Safes

If you have any items or documents that hold special meaning to you or are valuable, getting a home safe is a smart move. Safes that are water- and fire-resistant ensure that your irreplaceable belongings are protected from catastrophes. Along with passports and birth certificates, many people keep camera memory cards that hold family pictures and external hard drives containing their computer backup files inside security safes. While fireproof safes are not completely resistant to fire, the best home safes offer a higher level of protection against dangerously high heat and flames. Typically, a security safe will have a fire rating, which is measured by the length of time that a safe can withstand a certain level of temperature before the contents are damaged. For example, a safe’s description may denote that it “withstands temperatures up to 1,700 degrees for up to one hour.” That may not seem like a long time, but if your house’s safe is part of your complete home security system, its reinforced walls can provide enough time for emergency crews to respond and extinguish the fire. Plus, if you have smart smoke detectors, your smartphone will receive an alert as an extra precaution.

Before you start shopping for a water-resistant or fireproof home safe that only you can access, you’ll want to determine how much space you’ll need for your important documents and personal items. You don’t want to buy a small safe, only to discover a short time later that your safekeeping needs have outgrown the space available. Another consideration is whether you need a specific type of home safe. There are safes especially made to store cash and others that keep guns highly guarded under lock and key. Speaking of keys, you can opt for either a security safe with a keypad entry or one with a manual key. If you’re forgetful, an electric keypad with a programmable code is ideal, but there are also advantages to having a key that’s hidden away, like not forgetting your password. To help with that, invest in a Bluetooth tracker that attaches to the key, so you’ll find it every time.

Once you decide what home safe is best for your belongings, think about where it should be located within your house. For ultimate concealment, a wall safe can be installed inside a wall with artwork placed over it, or a bookshelf or office furniture in front of it. Floor safes are a more theft-deterrent option because of their hefty weight, and since they aren’t moveable, they’re good for protecting gold, silver and other assets. Some people opt for two layers of protection by placing portable safes inside locking file cabinets. No matter which safe is best for you, you’ll find a large selection to choose from at Best Buy.