Having a gun safe in your home is one of the best ways to protect your firearms and valuables from theft and fire. But where you put that safe in your home determines its longevity and performance. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing where to place your gun safe.
Humidity and Moisture
The dampest area in your home can be your basement, which makes it a less-than-favorable place to put a safe. More gun safes experience problems because of humidity and moisture than from burglaries or fires. Even when a safe is kept closed, humidity can still get inside and damage firearms and other items inside.
Possibility of Floods
If you live in a flood-prone area, you should install your safe where it won’t be exposed to floodwaters. Even with a sump pump in your basement, there is a possibility it could fail, especially if your electricity is out.
Weight of the Gun Safe
Gun safes are made of thick steel and are usually very heavy. You need to be sure that the weight of your safe will not damage your home. If you plan to install your safe on the second floor of your home or on the first floor above a basement or crawl space, make sure the floor and its underlying support are structurally sound. Get a professional inspection - or check with a professional safe-moving company or reputable safe dealer - if you're not sure.
Durability of the Floor
Gun safes can be installed on any type of flooring. For the best results, harder surfaces like concrete and hardwood flooring are best. When properly bolted, thieves have a difficult time tipping your safe over, a common practice when their goal is to pry the door off and get your safe open.
Access for Emergencies
You want quick access to your safe, but you may also want to put it in a discreet location. So what do you do? A quality safe will give you more peace of mind about having to keep it hidden away in a spot that's so difficult to get to that you never use. Get a good safe from a reputable company, bolt it down, and put it somewhere that's not right out in the open, but is still easy to access.
Weather and Climate Control
Your safe should be in a climate-controlled area where it is not exposed to extreme cold or heat. The temperature outside a safe can affect its interior. Think twice about putting your safe in your garage, non climate-controlled shop, basement, or attic.
Your local Liberty Safe dealer can give you advice on what is the best area in your home for your safe.
