How do you secure your valuables?

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wrehsiwsw

wrehsiwsw

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I was curious how you secure your valuables at home in terms of fire/theft/waterproof etc. I'm not looking for Ft. Knox but at the same time I'd love to hear what you do for your customs, cash, jewelry, papers etc.

Would love to have 1 hour fire rating under 350 degrees with a cubic ft of interior. I would also like key backup as opposed to straight up combo or digital. Have looked around at the local hardware stores like Lowe's etc and Office depot.

Thanks for your insights, Bill in MD
 
Don't have any valuable to protect. Sorry, but thanks for asking.

If I had any, probably be enough to have one of those 6000 degrees for 1/100th of a second revolvers.
 
That is a great question. I am looking forward to this thread. I struggle with the same conflicts. Also where do you put the stuff. I know there are pros and cons to everything.

It's so hard trying to keep safe what you charich and what you need to keep safe.
 
puddleofgore said:
Carefully ;)
Click to expand...

Ditto. :thumbup:

And, so far as I'm concerned, don't advertise or show off your stuff to folks you don't really know well enough to trust. I've seen countless stories in the news about burglaries and/or home invasions that were perpetrated by people who already new what was in the house, before they broke in. In some cases, these were people who previously were in the house for parties & such.

And, above all, don't tell people your secrets about how you hide or protect your stuff. Especially in this format (online); you never know who's reading your replies and taking notes... it's like an online 'How to' for aspiring thieves.

I know this sounds cynical, but I've been ripped off one time too many. :mad:
 
I'm just looking for suggestions from those folks who want to secure certain items perceived to be of value to them. I've been looking at a variety of small lock boxes and safes for a variety of items. I know there are many experienced folks here so I thought I'd pose the question as a new person.

My concern is focused more on fire and water damage and of course the biggest bang for the buck!
 
lots of guys around here think that you should leave all guns, knives, valuables, just laying out exposed. not me. paul
 
Look around for offices going out of business. If they have a fire "proof" 2 drawer file cabinet it can sometimes be bought very cheaply. These cabinets are very heavy and some office furniture brokers don't want to bother with moving them so their resale value isn't nearly what they cost new
 
Large gun safe bolted to wall & floor also connected to a very good home security system, inside a gated community with cameras.

Tip: Don't be cheap when buying a safe... it will be worth it when it counts!
 
Start off outside...work your way in like a thief would...

Motion detector lights on the corners of the house, at every entrance, covering ground level windows as well.

Solid doors, frames, locks. Locked storm doors as well. Good windows.

Alarm system. Solid door and frame on the bedroom. Cell phones near you at all times. Dogs don't hurt. Accessible firearm for your use. Locked room with a quality fireproof safe inside.
 
Mahoney: These cabinets are very heavy and some office furniture brokers don't want to bother with moving them so their resale value isn't nearly what they cost new

Hey, man. New member here. I move pianos, and I got a call awhile back to move a safe in that same situation. The guy had gotten it free, but he had to get it out of there by Thursday. His wife's best friend knew I moved pianos, and what is a piano really but a safe with some keys and strings bolted on to it? Anyway, we got it done in about 45 minutes. I guess what I'm saying is, have a plan for moving it before you buy it.

I have one of those hundred dollar sheet metal gun cabinets, heavily bolted and sorta hidden. I wanted more fire protection, though, so I lined the inside with a double layer of 5/8" type X GWB (gypsum wallboard, common at home centers and lumberyards. It's moderately messy to install (score and snap it, don't use your circular saw) but I did a pretty sanitary job. I don't claim it will withstand an inferno, but it's a good upgrade for almost free (job site scraps, cost me a six-pack of beer).

Parker
 
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Not all nor even most by any means, but I have seen folks get ripped by people they let into their homes to repair AC, cable etc. , delivery guys. If you buy something nice and are able either burn the box or compost it or take it to a dumpster away from your home, leaving a new TV box (for example) in the trash is advertising for thieves. It seems harsh but you don't have to be Fort Knox, just a bit harder than your neighbors and preferably somewhat obviously since most crimes are crimes of opportunity. A professional thief (very rare) who wants your stuff will get it.
 
I dont bother, I just have my knives in my room with my other crap. I live in a good area and knives are not seen as valuable.
 
One of these:

safe_magnum_1.jpg
 
The number one thing for security is other people. I have renters in my house but highly recommend house sitters if going away for more than a few days. Also inform the neighbours if you are away.

As others have mentioned, good lighting, good door locks (deadbolts), barred basement windows, and a hidden fireproof safe all help.
 
I don't know much about gun or reg safes, I just have a decent fire-rate, file cabinet that has some extra storage in the bottom. I don't have enough cash or jewelry to worry about.

Don't forget safety deposit boxes.

Don't forget to document your stuff for insurance purposes. When in doubt, contact your insurance company to find out how to best document your stuff to prove that you have it in case you ever need to file a theft claim later.
 
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