Security is an important attribute that we seek in a home. It can be protection against a forceful entry or safe keeping of important documents and valuables. You could be the eccentric type who wishes to buy a safe to protect your stash of MnM’s, but it’s your call. Although, a safe deposit box offered by most banks offers greater protection, important documents that you will need at hand is better kept at home.

In general, most common home safes are 1.2-1.3 cubic feet which is roomy enough to hold a high stack of paper.

Choosing the right home safe- What should you look for?

• Portability: It is not a good option when the safe is portable. When you keep moving the safe to different locations, it does not add extra protection but makes it prone to theft.
• Build quality: Is the safe fireproof and water proof? The whole idea of protection is lost when you lose it in a fire or flood. Fire protection is a mandatory requirement for most customers who wish to but a safe. Fire resistance grading is specific to the materials they hold within. For example, a safe specific for paper can withstand temperatures below 350 degrees. For computers discs the internal temperature should not cross 125 degrees. When a safe is water resistant, it is branded accordingly with a specific mark of indication.
• Anti-theft protection: A safe is unsafe if someone as smart as Allen Koch (who tried to rob a bank which was closed) can break in. Safes are graded according to the level of protection they offer. Intensive testing ensures that the safe can withstand forceful entry by the use of torches, explosives and other tools.
• Style of locking: There are two systems of locking- mechanical and electronic. While mechanical locks need to be serviced periodically, electronic counterparts are virtually immortal. The highest level of protection is offered by redundant locks (a combination of both variations).
• Budget: It all comes down to the Moolah! You can get an ultimate safe lock even better than the Iron Mountain if you’re willing to spend on it. Also the storage volume is also price dependent. The starting price of a safe is as low as $25. Basic safes are available online and off the rack at Home Depot, Sears and Lowe’s.

Most popular safes of 2016

Here is a list of top 5 safes of 2016

1. SentrySafe 0500 Fire Chest: This safe is fire resistant, offers ultimate protection and comes at an affordable price tag but the only down side is that it’s portable.
2. American Security AMSEC UL1511: The fire resistant, virtually indestructible safe is extremely heavy and expensive. It’s a good choice when price is not an issue.
3. Protex PWS-1814E Electronic Wall Safe: The safe is ideal to protect important paperwork like birth certificates etc.
4. Liberty 9G HDX-250 Smart Vault Biometric Safe: Comes with a finger print scanner and secondary locking bolts.
5. Verifi S6000 Smart Safe: The safe is approved by the FBI and has finger print scanner with tamper alerts and additional auto-lock feature.