Everyone has important documents and other items they need to safeguard and protect from being lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. A home safe is one of the most effective and convenient ways to protect valuables such as emergency cash, important documents and jewelry for example. But what type of safe is best for your needs? It helps to consider the type of threat(s) that you are trying to mitigate? For example, do you desire a safe that is designed to prevent damage from fire, theft or both? First Lock & Security Technologies offers some helpful tips below.
What is a Fireproof Safe?
A fireproof safe is designed and built with special insulation technology to help keep the heat out of the safe and protect the items stored within. The insulation is a brick like fireproofing material that is covered with a metal housing that can withstand high heat. When choosing a fire safe, it is important to consider the “UL Rating” of how fire resistant the safe actually is. For example, a UL Class 350 1-hour safe means that during the typical house fire, burning at around 1700 degrees F, the safe will keep items in the safe below 350 degrees for about an hour. It should be noted that fire safes are not considered theft proof they are made to protect the contents from heat and not necessarily to protect the contents from theft. There are bolts to keep the door closed tight to keep heat out and some type of locking device. The locking device may be a key lock a dial combination lock or an electronic push button keypad device, in all of these cases the lock secures the door stay closed and keeps nosy people out but is not designed to stop a forced entry.
What are Burglary Safes?
The purpose of a burglary safe is to provide protection against forced entry. Burglary safes have a constructed of various thickness of welded steel plating with the safe door having an even thicker steel construction to prevent a burglar from forcibly breaking in through the door. The security rating of a burglary safe depends on factors such as the thickness of the steel construction, security of the electronic keypad or combination dial locking mechanism as well as the secondary or relocking device. A forceful entry automatically triggers the relocking mechanism which makes the safe extremely time consuming to get into. Obviously, a burglary safe is recommended if you are concerned about the theft of your personal documents and other valuables you intend to store in a safe.
Dual Purpose Fire & Burglary Safe
Dual Purpose fire and burglary safes offer the best of both worlds. These safes tend to be very heavy and bulky as they are constructed with both thick steel plates and insulation brick material. Combination burglary and fire safes also utilize a relocking mechanism to help increase the level of security. When you desire both fire and theft protection, a dual purpose burglary and fire safe is ideal.
Do Not Rely Solely on Your Safe
Security is about layers and a high quality safe is one important piece of protection against burglars. There also needs to be other security measures in place that criminals encounter before they ever even have a chance of viewing a safe inside your home. It is of the utmost importance that your home has secure exterior door locks as well as secure windows.
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For quality safe sales and installation to protect and secure your important documents and valuables, contact First Lock & Security Technologies to learn more today.
