A good quality safe should be part of every business. Whether you are storing cash, valuables, or important documents, you should have a safe to give you peace of mind and improved insurance coverage. Here’s our list of things to look out for when you’re choosing your safe:
Type of lock
Combination locks are the classic lock style for a safe; perhaps a little outdated now. They take time to open, so if you are frequently adding and removing cash or valuables this can be a deciding factor. On the plus side, combination locks don’t need a power source – you’ll never have to replace the battery.
Key locks allow for fast access, but do rely on you keeping track of the physical key. Losing it means you’ll have to get a safe-cracker/locksmith out, and having it stolen renders your safe vulnerable.
Electronic code locks are super easy to use – just input the code on a number pad and you’re in. They depend on a battery, which you’ll need to replace periodically, but they’re a good and reliable option suited to most businesses. You can also change the code as often as you like, increasing the security of your safe.
Biometric locks are at the cutting edge of safe-locking technology. These make use of fingerprint, face or eye recognition technology to make sure only authorised personnel can access them. There’s no chance of someone seeing you put your code in, guessing the code, or you forgetting the code with this kind of lock, but you’ll typically pay a hefty premium for this option.
Type and size of safe
The type of safe you purchase really depends on what you are looking to secure. If it’s for cash only, then you’ll likely need a large unit that can store paper and coin currency in the kind of quantities that you need for your business. If your safe is to store documents, make sure it is both wide and deep enough to keep them flat. For specific tools, equipment and goods, you’ll similarly need to make sure that they can all fit in comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to get a safe that is bigger than you think you need.
In most instances, you’ll want to go for a fireproof safe. This protects your cash, documents and valuables even through a fire, and can make a difference to your insurance policy.
Deposit safes are a particularly good option for cash storage – you can put your cash in through the one-way slot, drum or capsule without having to open the whole safe – handy if the authorised person is not always on site and you still want to secure your cash.
If you are storing data or media drives, you should look for safes built for that exact purpose. These are more for protection from environmental issues than from theft, as they make use of thinner materials to control humidity, smoke and fire damage and make sure that your data comes through intact.
Weight
If your safe is not particularly heavy, then you are essentially just collecting all your valuables and cash into one easy-to-carry box for thieves to walk away with. Make sure that the safe is either very heavy (immovable by one person at a minimum) or, if it is lighter and smaller, it is secured to something immovable like the floor, a wall or roof joist. Screwing it down onto a shelf or into a cupboard is not good enough, as a thief will simply take the shelf or cupboard with them, too.
Value
The value of your contents will have an impact on your safe choice. For anything over £4,000 in cash or £40,000 in valuables, you need to move away from entry-level models and look for high-security rated safes. Specification approvals to look out for include Police Approved and AIS Approved. The AIS is the Association of Insurance Surveyors, and is the UK’s top authority on insurance ratings – so if they have approved a safe, then you can usually rely on approval from your insurance company.