Losing your keys or forgetting your code can be a real headache. But choosing the wrong safe could make things even worse.
You see, it’s not just about finding a place to store your valuables and important documents—it’s also about picking a safe that will actually keep them secure from thieves who would love nothing more than to get their hands on something valuable to you.
And if they happen to find out where you hide the key? Well, then all bets are off! That’s why it pays to take some time before making this decision in order to make sure you end up with the safest option for storing what matters most. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most important things you need to know about choosing the right safe for your home or business.
The Right Combination
If you’re looking for a safe that comes with its own combination, then you should definitely find out about the security of that make and model. This may sound weird—after all, how could a safe’s manufacturer possibly know your combination? They can’t, of course. But there have been cases where certain types of combination locks were susceptible to what is known as “brute force attacks.” If someone can get the code for your safe relatively easily, then this could spell disaster! That makes it incredibly important to follow all manufacturer instructions carefully—and never disclose any information about your safety to anyone you don’t know!
Buy From a Firm You Trust
If you decide to get an electronic lock or combination, then take some time to make sure the technician who sets it up is actually certified to do so. It may sound silly—after all, what difference does it make if they just set up the lock to open with the right numbers or code? But if something goes wrong, then you’ll be glad to know that they can get it fixed immediately!
If you really want to make sure you’re getting a safe that will actually keep your valuables secure, then take some time to research what is available. There are many safe manufacturers online and offline, which means you’ll want to learn about all of their options to make sure the one you pick is perfect for your needs.
Security features.
Not all safes are created equal—and that’s especially true in the case of the most important feature, security. In fact, some thieves can get past even the best locks and combinations with little resistance! That’s why you want to make sure your safe has as many high-tech security features as possible.
For example, a safe with an electronic keypad can be quicker to open up than one that requires you to dial in your code. However, the former is easier for criminals to crack than the latter, so make sure your safe has multiple methods of entry as well as backup keys and codes somewhere else (e.g., stored separately from the safe, perhaps with a different family member).
For those who can afford it, the best security features include drill-resistant steel, an expertly timed locking mechanism that requires two people to open at once, and three live-locking bolts on the door itself (though you may want to ask your locksmith how much this feature adds to the price). If you happen to live in a flood-prone area, also consider what your safe will do if it gets wet—will it rust and corrode? If so, you may want to invest in a waterproof or water-resistant model.
Consider convenience.
While electronic keys and codes are great for convenience, you may also want to consider having a mechanical key option in case your batteries die or if the power goes out. This is especially true if you plan on using your safe frequently.
Then there’s the issue of getting in when you’re locked out. Most electronic keypads will instruct you to enter your code three times in a row without success before deeming the safe as lost and sending an alert to whatever central station you have set up, though ways around this are getting easier for criminals to find.
If this is a concern for you, it’s wise to purchase a safe that has override keys and codes for emergencies.
Get the right size.
A lot of people assume that bigger is better when it comes to safes, but that’s not necessarily true. You may not want to spend the money on a safe that’s so large you only use it for special occasions or vacations; if you don’t fill it up, all you’re doing is overpaying for extra security features! On the other hand, you don’t want to buy anything too small either; remember that you have to be able to fit your valuables in there.
Ideally, think of the items you own worth keeping safe and purchase a safe with enough room for them all—that way, all your bases are covered. But keep in mind that you’ll also want to make sure you can lift or move your safe if you ever need to relocate it. The last thing you want is safe that’s too heavy to carry because—well, there’s no point in having one of those!
The first thing you should do is decide exactly where you want to keep it. For instance, will it fit into a closet? Does your garage have enough space? Or maybe you want it to stand right out in the open for anyone who enters your home or office to see.
Once you’ve figured this out, then you can start choosing a safe that is just the right size. This may seem like an easy choice at first glance—after all, why wouldn’t everyone want the biggest safe possible? But the truth is that as safe sizes go up, so does their cost and weight. And if you’re going to be storing your safe at a place that will require you to move it on occasion, then this can make things much more difficult!
Know Your Needs
While size is definitely important, it isn’t the only thing you need to consider. For instance, what will you be storing in your safe? How about its physical strength and resistance against temperature changes? Security features like a dial combination or electronic lock? The longer it takes a thief to break into your safe, the better!
That’s why it’s always best to spend some time reading about the different safes on the market and learning what each one can do. One thing that you should keep in mind, however, is that most people tend to understate just how much they need to store! Many of us would like to think we’ll just be putting a few keepsakes and passports in our safe.
But before you know it, that little box starts to fill up! And of course, we have to mention the obvious—if you really do need a large safe to keep everything in one place, then don’t be afraid to get one.
Estimate the market value of your items
If you have expensive jewelry or antiques, it never hurts to keep an inventory of them every so often just in case; if the worst should ever happen, you’ll at least have an accurate list of what was lost.
If you want a reminder of what your belongings are worth and how much they would be worth on the open market, there is a software called QuikQuote that can help. It will tell you how much things like a new laptop or flat-screen TV would cost.
You can even use it for more sentimental items such as wedding rings and family heirlooms! This way, when someone asks about your valuables, you can give them a quick answer without having to spend hours looking up prices online yourself.
Plan for the future.
If possible, room safes aren’t just great for keeping your kids away from the valuable possessions they don’t know anything about—they can also keep your child-safe items okay in case you ever have to evacuate or relocate. In fact, a lot of parents are using them not only to protect their valuables, but also first aid kits, copies of important documents, and even important phone numbers on a list—all organized in one tidy space.
As your family grows, you may want to take measures to make sure your items are protected even further by putting them into a larger safe that can hold more things. The only thing worse than not having space for all your valuables is getting a smaller safe and then inevitably having to buy another one later.
Call us now!
It can be hard to know what you should look for in a safe, but we hope this article has helped! We’ve discussed the importance of getting the right size and planning for future growth, as well as how much your valuables are worth. And remember:
if you want help picking out or securing a safe that is best suited to your needs with our experts on hand, give us a call anytime! One thing remains true, however—safes aren’t just about keeping people away from your belongings; they also offer peace of mind when it comes to natural disasters (such as hurricanes) and power outages.
Let Right On Time Locksmith show you why safes are so important by calling (301) 798-5333.
