A home safe allows you to store your most valuable possessions, protecting them from disasters like burglaries and fires. There are many cautious ways to use a safe, like carefully choosing which goods you hide and making key replacements. However, overuse or improper practices may leave your safe vulnerable. Review the guide below to know how to keep your safe secure. 

How to Make the Most of a Home Safe

1. Don't Overfill the Safe

Be mindful of the size of your safe, and avoid overfilling it. Overstuffing the safe may block the door or the key lock, which will make it harder to open or wear it out altogether, making your items inaccessible. Always keep your belongings at least a few inches from the door to prevent unnecessary safe repairs. 

2. Choose a Secure Spot

If a room is too humid, the safe’s lock may get warped and damaged. Excess moisture can also damage the items inside the safe and potentially allow mold to grow.

Kitchens, garages, and laundry rooms often overheat, potentially damaging your safe. If a room is too cold, the locking mechanism can freeze, potentially sealing the door shut. 

To avoid unnecessary safe repairs, keep the safe in a secure spot, like inside a hidden cabinet or wall fixture. If your home is prone to flooding, leave the safe in a higher spot rather than the basement or crawl space. 

3. Only Store Valuable Items

Only store possessions that you don't need regularly. Tax documents and birth certificates can be put away because you may not need to access those records every day. 

Putting everyday objects like handheld tools or medications in your safe can make them harder to retrieve, which may not be safe for you and your family members in an emergency. Reserve your safe for items that are irreplaceable or sensitive, like medical documents, insurance information, and wills.

When you need professional safe repairs to protect your most valuable items, contact Cohen’s Key Shop in New Haven County, CT. Since 1897, this team of locksmiths has worked closely with residential customers to keep their homes secure. They'll offer additional tips on making the most of your home safe. For more information on their services, visit their website and call (203) 397-3528.