Safes & File Cabinets

We all have many valuables throughout in our homes and offices. It is important to make sure that these valuables are stored safely and securely either in safe box or locked file cabinet. Both of these setups can be effective security measures, but if you’re not sure which one is right for you, here is some information that can help you make a decision.

Safes

There are many different types of safes, ranging in size, price, and level of security. Most can be opened with a digital lock or a combination lock. A digital lock requires a code punched into a computer for it to be opened.  Combination locks involve spinning a dial to a specific set of numbers to release the lock. The lock on a safe consists of a dial, where the combination is set, a spindle and 3 wheels. Once the dial is turned, and the first number of the combination is entered, one of the wheels turns upwards. When the next combination number is entered, the second wheel turns upwards, and lastly when the last combination number is entered, the third wheel turns upwards which opens the safe. Because of the large number of combinations, there is a very small chance that a thief will be able to randomly guess the combination and easily break into the safe. However, there are some important measures to take to increase the security of a safe. The weight and placement of the safe are also important factors.. If the safe is light and small and can be lifted off the ground, it will be more prone to theft as the burglars can carry it out of your house easily. It is best to install a heavy safe that is bolted to the ground or wall. Secondly, it is important to store the safe somewhere that is not visible, such as in a closet or hidden space within an interior room-never in a room with windows where people could see it from the outside. Never mention to anyone that you own a safe and use a strong combination code.

File Cabinets

Locked cabinets can work as an alternative, or in addition to, a safe,  These cabinets can be used for personal documents, or other valuables. These types of cabinets are more likely to be opened with a key than with a combination lock.  With anything that relies on a key, make sure you have back-ups available at all times. There are two types of file cabinets:

• Vertical cabinets consist of many narrow, but deep cabinets stacked on top of each other. This allows for maximum storage space for files without taking up much wall space.
• Lateral cabinets consist of wide, but short cabinets that can store many files per cabinet. This allows for storage of other items on top of the file cabinet as well.

When purchasing a file cabinet, your best bet is to choose one that is fireproof, heavy (or can be bolted into place), and requires at least one, if not two, means of entry, such as a manual key or a digital keypad. It is important to hide the keys for the cabinets well and keep them locked at all times to protect your privacy and expensive items.