Your FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE against burglary and intrusion at home should be a security system. You know, smart home security, professionally installed by a licensed technician. (that’s us, it’s what we do…). Video surveillance and smart locks are the first line of defense against theft. And then there’s the LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. This is having a home safe box. A safe in your home can keep your most valuable possessions protected from theft, fire, or water damage. There are many types of safes on the market these days, so picking the right one to suit your specific needs will take some research.
First you want to see what category your items fall into—jewelry, documents, cash (remember that stuff) or coins, firearms or even physical hard-drives—that’s right, digital storage needs protection too! Some safes provide a very specific purpose; here are a few general categories that can help you narrow the Google search down when looking to buy yours!
Common Types of Home Safe Boxes
- Wall Safe
- Home Safe
- Biometric Safe
- Digital Electronic Safe
- Firearm Safe
Wall Safe
Built directly into your wall so that a painting or other wall covering will conceal it. Thanks to Hollywood, this is sometimes the first place burglars check…. THANKS A LOT, BIFF TANNEN!
Home Safe
This refers to your basic safe. Built to withstand burglary and fires. Usually opened with a combination lock, and sometimes a key.
Biometric Safe
This really speaks more to the entry or unlocking method, opening with a fingerprint scan. Very cool, but can be a little expensive.
Digital Electronic Safe
Another entry method; unlocking mechanism refers to a digital keypad to open the door. These types of safes should not be in spaces of your home with high moisture levels or humidity, like a basement or garage.
Firearm Safe
Gun safes are the most common safes bought by homeowners. They are the most popular and biggest of all noncommercial safes. Some can hold up to forty-five rifles, while most are only big enough to hold one handgun.
Safe Specifications
To get the most security from your home safe box, keep these specifications in mind when conducting the initial Google search or visit to your nearby hardware store:
- Burglar Resistance
- Fire Resistance
- Water Resistance
Burglar Resistance
Most safes are designed to be burglar resistant, but some can withstand more than others. Check descriptions for an estimate of how long it might take a burglar to get inside a home safe box. Evaluate what type of tools someone can use to open it—like power saws, cutting wheels, and torches. The most sophisticated and burglar-resistant safes can even withstand explosives, such as nitroglycerin!
Fire Resistance
Not every safe can remain intact during a fire. Those that are make the perfect choice for holding important documents. Fire-resistant safes include insulated drawers and lids that can withstand 450-degree heat for up to four hours.
Water Resistance
These are designed to keep out any moisture or dust and are usually used for sensitive collectables.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Know Your Sizes
As you probably know, not all safes were created equal. Make sure you know the dimensions you need to hold all of your stuff. Before shopping, take into account the items you’re going to be keeping in the home safe box. Do some research about the specific measurements your safe will need to hold those items. Or speak with a specialist at the hardware store for more suggestions.
Some experts suggest that the heavier your safe is can make it less likely for a burglar to try to tow away with it. If the safe inside your home weighs over 1,000 pounds, keep it on the first floor to decrease the risk of damage.
Know Where to Buy Your Safe
You’re most likely to find a safe at your local hardware or general retail store, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s or Walmart. Check online to see if there’s a retail store specializing in safes in your area that you could visit.
Know What You’re Storing Away
What’s going inside your safe? It’s a fairly easy question. The best way to find an answer is to think about the valuable items you own that you wouldn’t want stolen. These items don’t necessarily have to be expensive either. Instead, these can be possessions containing important information, such as social security cards, passports, insurance policies, will documents, and more.
Where Are You Keeping Your Home Safe Box
If the master bedroom is your first choice for keeping your safe, you should reconsider your options. Why, might you ask? Well, because the master bedroom is most likely to be a burglar’s first stop if they were to break inside your home.
We recommend thinking outside the box when it comes time to hide your safe. If you can, consider keeping your safe in the most unconventional space. Like inside an air vent or within a wall.
Review Common Lock Types:
Certain safe boxes have unique lock types. Here are a common few you might find:
- Combination: The most commonly used form of lock. Can only be opened if the correct numbers are input in the correct order.
- Key: You can only open these safes with a specific key. This adds an extra layer of security as you can hide the key far from the safe.
- Electronic: These safes either come with a keypad for digitally entering the combo or a biometric scanner. These are harder to crack than the mechanical lock.
- Time Locks: You can program these locks to only open at a certain time.
With more than 2,000,000 homes being burgled every year, a safe combined with smart security keeps your valuables protected. Call ONIT Smart Home today at 1-833-433-0331 to speak with a live representative today about protecting your home with no money down, and free installation!
