A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Safe from SafesOnline.ie
A safe is your ultimate line of defense for protecting valuable possessions that need to be stored securely. Whether for home or business use, choosing the right safe involves considering the appropriate level of security, access, features, and storage space. Here’s a detailed guide to help you select the perfect safe from SafesOnline.ie.
Why You Need a Safe
A basic safe provides more security than a drawer or cupboard. However, to protect against determined criminals, you need a stronger safe that can be securely attached to a solid wall or floor.
Choosing a safe from a reputable manufacturer like Phoenix ensures you benefit from high-quality materials and construction, backed by hundreds of years of experience in building secure safes.
Questions to Consider
- What do you want to secure?
- Which type of safe will be required?
- What do you want protection from? (Usually burglary and fire)
- What level of security will you need? (Relevant to your insurance cover)
- What type of access will you require? (e.g., key lock, keypad, ability to deposit money without opening the safe)
- How much storage space will you require inside the safe?
- Where will you locate your safe and can it be installed there?
Let’s delve into these considerations in greater detail to help you decide on the right safe for your needs.
Home Safe or Business Safe?
- Home Safes: Available in various sizes, including small safes for individual household members. Ideal for valuables, important documents like birth certificates, wills, passports, and other irreplaceable items.
- Business Safes: Come in diverse sizes and formats to meet various business needs. Secure and fire-resistant filing cabinets are useful for documents, while deposit safes are popular for shops, and fireproof data safes are essential for offices.
What Do You Want to Secure?
Create a list of items you want to store in the safe. Common items include:
- Cash: High insurance cover needed due to popularity with burglars.
- Jewelry: Require shelving and soft linings to prevent scratching.
- Documents: Need fire-rated protection.
- Media: Require specific fire ratings for tapes, discs, and drives.
- Guns: Specialist gun safes are available.
- Keys: Secure key cabinets accommodate large and small keys.
- Laptops: Slimmer safes designed to fit laptops and tablets.
Protection Needs
- Burglary Protection: The level of security is often indicated by the insurance rating.
- Fire Protection: Safes have ratings according to the level of fire protection provided.
Types of Locks
- Key Lock: Traditional method, no battery required, but risk of losing keys.
- Electronic Keypad: PIN code entry, changeable codes, and low battery warnings.
- Fingerprint: Biometric security, can store multiple fingerprints, requires batteries.
- Dual Lock: Requires two codes to open, useful for multiple users.
- Changeable Lock: Can be replaced if damaged or compromised.
Budget Considerations
Safes range from small personal safes to high-security, large storage safes. The cost will depend on the level of security and storage capacity.
Types of Safes
- Data Safes: Secure storage for electronic data, with specific fire ratings.
- Deposit Safes: Allow deposits without opening the safe, ideal for shops.
- Floor Safes: Embedded in the floor, providing high security and fire protection.
- Gun Safes: Legally required for firearms storage.
- Hotel Safes: Typically include a master override key or code.
- Key Cabinets: Designed for wall mounting to store numerous keys.
- Laptop Safes: Shaped to store laptops and other devices securely.
- Secure Filing Cabinets: Combine document storage with security and fire protection.
- Security Safes: Emphasis on strength and high insurance ratings.
Security Levels
Safes are tested and rated based on their resistance to attack. The higher the grade, the better the security.
European Standards
Phoenix safes adhere to European standards like EN1143-1 and EN14450, indicating their resistance to burglary attacks and cash ratings.
Fireproof Safes
These safes provide fire protection for various types of media. Ratings describe the level of fire resistance and ensure the internal temperature does not exceed critical levels.
Size and Location
Consider the internal dimensions, as safes are smaller inside due to thick walls and doors. Ensure the location allows easy access and meets installation requirements.
Installation
Proper installation is crucial to maintain the safe’s security rating and insurance cover. Large safes may require professional installation.
Additional Features
- Back-Up Keys: Essential for keypad locks.
- Alarm: Alerts if the safe is tampered with.
- Key Hooks, Internal Light, Water Resistance, Shelves, Soft Lining, Drawers, and Inserts: Enhance organization and protection.
For any further assistance, please contact us at SafesOnline.ie, or freephone us in Dublin on 0818252500 and our team will be happy to help you choose the perfect safe for your needs.