When the average person thinks of installing a safe in the home, it's easy to dismiss the idea as something only "rich" people would need to do. It's easy to have a misconception about who owns a home safe, since the majority of the time we only see them hidden behind paintings in the home of wealthy movie characters. Of course the burglar always gets into the movie-safes, using the latest in burglar technology. The reality is that many home owners are realizing that home security means more than just a simple alarm system. When disaster strikes, whether it be a break-in, flood or fire, the best way to prevent losing everything is preparedness. As a matter of common sense, nobody sees the safes of their friends when we stop by to visit because it would defeat the purpose- but many homeowners would be surprised just how common it is to have a safe or lockbox installed in the home.

The first step in boosting home security with a safe is deciding what kind of safe you are looking for. Some things are a matter of personal preference, for example, the way in which the safe locks. The most common types of locks are digital keypad locks, combination locks, padlocks, and key locks. Some utilize more than one style lock for added impenetrability, for example a digital keypad which requires code entry AND a key to open the door and gain entry. Each kind has its pros and cons, so the first step is to think practically about what is the most useful for you personally. If you are the type of person that has to keep your ATM pin number written down in your wallet or saved in your cellular phone, a digital keypad is probably not for you. Likewise, a person with the locksmith on speed-dial should probably shy away from anything that requires a key for entry. Although some lock types may be slightly less susceptible to forced entry than others, the difference is negligible in comparison to barring your OWN entry and access to important items, articles and documents.

Another important factor to consider is exactly what will be going into the safe. For some people it's where they will keep family heirlooms or valuable jewelry. For others it's a place to store some just-in-case cash, or is primarily storage for important and/or irreplaceable documents. The smart shopper should make a list of everything they want to put in the safe, estimate the required dimensions to fit everything comfortably, and then begin to shop around. The size of the safe also makes a big difference. A smaller safe is easier to hide, but a larger safe is far more difficult to remove from the house. In all cases the owner should decide whether or not it is necessary to bolt the safe down, leave the safe freestanding, or install the safe right in the wall (yes, like in the movies). Part of the decision should be the other measures being utilized by the home to ensure security. A home with a home alarm system can expect that any intruder will have less time in the house and be more inclined to attempt to carry the safe with them. A home without an alternative home security system may want to invest more in the actual safe as the first and last line of defense between a burglar and valuables.

Today safes also come as fireproof and/or waterproof, which may turn out to be the most important feature in terms of protecting your belongings. Unfortunately in life even the best laid plans can be overturned by an unexpected tragedy. It is common to ask oneself "what would I try to save in the case of a fire." The answer should be "nothing," since the first priority is getting safely out of the burning building. By having valuables already stored in a fireproof and waterproof location the chances of their survival are better even than if they were in your hands, hindering your attempt to escape.