Do you have something precious—like a diamond or super-expensive jewelry—and want to keep it safe from people who would want to take it away from you? If you’re thinking of getting a safe to protect these valuables, it’s important to know that home safes may not provide the best level of security. An ideal place for your precious jewelry or other valuables is a bank. Banks offer more protection than home safes can, ensuring your items are kept secure from potential theft.
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s important to consider the items you need to protect. While inexpensive compared to banks, home safes offer adequate protection for birth and death certificates, passports, important documents, electronic storage media, or even ammunition you’ve acquired to defend your home.
They are ideal for storing valuable items such as tape, hard drives, DVDs, documents, certificates, and records—things that are near impossible to replace.
What to Look Out For When Choosing a Safe to Buy
Choosing a home safe can be quite tricky, but if you know what to look out for, the process becomes easier. If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s important to consider factors such as size, security features, and fire resistance. The right safe can provide peace of mind and protect your valuables for years to come.
1. The Size
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, one of the first things you need to consider is the size. Stacking the items you’ll put in the safe in a neat pile and measuring both the height and width is an easy way to determine the safe’s dimensions. It’s a good idea to add a little extra height to the dimensions because, as time progresses, you’ll likely accumulate more valuable documents for yourself and your family. You don’t want to leave the safety of future documents to chance.
2. Protection
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s most likely your main concern for choosing one is fire protection. Fortunately, most safes are designed to protect from both fire and theft, and some even offer water protection as an added bonus.
Safety from Water
Choosing an appropriate safe for your documents can depend a lot on where you live. For instance, if where you live is prone to flooding, your best option for a safe that is also water-resistant. If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s important to consider other environmental factors such as humidity, fire risk, and even the safety of your neighborhood. This will help guide your decision on whether to choose a fireproof, waterproof, or a combination safe.
Safety from Fire
When thinking of getting a safe, it’s important to consider how it will protect your valuables during a fire. In case of fire outbreaks, paper documents have to be protected from temperatures above 350 degrees. Go for a safe whose internal temperature will not exceed this temperature during a fire accident. However, tapes, hard drives, and other electronic storage media don’t survive temperatures above 150 degrees. If tapes are among the items that will go in the safe, look for safes that won’t rise above this temperature. This is easy to look for – the information is provided in the safe’s specifications.
Safety from Burglars
Most house safes are built to withstand burglars. If you’re thinking of getting a safe, here’s what Consumer Reports says about safes: “Independent ratings for burglary resistance are less common for home safes than for ones made for commercial users, such as jewelry stores. To determine their burglary-resistance ratings, UL testers go at safes with tools, torches, and even explosives,” Drengenberg says. A TL-15 rated safe, for example, can withstand an attack of at least 15 minutes using common tools.
3. The Lock Style
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, one important factor to consider is the type of lock or locking mechanism it uses. It’s generally a good idea to go for safes that come with two locks. These types of safes provide the best level of protection against thieves. By having an additional layer of security, you can ensure your valuables are well protected.
4. How Portable It Is
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s important to consider the two main types available: the Portable and the Unmovable types. While portable options are available, it’s generally better to choose safes that aren’t portable. Unmovable safes provide better security, as portable safes are more susceptible to theft due to their easy mobility. By opting for an immovable safe, you can reduce the chances of theft and ensure greater protection for your valuables.
5. Let it be Within Your Budget
Protecting your valuables is an investment you are making, not just for the present but for the future. For this reason, you need to pick the best safe that falls within your budget. If you’re thinking of getting a safe, opting for a low-grade model when you could afford a better one is a bad idea. You might say, “With luck, nothing is going to happen.” But are you willing to depend on luck for the safety of your documents or storage media? Of course not. Murphy’s Law states that if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. And a lot of things can go wrong. Make the investment.
6. What do others say about the dealers
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, it’s a good idea to go online and search for reviews on the dealers and manufacturers. More often than not, the opinions of others who have used the safe you’re interested in will provide honest insights about the product. This can help you understand its real-world performance, beyond the sales talk and promotional features. Look into how the safe holds up over time, how well it meets expectations, and how it performs in everyday use. By checking reviews, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before making a decision.
How Can You Open a Safe If You Don’t Have a Key?
Like any other type of locks, you can always try picking the lock. Lock picking can be very complex depending on how the lock mechanisms are being used. Many people can pick locks. But it is a tedious skill that isn’t an easy solution. If you’re thinking of getting a safe, you’ll want to keep in mind that most safes, like a gun safe, have what is called a secure locking mechanism. This makes it more difficult and requires more tools to be able to successfully get in.
But just like any other lock picking skills, this needs to be practiced. A lot of bypass methods rely 100% on the locking bolts. Depending on the security level of the safe as well could play a factor, especially if you’re thinking of getting a safe. Higher-end safes are designed to withstand impacts, making it difficult for bypasses to succeed. Another way people try to unlock their safe without the key is by attempting bypass methods, such as manipulating the safe to realign it into the correct position. This doesn’t always work and could take a very long time. Additionally, you run the risk of damaging the safe or even injuring yourself
Or Call Us!
If you’re thinking of getting a safe but have misplaced your keys, the third and most appropriate method to get into a safe with no keys is to call Alcatraz Locksmith. We are a trusted locksmithing service that has been around for over 32 years. With over 29,000 successful projects, we have consistently delivered satisfying results. Our commitment to excellent customer service ensures that we won’t settle for anything less. You want the job done right, and we guarantee that it will be completed professionally.
Why Us?
We serve all of anthem AZ, Glendale AZ, Paradise Valley AZ, Peoria AZ, Phoenix AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Sun City AZ, and Tempe Az! Our main priority would be our customer service to you! On top of our locksmithing services, we also offer home and office security services!
If you need more information about making a choice on what safe to buy or need professional help with safe installation, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider if I’m thinking of getting a safe?
If you’re thinking of getting a safe, consider factors such as the size of your valuables, the level of security needed, fire resistance, water protection, and lock styles. Additionally, decide whether you need a portable or immovable safe and set a budget that aligns with your security needs.
How do I choose the right size if I’m thinking of getting a safe?
When thinking of getting a safe, measure the height, width, and depth of the items you plan to store. It’s a good idea to allow extra space for any future items you might need to protect.
Is fire protection necessary if I’m thinking of getting a safe?
Yes, fire protection is crucial if you’re thinking of getting a safe, especially if you are storing important documents like birth certificates or financial records. Look for a safe rated to withstand high temperatures for a set period.
Should I choose a fireproof or waterproof safe if I’m thinking of getting a safe?
If you live in an area prone to flooding, a waterproof safe is ideal. However, if you’re thinking of getting a safe primarily for document storage, fire protection should be your top priority. Some safes offer both fire and water protection for added security.
What kind of lock is best if I’m thinking of getting a safe?
When thinking of getting a safe, choose one with a reliable locking mechanism, such as a digital or combination lock. For added security, consider safes with dual locks to prevent unauthorized access.
