The Benefits of Fireproof Home Safes

A home fire can destroy your house and all of your belongings. You probably have smoke detectors on each floor, have a family escape plan, and know to call 911 in a house fire emergency. But have you protected your valuable possessions?

A fireproof home safe is an easy way to secure your most important documents and possessions in case of a house fire. A safe deposit box at your bank, however, is the safest way to store your important papers. But if you want more space or would just like to keep your important belongings at home, you want a fireproof home safe.

Most safes are fire-resistant, not fireproof. The fire-resistant safes are rated by the Underwriters Laboratories. They rate safes based on how long they can shield paper at a fire at several temperatures. Class-C fire-resistant safes will protect paper from a 1,700-degree fire for one hour, a class-B safe for 2 hours at 1,850-degrees, and a class-A for four hours at 2,000-degrees. You'll need a specialized safe to safeguard computer documents like discs from flame.

Small fireproof safes start at around $50. These hold just a couple hundred cubic inches and weigh less than 20 lbs. If you need more space, then you'll have to invest more money. Larger fireproof home safes start at around $200, but can cost thousands. Fireproof safes that expensive are usually for firearms or commercial use.

Many Internet retailers promote fireproof home safes, many at low wholesale prices, but you may have to pay for transport. Try to observe that the safe in person before buying it, since returning the safe will be costly. Check out your local home security shops. Bear in mind, you are putting your most important files in the safe. Make certain that it is the one you want.