A safe is an important purchase that many people have little experience with. If you are a first-time buyer, it's important you keep several factors in mind when making a selection to ensure you choose the right model for your needs. Here are a few tips to help you with your decision.

5 Factors First-Time Safe Buyers Should Consider

1. What Do You Plan to Store?

What type of safe you need will depend on what you need to store in it. For instance, your needs for a gun are different than if you plan to store important personal documents or jewelry.

2. What Size Do You Need?

Determine how much you plan to store in security before making your purchase. For instance, if you need a safe to keep a single handgun, you can get away with a much smaller storage capacity than if you plan to lock up a collection of rifles, shotguns, and other long weapons.

3. Where Will You Place the Safe?

What type of safe you purchase will depend on where you plan to keep it. It must fit through any doorways and between any fixtures in your home or business location. Also, if the destination is on the second floor, you—or someone else—will have to carry it upstairs, which can sometimes be difficult, depending on its size.

4. What Type of Protection Do You Need?

Safes are typically rated as fireproof, ideal for important documents, or burglar-proof, which is what you want for storing jewelry, gold bullion, and other items that aren't subject to burning. However, to store cash, bearer bonds, or other belongings that require both types of protection, your best bet is a burglar-proof safe with fire-resistant inserts. 

5. How Much Do You Want to Spend?

The size and degree of protection you get are often only limited by your budget. With a safe, you generally get what you pay for, and the more expensive it is, the safer your materials. Beware of "discount" safes, which might offer little in the way of security.

 

For more help choosing a safe that meets your needs, stop by Security Lock Service, a residential and commercial lock expert in Caro, MI, for advice. They specialize in rekeying, commercial security, and all kinds of safe work. They also open car locks—both foreign and domestic—at a rate that's more affordable than calling the dealership. Visit their website for more information on their services, or call (989) 673-1682 to speak with an experienced locksmith.