If you want to keep your valuables at home, but want to ensure they are protected from fire or theft, a security safe is the way to do it. Safety depo...
If you want to keep your valuables at home,
but want to ensure they are protected from fire or theft, a security safe is the way to do it. Safety deposit boxes keep your belongings safe, but they are also inconvenient, since you have to plan ahead and go to the box during bank hours anytime you need anything out of it. In addition, safety deposit boxes are an ongoing expense, whereas a good home safe is a one-time investment that will last you for years.
In addition, certain businesses may need to invest in one or more safes. For instance, a hotel or bed and breakfast should have a safe available to store patrons' valuables in at their request. Likewise, many 24-hour convenience stores, gas stations, and other types of retail businesses have drop safes, where employees can drop money in, but cannot open the door to get money out.
There are many types and models of safes available. Here are a few things to look for when purchasing a security safe.
What size of safe do you need?
Household safes come in a wide variety of sizes, from extra small to fairly large. Safes for businesses, such as hotel safes and drop safes, can be very large to accommodate a large number of things for a large number of people. Some safes may also offer several compartments, so that you can more easily organize your documents, jewelry, and other valuables. Take measurements and consider the amount of room you need before you go shopping. It is best to buy a safe a little larger than what you think you need, as you will most likely need more space over time.
Do you want protection from fire?
Some safes are also fire-resistant. Beware safes that are marketed as “fire proof,” -- no safe is completely fire proof! Instead, a fire resistant safe is designed to keep the contents under 350 degrees. Since paper is safe up until about 400 degrees, this should usually keep your irreplaceable documents safe during a fire, but do not forget that fire safes are designed only to withstand high temperatures for a certain amount of time. Whether you get a 1-hour or 2-hour fire safe depends on how much money you want to spend, and how certain you are about how quickly you may be able to reach the safe in case of a fire.
Can you bolt down the safe?
The safest way to protect your valuables is not just to keep them in a security safe, but also to ensure that your safe is bolted down. While it is true that a burglar will likely not have time to try to crack open your safe, they can and will take it with them, especially if it is small enough to carry off! In fact, the thief will probably thank you for putting all of your most valuable items in one place, making it easier for him to take it all in one fell swoop! To protect yourself from this type of scenario, be sure to buy a safe that you can bolt down.
Do you need a safe for a special purpose?
There are also many special types of safes that have become popular. For instance, since laptops are small and portable enough to make them easy to steal, special safes are made to protect your computer. A good laptop safe needs to be able to be bolted down, to keep someone from taking off with the safe with your computer in it.
Another special type of safe is for travelers, a small safe that can be used in your hotel room. This allows you to leave valuables such as your laptop, camera, and jewelry in your hotel room while you are traveling, without having to worry so much about the maid or someone else making off with them!
If you are in the market for a security safe, you will quickly find that choosing one is not always a simple task. To ensure you get the right kind of safe for your needs, do your research online before making a purchase, so that you are familiar with the many features that are available.
