A safe provides a secure haven for your valuables, sensitive documents, and your most treasured possessions. Home safes are available in all shapes and sizes and vary depending on their function, size and the complexity of the locking mechanism. When purchasing a safe, you will need to consider a number of factors including the level of protection you desire, portability and size.
Choosing a Safe for Your Home
The first thing you will need to consider when selecting a safe is what type of protection you need? There are two categories when it comes to safes; those designed to resist forcible entry and those intended to keep papers from burning in a fire.
Hard to Break Into Safe to Protect Against Burglary
When it comes to burglary protection, the golden rule is the locking system and thickness of the steel casing. A UL listed combination lock, for example, will increase the level of security of the safe as opposed to some generic push button device. The thickness of the steel body and door is of major consequence in the security of the safe. Typically measured in fractional / inch increments as opposed to steel gauge measurements which is much thinner material. You will want to be familiar with Underwrites Laboratories safe rating system and the insurance benefits they provide.
Fireproof Safe for Home Use
Safes are made and rated for fire resistance and are not 100% fireproof, they are made with a layer of insulation to protect the items for a certain amount of time. For example, if you plan on storing documents, the paper should be kept to a maximum of 350 degrees because paper begins to burn at 450 degrees. It’s necessary to understand that fire resistance is measured in time and most home safes protect the items inside for approximately 60 minutes. Depending on your budget, you may choose to purchase a safe with a more extended fire rating.
Combination Fire & Burglary Safe
Offering the best of both worlds, combination fire and burglary safes are also available. Combination safes are made with thick steel and fire brick material as well as locking and relocking devices. As such, these safes tend to be bulky and heavy. When choosing a combination safe, consideration must be given to the ratio of storage space inside compared with the outside dimensions.
Small or Large Home Safe Size
One of the simplest ways to decide upon the right size safe for your belongings is to place the items you want to keep protected together in a stack to help you determine the cubic area needed to store your items. To calculate the cubic storage area needed multiply the height, width and depth of your stack. This calculation will help you determine the right size safe for your specific needs. Remember to account for future items you may want to protect in your safe as well. Many first-time safe owners purchase a safe that is too small for the items they wish to store. If you are in the market for your first safe or looking for an upgrade, consider purchasing a safe with room to accommodate additional items as you collect them. Buying a large enough safe the first time around will negate the need for a larger safe later on.
Safe Sales & More 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
Other considerations when purchasing a safe include where you will want to locate the safe for convenient access and how large that area is to accommodate the safe you want. Also consider a UL digital push button type lock for ease of access to your secured items. Remember your safe will typically be a one-time purchase and unlike a bank safety deposit box your investment will last you a lifetime and be within easy reach everyday. Consider what you plan on storing in the safe and whether you will need to move the safe from one location to another in the future. While it is not a common occurrence to move a safe, it is required when moving to a new home. A large safe will require two people to move safely. On the other hand, a smaller safe can be picked up and handled by a single adult. To learn more about locks, safe, and security solutions for your residential home, contact the knowledgeable experts at First Lock & Security Technologies today.
