Laura's Locksmith Blog

If you have a lot of confidential personal documents or items that have a high monetary value, it might be wise to purchase a safe to keep them in. Here are two factors you should consider when shopping for this type of storage device.

What kind of items will you be keeping in the safe?

It's important to take into account the type of items you intend to store in your safe, as this will help you to narrow down your search and choose an appropriate size and style.

For example, let's say that have a number of important pieces of paperwork (such as a will, an insurance policy or a house deed) and are concerned about the possibility of these potentially irreplaceable documents being burnt or damaged beyond repair during a house fire. In this scenario, you should look for a safe made from fire-resistant materials (such as gypsum, for instance).

Conversely, if you own some very valuable jewellery or need to store a large amount of cash in your home, and are worried about these things being stolen if a burglar breaks into your house, it would be sensible to only consider safes which offer a high level of security. In this situation, you should look for a steel, double-walled safe that comes with a biometric lock, and which can be attached to a wall or floor cavity in your property (so that thieves cannot simply pick up the safe and carry it out of the house).

Should you get an old or new safe?

If you're on a tight budget, you might be uncertain if it is better to purchase a brand new but relatively low-quality safe or a used high-end one. Generally speaking, it is better to opt for the latter; however, it is important to take extra care when shopping for second hand safes.

If, for example, you're considering buying a used security safe, make sure to check its lock at least two or three times to ensure that there are no broken mechanical components or electronic faults which could make it less secure.

If it is a traditional safe that comes with a key, don't forget to ask the seller if any extra copies of the key have been made. You should also closely examine the walls of the safe for signs of cracking or other forms of damage.

If you're purchasing a fire-resistant safe, it's important to ask the seller if the safe has ever been exposed to a fire in the past and if it has sustained any damage (however minor) as a result.