Factors to Remember When Buying a Home Safe

A home safe can keep your cash, jewelry, paperwork, and other such valuables protected and secured in your home, and since they come in such a wide variety of sizes and styles, there is no reason for you to forego having one. Before you buy a home safe, however, you want to ensure you get the right size and one that is durable enough without overspending on something you won't need. Note a few factors to consider before you make a purchase.

1. Note the clearance needed

Measuring the inside of the safe to ensure it has enough room for all your valuables is needed, and you will also need to measure the outside size so you know it will fit in the spot you've chosen. However, remember to note the clearance needed for the door of the safe. It's not unusual for homeowners to want to tuck a safe away into a corner of a closet or elsewhere, but then the door may not have room to open against a wall. The same is true if you decide to put a floor safe under your bed; if you choose a door with hinges rather than one that removes completely, you may need to move the entire bed every time you want to access the safe. 

2. Combination versus keys

Keys to a safe can get lost over time, so you may need to have the safe drilled in order for it to be opened. Combinations can be written down and stored somewhere safe, although there is always the risk that you might forget where you wrote that combination. There is usually no difference in security when it comes to these types of locks, so you simply need to choose the type that you think will work best for you; if you tend to misplace keys then a combination lock is better, but if you don't have a good place to write out the combination and keep it readily accessible when you need it, a key can be the better choice.

3. Fire and water resistance

Safes are meant to keep your valuables protected in case of natural disaster, not just from theft. If you live in an area where there is a high risk of fires, you'll want to get a safe with a high fire rating. This tells you how long the safe can be exposed to flames before it begins to melt or corrode. If you live in a flood zone, choose one with a high water resistance rating; this tells you how watertight the safe is so that no water can easily seep inside.

Talk with a sales representative at a professional safe company, like Safes Warehouse, for more information.