Protecting your valuables from theft should be a big concern. Let’s say you have jewelry that your mother passed down to you from her mother. In your collection is her beautiful diamond engagement ring. Every time you look at it, a smile comes to your face. Her stories about the day your grandfather asked for her hand in marriage make you believe in true romance.
You have also invested in other diamond accessories including stud earrings, an elegant tennis bracelet, and more valuables.
The first thing you need to do is take jewelry insurance. The average homeowner’s insurance will not provide sufficient coverage for high-value accessories. You can only get up to a $1500 limit.
Talk to reputable underwriters or brokers to see how you can get a better cover. Consider the money you spend a worthwhile investment in protecting your jewelry.
The second option, which is the basis of this article, is to get a safety locker. But, it is much more than buying the first safe you come across. We will show you how to choose the right one for your valuables.
Decide On What Will Go into the Locker
Start by deciding what will go into the locker. Take a look at your priced and meaningful possessions like:
- The diamond bracelet was a graduation gift from your mother.
- A pair of your favorite diamond stud earrings.
- Your gold chain you use with different pendants.
- A matching diamond wedding set that you are saving for your son.
All these prized accessories should find a residence in the safe. But, you also want a safe that can accommodate your essential documents. Such include your passport, birth records, property deeds, and so on.
Other items could include hard drives and dangerous prescription drugs. Indeed, this should consist of anything you would hate to lose that is small enough to fit in the safe.
Determining the Locker Size
At this point, you have a mental checklist of what will go into the safe. This is the best way to determine the size of the locker you will buy. If it is only your jewelry collection, you can get a small one. But if there is a lot of stuff, and you see yourself accumulating more, a bigger option may be worth considering.
Don’t judge the size of the safe by looking at the exterior. It could look big on the outside. But most have some pretty thick walls. That will make the inside considerably smaller.
Locking Mechanism
There are different mechanisms in the wide range of home lockers available in the market.
- Combination locks are one such example. Their advantage is that you don’t need batteries to operate them. But, not everyone has very good eyesight. You may find it difficult to read the numbers on the small screen.
- Digital locks have technological features that enhance safety. You need to come up with a PIN, which will give you access to the safe. Some will, for instance, automatically resist any repetitive attempts to gain entry. Keep up with changing the batteries, though.
- Dial locks are pretty old school. You rotate the dial left to right until you get the right combination. You don’t have to worry about electronic failures or outages. Their downside is you must get a professional to change the combination if you ever need to.
- Key-operated safes have also been around for some time. Their downside is you must find a safe place to store the keys. But, with proper maintenance, the locker can serve you for years. Further, they are not as expensive as electronic safes.
Please note electronic safes have one key benefit. If you need to change the code, reprograming them is easy. You don’t have to change the entire locking system, as you would with a key-operated one.
You can also request extra locking mechanisms if you so wish. This can be helpful depending on what is in the locker. Let’s say you are a diamond seller who deals with raw diamonds. You may, at any one time, have a large number of stones. In such a case, it would not hurt to take extra precautions.
Safe Installation Location
Think about where to place the safety locker. The size of the locker will determine where it goes. Some are pretty small and can fit anywhere, including wardrobes, bathroom cabinets, or anywhere you choose.
Wall safes are great for lightweight items. Your diamond jewelry collection will fit right in. It is also a good idea to find a way to camouflage the locker. Please don’t make it easy for the neighborhood burglar to identify its exact location immediately when he walks into the room.
Floor safes tend to be a bit larger. The bulky size may need a bit of space. You should also get the type that you can anchor on the floor. No one should be able to pick it up and walk out of the premises with it.
Please note improper installation can provide a way out for the insurance company. They could claim that you did not take due care in ensuring the safety of your valuables.
Also, think about which room to put the safe in. Burglars know that the master bedroom is where you are likely to keep your valuables. The first place they will search for a safe is the bedroom.
They will then check if you are hiding the locker behind paintings. Think of the most unlikely place to install your safe.
Accreditation and Other Features
Please ensure the safe you buy has the relevant accreditation. To find out what is applicable in your country. Certification means that the manufacturer has conducted the appropriate tests to determine safety. Please note your insurance company may also need this documentation.
Other features to check out are durability and fire resistance. The construction quality also matters and will have a grading system. Avoid those that have a weak rating.
You may have realized that we have not talked about the cost of the locker up to this point. The type and features you choose will determine what you end up paying. Extra locks, for instance, can drive up the cost a little. Additional features like shelving will do the same.
Since you already know what you need, shop around with that in mind. But, determine how much you are willing to spend on the locker to guide you.
Final Thoughts
A home locker provides a fantastic way to take care of your valuables. Use our safe buying guide above when shopping for one. Focus on the safety features and only buy those that have undergone the relevant testing and accreditation.
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