Think about your most treasured possessions in your home safe.
Not merely sparkling gems or stacks of money. Perhaps it’s your grandmother’s old-fashioned ring, the one that puts you in a good mood. Or the bit of paper declaring your snug home or your reliable automobile yours.
That warm, satisfied feeling when you know these treasures are stashed away secure? That’s gold.
But where’s “safe,” then? Is it in that safe house secure right with you? Or is it more handy for some things to take a little excursion to the ultra-secure bank’s safe deposit box?
It’s a large question for many homeowners. Many question what the best method is to safeguard their treasured possessions and valuable documents.
Don’t panic. We’ll show you both of the quality spaces. This will allow you to choose the proper space for your treasures, leaving you actual peace of mind. Here at Alcatraz Locksmith, we’re very concerned with assisting you in protecting what matters.
Let’s Discuss the Home Safe
Envision a metal box that is heavy, stored right there in your home. That is a home safe! They come in different sizes, from small ones for only a few special items to large ones for more.
Good ones are constructed strong. They can be used to guard your property against fire or even water. They are also equipped with various levels of security. This is to note that they are constructed to shoo away a burglar or mere theft.
The greatest benefit of a home safe? You have immediate access to your valuables. Need your passport ASAP? Or some ready cash in an emergency? It’s yours to command, day or night. You own your own storage, and you’re master!
But, a home safe isn’t invincible. Severe natural disasters, such as an absolutely terrible fire or flood, can still overwhelm some. And if a very determined thief has access to it and has plenty of time, it can be reasonably susceptible. So, homeowners have to do that little bit extra, such as attempting to choose a good location for it and making sure it is well-hidden or locked.
What do you put in a home safe? Stuff you may need in an emergency situation:
- Your passport for a sudden trip.
- Duplicates of your powers of attorney.
- A bit of money for emergency spending.
- Notes on medical treatment.
- Maybe some irreplaceable collections, if your insurance policy covers them there.
- Things that are replaceable or that mean a lot to your heart.
It’s also a good spot to house videos of your home inventory, which are a total lifesaver for insurance purposes.
Selecting the ideal one can be overwhelming. Our helpful specialists at Alcatraz Locksmith can assist you in making the perfect home safe selection based on your needs.
And Now, the Bank’s Safety Deposit Box
Think of a very secured, locked room in your bank – a vault. Banks keep rows of metal boxes inside this large vault, providing alternative options for storing valuable items. This is the safe deposit box of the bank.
When you rent one, you’re given a unique safe deposit box key to open your box. The bank also knows your box number. In addition, most banks have plenty of video surveillance monitoring – in the form of security cameras – watching over everything.
What’s so good about them? A safety deposit box is excellent for keeping your valuables safe from theft. Since it’s in a bank vault, it’s also well guarded against the likes of fire and most natural disasters. Many times, ownership of one is a perk included with your deposit account or bank deposit account.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. You can only access your box during the time the bank is open. And this is a very important one: the contents of safe deposit boxes are not FDIC-insured.
That FDIC deposit insurance is unique to insure money you have in a savings account, certificate of deposit, or your general bank deposit account. It doesn’t cover the actual items that you put in your safe deposit box, which is a type of storage space. Losing your key to your safe deposit box can also be inconvenient. And state law sometimes affects how easily someone else can access it, especially in the case of loss if the owner passes away.
So, what type of treasures are most appropriate for a safety deposit box?
- Irreplaceable family heirlooms and cherished photographs.
- Extremely crucial documents that you do not require daily, such as:
- Birth certificates.
- Vehicle titles.
- Property deeds.
- Your original will (although it’s worth thinking about how it will be accessed when needed).
- Electronic securities records or paper for a certificate of deposit.
- Small, highly valuable items like uncommon coins or one-of-a-kind jewelry.
- You could also store duplicate powers of attorney here.
Things to Consider
So, a home safe or a safety deposit box? The biggest thing to think about is this: how fast do you need to be able to get into your stuff versus how ultra-safe from almost everything do you need them to be?
Is instant access – i.e., right now, this very second – the highest priority for these valuable items? Or is highest levels of security and protection from major issues your first desire?
Then consider your own particular needs. What are you storing? Will you need it frequently, like on a weekly basis? Or is it something you simply wish to have stored extra securely for an extremely long while and won’t be needing to get out much?
So, who are the good candidates for each? Well, a person such as our fictional friend Mr. Reynolds, with his vast and valuable collections of antique stamps, may just adore a bank box. But if you travel constantly and require your passport with you at all times, a home safe could be your best friend. It simply varies with you.
Here’s a smart thought for your paper documents, wherever you might put them: try using special plastic bags. The kind that will not ruin your paper in the long term. This gives them an extra measure of defense against any water damage that might attempt to creep in.
For insurance purposes, it’s also really intelligent to know what you have and its worth. Itemize. Take photos. Even better, take videos of your house that include your belongings. This is so helpful if you are ever going to figure out the true replacement cost, especially on those unique cherished collections. Also, check what your insurance already covers!
And then there’s the question of those occasional situations or simply being ready. Think about what you do in case of loss – such as if a key is lost, or if a person passes away. It might be useful to know a bit about how state law works here for opening a box. Having definitive powers of attorney can also make things go a lot more easily if another person is going to have to help.
Your Treasures, Your Choice
Here at Alcatraz Locksmith, we truly love helping you protect what’s precious. It’s a big part of our community outreach section mission: we guide homeowners like you in choosing and installing the perfect home safe, making sure your security levels are just right.
Want that wonderful feeling of peace of mind? Chat with Alcatraz Locksmith today! We’re always happy to talk about your specific needs.