Press

Tuscaloosa resident wins in-home safe room

TUSCALOOSA, AL (July 16, 2015) — Alabama Credit Union has awarded Tuscaloosa resident, Linda Southern with an in-home safe room built and installed by Safe-T-Shelter of Cullman, Alabama. The safe room is 4’ x 6’ and is valued at approximately $4,800. Ms. Southern was the winner of Alabama Credit Union’s ‘Play It Safe’ Shelter Giveaway that ended on June 1, 2015. The shelter provided to Ms. Southern was available for installation in any room with a slab foundation and is FEMA-certified to withstand up to an EF5 tornado.

The partnership with Tuscaloosa-based Alabama Credit Union and Cullman-based, Safe-T-Shelter, was formed after both cities were devastated by storms in Spring, 2011. After the outbreak of storms, the purchase of storm shelters has increased significantly in Alabama. Unfortunately, many families believe the possibility of owning a shelter for their home is out of reach. “We do not want the families in Alabama to believe the cost to protect their family is too high to manage. That’s why we’re offering low-rate financing options for these storm shelters. Ideally, every family in a high-risk area will have access to shelter when the next storm comes,” says Steve Swofford, president/CEO of Alabama Credit Union.

According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, in-home storm shelters are more often used than storm shelters built with only outdoor entrances. “Many families won’t make the decision to take cover until there is a confirmed tornado spotted in their area. This makes the need for in-home shelter essential,” said Chandler Bell, marketing manager for Safe-T-Shelter.

Alabama Credit Union is a not-for-profit entity with 25 branches located across Alabama. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school or worships within many counties in Alabama is eligible to become an Alabama Credit Union member.