When you buy your first home, it's a good idea to also think about buying your first safe to protect your valuables. Instead of opting for the small, lunchbox-sized safes that you can easily find at your local general merchandise store — and that could easily be taken during a break-in — it's better to look for a large safe from a specialized retailer. Shopping at a specialized retailer means that you can speak at length to a qualified representative who will help you to assess your security needs and suggest some safe models that will suit you. Here are some key features to evaluate during this important purchase.
Weight
The weight of the safe might seem like an inconsequential detail, but the mass of this device is an important anti-theft feature. Take a look at a number of safes in your price range and evaluate the weight of each. While you might be tempted to buy a lighter-weight safe so that its transportation and installation are easier, change your mindset a little. Remember, the heavier a safe is, the less likely it is to be taken in a break-in. Large, high-quality safes customarily weigh several hundred pounds. The average criminal looking to steal high-value items is unlikely to have any success moving such a safe.
Fire Protection
As you browse the different safes, you'll also see a fire rating on each one. Typically, a fire rating has two parts — minutes and degrees. These values explain how long a safe can endure heat of a specific temperature. This is important in the event of a house fire, and the longer the duration and the higher the temperature, the better. High-quality safes are designed to retain their integrity even as the house around them burns. Once the fire department has extinguished the blaze, many safes will be charred on the outside but otherwise unscathed — ensuring that your valuables are secure.
Interior Options
There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all safe. People have different needs for what they wish to store, using safes for safekeeping firearms, cash, jewelry, financial documents, family heirlooms, and more. Many safe companies present you with a multitude of interior options that will allow you to pick a style that suits what you wish to protect. For example, if you have a few firearms and some other valuables, you can find an interior style that has tall, vertical space for the guns, but also a series of shelves for the other items.
