There comes a time when valuables that have been accumulated over the length of a lifetime must be secured. There are no laws mandating that possessions of great worth be locked up, but common sense does dictate taking precautions. Any person would lock their things up and throw away the combination if they knew exactly when and how a disaster would hit them. Most though, would take their luck for granted, and take the greater risk of not planning at all. It is important that one does not fall into this group. It is imperative to take precautions, such as safe installation, no matter where you live.
Locals in Lakewood, Ohio are no strangers to natural disasters. Flash flood waters can occur, fires can occur. In each case, there is one similar fact. Families that did not have their valuables stored in safes, lost them. The environment is not getting any friendlier. In fact, category four and five hurricanes have increased by eighty percent in the past thirty years according to the National Weather Service. One device that can be blasted by tornado force winds, thrown by a hurricane, submerged by a flood, and burnt by wildfire while still protecting its contents is…a safe.
Perhaps the thought has come up but, ever the hesitant buyer, you think “Nothing I own is all that valuable in my opinion. Why bother?” Belongings that are collected throughout the years are quite valuable. Photos of loved ones in their most magical moments are worth saving. Family heirlooms, no matter the resale value are invaluable memories of where families come from. Old letters from sweethearts can kindle the warmest feelings at a glance. Keeping artifacts like these in a safe deposit box is a way to guarantee that the most valuable memories are passed on from one generation to the next. We will attest that safes not only defend against freak natural events but they seal the objects to avoid deterioration that would occur from exposure to normal conditions.
Those lucky enough to make it through the unending onslaught of Mother Nature will still have to face the fact that other people such as criminals can try to take away their valuable items, and of course, cash. Rest assured, they may not want that which is sentimental but instead the valuables that carry cash value. Today printed information is as valuable as a whole bank account. With a few simple series of numbers, robbers can have every penny wired anywhere in the world within seconds. In some instances, the missing money is far more than what is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Hard and Soft Targets – What Does It Mean?
One may think that owning a safe will invite trouble by announcing “Hey, there’s something really, really, expensive right here!” The actual logic however, is quite counterintuitive to what would be expected. There are soft targets and then there are hard targets. Nine times out of ten, the prospective thief will choose the soft target over the hard one. Being a soft target implies that there are no solid defenses that would interfere with a quick snatch and run operation. A hard target like a safe will present real challenges that they will not be completely prepared for. It increases the time it takes to extract the contents, therefore dramatically increasing the chances of being caught in the act or failing all together.
Safes are also ideal for keeping your family safe from what is inside. There are a number of deaths each year due to children having access to firearms and other such weapons. It’s a grim notion to dwell on, which is all the more reason to plan accordingly. Access to prescription medication can be just as deadly and just as unanticipated. Children are such curious creatures that anything not under lock and key (or combination in this case) should be considered within their surprisingly capable reach. If they can find Christmas presents and candy, just what else could they find?
Different Types of Safes
When the time comes to finally place one (or a few) of these indispensable items in the home, the biggest decisions lie in where to place them and what type they should be. There are two basic types of home-safes; there is the portable type and the installed type. Portable types are smaller, this means that they are more convenient because they can be moved around as needed and they can be taken along when it’s time to move.
The installed type of safe is secured to the standing structure of the home that they are placed in. They are traditionally placed under the floor or within a wall. All effort should be made to design the installation to be as inconspicuous as possible. Tiles are used to hide safes under but carpet coverings are more discernable at a glance. Wall safes are often covered up by paintings or faux doors. Safes that are installed are notably larger and sturdier than their portable cousins. They also take highly skilled labor to weld them into place. It should be noted that building one into a house is less costly than putting one into an existing frame. Most likely, the first problem to be encountered when setting a solid reinforced chest in the home would be trying to move the immense weight. Improper lifting and moving procedures could realistically result in serious problems. This in mind, it could never hurt to have this task handled by a professional. A locksmith in Lakewood OH, or elsewhere in the country, should be hired to perform services such as safe installation.
Consider safe installation for your property to better protect your belongings.