Sentry fire safes are not security safes

[TboneMan]

My house was broken into a couple of weeks ago. They jimmied a window open with a wrecking bar. Then they used the bar to open my Sentry fire safe and steal all of my wifes good jewelry (about $3500 worth) plus some cash, fortunately they left all of the important papers. They also got the right and left speakers in my livingroom.



I now have a burglar/fire proof safe (well at least it UL certified against burglars) and a security system.



The moral of the story is don't think that these fire safes you buy at HomeDepot/WalMat/Sam's/BJ/Costco..... really project valuables. Just 30 seconds with a crowbar and a hammer and the sheet metal just peels away.

 

[MFalkinham]

I'm very sorry to hear about your break-in. It's sad how some people have no moral compass whatsoever. I agree that these inexpensive safes are designed strictly for fire protection, with thin layers of steel sandwiching a gypsum core. They will slow down a burglar, but won't stop them.



However, I'm not sure that a better safe would stop them, either. Yes, you can buy a serious no-BS safe and bolt it to the floor or wall. But unless the safe is enormous in size and weight, a couple of burglars can still win by taking it with them (like in the movie "Casino"). Assuming they have enough time, and that making noise isn't a problem, how can it be anchored in a way that a gas chainsaw and/or chopsaw can't conquer it. Even small ATM machines in convienence stores can be ripped out of their concrete anchors using trucks, and they are made to be extremely burglar resistant.



Unfortunately, I think that a bank safe deposit box is the only way to really protect cash and valuables.



- Mike

 

[klenger]

Good info. If I did own a safe, it would be worth more that what I could put in it (cash and valuables).



Actually, I have been thinking about installing a wall safe behind a picture (I'm so creative), but have no idea where to get one. I figure no one would bother to look for a hidden safe in my class of house.

 

[TboneMan]

Klenger,



Try a lock smith comany for a wall safe. The company I bought my safe from was a full service lock smith, safe sales, high end master locks. They had several wall/floor safe models in stock.



The safe I ended up with is a Gardall. Made is Syracuse, NY and distributed nationwide. This particular lock smith was the UL rating tester for the safe I purchased. They cracked the first 4 editions of the model, and were not able to crack the 5th version, thereby earning it the UL listing.

 

[MFalkinham]

Good info. If I did own a safe, it would be worth more that what I could put in it (cash and valuables).



Actually, I have been thinking about installing a wall safe behind a picture (I'm so creative), but have no idea where to get one. I figure no one would bother to look for a hidden safe in my class of house.

I needed an inexpensive safe for keeping my handgun and ammo secure yet easily accessible. I bought a cheap electronic lock safe from Harbor Freight for $30, and installed it in the wall of my bedroom closet between two studs. I drilled 3 holes into each side of the safe, and used heavy lag screws to bolt it into the studs from the inside. It portrudes about 2" from the 3. 5" wall, but being it's in a closet I don't care. It is very solid, yet I can open it within seconds by entering a 5 digit code on the keypad. It's not fireproof, but would require heavy-duty wrecking tools to remove from the wall.



- Mike

 

[RT66DOC]

We have a floor safe in the bedroom - set in the concrete slab. Cover it up with a carpet flap and bookcase. Only problem now is we ripped out all the carpet to put tile everywhere [7 dogs, ya know] and I have to deal with a hump where the safe is. One would think they'd have installed it flush, but no such luck. Overall, I think the floor safe in concrete is a pretty good idea.

 

[justinp20012500]

I wonder how many crow bars it would take to get into my Browning gun safe????

The safe is in my basement (Pain in the rear to get it down there) and is bolted to the wall form the inside.

 

[nickleinonen]

i've got one of them cheaper fire safes too... i don't got much in there... i've got my passport and some cash in there, and some coins too [not really a collection, but just those different quarters and other odd coins]



if some one breaks into it, well sh** happens... i've got a lot more money easially accessable in my dvd collection and all my stereo/home theater stuff... [in the room next to the room with the safe]

 

[PRyker]

I bought a huge gun safe and put it in my garage. Thing weighs 1500 lbs so they will not be able to move it. It has 1. 5" thick dead bolts around the door so I doubt you could "pry" it open. I think that there are like 18 bolts all together. I have 14 guns in there and it is tight but works. It is also fire safe at 1300 degrees for 33 minutes.



I use to have the cheaper safes as well and finally moved up after being broken into when I lived in Ft Lauderdale. Problem was when I moved back to Maryland I took a fork lift to move the dang thing.



I have seen used gun safes go very cheap, even sometimes free to whomever can move it. I would recommend getting something like that if you have a place to put one.



Thanks



Phil