Safe Buying Guide

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A SAFE?

With so many options today, choosing a safe can get confusing. However, if you know exactly what you need and what to look for, purchasing the right one can be a breeze. Here is a Safe Buyers Guide from the experts at Buy A Safe that will help you make the right investment.

DETERMINE THE PURPOSE OF THE SAFE.

Before you go shopping for a safe, find out exactly what you need it for and which items you’ll be placing inside. Do you need it to protect your cash, jewellery, gadgets, and personal documents against theft and burglary? Then, a theft-resistant safe should work for you. Just keep in mind that no safe is ever burglar-proof. You may, however, check for the safes level of security.

If you are storing important papers, photos, films, and thumb drives in the safe to protect them from fire, look for a fire-resistant safe. The insulation within the safe releases moisture when exposed to extreme heat, keeping the temperature below the level of paper ignition. However, they are not as secure as theft-resistant safes. If you need a safe for storing artillery such as rifles and pistols, you will need an appropriate gun safe. To avoid gun-related accidents, your firearm should not be stored together with other items, or at least located in a different compartment within the safe.

FIND THE RIGHT SIZE AND CAPACITY

Just like most storage devices, safes come in different sizes and capacities. The items you wish to secure in the safe will determine their required size and capacity. It is important to know that the inside and outside dimensions of safes vary considerably. So, make sure all your items will fit in the safe you are choosing. Also, remember to allow for extra capacity space for additional items. It’s recommended to account for 50% more room to plan for future growth.

CHECK OUT THE SAFE’S LEVEL OF PROTECTION

Most quality safes sold today come with fire and cash ratings. This proved they have been under a diverse range of testing methods. Cash ratings indicate how secure the safe is and how much you can put in it and still be covered by insurance in the event of a break-in. The higher the value of the items you are storing, the higher the cash rating you'll need. On the other hand, fire ratings gauge the time a safe will endure the impact of a fire or extreme heat. Fire rating levels come in 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes. Be aware that there is no such thing as a fireproof safe or fireproof cabinet, they are only fire-resistant. Your insurance company can advise you on what safe ratings are required to provide you with coverage and help lower your premiums.

THINK ABOUT WHERE THE SAFE WILL BE PLACED

The final location of your newly bought safe is critical in deciding to purchase. You need to know if its size can actually fit the area where you’re thinking of placing it. You’ll also have to take note of related details such as the door measurements to the room you’re storing it. Be sure to add about 20 cm for exposed lock hardware and hinges. If the safe needs to be moved up or down some stairs, ensure the steps and floors are strong enough to support the weight. Other than that, think about whether or not you’ll be needing the services of a safe removalist. While it’s possible to do it on your own, it’s a whole lot easier to leave the heavy lifting to professionals, especially if you’re purchasing a large-sized safe.

CONSIDER THE PRICE OF THE SAFE

A safe is a lifetime investment in safety and security. As such, you’ll need to be prepared to pay a significant amount for it. The price of a safe is largely influenced by the safe brand, size, type, and rating. While not all expensive safes are necessarily the best, the most reliable safes are expected to be built with stronger and more expensive materials.

Be wary of safes sold at cheap prices in hardware and retail outlets. While these safes appear attractive by price, they cannot offer proper protection to the items being stored. Moreover, inferior quality safes will not have fire protection ratings or cash ratings and can therefore put your valuables at risk. The same caution should be taken when buying used safes. Many of these safes have been broken into and repaired, although it seems untraceable. Best to buy a safe at a higher cost but guaranteed security, than a cheap one that can’t carry out its purpose.

ENSURE PROPER SAFE INSTALLATION

How your safe will be installed is just as important as the product. Make sure your safe will not be easy to remove and carry out of your premises. Most safes have anchor points that allow for them to securely be bolted down to floors or walls. Floor safes are lowered into the floor and can be cemented or bolted down and covered with a piece of flooring, ideal for installation in new homes. Wall safes can be hidden well and are difficult to locate as they’re installed by cutting a hole into the wall cavity and will normally be covered with an object. Free-standing safes are best located off-site since their weight makes them difficult to move.
If you are investing in a safe then ensure it is installed correctly and by the right people.

CONSULT THE EXPERTS

Nobody else is more qualified to help you choose the right safe than experienced and trained professionals. While you can choose a safe based on the things mentioned above, it’s always better to seek the input of an expert. These people are the manufacturers, distributors, and certified installers of safes all around Australia. However, some of them might recommend based on personal motives such as sales commissions. So, be sure that you’re consulting people who will look out for your welfare.

BUY A SAFE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALITY SAFES!

If you are looking to purchase a safe for keeping your valuables, firearms, important documents, or memorabilia, look towards Buy A Safe! We offer a variety of options from industry-leading manufacturers for you to find the perfect fit for your needs. Beyond that, we can give you useful advice based on our experience and broad knowledge of anything related to safes. Furthermore, we offer delivery and installation services. So, you won’t have to worry about your item getting damaged or incorrectly placed inside your home or facility. To learn more about Buy A Safe, our products, and services, call us today on 1300 405 200.