Home safes are becoming increasingly popular - and with good reason. Everyone has things that they couldn't stand to lose; all the contents insurance in the world won't replace the pictures your children drew when they were young, or the letters your grandparents sent to each other when they were courting. Fire and flood endanger these things, as well as important documents it might be difficult to replace - like your passport. They're good protection against intruders too, of course - for the heirlooms you couldn't bear to have stolen, or for important data that needs to be stored as securely as possible.
What kinds of home safes are available?
Fireproof and watertight safes are usually easier to break into than their hyper-secure counterparts, but the most difficult safes to crack are often less protection from flame and flood. There are a few all-rounders, though, so if you need something that covers all the bases you should be able to find it. Simple lockboxes are a lot less protection from intruders, but they're often the best choice for physical protection - and, of course, they can be kept inside a proper safe!
Box safes can be placed anywhere, but it's possible for someone to simply pick them up and walk off with them. Wall safes are a lot harder to do that with, but not everyone has the wall cavity space required and getting them installed can be a major undertaking that costs a lot of money. There are more underfloor safes entering the market, and they're well worth considering. They're hidden from view, which keeps them from being a target - and it also means that they're less likely to be affected by a house fire. These can be a bit tricky to get set up, but once they're in they're a great asset. Almost everyone has at least one part of their home with an underfloor cavity large enough to hold them, too!
How should a home safe be installed?
It's tempting to try and save a bit of money by doing it yourself - but that's far from the best choice. Only a professional locksmith really has the equipment and expertise necessary to fit a safe properly and make sure everything is in prime working order. After all, there's no point keeping your precious valuables locked away if a thief can simply steal the box they're in in the hopes of getting inside it later!
