Wall Safes vs. Vault or Stand-Alone Models
When you begin to look at the options, you will notice that wall or in-ground safes aren't the only safes on the market. There are the stand-alone, the standard vault-types, that still dominate the market. The problem that most don't realize is that thieves come prepared. They have mini explosives, drills, welding tools...you name it. All that to say, having a safe as big as your refrigerator in your garage or basement might not be as safe a place as a concealed wall safe.
Hidden safes offer the added security of obscurity and being cloaked as part of the house. If the thief can't find the safe to begin with, all the better for you and your possessions. You can install your safe under an appliance or your carpet, even if you have a concrete foundation this can be done with your in-floor models. If you have mirrors, or paneling of some sort, then you can have a carpenter install your safe in such a way as it's indistinguishable from the rest of the wall.
One other great benefit of wall safes and in-ground safes: they utilize the dead space that you aren't using anyway. There is no need to worry about where to put the safe versus the vault-type of safes, which are usually behemoths that are difficult to conceal. You can utilize dead closet space, behind your clothes, to conceal a wall safe. Just be sure your safe is big enough to suit your needs, or invest in more than one and get several in-ground safes or wall safes, or any combination thereof.
Increased Protection With Upgrades
Having wall safes or in-floor safes Some options of locking mechanism include the biometric locks, so that even if the thief did find your safe, he or she would not be able to pick the lock as easily as a combination or key lock. You will also be able to opt for other upgrades besides biometric locks, such as having a higher fire rating from the UL listing (necessary for sensitive materials such as electronic media), an explosion rating and a higher fall rating, as well as the safe being water proof. You may not think you need the "heavy artillery" type of protection, but most of these situations are possible given a common house fire. For instance, when a fire occurs, either the home's fire suppression system (sprinklers) will come on, or the firemen will douse the place with water; hence: you will need a water proof safe.
There are also a number of anti-theft qualities that are both inherent in wall safes and in-ground safes, in that these are usually installed in such a way as to bond with the home's structure, but you can opt for upgraded gauges of steel, hardened pins that are released during the attempted burglary, etc. Of course, these options will cost more, but you'll rest easier knowing your belongings are protected in the worst-case scenario. When you consider the cost of the valuables kept under the protection of these safes to begin with, you have to buy the upgrades that will ensure their safe-keeping.
Different Brands of Wall Safes, a Brief Introduction
When you choose your wall, or any, safe - be sure the manufacturer has a vetted reputation. There are many manufacturers to choose from. Be sure to ask for the features that interest you most, as many safes can come with interchangeable features, such as biometric locks or electronic keypads, for instance.
One of the finest, most trusted brands on the market is AMSEC®. AMSEC® makes all manner of in-floor safes, wall and free standing safes, to name a few products. They have the WS1814 (WS=wall safe), which is designed to be resistant to prying, and is made of solid steel. Not only that, but this safe is equipped with an electronic sensor, which may be used in a home security system that is hooked to an off-site alarm company.
Another company is Honeywell®, and they offer a full line of safes, including a large in-wall unit. It is the Honeywell® 2584D, which is big enough for electronic devices such as laptops as well as other items. A great model if you're concerned about the space in your typical wall unit. If you so choose, this unit may also be installed as an in-floor safe, and it is fireproof.
Homak® is a brand-name that excels in the home security market, and they excel at disguising their safes. Arguably, they excel in concealment, but don't rank as high in the armor department. They offer, amongst other models, the WS00017001. If found, this safe may be broken into easier than other models on the market. It's a great deterrent for keeping things from the kids, but not the best choice for fire or tamper resistance.
Compare them against a maker like Gardall®, who makes heavy-duty safes designed to last. Some of their models have doors measuring a quarter-inch thick, with the walls of the unit 3/16" thick.
Another fantastic model on the market is the InvisVault™ by SecureLogic®, and they make some high-priced, but highly secure safes. This model is stored behind a painting, and the vault is accessed via remote control.
There are many more models and makers of quality in-ground safes and wall safes, just be sure your safe is under-written by the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) for fire rating, and comes with tamper-resistant and fire-resistant features. It is also a great idea to check to make sure the safe is designed to guard the contents you plan on putting in it, as electronic media requires one level of protection, and paper products quite another level. Not all safes are created equal, but sticking with the known manufacturers will go far in ensuring you're buying a quality product.
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