How to Choose the Right Safe for Your Business: Tips and Ideas

According to The Zebra break-in occurs every 26 seconds and victims of burglary lose about $2,416. With this rate of theft and break-ins, it just makes sense to get a safe for your business. When deciding to get a safe, it is crucial to go for the safe best tailored for your business. The right safe would secure your items from both burglars and unfortunate incidents like fire outbreaks and flooding. In this blog, we would explore the tips and ideas that will help you choose the right safe for your business.

Let’s proceed!

Tip1: Identify Your Needs 

Before you choose a safe for your business, identify what you want to protect, how much protection it would require, potential threats, and how frequently you would access the safe. 

Important Questions to Ask Before Getting a Safe

What are you protecting?

What do you want to put in the safe? Will it be cash, some important documents, or some sensitive data? This will help you choose the right safe for your business.

How much protection do you need?

After you identify what you want to put in the safe, then consider how much protection it would require to keep it. Will a basic lock and key be sufficient, or it would require a more advanced locking mechanism such as a code combination or biometric lock? The level of protection needed will depend on the value of the items you want to store in the safe. And it would help you choose the right safe for your business.

What are the potential threats?

Where do you conduct your business? Have incidents of theft and break-in occurred at your location? And is there a risk of fire? How about incidents of flooding or natural disasters? Think about the potential threats to the safe and its contents. Understanding the potential threats would help you choose the right safe for your business.

How frequently will you access the safe?

This is another important question to answer. If you would access the safe frequently, then you should choose a safe with quick and easy access. If not, then you can choose a safe with a more complex locking mechanism. 

Tip 2: Types of Safes 

There are many types of safes in the market to meet different security needs. Knowing the safes will enable you to choose the right safe for your business that suits your specific need. Here are some types of safes that may be right for your business.

A. Floor safes 

Floor safes are usually concreted into the floor, making them nearly impossible to break into. A carpet or rug is used to cover the safe from view, so burglars won’t find them. And even though they do, it would take hours before they can forcefully remove it from the foundation. These kinds of safes are used to store larger documents, cash, and firearms.  

But the downside here is that these safes are liable to rust due to moisture If not constructed with durable materials and protective coatings. Put your documents in tightly sealed zipper bags before storing them in the safe.

B. Wall safes 

These safes are installed within your wall to conceal valuables from plain sight. It can be hidden behind a picture frame, artwork, or decorative item. Wall safes are more convenient compared to floor safes, as you don’t need to bend before you can access the safe. Wall safes are suitable for storing smaller items, like jewelry or small cash. Is this safe the right safe for your business?

C. Fireproof safes 

If your office or business location is prone to fire outbreaks, fireproof safes would be the right safe for your business. Fireproof safes would keep your document, or other valuable items safe from fire outbreaks. But you have to be careful because fireproof safes are not secured. Even though they are fire-resistant. Burglars can open it from everywhere if stolen.

D. Burglar-proof safes 

These safes are more secure than fireproof safes. Heavy steel is used to make burglar safes, making them more secure. They are equipped with an advanced locking mechanism as a biometric or code combination. Most of these types of safes are fireproof.

E. Data safes  

Many companies and businesses are moving toward being paperless. Instead of printing information on paper and storing them in safes, they store data in flash drives, CDs, and external hard drives. Even though these devices can be more secure than paper, they are also not immune to theft. 

Your flash drive or CD could be stolen. A data safe would protect your devices from humidity caused by high temperatures during fire outbreaks and keep sensitive information secure. If you deal with data, a data safe would be right for your business.

Tip 3: Consider the Safe Features

Before you buy a safe, consider the features of the safe to be sure it suits your needs, and that it is the right safe for your business.

A. Size 

Before choosing a safe for your business, consider the size of the safe and the size of what you want to secure. To be more accurate, measure the largest item you want to put in the safe. Your safe should be slightly larger than the item you want to secure with at least 25%. The 25% would be for other items you forgot to add or for items you would get in the future. A larger safe would consume more space in your business or office.  

B. Locking mechanism 

Another feature you should consider is the lock mechanism. The type of business you do would help you choose the lock mechanism that would suit your needs. There are digital locks, biometric locks, and mechanical locks. A biometric lock offers remarkable security, a digital lock enables quick access and you could change your code frequently (it requires a battery). While a mechanical lock with a combination is easy to use, changing the combination could be challenging and would require the help of a professional locksmith.

C. Fire rating 

What is the fire rating of the safe you want to choose for your business? The right safe

for your business is a safe with a high fire rating. A safe with a good fire rating is the best to store your documents, but be careful of getting a fire safe, because it offers low or no real burglary protection.

Fire rating lets you know how long your safe can withstand fire before your valuables get burnt. You should go to a safe with a minimum fire rating of one hour. A higher rating would mean a longer time. 

D. Burglar rating 

Burglar rating lets you know how difficult it is for a burglar to break into your safe and it applies to different safes. Burglars would come with high-tech equipment like a blowtorch or decryption software to break into your safe. Choose a safe above average burglar rating for maximum protection. You should go for a burglar fire safe that has both high fire and burglar ratings.

E. Water resistance 

Can your safe withstand water in case of a flood or a leak from water pipes? Consider getting a safe that can withstand water and fire with a good burglar rating. 

Tip 4: Cost 

The price range for safes is wide. Before getting a safe for your business, consider the

cost of safes and check your budget before buying a safe. Don’t buy a safe for your business based on the cost only. To get the right safe for your business that would serve you for a long time, the features of the safe should align with the cost of the items you want to put inside. The more precious the items you want to store in the safe, the more secure you want them to be and the more expensive the safe will be.

Your Next Move

Do you know which safes offer the best value for your money? Choosing the right safe for

your business could be challenging. But with the help of Alcatraz Locksmith, you would get a safe that is both secure and cost-effective. 

Here at Alcatraz Locksmith, we specialize in securing both homes and businesses. For safe sale and installation, safe repair, maintenance, and upgrade, call Alcatraz Locksmith to get the best service in Arizona. Contact us now!