FAQ
Why do I need a safe?
A safe is the toughest line of defense in protecting your valuables against theft, as well as fire and flooding. Certified, high-security safes are specifically designed to not only lock up valuables, but to give you peace of mind that your safe’s contents will truly be protected if ever put to the test.
Unfortunately, even if you have an integrated security system in your home or business, it does not prevent burglars from gaining entry. A safe often helps deter burglars entirely, and in the event of a robbery, a high-security safe significantly increases the amount of time it takes a robber to access your safe’s contents – securing your valuables for a longer period of time before help arrives. Even the most experienced burglars may take well over an hour to open a safe, despite using sophisticated and powerful tools that range from lock picks to explosives.
In the event of a fire or flood, your number one priority is getting yourself out of danger – which means leaving your valuables behind. With a high-security safe, the contents of your safe will be protected from extreme heat, submersion under water, the weight of walls collapsing, and the impact of a 30-foot fall if the floor collapses.
Aren’t all safes the same?
No, not all safes are created equal! Safes are available in a wide variety of security configurations – from very basic theft protection, to heavy-duty protection that safeguards your valuables against extreme heat in the event of a fire, water damage during flooding, brute force burglary attempts, and more.
High-security safes achieve different levels of protection through a combination of security features, which include the types of composite materials used, wall thickness, bolt sizes, door and hinge types, lock type, weight of the safe, and more. To learn more about the different types of safes, check out our safe buying guide.
Which safe is the best?
In general, the best safes are UL-rated safes, which are third-party tested to ensure that they meet the highest quality and protection standards in the industry. While UL TXTL-60×6 is the highest UL rating available, it is generally intended for commercial use or for high-worth valuables, and far exceeds the protection level that most homes and businesses require. UL-rated safes are rated according to their level of resistance to brute force opening attempts, protection against fire, as well as other standardized tests – thus all UL-rated safes offer a high level of protection.
Where should my safe be installed?
Safes can be installed anywhere in your home or business, but to prevent the likelihood of theft, your safe should be installed in a low-traffic area of the building, in location that is out of plain sight, or even hidden within the wall or floor. For additional protection in the event of a fire, your safe should be installed on the main floor or basement of the building in case the floor collapses, or in the corner of a room where it is between two exterior walls in order to minimize its heat exposure.
What happens if I forget my combination?
If you forget your combination, contact us immediately, and we can assist you. If your safe has recently been installed and the combination has not been changed from the factory default, we may be able to provide you with your safe’s combination or an override code. If the combination has been changed and you do not have an override code or key, we can refer you to one of our trusted technicians in our network of locksmiths to assist you with opening your safe and changing your code.