A wall safe is a secure and convenient way to store valuables without taking up too much room in a home. Securely embedded into the wall, these safes have the added security feature of blending in. Often concealed behind a painting, hidden wall safes are hard to find and harder to break into. However, a wide selection of wall safes exist, with a variety of important features. Make sure to purchase the right type of safe, dependent on what valuables are being stored.
Choosing the Right Type of Wall Safe
Before purchasing a wall safe it’s important to consider what exactly is being stored and how much security is needed. Learning what type of safe is needed will help save money without sacrificing on safety.
Fireproof Wall Safes for Paper: As the name suggests, these special wall safes protect important paper documents from flames. Paper burns at about 400F – by converting trapped moisture into steam, these safes keep internal temperatures below 350F.
Fireproof Wall Safes for Media: Used to protect media such as DVDs, CDs, or computers these fireproof wall safes do not use a moisture mechanism to protect assets – thus keeping media dry and fire free. These fireproof wall safes are more expensive than those meant just for paper.
Burglary Safe: Unlike fireproof safes which do not offer much protection against attack, burglary wall safes are built with extra thick and heavy plates. Check the safe’s UL ratings to determine its effectiveness. A high "TL" or "Tool Resistance" rating will offer top security against an attack.
Gun Safe: A gun is a dangerous thing to have lying about – keep them locked away from children’s hands or unauthorized users with a secure gun safe.
Deciding on the Best Wall Safe Locks
Gone are the days of the good old lock and key. Modern wall safes can come with a combination lock, an electronic dial lock, or even biometric locks that can read fingerprints. Although these latter locks may seem to offer more security, those in the safe market say most service requests result from these fancier locks. These locks can be easier for owners with arthritis, but on the whole a good combination lock will often be all a person needs.
Hidden Wall Safes and Where to Put a Wall Safe
Choosing the location for a new wall safe can sometimes be tricky. Be sure that installing the wall safe won’t do structural damage to the home and don’t choose a spot that crosses over electrical or plumbing work. If a hidden wall safe is going to be put behind a picture, make sure the picture goes with the room and does not appear obtrusive. Talking to a wall safe salesperson about installation issues is a good idea before a final purchase is made.
Sources:
Newell, Jim. “Frequently Asked Questions for Choosing the Correct Safe”. SecureYourStuff. Feb 2007. Sept 2010.
“Gun Safe Buyers’ Guide: What to Look for When Buying a Safe”. 6mmBR. Sept 2010.
Megan Jungwi - Megan Jungwi started her freelance writing career in March 2009. Although new to online writing Megan has long been passionate about the ...
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