Is My Safe Really Fireproof? Do I Need To Anchor It? Answering Your Top Questions About Safes
Many people rely on safes to protect their belongings, but misunderstand what they protect against. From overestimating fire protection and assuming that a heavy safeguard guarantees security, believing common myths about safes can lead to stolen items, fire damage, and overall frustration.
In this article, we’ll be debunking five common myths about safes, helping you to separate fact from fiction. Whether you’re protecting documents, jewellery, or medication, understanding the truth behind your safe’s abilities will help you get the best level of protection.
Key takeaways:
There are lots of common misconceptions and questions about safes, including:
- How capable are safes for protecting my items from fire or water damage?
- Do I need to bolt down my home safe?
- What can I store in my safe?
Five Common Myths About Safes
Myth 1 – Safes are 100% fireproof
The most common misconception we hear about safes is that it’s possible to buy a ‘fireproof safe’ or ‘waterproof safe’ that will 100% protect your valuables from fire or water.
There is no such thing as a fireproof safe; instead, the term is fire-resistant. These safes are rated by how long they protect their contents from extreme heat. This typically ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours and works by having an inner and outer wall with an insulated filling to protect from fire. Unfortunately, there is always a risk that the contents inside your safe will be damaged by fire, depending on its length and intensity.
Water-resistant safes, meanwhile, have a water-tight seal. Many models combine water and fire resistance, but none can be 100% secure.
Myth 2 – You can only use a safe for money or jewellery
While money and jewellery are popular items to store in a safe, they aren’t the only valuable items you can keep locked away. Modern safes can be used to store important documents, firearms, sentimental items, and medications.
Different types of safes include:
- Gun safes
- Medicine safes
- Key safes
- Document safes
Myth 3 – Heavy safes don’t need to be anchored or mounted
It would be easy to assume that if a safe is really heavy, there’s no way a thief could walk out of your home with it. However, burglars can find ways to remove an unanchored safe, especially if they’re feeling motivated by what’s inside! Once they’ve transported your safe off your property, nothing will stop the burglar from breaking their way inside and stealing your precious belongings. Anchoring or mounting your safe to a concrete wall or floor works as an excellent thief deterrent.
Myth 4 – A safe doesn’t need professional installation
Similar to the myth that you don’t need to mount or bolt your safe, it’s often assumed that if you do choose to bolt it, you can do it yourself. While technically, you can DIY your safe installation, it’s much better to leave it to a professional. This will give you more peace of mind that your business or home safe is really secure.
Professionals know how to install your safe to make sure it is properly mounted. This helps prevent it from tipping, being pried away, or causing damage to your space. They also optimise the placement of your safe for both security and ease of access. Choosing a professional to install your safe saves you time, money, and risk of injury.
Myth 5 – Fire-resistant safes will protect against burglary
Many people assume a fire safe will provide the same level of protection against theft as a non-fire-resistant safe. The reality is, fire-resistant safes are specifically built to protect against extreme temperatures first, and theft second. They use a thinner type of metal to keep temperatures low during a blaze, rather than heavy-duty materials to stop a thief. This means they’re often lighter or easier to cut into.
Look for a dual-rated safe that provides certified fire resistance and theft protection for a strong all-rounder.
Ready To Protect What Matters Most?
Understanding the truth behind common safe myths is the first step in keeping your valuables secure. A safe is only effective if it’s installed correctly and suitable for your specific needs. Don’t leave storing your valuables up to chance; choose the right safe for extra peace of mind.
If you need advice on choosing a safe, contact the team at U R Safe. We’re Perth security experts and can help you find the right security solution for your home or business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safes
What can I use a fire-resistant safe for?
Fire-resistant safes are ideal for storing important documents like passports, data stored on USBs or phones, and sentimental valuables like photographs. Fire safes are not 100% fireproof, but they can help protect your belongings in case of a fire. They’re the ideal choice for people where the risk of fire is highly likely, for example, people living in bushfire-prone areas and businesses using flammable materials.
Can a thief really carry away a safe?
Yes! Many home or office safes weighing less than 100kg can be carried away to a different location if it is not bolted down.
Do all safes need to be bolted down?
While you don’t have to bolt your safe down, securing it to a solid surface like the floor or a wall greatly improves the security of its contents.