When you start looking into purchasing a safe, there’s a chance you’ll come across a whole lot of preconceived notions about various gun safe models, placement, and the like. We’ve come across all kinds of them during our years in the industry, so we would like to set the record straight on some of the most common myths we’ve encountered to ensure you’re making the best decision for yourself and for your home.
Myth # 1: Gun safes with external hinges can be broken into easier.
This is highly incorrect, as the mechanics of the safe would not allow for this to occur. The primary security feature is not in the hinges, but in the locking bolts or bars that extend into the body of the safe. Because of this, cutting or breaking the external hinges of the safe would be entirely ineffective. Rest assured that if any would-be thief were to try to break into your safe by breaking the hinges, they will leave sorely disappointed.
Myth # 2: Safes don’t need to be bolted down.
Bolting down safes, while not a strict requirement, is highly recommended by gun safe manufacturers, and for good reason. A bolt down will provide more security to your safe, as intruders most likely would not go so far as to remove your safe entirely, but would instead want to maneuver the safe in such a way that they have easier access. Bolting your safe down can provide you with even more peace of mind that your most precious belongings are kept secure.
Myth # 3: Having a safe with a fire rating will make the contents inside invulnerable to the effects of high temperatures.
When you’re looking into various safe models and types, you’ll come across a feature for them regarding a given safe’s fire rating, which will help you to understand the basics of how long the safe can withstand a typical fire while protecting the contents. However, this does not leave everything inside immune to the heat for that amount of time. If a fire is raging outside of the safe, the contents could still be withstanding temperatures that could vary from 300-400 degrees. The exact extent to which your items will be protected will vary depending on the materials they are made from, as far as what temperature they can endure and for how long.
Myth # 4: A gun safe will protect all contents inside from environmental effects.
While a safe will certainly keep your belongings protected from a multitude of environmental effects, there are some things you would need to consider. Aside from the fire rating mentioned in the previous point, humidity can also be an issue regarding the contents of your safe, whether it be due to where you live or where the safe is placed. This is why a frequent add-on to a safe purchase would be a dehumidifier that can be placed inside the safe itself. Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage firearms, paper documents, jewelry, and encourage mold to form. If the safe is being kept in a basement or a garage, or anywhere that could be damp or humid, installing a dehumidifier in your safe would go a long way to ensuring the safety of your precious items and the safe itself.
Myth # 5: If an appliance was able to fit into a location or through a tight space, a safe can, too.
Though the dimensions of a large appliance can be similar to that of an average gun safe, they are made from very different materials that are a significant factor in how they can be maneuvered. Commercial products like refrigerators or washers are made from thin metals that can be easily disassembled to get around a tight space. On the other hand, gun safes are welded and are made of much more resilient metals, which greatly affects how maneuverable they are in confined areas. Similarly, while a staircase can handle the weight of a 200 lb refrigerator, the same cannot necessarily be said of a staircase being able to hold the weight of a 2000 lb safe.
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