Where do you even begin? With so many styles, purposes, technologies, sizes, and weights, where should you even start to look. You google Safes and there's so much information. In fact, it's so much information that we decided to write a blog, breaking a few things down for you.
Purchasing a safe is an investment that will pay off for years and years to come. Unmatched is the security you can feel knowing that the items most important to you are safe from harm.
You've made the first step. You have made the decision to protect what's yours. Now, where do you beginning your research? Let's try to break it down!
The first obvious step is to know what's going in the safe. Once you figure that out, it'll help narrow several things down.
The second thing to think is where it's gonna go! Do you own a business, is it for the house, is it for a rental property?
Now you know what needs to be in the safe and where you need it to go.
A third thing to think of is how hidden you need the safe to be. Wall safes, diversion safes, floor safes, under bed safes, etc.
Now, at this point, you can eliminate those that don't fit the narrative. You want a business safe, don't look at home safes. You want a small portable safe, don't look at anything big!
How much protection do you need the safe to have? Some are better in fires but can be pried open more easily. Write down a few things you know you want in the safe. Do you want a digital lock or maybe a dial lock? Dial locks use a combination of numbers rotated to the right and the left. This is the most reliable locking mechanism because there is no fear of power outage, batteries dying, or failure in general. Do not forget your code though, because you'll have to have it reset professionally. Digital locks use a keypad with a pin number. This version is much easier than making sure you line the dial up appropriately and turn the dial the right direction. Your downside here is the need for batteries. You must keep them replaced regularly to keep your safe in working order.
Remember, if you have a budget there are different price points. Just know that purchasing a safe is an investment decision that should fit your lifestyle and your wallet.
One final thing you might want to be aware of before purchasing. Is the safe you have your sights accredited? This ensures safety. Safes generally have a UL somewhere on the outside. That means it is accredited by Underwriter Laboratories. They hold the standard. They rate safes based on a selection of conditions. Fire and burglary are ranked by how well they withstand the trial and how well they performed while testing.
Fire resistance is given a ranking with two numbers, the first being the temperature in which the safe was subjected to and the second being the amount of time it took for the fire to reach the inside.
Burglary/Construction Quality is given a letter between B and G, G being the best and B being the worst.
One thing that most people fail to think of is the secrecy gone into selling and transporting safes. You never want to discuss safes and buying one around anyone you don't trust. Also, when a safe is shipped, the truck should not have something like "Safe Store Delivery" written all over it. You certainly don't want your neighbors knowing you are installing a safe. It can definitely attract the wrong kind of attention.
So yes, there is a lot to think about when looking at purchasing a safe. I will tell you though; It will be well worth the research to find exactly what you need. I hope this article has helped you learn to make the right choice.
Happy searching and decision making! You can reach SelectSafes.com by phone or e-mail. Send your questions to info@selectsafes.com or call us at (678)540-1482. We'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have!
References
(1) https://www.alarmnewengland.com/
(2) https://www.mymove.com/