Homeowners have a lot to think about when it comes to home security. Home alarm systems, securing windows and doors, having neighbors watch their property, and some thoughtful landscaping all assist homeowners in preventing a break-in. However, in the event that a break-in does occur, it is a good idea for homeowners to have a final line of defense, an effective safe for their most important possessions and documents.
The safest place to store documents and other valuables is within a safe deposit box at a local bank. However, safe deposit boxes tend to be very small, and able to hold only a few items. Furthermore, because they are in a bank, homeowners do not have regular access to their contents, meaning that they are appropriate only for things that are not needed for daily life.
Regardless of whether or not homeowners decide to rent a safe deposit box, a home safe is a good idea. They serve as a last line of defense for valuables in the event of a burglary or a house fire, are affordable, and easy to install and use. Additionally, while homeowners tend to have hiding places that they believe to be clever, professional thieves have a knack for sniffing these hiding spots out, meaning that a safe is really an essential investment in home security.
The first thing for homeowners to keep in mind is exactly how many things they need to store, and how large these things are. For the safe storage of documents and/or money alone, a money chest will likely provide enough protection. Money chests are much smaller than safes, and usually attached to the structure of a house. They look much like a mail slot, and whenever possible, should be secured to a masonry floor or wall, as they could potentially be pried off of a wood frame. Money chests are slightly more expensive than safes, but because they are built into a wall or floor, do not present the storage problems that a bulky safe would.
For homeowners who need to store larger items, such as cameras, furs, or large collections of valuables, a safe will likely be necessary. The first thing for homeowners to consider when selecting a safe is the rating of the safes under consideration. All reputable safes are rated by Underwriter Laboratories, or UL, a consumer rating agency. Safes are rated by UL based on fire resistance and durability, and fall into the following three categories: Class C, protecting paper documents (and money) for up to one hour at temperatures as high as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, Class B, protecting paper for up to two hours at temperatures of 1,850 degrees, and Class A, which protect paper for up to 4 hours at temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees. Generally speaking, a Class C or Class B safe will provide plenty of protection for homeowners.
safes rated in any of these three classes will provide a great deal of protection against break-in, fire, and damage in the event of the collapse of a home. Combination safes are most popular, and will generally include a money chest within the safe itself. Almost every safe sold will include hardware that allows them to be bolted to the floor of the home, and alternatively, safes can be set in concrete to ensure that they stay in their intended location.
In addition to a strong safe or money chest, homeowners should ensure that they have installed an adequate home security system. ADT security systems are amongst the world’s best known, and have been securing homes since 1874.
