When it comes to protecting your valuables, few options compare to a safe. Safes are a go-to choice for storing firearms, important documents, and other valuables, providing protection against fire, theft, and other hazards. But where you choose to place your safe can also impact its effectiveness. Here are a few factors that will make a difference.

3 Factors for Choosing a Location for a Safe

1. Humidity

While a safe can provide some protection against environmental hazards, you should still try to maintain normal humidity and temperatures inside the safe. Low humidity—roughly 50%—is especially important for preventing damage to documents and firearms.

Choose a location in the home with quality temperature and humidity control, such as the ground floor. Avoid humid areas with more extreme temperature fluctuations, like the basement or attic.

2. Anchoring

If you have a smaller safe, you need to ensure that would-be thieves can’t simply pick it up and carry it out of the house. Safes can often be anchored to the floor or wall for added security.

Consider ways to hide the safe, such as anchoring it inside a cabinet or behind a closet door. The better hidden and anchored it is, the less time a thief will have to attempt to steal it.

3. Access Needs

While securing your valuables is important, you should also consider your own access needs. Generally, it’s best to store items you won’t need to access very often so that it won’t be as inconvenient to go in the back of the spare closet or down in the basement. Items may include birth certificates, social security cards, and insurance policies.

A sturdy shelf can make it easier to access a smaller safe. You should also make sure that access isn’t blocked by other stored items, like stacked cardboard boxes, woodworking supplies, or food storage shelves.

 

 

If you need to install a safe or vault, contact A. Scalia Lock & Key. Serving New London County, CT, since 1980, this locksmith will ensure that your home is equipped to handle any security threat. They offer high-quality safes to store valuables from firearms to sensitive documents. For an added layer of protection, these professionals also offer lock repair and replacement services. To learn more about their offerings, visit them online or call (860) 444-6822.