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.

A biometric safe will open with just the touch of a finger, so long as it is the right finger. Each safe contains a fingerprint scanner, which means that the ability to open the safe cannot be easily transferred by code, key, or card. Whoever holds the authorization will scan their finger, and the print is then turned into a mathematical algorithm. The safe or vault will then refuse to unlock for any other fingerprint.

There are several different brands that you can consider, so research them all carefully before purchase. One of the most popular for home use is the HZ-34.

Something that you should keep in mind when you’re shopping for a home safe is that not all safes are created equally. For instance, a safe that is rated to keep your belongings protected from fires that reach over 1400 degrees Fahrenheit may also allow a thief to pick it right up and carry it out of the house. Conversely, a safe that is intended to deter thieves is not usually constructed to protect the contents from high temperatures. A good, inexpensive compromise is a safe such as one from Hollon. These fire safes can also be bolted to the ground, which will definitely deter thieves.

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.

When it comes to Safes: If you have precious documents and other valuables that you would like to keep safe, don’t be fooled into purchasing a cheap home safe. These safes will never be able to keep your valuables secure from fire or a very determined thief. In addition, if you are keeping digital media secured in an inexpensive safe, there are many outside elements that can still harm the contents. You can still find good value safes from brands like Hollon Safe, without sacrificing the quality and the protection. You may not need the top of the line, but certainly don’t settle for a glorified lockbox.

While it is certainly possible to purchase a burglary safe that will offer fire protection, you should keep in mind that the same doesn’t work the other way. Strongboxes and lockboxes that are built to be fireproof will only keep your documents and valuable safe in the event of a fire. These strongboxes, however, are usually small and can often be carried out by thieves. For anti-theft protection, be sure that you are purchasing a true home safe. These will be large, with steel and concrete construction. No thief will be able to pick it up and casually leave with it, that’s for sure.

Lets talk about the SB-06c from Cobalt Safes. Fireproof Safe. Burglary Safe.  One of the largest in this section! Cobalt Safes model SB-06c Fireproof Safe with Burglary Safe.  Has a lifetime fire warrenty and a 5 year warrenty against manufactures defects in labor and materials.  This is an extremely good warrenty in that most manufactures will cover similar but Cobalt Safes goes the extra mile and sends a locksmith to your location to repair.  Most manufactures are also only 1 year in coverage. With that being said. Keypads are an upgrade and are only warrentied for 1 year. (for more information on keypads vs dials see my article… Keypads vs Dials.

Back to the SB-06c.  First take a look at the door, you will see that it is open. There are two major parts,  an outer door and then a bolt assembly behind it.  This gives it a solid 5 inch thick door on the  Cobalt Safe SB-06c.   Take into consideration that when  the average thief breaking into the average home.  He is coming into the house with empty hands and wants to leave with them full.  Chances of him bringing tools such as a  crowbar or sledge hammers are not the norm.  If he does find the safe he will most likely be too unprepared to even beat on it and will quickly move to everything else we leave available in our homes that is easy to pocket and easy to pawn.  For most of us its a pretty big list.

Lets pretend we left a crow bar and sledge hammer next to our safe and a small sticky note that says “beat me” on the safe.  The SB-06c fireproof safe is going to hold up.  The outer steel wall, which is an extreme thickness of about 1/8 inch steel is reinforced by a cement based fireproof wall with another steel wall on the interior.  This makes for excellant strength against common tools. 

The 5 inch thick door is also too thick to get a crow bar down deep enough to actually gain enough purchase to even begin to start using a crow bar on the door.  So in my opinion the SB-06c Fire Safe is one of the best buys on the market today.

Combine this with a 2 hour fireproof  and a center bolt down (so the safe can’t picked up and carried away) for a sturdy little fortress of protection.  Not that someone is going to carry away a 1000 lbs safe!

I also like the size.  Though it may be too large for most home situations it does offer good room to grow into.  The last thing most of want to do is purchase two safes.  I often advise to purchase 1 during your life.  But make it something you can grow into because this safe is designed to last a lifetime.  Last little note, as we get older, people hate to bend down or squat down. This model is excellant to stand in front of an open without having to bend over.  See more details our Cobalt Safe SB-06c.

The SB-05c from Cobalt Safe. Fireproof Safe. Burglary Safe.  One of the largest in this section! Cobalt Safes model SB-05c Fireproof Safe with Burglary Safe.  Has a lifetime fire warrenty and a 5 year warrenty against manufactures defects in labor and materials.  This is an extremely good warrenty in that most manufactures will cover similar but Cobalt Safes goes the extra mile and sends a locksmith to your location to repair.  Most manufactures are also only 1 year in coverage.

First take a look at the door, you will see that it is open. There are two major parts,  an outer door and then a bolt assembly behind it.  This gives it a solid 5 inch thick door on the  Cobalt Safe SB-05c.   Take into consideration that when  the average thief breaking into the average home.  He is coming into the house with empty hands and wants to leave with them full.  Chances of him bringing tools such as a  crowbar or sledge hammers are not the norm.  If he does find the safe he will most likely be too unprepared to even beat on it and will quickly move to everything else we leave available in our homes that is easy to pocket and easy to pawn.  Such as our laptops, tvs, dvrs and even my son’s Nintendo! (God forbid that gets taken)

Now for something hypathetical. Lets say you left the a crow bar and sledge hammer next to it and a small sticky note that says “beat me” on the safe.  The SB-05c fireproof safe is going to hold up.  The outer steel wall, which is an extreme thickness of about 1/8 inch steel is reinforced by a cement based fireproof wall with another steel wall on the interior.  This makes for excellant strength against common tools. 

The 5 inch thick door is also too thick to get a crow bar down deep enough to actually gain enough purchase to even begin to start using a crow bar on the door.  So in my opinion the SB-05c Fire Safe is one of the best buys on the market today.

Combine this with a 2 hour fireproof  and a center bolt down (so the safe can’t picked up and carried away) for a sturdy little fortress of protection. 

I also like the size.  Though it may be too large for most home situations it does offer good room to grow into.  The last thing most of want to do is purchase two safes.  I often advise to purchase 1 during your life.  But make it something you can grow into because this safe is designed to last a lifetime.  See more details at Cobalt Safes SB-05c

SB-05C

Outside Dimensions

Height: 42 1/8″ Width: 28″ Depth: 29 1/8″

Inside Dimensions

Height: 35 3/4″ Width: 22 1/4″ Depth: 24″

Weight

682 lbs.