When you keep irreplaceable documents and possessions in your home, protecting them from theft or damage is a necessity. One of the best ways to ensure their well-being is to store them inside a safe.

A.B. Bonded Locksmiths, located in Cincinnati, OH, is an elite, family-owned locksmith company with over 84 years in business. Their extensive knowledge and expertise has helped multiple families find the best safes for their needs.

Before purchasing, do a little research to understand the different options available. To help, A.B. Bonded Locksmiths has shared some of the most popular types of safety units:

• Burglary Protection: If theft is your major concern, look for specific theft-resistant capabilities. A burglary safe is one of two major types of at-home vaults, and is designed with thicker, denser walls to help delay and prevent a forced entry. Thieves may use anything from power tools and chemicals to explosives in their attempts. To purchase the best product for your needs, it is important to understand how each product is rated. For example, “TL” stands for tool resistant, while “TX” stands for explosives and torch resistant. The number next to the letters represents the number of minutes the safe can hold up against an attack. So, for example, a TL-60 rating is tool-resistant for up to 60 minutes.

• Fire Protection: Fire safes are the second most popular design. They are created as fire resistant, not fireproof, so they are capable of keeping paper documents protected for a limited period of time. Different models are designed to resist different degrees of heat. A UL Class 350 keeps contents protected from a temperature of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. UL Class 150 can shield against 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and UL Class 125 guards against up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Electronic Keypad or Dial Combination: Having an electronic lock, also known as a keyless entry, can be advantageous in many ways. Their benefits include faster entry, creating a unique code, and an automatic lockdown if the wrong combination is entered too many times. However, a manual dial never requires a change of batteries. It is also cheaper in price, and has been trusted for much longer. Because both options are reliable, it comes down to your personal preference on which kind of lock to use.

Talking to your locksmith before purchasing a safe is an excellent way to educate yourself on the different types. A.B. Bonded Locksmiths, in Cincinnati, OH, has experience in lock repair, key replacement, and lock installation, making them the perfect source to find out everything you need to know. For more information, visit their website or call (513) 531-5552 today.