You may think safes are pretty straightforward. After all, if you buy a safe then your goods are protected, right? Not quite. There are a few things you should know about owning a safe that will help increase its effectiveness. Here are 5 things you may not know about safes.
Safes Don’t Guarantee Safety
Just because you buy a safe (even an expensive one) doesn’t mean that your treasured possessions can’t be stolen. Cheap safes, or poorly hidden safes, can be easily targeted by burglars. To protect your safe, and therefore your valuables, you should understand that a safe is just one aspect of security.
Locking your doors, buying an alarm system, and being careful who you allow in your home are all aspects of security that work towards protecting your possessions. A safe should be your last line of defense (a very good last line of defense).
You Get What You Pay For
Not all safes are created equal. The safe you buy should be carefully considered and thoughtfully chosen. Some things to consider when buying the right safe include investing in something heavy. You don’t want a small lockbox that can simply be picked up and carried out of your home.
You also need to be mindful of its use. If you plan on storing guns, get a gun safe. If you plan on storing paper money, invest in a safe with a high fireproof rating. You get what you pay for, so decide what your asset protection is worth.
Keep It Secret
One of the biggest mistakes safe owners make is telling their “friends” about their awesome new safe. Even if you trust your friends, they may tell someone who isn’t so trustworthy. The best way to protect your safe is to keep it secret. No one can steal it if they don’t know about it
Safes Can Be Stolen
If you’ve ever helped a friend move a safe, you probably know how difficult it can be. Granted, moving a safe is difficult, but that’s exactly why most people think their safe can’t be stolen. One of the things you may not know about safes is that they can, in fact, be stolen! You can take precautionary measures against this by anchoring your safe.
By using long bolts to fashion your safe into studs, you can keep it secure and immovable. Burglars will often try to break into a safe by moving it out of its hiding place to a more open area where they can et more leverage. Anchoring your safe protects you against this.
The Lock Is Important
When purchasing a safe, most people focus on how thick the steel is and how high the fire rating is. However, the lock is one of the most important parts of the safe. After all, it’s what criminals will try to break. Consider what type of lock will best suit your needs. Here’s a brief rundown.
- Combination Lock: Uses a numerical code. Rotate the dial to each number in a sequence to unlock the safe.
- Key Lock: Uses a key instead of a numerical code.
- Biometric Lock: More secure than the previous options, this lock scans your fingerprints.
- Electronic Lock: Typically seen in hotel rooms, this option requires a multi-digit PIN.
- Dual Lock: This lock offers the best of both worlds and to gain access you need both a key and a combination.
Let Us Help!
North American Safes provides assistance to our customers through repairs, lock changes, and relocations. When it comes to safes, we are there to help in any and every way. Contact us today with any questions you may have!