Residential Safe and Vault Selection Guide: What Homeowners Should Know

Keeping your valuables, important documents, and firearms secure requires more than just a locked drawer. A residential safe or vault provides reliable protection against theft, fire, and even natural disasters. This home safe buying guide will help you understand the types of home safes available, what features matter most, and how to choose the best home safe for valuables in your home.

How to Choose the Right Size of Safe or Vault

When deciding how to choose a home safe, consider what you need to store. Fireproof safes for home use come in compact sizes for passports and jewelry, while larger burglary safes or vaults can protect firearms, cash reserves, or family heirlooms. It’s often smart to size up, since collections of documents or valuables tend to grow over time.

Find a Safe that Matches Your Needs

• Fireproof Safes: Best for safeguarding documents and irreplaceable records.
• Burglary Safes: Heavy steel construction offers superior break-in resistance.
• Wall Safes vs Floor Safes: Wall safes are discreet and easy to conceal, while floor safes offer greater depth and capacity.
• Gun Safes: Designed for firearm security and compliance with safety laws.
  
  

Pros and Cons of Popular Residential Safe and Vault Models

• Wall Safes – Hidden behind furniture, but limited in size.
• Floor Safes – Excellent for long-term storage, though installation is more complex.
• Fire Safes – Protect against heat and smoke, but may offer less burglary resistance.

Key Security Features of Home Safes

Look for UL fire ratings, solid steel doors, pry-resistant hinges, and digital or biometric locks. These residential safe features can mean the difference between basic storage and true protection.

How to Install a New Residential Safe or Vault

Proper installation is critical. Bolt your safe to the wall or floor to prevent removal. Choose a location that is discreet and accessible.

Locked Out? Contact Oliphant Lock & Safe

Regardless of your choice of safe or vault, feel confident knowing that no matter how secure it is, Oliphant Lock & Key can help you get back in if you lose the key.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // KadirOrhan