This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s a largely accepted fact that the invention of traditional firearms could not have been accomplished without Chinese research. In the 9th century, several Chinese alchemists were on the hunt for an elixir of immortality. By combining saltpeter and sulfur, these alchemists discovered that they could create a highly flammable substance. In the 11th century, the first documented recipes for gunpowder began to appear, which were used to create grenades, incendiary bombs, fire arrows and mines. By the end of the 12th century, the first “guns” were widely used, being cast-iron tubes that were packed with a gunpowder mixture as well as pieces of shrapnel. These tubes were called “Fire Lances”, and evolved from a 10th century design involving paper and bamboo tubes.

Today, guns are a subject that promotes a lot of debate, since they can be used for both self-defense and criminal purposes. Primarily, the socially acceptable use of a gun for the average person involves either a desire for self-defense, or relating to a hobby (such as long-range target shooting). However, if you have a gun in your home, you are at risk for disasters such as theft, or accidental discharge. It’s important that you keep any firearms in your home secured at all times, which can be best accomplished by purchasing a secure gun safe. There are a wide variety of gun safes available, each of which have different ratings, safety features and anti-theft safeguards. Here is a general guide to help you to purchase the best gun safe for your needs.

Bolted Gun Safe
Due to the high security of many gun safe locks, many thieves choose to simply remove the safe from a residence, and crack open the lock at their leisure. Even an extremely heavy gun safe (1000+ lbs) can be removed by rolling it out on broken broom handles, golf balls, or other items in the home. Never assume that your safe is secure simply because it has a high-security lock, or is extremely heavy! Always purchase a firearms safe that can be securely bolted to the floor.

Welded Joints
Since many thieves often bring heavy tools to crack gun safes, the integrity of the safe’s material is extremely important. Some companies attempt to make their safes as aesthetically appealing as possible, polishing down welding joints until they lose a lot of their durability. A skilled thief will be able to exploit these weaknesses with a sledgehammer or other heavy tool. Be sure that your firearms safe is constructed of a sturdy material, without any weak joints.

Heat-Resistant
A prepared thief may bring a cutting torch designed for gaining entry to high-security safes. However, by purchasing a fire-resistant gun safe, you can make it much more difficult for your safe to be breached in this method. Fire safes do tend to be a bit more expensive, though they can be essential if you have a significant investment in firearms.

Seamless Construction
As mentioned before, the main weakness in a firearms safe is often at the welded joints. There is a new type of safe that’s currently available for purchase, which is a three-piece construction. The main body of the safe will be seamless and molded, without any weldings. However, the top and bottom of the safe are still welded on, which gives this safe a total of eight welded seams (four on the top, and four on the bottom). This is more secure than safes which do not have a molded body, and have a total of 12 welded seams.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy, you may be able to replace material items in your home that were lost to theft. However, there are some items that can cost you a lot more than a few hundred dollars. Important documents in your home are prone to a number of disasters – fire, flooding, moisture damage and theft. To protect your identity (and your financial records), you may want to look in to installing an in-floor safe.

Benefits of A Floor Safe

Wall safes are generally more popular among people looking to hide their valuables, mostly due to their fairly straightforward installation. However, since floor safes are relatively uncommon, they can actually provide improved protection for your important items. A veteran burglar may know where to find even cleverly hidden wall safes. Not many burglars would think to check your floors.

Installing In-Floor Safes

Step 1 – Choose Your Safe.
It’s highly recommended that you purchase one that has a good security rating. Since floor safes are relatively difficult to install, you may also want to choose one that is fire and flood resistant. You can read our articles about High Security Safes, Fire Safes and Biometric Safes for more information about choosing the right type for you.

Step 2 - Choose Your Location.
Most people choose to install their floor safe in an area where it can be encased in concrete. It’s best to avoid installing floor safes on a second or third floor, since then you have to consider reinforcing the adjoining ceiling in order to compensate for the weight of it (and concrete). It’s usually best to install a floor safe in a ground-floor location. Also, remember that you will be cutting a hole directly in to your floor in order to install it. It’s important that you are familiar with the construction of your house, as well as the locations of all important wiring and/or plumbing.

Step 3 – DIY or Hire a Professional?
To be completely honest, installing a floor safe is not a simple task. If you are in any way uncomfortable with how effectively you will be able to install it, you may want to hire a professional. Some companies give you the option to have a purchased safe professionally installed, so you may want to look in to this option when you’re selecting one. If you do decide to install it yourself, you will need to gather several items:

• A detailed floor plan of your house.
• A map of all of the plumbing in your house, from several angles.
• A generalized map of the electrical wiring in your house.
• A map of the support beams included in your house.

You will also need to be experienced in pouring and mixing concrete. Installing a floor safe yourself will also require several different tools and materials. Unless you have extensive experience in all of these areas, it’s highly recommended that you have floor safes professionally installed.

Step 4 – Hiding Your Safe
After floor safes are installed, you have to figure out the best way to conceal it. If it’s in a carpeted floor, you can construct a simple trapdoor that is also carpeted, in order to hide it from sight. Another option is to place a heavy item of furniture over it, as well as an area rug. The downside to this option is that you will need to move the furniture every time you wish to access it. Depending on the type of documents you plan to keep in your floor safes, you can usually figure out a creative method to hide it from view.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

When browsing over different types of safes, many manufacturers advertise their product as being the “best option” for protecting important items. However, there are safes that are classified as being “High-Security”, which are in a slightly different class than most other safes. As a general rule, a “High Security” safe is rated as being one of the following classifications, which determine how effective it is in protecting important items.

TRTL-60×6
This classification is used for high security safes that are resistant to torches and six-sided lockpicking tools. This resistance is able to be maintained for 60 net minutes.

TRTL-30×6
This type of high security safe is also able to to resist torches and six-sided tools. However, it is only effective as being able to protect for approximately 30 net minutes.

TRTL-15×6
Like the previous two high-security safe classifications, a safe with a TRTL-15×6 classification is able to resist torches and six-sided lockpicking tools. This resistance, however, is only able to be maintained for 15 minutes.

TL-30×6
The TL-30×6 classification of high security safes can resist forced entry on all six sides, for a period of thirty minutes. This protection is effective against many common safe-cracking tools, such as power saws, cutting wheels, pressure devices and carbide drills.

TL-30
This classification of high security safes is able to resist forced entry on the front side of the safe for an approximate time period of 30 minutes. However, this protection is also only effective against common lockpicking and safecracking tools. This type of high-security safe is often installed in an area where only one side of the safe is accessible (such as being mounted as a wall safe).

TL-15
The TL-15 is the lowest classification of high security safes, though is also sometimes the least expensive. TL-15 rated safes are able to resist forced entry for an approximate time of 15 minutes. Like the TL-30, the TL-15 rating is also applied to safes that are resistant to carbide drills, pressure applying devices, grinding points, portable electric tools or lockpicking tools.

Choosing a High Security Safe

High security safes are most effective for people who wish for their safe to have a bit of extra protection for important items. Like with any other security product, you do end up paying a bit more for the improved protection. If this is something that you are interested in, be sure that the safe you choose carries the correct rating for the type of protection that you are looking for. In addition to this, you may want to consider having your safe installed by a professional, instead of doing it yourself. An improperly installed high security safe will not be as effective.

If a high security safe isn’t within your price range, you will need to consider that your items may not be as secure. However, due to the expense of high security safes, many people simply opt for a locking safe that can be easily concealed. There are many cost-effective ways to protect your important items, even if you can’t afford a high security safe. For more information about wall safes, you can read these ”3 Tips for Properly Installing a Wall Safe“.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Keeping valuable items secure has always been a very important part of home security. Documents such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, financial account info and stock certificates need to be protected against theft, fire, flood or other disasters. To protect important items, more people are choosing to install safes in their home. With today’s advancements in security technology, however, there are now many different options for security safes. Biometric safes are rapidly becoming more accessible to homeowners, which provides a level of enhanced security for valuable items. Here is a general guide to biometric safes, and how they work.

What is a Biometric Safe?

Biometric safes are secure places that are protected by using biometric technology to prevent unauthorized access. Many people mistakenly believe that a biometric safe is only able to use fingerprint identification to allow access. However, the term “Biometric Safe” can also apply to safes that are activated by voice authorization, DNA scans, iris scans, full hand-print scans and facial recognition scans. Fingerprint safes are the most widely used, since they have become in a cost bracket that is potentially affordable for some consumers.

How Does a Biometric Safe Work?

Upon purchasing biometric safes, you will need to go through a programming process. In this process, you will allow it to store identification information about individuals who are allowed to access it. In relation to a fingerprint scanner, you will need to scan your fingerprint in order for the system to store it for future recognition.

How is Recognition Data Stored?

Once the biometric system that operates the safe has scanned the access information during the programming process, it then stores this information for future access. However, this data is not stored in the method that you might think. A biometric system does not store an “image” of your fingerprint, hand-print or iris. Instead, it converts the access data into a complicated code, or a detailed graph. The system then uses this graph or code to compare against future access information that is entered into the safe.

What are the Components of a Biometric Safe?

The biometric system in safes have three main components, which all work together to process, store and authorize entry into it. These three components are:

• Software: In order for the access information to be authorized and identified, it needs to be translated into a language that the computer can read.
• Computer: The computer in it is able to store and read access information.
• Sensor: The sensor scans and detects the identification information entered into it.

Are Biometric Safes Effective?

Biometric technology is thought to be responsible for some of the most enhanced security features available today. Features of a person such as fingerprints, voice and iris characteristics are extremely effective when used in security identification. Many biometric safes may use a combination of biometric technology with a combination lock, key entry or other types of security authorization. Security technology is progressing to the point in which we are able to gain more control over who has access to our personal information and important items.

Is a Biometric Safe Right for Me?

Biometric safes are often very secure, and will be effective in protecting important items or documents. However, the main downside to biometric safes is that they are still slightly expensive. For example, a 14″ x 14″ biometric safe can cost from $450 – $550, depending on retailer and extra features. However, if you are looking for a high-security safe in which to store sensitive documents, you may decide that the cost is worth the extra security.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

When you have important documents that need protecting, installing a safe is a great way to ensure that your documents will be protected. However, if you have items that could be damaged or destroyed in a fire, you will need to purchase a properly rated fire safe in order for your valuables to be protected. Many people don’t understand how fire safes work, and how they are able to protect items from being damaged or destroyed in a fire. Here is a guide to how fire safes work, and how it protects valuables in the event of a fire.

Understanding Fire Safe Ratings

Contrary to what some people may think, a fire safe is not necessarily “fire-proof”. Fire Safes are constructed in a special manner that allows them to survive a fire for a rated period of time. More specifically, they are designed to endure temperatures of 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the special construction of it, they are able to keep the interior of from rising above 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, fire safes are only effective for a set period of time. The two most popular ratings are: 30 minutes and 1 hour. This means that it will be able to protect items inside against temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit for either 30 minutes or 1 hour. Since the ignition temperature for paper is 451 degrees Fahrenheit, this means that interior papers and other items should be ok for at least 30 minutes or 1 hour. In general, 1 hour fire safes are more expensive than 30 minute ones are.

How Fire Safes Works

A fire safe is constructed in a manner which is designed to give it its protective properties against fire. First, a hollow composite metal container is filled with a special mixture that is similar to concrete. After it is finished, hardened and shaped, the box is painted and fitted with operational parts. The cement-like mixture is designed to retain moisture even when dried, after the setting process is finished. When it is exposed to extreme heat, such as in the event of the fire, the special cement-like substance releases the moisture as steam. This steam is channeled into the interior of the box, regulating the temperature and creating a pressure seal against exterior heat.

What NOT to Store in a Fire Safe

Since a fire safe functions by the use of pressurized steam, this means that anything inside will be exposed to a moderate amount of heat, as well as a significant amount of moisture. This means that you should never store items, documents, valuables or other items in a fire safe that could potentially be damaged or destroyed by moisture. This includes:

• Computer Discs
• Audio Tapes
• Video Tapes
• Stamps
• Photographs

Some fire safes are designed to protect computer data, such as CD’s or DVD’s. However, if this is something you’re interested in, be sure that the one you purchase is designed to protect these types of documents.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Each year, around 75% of all crimes committed are related to theft of personal property from a residential location. Though making your home burglar-proof is the first step in protecting your home, a great way to ensure that your valuables are safe is to install a wall safe. With the proper equipment, installing a safe can be a relatively easy process, and will give you a secure storage place. Wall safes are more convenient than a safe deposit box, and you can access it at any time. However, if you don’t follow the proper procedures, you run the risk of improperly installing your safe, which compromises its security. Here are some tips you can follow when installing a wall safe in your home.

Tip #1 – Choose your Location Wisely.
The best way to enhance the security of a wall safe is to install it in an inconspicuous location. Many people choose to install their wall safe in closet areas, since this is a location where it can be easily concealed from view. However, the most important thing to factor in to choosing the location for your wall safe is to ensure that the wall is free from any piping and wires.

Tip #2 – Use a Stud Sensor.
When cutting the opening for your wall safe, use a stud sensor to detect the studs in your wall. This can help you to ensure that you place your safe between two studs, enhancing its secure location. Using a drywall saw is the best method for cutting the opening. However, be sure to watch out for any electrical wires!

Tip #3 – Fasten your Safe to Wall Studs.
Though additional reinforcement is required to ensure that your safe is secure in the wall, it’s highly recommended that you screw your safe directly to the wall studs. This gives it stability, which can help ensure that you are able to install the safe without any problems.

Since all wall safes are different, you may have to make exceptions to these rules. Some wall safes are designed to have maximum security, and may require steel shelving in order to be safely installed in your wall. Other safes may be too large to fit in certain walls, and may need to have their location chosen with more discretion. If you use common sense, and follow the directions provided with your safe, you should be able to properly install your wall safe with minimal difficulty.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Where can you put important documents, money, rings, and other valuable things so that they’ll be safe? The best answer is to put them in plain sight.

On average, a burglar will risk staying in a house for only eight minutes. The easiest way to prevent a burglar from finding anything in your home is to keep them searching but never finding anything during those eight minutes. Hide your valuables in ordinary containers that are in their rightful places. For example, soup cans, cleaning bottles, and pop cans are great places to hide valuables.

Companies will adapt unused cans or bottles to hide anything you want. Cans that hold drinks like 7-Up and rootbeer are even weighted down to feel like they’re full even though they may be holding important documents or money. Burglars aren’t going to take the time to snap open each pop can or open each soup can. In fact, they might not even think about doing that.

Besides hiding valuables in everyday containers, you can also install a fake light socket. It will blend right into the room. There is also the option of using hollowed out books.

Whatever option you choose to use, make sure it blends into your home.