With so many options, it is easy to become overwhelmed when purchasing a safe. Your instinct many be to choose the cheapest one, but this may not be the best fit for your needs. Before you spend your hard-earned money, consider these common safe buying mistakes that First Lock & Security Technologies has listed below to help you avoid them.
Choosing the Wrong Size Safe Should Be Avoided
When preparing to buy a new safe, think carefully about what you intend to keep in it now and in the future. If you are planning to keep small objects and do not foresee that changing any time soon, you likely do not need a huge safe. In addition to the size of your important documents and/or valuables, measure the space you plan to put your safe as well to ensure it will fit. When buying a large safe, check that the foundation of your home can withstand the weight as some larger, high-end safes can weigh up to 1,600 lbs.! If you need a small safe, plan to put it in an area where it can be bolted down so that a burglar cannot easily carry it away.
Avoid Getting a Fire Safe for Security & A Burglar Safe for Fires
Although fire safes do a great job protecting paper-material from heat or smoke in the event of a fire, the material used for a fire safe is not the same as for burglar resistance. Fire safes are made of fire retardant material, in a thin metal casing which can be cut, sawed or pried open. In the same vein, burglar safes provide only a limited degree of protection against fire. If you want a safe to protect your valuables against both burglary and fire, know that there are burglary and fire rated safes available that combine the security features of a burglary safe with the peace of mind achieved with a fire safe. Call First Lock & Security Technologies to learn more!
Not Securing the Safe Correctly is a Mistake
It is vital that a safe under 1000 lbs. is bolted down. It is always best that you hire trained professionals like First Lock & Security Technologies to ensure the installation goes smoothly.
Do Not Change the Combination when Safe is Closed or Locked
Homeowners can create a problematic experience when they change the combination on a closed or locked digital safe. You must always have the safe open when changing the combination and the with the door open in the locked position trying the new combination or code. Be sure to follow the instructions or contact a professional if you are unsure how to change your safe combination.
Do Not Ignore Safe Accreditation
Before you decide on a new safe, check for Underwriters Laboratory (UL) accreditation. This organization puts safes through meticulous testing to ensure they are approving a quality product. UL also rates the fire resistance of safes by testing how high of a temperature they can withstand and the burglar rating by verifying how well the safe has successfully withstood an attack simulating a typical home burglary.
Professional Locksmith Services in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California
To avoid these and other mistakes, reach out to the experts at First Lock & Security Technologies. Backed by quality service and workmanship, you can count on us to deliver exceptional safe sales and installation throughout the Silicon Valley area of California. Call us or come by our shop in Los Altos, CA today!