When one purchases a discounted safe from the big chain retailers, many think the most important consideration is the size. They don’t understand the difference between an inexpensive safe and a really good quality safe that has good burglary and fire protection. Many people end up storing items of high value in a box that barely qualifies as a safe. When considering buying a safe, ask yourself the question – how much can I afford to lose? An inexpensive safe will not offer the protection from fire and burglary that most people expect and require.
The safes found at the big chain retailers are usually thin walled 30 minute or 1 hour fire safes. They were never designed for burglar resistance and they do not have thick enough walls to ward off one. The locks are usually inexpensive Chinese or Korean imports and do not have an Underwriters Laboratory rating. Not only do they have thin metal and inferior locks, but they also have small ?” bolts that will not hold up against a burglar with a crowbar. These safes are not a good value and will not offer the theft or fire protection expected.
A good burglar fire safe has many outstanding properties to protect from both burglaries and fires. Statistics show that one is more likely to have a fire than be burglarized, but even so, wants protection from both. A good burglar fire safe will have at least a one hour fire rating or better. You will find that the minimum burglar standard is B/C rated and that the steel is at least ?” on the body and a ? inch on the door in addition to 10 or 12 gauge metal layers. Look for a burglar fire safe with TL-15 or TL-30 rating if you have high value items to store. There is also a manganese hard plate behind the lock to prevent drilling which is not available on the discounted safes. The bolts should be at least 3/4″ diameter or better instead of the ?” bolts found on the chain store safes. The lock should be at least a Group II Underwriters Laboratory approved lock.
If you’re on a budget and can’t afford the more high priced burglar fire safes, there are some available that are affordable. The Mutual Rhino series is reasonably priced and will offer the protection expected. It also comes in many sizes. If one wants the very best protection available then anything with a TL15 or TL30 rating will work well. These are called high security burglar fire safes and they offer the very best in fire and burglary protection.
So, ask yourself the question – how much can I afford to lose? The best burglar fire safes will store high end valuables far better than the discounted chain store safes and provide you with peace of mind when you are away from home for weeks at a time.
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