The Locksmith Journal Mar/Apr 2019 - Issue 61 | Page 63

SAFESEXTRA • 63 PROUD SPONSOR OF THE LOCKSMITH JOURNAL Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and increased levels of security usually mean higher prices. A cheap, entry level safe will never be as secure as a more advanced model. 4. DO I NEED MY SAFE INSTALLED? The answer is almost invariably yes! In fact, many insurance providers will insist that your safe is professionally fitted to a solid wall or floor. Unsecured safes are inherently vulnerable. The first action any would-be thief is going to take is to try and steal the safe itself – so they can break into it off-site, at their leisure. Permanently securing your safe to a solid wall or floor greatly enhances the protection it offers. Although you may be able to install the safe yourself, the safest option is to have the work completed by an experienced professional. 5. WHERE SHOULD I POSITION MY SAFE? There is no single ‘best place’ for a safe – it depends on a range of factors, including: • What you’re storing inside • How often you need to access the contents • How big the safe is • How heavy the safe is (heavier safes will need to be installed on the ground floor) The single most important factor here is making sure your safe is properly secured to a solid wall or floor. 6. WHICH IS THE BEST KIND OF SAFE FOR ME – KEY LOCKING, OR ELECTRONIC? When it comes to the safe locking mechanism, you’ve got a few options. These are: • Key locking • Mechanical combinations • Electronic combinations • Biometric • All have their benefits and downsides. Whilst simple key locking and mechanical combination safes tend to be more cost-effective, electronic and biometric locking mechanisms provide significantly enhanced security. Another downside with key locking options is key management – and the associated risks of losing a key or having it stolen. 7. WHAT ADDITIONAL FEATURES SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A SAFE? All safes are different, and there are a wide range of useful additional features and functionality you can look for. These include: • Water resistance – keeping the contents dry in cases of flooding. • Fire resistance – protecting the contents from fire damage. • Automatic doors – where the door opens automatically after you have entered your code. • Emergency keys – dual locking safes often come with emergency keys, which are invaluable if you ever forget your code. • Movement alarms – that sound as soon as a would-be thief ‘one of the first things you are going to need to consider is what you’re storing in your safe’ ‘products suitable for every home and business’ LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAR/APR 2019 Sponsored by ERA - Total Security tries to tamper with the safe. • Internal lights – so you can always find what you’re looking for inside. • Shelving, drawers and pockets – helping you to keep things organised inside. • Additional lockable compartments – providing an extra layer of security for high value items. • Linings – soft linings help to protect valuables and jewellery from scratches and damage. EXPERT GUIDANCE FROM SAFE & VAULT COMPANY Need a helping hand finding the perfect safe for your home and business? You can depend on Safe & Vault. We supply, install and service hundreds of safes to customers around the UK and overseas. All our safes tested and graded to the latest EN1143-1 standards – with products suitable for every home and business. Our team has more than 50 years’ experience in the security sector, and we’re trusted by banks, government departments, police forces, alarm companies and ATM providers across the country and beyond. Whatever your requirements, you can come to us secure in the knowledge that you’re in safe hands! For further information, browse through our safes online, visit our Leeds Showroom, or get in touch with our team today on 0113 274 4627 or by email at sales@ safeandvaultcompany.co.uk.