A fireproof safe is something very important that many people don’t think to buy until they themselves have been through a devastating fire. Others may think to themselves that they don’t have anything valuable enough that should be stored in a fireproof safe, but that’s not the truth. After all, we truly don’t know the value of things until they are gone (or in this case swallowed up by a raging fire) Things like IDs, passports, documents, emergency money, or precious metals—these are all things you should be keeping in a fireproof safe if not needed.
However, purchasing a fireproof safe is not as easy as some may think. If you want to learn more about getting a proper fireproof safe, keep reading below.
Features You Should to Consider for your Fire-Resistant Safe
There are some things you should be going over in your head before you purchase a fireproof safe. We don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information, just some quick things to look out for. Here is a list of key features to consider:
1. Easy to Access
We like to mention this one because it’s easy to overlook.
Of course, you would certainly want a secure fireproof safe to protect it from possible robbery as opposed to just fire which could be less likely. However, you would also want to make sure that your safe is not too complicated to access. It is important that you can easily open the safe in case the contents are needed frequently. We like to recommend safes that are highly secure but also user friendly for the owner for easy access.
2. Digital Keypads or Fingerprint Access
There are different types of locks that safes have, but you will want to make sure it has either a keypad or fingerprint access. These are two of the safest locks, and you would definitely want one of these. Having a traditional key can be hard because it can be duplicated, or the lock can be picked. However, with a digital keypad or fingerprint access, it would be harder to open as people cannot just guess the code or imitate your fingerprint.
3. Water Resistance
As many homeowners know, water can cause a lot of damage. In addition to fireproofing you may also consider looking into waterproofing or resistance features for your safe.
You never know when water will run rampant in your house, whether it’s from flooding, a pipe burst or a leaky roof, soaked valuables can be just as bad as charred valuables. This is why you should have a safe that can withstand water at least to a certain degree. We recommend considering your personal situation as it relates to your risk of experiencing water damage in your home.
4. 2+ Hour Fire Rating (Most Important!)
When you hear the term “fireproof” you might just assume that all fireproof (or more accurately “fire-resistant”) safes are created equal. This is far from the truth!
When considering a true fireproof safe, you will want to make sure you purchase one that is rated for 2+ hours. This means that the safe can withstand the intense heat of a fire for 2 hours which is the main way you can ensure your valuables are protected, because often this allows plenty of time for the arrival of the fire-department to put out the fire. No safe is completely fireproof, this is why we always always recommend the closest thing possible: A 2-hour fire rated safe.
The Best Fireproof Safes: What We Recommend
There are a lot of different fire resistant safes out there, and it can be quite irritating to choose and research all of the various features yourself. As professional locksmiths, we wanted to take the guesswork out of it for you and recommend some of the ones we recommend to our customers. In our opinion there are some that stand out more than the others. Here is a list of some of the best fire resistant safes with varying degrees of security:
1. Hollon FB-685C 2 Hour Fire and Burglary Safe – Combination Lock
This safe is 2.36 cubic feet with a 1-inch thick hinge side locking bar. Aside from being fire resistant at up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit 2+hours, it is also burglary-safe.
2. Hollon FB-685E 2 Hour Fire and Burglary Safe – Electronic Lock
With three live locking bolts and a vertical locking bar, this safe is much harder to break into. The electronic lock gives it added security. On the bottom, there is one anchor hole and the safe comes with mounting hardware, so you can mount it to your preference.
3. Hollon FB-450E 2 Hour Fire and Burglary Safe – Electronic Lock
Similar to the previous one. However, this one comes with just two locking bolts.
Conclusion
When it comes to safes, it is important that you have a top-notch one so that your valuables are protected. Having a safe means you are willing to protect yourself and your valuables from any danger, or in your case, from fire. Now that you know some of the best fireproof safes, you should definitely be on the lookout for one.
If you are looking for fireproof safes and live in Cincinnati, OH, you can purchase them from Allied Lock and Door Service Co . We carry all three Hollon safes mentioned above and have many available in our showroom to check out before you buy. Protect your valuables by purchasing a safe from a trusted locksmith at Allied Lock and Door Service Co.