in all new buildings by Israeli law. They are designed to protect against the threat of an airstrike and can withstand blast and shrapnel from conventional weapons, as well as offer protection against chemical and biological weapons. Safe rooms are commonplace in Israel and are often appointed like a living room or bedroom, while others are more sparsely furnished. They typically feature steel doors with reinforced locks, concrete walls, and, if they have windows, they are constructed from shatter-proof glass.
