Home Safes

[paulk68]

I am looking at getting a small home safe for the house. looking at something around 2 cu feet. what brand would you guys recomend?
thanks

[chicane67]

One word of advice... purchase something twice the size you think you want... because once you have it, you'll always need more space because you be trying to stuff things into that you didn't think of when you initially purchased the safe.

Honestly... I would run by the local 'Locksmith/safe dealer' and weight out your options. Sometimes brand name means zero. I know of a lot of custom safe builders that build stuff better/safer than all the shiny bling bling safes on the general market.

First, I would look at the fire ratings and what is the best way to secure it to an immovable object. Like... can you mount it to the floor... or better yet, install it into the garage floor... etc etc.

[1969CamaroRS]

My Dad was a safe man for a long time, he always liked American Eagle. So that is what I ended up getting; so far been very happy with it.

Definitely get it bolted down and if you can put it in a corner or place that is hard to get at it (will make it a lot harder to burglarize). Also like Chicane said get one a lot bigger than you ever think you will need as you tend to fill them up over time.

Fireproofing is nice but really adds to the cost of a safe. One way around this is if you are near a city (so that it wont take an hour+ for the trucks to reach you) is get one that is fire resistant for more than the time it takes for the FD to reach you. Then buy a small fire proof box to put inside the safe for any paperwork or small valuables that smoke or heat might damage quickly. Usually in a city a fireproof safe isn't needed as the fire trucks will put out the fire before the fire resistance safes give up.

[vp23271]

I got a Fort Knox and I am very happy with it. I was not cheap, but I was able to work a deal with the sales person.

http://www.ftknox.com/

[shmoov69]

quickcrete!

[ProTouring442]

What are you looking to protect, and from what/whom?

Guns: Must be kept in a GUN safe, and not a fire safe. A fire safe uses moisture to protect its contents and will cause firearms to rust. If you have a stamp collection, you will not want to keep it in a fire safe either. After the fire, your stamps will be safe, but they will also all be stuck together.

Documents: A decent fire safe is a good safe. Amsec or Gardall would be my choice. A fire safe is NOT a burglary safe, and can be opened by just about anybody willing to destroy the safe to get in it.

Valuables: A burglary safe is best for valuables. They aren't cheap, but remember you are buying time. The longer the thief has to work to get in a safe, the better the chance he will either get caught, or will leave empty handed. Again, Amsec or Gardall are very good brands.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill