Beginner Guide to Safes for Property or Business

Monday, January 9th, 2012 at 1:54 pm

Beginner Guide to Safes for Home or Business

Article by Chris Robertson

Having a safe can provide peace of mind, whether you need one for your home or business. Safes can be used to store cash in retail establishments and offices, or to protect jewelry, cash, bonds, important papers and firearms at home. If this is your first time buying a safe, you should become familiar with the various types of safes that are available. Here are brief descriptions of the most common types of safes so you can make an informed decision.

Depository Safes

A depository safe is one in which a bank bag or envelope containing cash/checks can be inserted through a slot. These are used by businesses where employees must handle a lot of cash throughout the day. The manager is the only one who can access the safe to remove the money.

The most reliable and sophisticated depository safes are those with a front slot, drawer or hopper for depositing the items. These feature a combination or key lock, a drill resistant hard plate (combination safes only), mounting holes (for securing with bolts), a thick steel door with steel locking bolts and an active relocker. Drop safes are more affordable and feature a slot on top of the safe where cash/checks may be dropped. Drop safes, however, do not feature a drill resistant hard plate, so it is not recommended to store cash in a drop safe overnight. Unfortunately, neither type of depository safe is fireproof due to the opening.

Security or Jewelry Safes

A security safe or jewelry safe is burglar-resistant and often used for the home to protect valuables. These may or may not be fireproof, but are constructed with a heavy door and solid metal walls that are resistant to drilling, prying or cutting.

Wall or Floor Safe

Wall safes are usually small in size and are installed into a wall between studs. They can have an electronic lock or a combination. In-floor safes come in various shapes and sizes and are set into the floor (either concrete floor or in a concrete block). The lid is of very heavy construction and lifts out when unlocked.

Gun Safe

A gun safe is designed specifically for storing firearms of all shapes and sizes. Firearm safes are built to be taller in size to easily store hunting rifles and shotguns. Some of the anti-theft features of gun safes include a drill-resistant hard plate and solid door bolts with full door wrap around security. Gun safes are also fireproof (some up to an hour or longer) with a heat-activated fire door seal. Storage features may include racks or shelves and various sizes for 10 or 12 gauge guns.

Fireproof Safe

Some safes are designed to protect against fire and burglary. The safe you choose depends mainly on what you plan to store. If you need to protect important documents such as insurance papers, birth certificates, house deed, car titles, etc., then a regular fireproof safe will suffice. If you plan to store valuables, cash, bank certificates, coins or gold/silver, then consider a safe that is fire and burglar resistant.

Safe Rating

Safes are rated either by class, which is based on the thickness of the wall and door, or by UL (Underwriters Laboratory), which is based on the length of time the safe can resist an attempt to open by force.

Investing in a safe is a wise decision for both home and business. Shop online to find the best deals on all types of safes. Read the descriptions carefully, compare pricing and determine which will fit your needs and budget.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST POPULAR website advertising companies on the web.Learn more about Safe.