Which fireproof safe

Our pick. Honeywell Lightweight Fire and Waterproof Chest The best fireproof document safe The is certified to withstand high-temperature fires for twice as long as the competition, but it weighs 42 pounds and has the footprint of a mini fridge. Budget pick. Also great. First Alert F Water and Fire Protector File Chest Smaller and cheaper for hanging file folders The F is large enough to hold file folders and documents, but it has only a minute burn rating.

Everything we recommend. Why you should trust us. Who should get this. How we picked. He said UL tests to different ratings depending on what kind of rating the manufacturer wants. Testers put the safes in a furnace at a specific temperature, for a specified amount of time; a safe-maker can request tests at different temperature and duration marks. Then the testers drop the safes three stories before placing them back in the furnace for more heat testing.

He also said that a room will burn for about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes if not addressed. So far, none of our picks have allowed water inside. We made sure that the keys or keypads could consistently open the locks. Build quality: A well-built safe is likely to keep your stuff safer, and at the very least it provides peace of mind.

Size: We considered two sizes of safes: those designed for documents, and larger models for hanging file folders. For the former, we considered only those safes that were large enough to hold at least letter-size paper without our having to fold it.

Not everyone needs to hang file folders, and smaller safes are less expensive, so this is the size we recommend unless you know you need something larger. We also considered how much space the safes took up and how heavy they were.

It was also important that the models we tested be available from reputable retailers with free or low-cost, flat-rate shipping; safes are so heavy that paying the actual shipping cost would be prohibitive. How we tested. The hydraulic hinges prevent the heavy lid from slamming down on your fingers. Photo: Nick Guy. Flaws but not dealbreakers.

This safe locks with a standard flat key and comes with two copies. It measures You'll get 0. Also, the built-in carrying handle makes it easy to transport or grab in the event of an emergency. If you're open to splurging on the perfect fireproof safe, we recommend the Fire and Burglary Safe from Gardall.

Available in three different sizes, each safe is fire-tested to withstand 60 minutes at degrees Fahrenheit. The Gardall safe goes beyond fire protection, though. As a certified Underwriters Laboratories Residential Security Container, it passes testing for burglary resistance.

The bolt-down locks are extremely durable and secure, giving you peace of mind about keeping your valuables out of the wrong hands. Choose from either a combination lock or an electronic lock. With the electronic option, you can set one or two six-digit combinations. This durable safe has double-duty construction. The outer lockbox can endure up to 60 minutes of degrees Fahrenheit heat, plus there's an inner compartment that can withstand minutes at degrees Fahrenheit.

The Sanctuary Platinum Series has triple-seal technology to safeguard your belongings in the event of emergencies. Aside from enduring house fires , it protects your valuables from smoke and moisture damage for up to a week in 4.

The lockbox has an easy-touch programmable keypad that illuminates when you enter your code. Additionally, it locks with four heavy-gauge bolts and has an audible tamper alarm. You'll get two backup keys for manual access as well. Sports Afield also backs this product with a lifetime hassle-free warranty. The Fire Resistant Box Safe from AmazonBasics has a digital keypad that you can program with your own four- or six-digit combination.

You'll also get a standard backup key for emergency access. This safe complies with Underwriters Laboratories standard testing for fire resistance and can protect your belongings at degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. This safe features heavy-duty gage steel construction and securely locks with five 0. It has an adjustable shelf for better organization of your high-priority documents , digital media, jewelry, and keepsakes.

Amazon also backs this fire-resistant safe with a one-year limited warranty. Not only that, but the interior temp won't get above degrees Fahrenheit for the full hour. The door is precision-built with heavy-duty steel, and plated interlocking bolts prevent intruders from removing the box after installation. This compact safe has a keypad lock that can be programmed with one or two six-digit codes. It comes in two sizes. Weighing 54 pounds, the small option measures The larger size is 85 pounds: It measures Its built-in alarm will produce a notably loud noise in the event of unauthorized access or forced entry.

The pry-resistant bar and large one-inch bolts keep your valuables safe from intruders, and a dual-touch lock allows for quick access without compromising security. Most importantly, it's certified fireproof for 60 minutes at degrees Fahrenheit. It's also waterproof for up to 24 hours in eight inches of water and is verified to withstand a foot drop.

Fire-resistant insulation is also often used to help keep those interior temperatures down. ABS plastic and various resins are used as well. These two materials are lighter weight and are typically used to make smaller, more portable safes. Start your search for a fireproof safe box by making a list of what you want to keep inside it. If you have valuable jewelry or other irreplaceable items, a bank lockbox offers the best protection. Passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, and tax returns are also valuable documents that could pose a problem if lost to theft or fire.

Take a look at your list and make sure the safe will hold everything on it. For example, firearms take up more space than documents or DVDs. Size also plays a role in where you can put the safe. Obviously, larger safes are harder to hide and easier to spot. If you want to keep the safe hidden, consider a small model that more easily fits in a closet, crawl space, or under floorboards. In truth, no safe is percent fireproof.

Safes are fire resistant only up to a certain temperature and for a certain amount of time. Underwriters Laboratories UL evaluates safes and gives them a fireproof rating. These ratings indicate two things—the maximum temperature at which the product can maintain a safe interior temperature, and the length of time the safe can hold that temperature. The interior temperature determines the kinds of materials the safe can protect. Anything above that, and the paper will burn.

However, electronics may not be able to withstand temperatures of more than to degrees. The UL rating also indicates how long the safe can hold that interior temperature. Most home fireproof safes offer at least 30 minutes of protection. That may not sound long, but most fires move through a room in less than 20 minutes. For additional peace of mind, however, some safes offer up to minutes of fire protection.

Waterproof safes indicate how long they can protect their contents from water as well as the depth at which they can maintain that protection. Some safes also offer humidity resistance, which can protect items or documents that are sensitive to subtle environmental changes. LED displays are much easier to see in dim conditions.

Some safes are portable with a top or side handle for easy carrying. These small safes may weigh 25 to 30 pounds. Others weigh more than pounds and would take two people to move. The items you want to protect, your available space, and the threats from which you want to safeguard your items will help you determine the right safe for you.

Here are a few more tips to help you find the best fireproof safe and incorporate it into your home security system.

Some models have extra features like alarms, while others offer biometric entry. The list includes safes of different sizes to accommodate the wide range of circumstances under which you might need to secure documents or personal items.

Water Submersion Testing Waterproof chests and files consistently deliver up to 72 hours of powerful protection from water intrusion. ETL Verified Protection In addition to our own testing, the independent testing firm ETL thoroughly tests and verifies our water submersion and resistance ratings to ensure our safes protect against flooding and other water damage.

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