When you are trying to decide on a new safe, it really just depends on what your needs are. If you are planning to protect documents, then a fire proof safe is the way to go. For valuable jewelry, you will want a safe that employs several security tactics. There are even safes that are meant especially for the protection of digital media, which means that they will guard against dust, humidity, heat, and even electromagnets. If you are planning to store your firearms, the Winchester line of gun safes is an excellent choice to protect against both theft and fire.

It is a proven fact that crime rates rise during tough economic times. If you have never before considered owning a home safe, then now is the time to start thinking about it. Safes are much more effective that a simple lockbox, because the doors and locking mechanisms are created to keep thieves from cracking them for up to thirty minutes. No home invader wants to hang around that long, no matter what he or she thinks might be inside. Other benefits of owning a safe include keeping important documents safe from fire, and keeping children away from dangerous weapons. There’s no question, really. Buy a safe.

If you decide to purchase a safe to protect the valuables in your home, then you should be prepared to research the different types very carefully. Not all safes are created equally. Keep in mind that a house fire will burn at temperatures of up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit! If you purchase a safe that is not meant to keep valuables protected from high temperatures for an extended period of time, then you could be spending your money on a plain lockbox. Be sure that you purchase a fireproof safe, such as the Hollon HS-320-E, and you will know that you documents are safe from almost any possibility.

You should be aware of the classification on any safe that you plan to purchase. The classification will tell you just how secure your new safe can be. The letters in the classification tell you what types of tools the safe is protected against. TL refers to hand tools, TRTL refers to hand tools and torches, and TXTL means that the safe is protected again hand tools, torches, and explosives. TL-15 indicates that it will take up to fifteen minutes to break in using hand tools, while a TRTL-30 will resist tools and torches for thirty minutes. The TXTL-60 is one of the highest classifications available.

If you are seeking a safe for your home or business, then you have probably done a lot of research to find the best safe for the least amount of money. Don’t be fooled by the cheap safes out there, for they are little more than a glorified strongbox. You should also keep in mind that just because two safes are of similar size and style, that doesn’t mean they are the same. Hollon safes typically include more bolts in their safes than manufacturers of similar sizes and ratings. The keypads on Hollon safes are also more theft resistant, even if they appear to be similar to other brands.

While it is certainly comforting to know that your valuables and documents are protected by steel and concrete, there is sometimes a bit of doubt when it comes to the protection that a key or a number pad can offer. Thieves that have experience with cracking safes can usually get through these with little to no effort, so if you own one of these safes, then you’re usually banking on the possibility that they won’t want to take the time. You can, however, purchase a biometric safe, such as the HZ-30, which will open with just the use of your fingerprint.

If you have decided to purchase a home safe to keep your documents and valuables safe, then chances are that you’re facing a new decision. What kind of safe is necessary? You should definitely be sure to purchase a home safe that offers fire protection for up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep any documents safe in the event of even the largest house fire. If you plan to keep any digital files, you should purchase a safe that is created especially to prevent dust and electromagnetic fields from getting inside. Beyond that, you just need to decide where you want to put the safe, and your choice is almost made for you.

If you have paid to have a wall safe, such as the LaGard FF-33, installed in your home, then you definitely be sure to make use of it. Safes are an excellent way to keep your personal documents and other valuables hidden and safe from harm. There are things that you might not have considered keeping hidden, such as birth certificates, passports, credit cards, and social security cards. In this day and age, there are several new things to consider, such as recordings and videos, as well. It can be just as painful to lose the home movies as it can be to lose your documents.

You may believe that you live in the safest neighborhood in your city, and perhaps you really do. Did you know, however, that a burglary occurs nearly every fifteen seconds? With those stats, can you honestly believe that your house is impervious to thieves? Now, keep in mind that these home invaders are never likely to spend more than ten minutes inside each home. If you were to purchase a TL-15 rated safe, then you could be assured that your safe could keep your valuables safe against safe-cracking tools for up to fifteen minutes. No thief wants to hang around long enough for that.

Hmmm, good question right?  You will often find that Home Safes are in two catagories. Factory Rated 1 hour fireproof home safes or UL listed 1 hour fireproof home safes.  Factory rated means that the factory has designed the safe for what they think it would take to pass a UL test or had a less reputable testing facility test the safe. 

The guys at Underwriters Labratory are the most abusive on a product.  I have seen some factory rated products pass at half the “factory rated time!”  Such as a 2 hour rated safe lasting for only 1 hour. 

I have also seen some companies that make a fireproof home safe sent to UL for testing then get passed at 1 hour. The design gets sent off to an ultra cheap overseas manufacture facility that cuts corners and doesn’t produce the safe properly so it would never pass the UL test again.  I often find these in the big box retailers.  I challange them to take one off the shelf and get it retested and see if it passes.

Always get the advise of an expert.  Start with your local locksmith and work your way out from there. Remember, even my opinion is just that…an opinion.