Staying Safe and Sane

QUICK EXIT

The Safe Room

A “Safe Room” is a specific room in your house (like a bedroom or bathroom) that you have prepared in advance to go to if you cannot leave the house during a crisis. It is designed to buy you time to call 111 and keep you and your children away from immediate harm.

Here is a checklist for setting up a safe room in a New Zealand home.

1. Choosing the Right Room

  • Solid Door: Choose a room with a solid wooden door rather than a hollow-core door if possible.
  • External Exit: Ideally, pick a room with a window or door that leads outside, so you have a second way out.
  • Communication: Pick a room where you get good mobile phone reception.
  • Avoid the Kitchen: Never use the kitchen as a safe room; it contains too many objects that can be used as weapons.

2. Strengthening the Door (The “Hardening” Checklist)

You don’t need expensive renovations to make a door harder to open:

  • [ ] The Rubber Wedge: Buy a heavy-duty rubber door wedge (available at Mitre 10 or Bunnings). Jamming this under the door from the inside is one of the most effective ways to prevent it from being pushed open.
  • [ ] Portable Door Lock: Consider a “travel lock” or “portable deadbolt.” These clip into the existing strike plate of the door and prevent it from opening even if the abuser has a key.
  • [ ] Security Bolt: If you are the homeowner (or have a Tenancy Order), install a simple surface-mounted bolt at the very top or bottom of the door.
  • [ ] The Chair Trick: If you have no other tools, wedge the back of a sturdy chair under the door handle at an angle.

3. Safe Room Essentials (The “Emergency Box”)

Keep a small bag or box hidden in this room (under a bed or in the back of a cupboard) containing:

  • [ ] A Phone & Charger: Even an old mobile phone with no SIM card can still call 111 in New Zealand as long as it has battery.
  • [ ] A Torch: In case the power is cut or it’s dark.
  • [ ] Personal Safety Alarm: A small device that lets out a very loud siren to alert neighbors.
  • [ ] First Aid Kit: Basic supplies for minor injuries.
  • [ ] A “Wedge” or “Dowel”: If you have a sliding window, a piece of wood (dowel) cut to fit the track will prevent it from being opened from the outside.

4. Safety with Children

  • The “Huddle” Spot: Pick a spot in the safe room that is away from the door and windows (like behind a bed or in a built-in wardrobe).
  • Distraction: Keep a favorite book or a quiet toy in your emergency box to help keep children calm while you are on the phone with the Police.

5. Professional Help: Whānau Protect

In New Zealand, there is a specialized service called Whānau Protect (managed by Women’s Refuge).

  • What they do: They provide a free service to “target harden” your home. This can include high-security locks, monitored alarms, and even toughened glass.
  • How to get it: You are usually eligible if you have a Protection Order or are working with a family violence advocate. Ask your Police officer or Support Worker about a referral to Whānau Protect.