A fireproof safe is essential for protecting important documents, valuables, and other precious mementos you don't want to lose in a fire. Retired FDNY Lieutenant Joe Torrillo says the two biggest threats to a residence are fire and flooding. "Protecting valuables from fire and wetness is something that people do not address until after the fact and unfortunately too late to have salvaged what may not be able to be replaced," he says. When looking for a fireproof safe, Torrillo says to look for one that can "withstand a temperature of 1,550 °F for a period of 30 minutes at a minimum." He also recommends taking note of the fireproof rating of fireproof safes. "Their fireproof rating infers that the contents protected within will sustain a fire long enough until fire extinguishing operations have been implemented," he says. Anna Redmond, founder of Braav, a security consultancy company, also emphasizes the importance of the fireproof rating. “The safes are rated by the amount of time they can withstand the extreme temperatures of a fire without the inside reaching a temperature that would damage the contents," she says. What We Researched After speaking to our experts, we researched fireproof safes, keeping in mind their fireproof rating, weight, dimensions, and security. Our Top Picks Best for Documents: Why You Should Get It The safe is UL-verified to protect your belongings for one hour up to 1,700°F, and it has a key and combination lock. Keep in Mind It uses a combination lock, so you’ll have to remember your code. Our best overall is the First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe. This is one of the brands Redmond recommended and is also "well-regarded in the industry," she says. It's UL-verified to withstand temperatures up to 1,700°F for one hour, ensuring it will protect your belongings for a sufficient length of time. It also has a waterproof seal, protecting your objects even if it's fully immersed in water. This gives you added peace of mind that your belongings are protected if firefighters have to use water. The safe is 0.94 cubic feet, giving you plenty of space to store your belongings, including essential documents, electronics, and larger items. Plus, it offers a great level of security. It weighs about 80 pounds, making it more difficult for a burglar to take with them during a robbery. Torrillo recommends you also look for a safe with the "ability to be bolted to a substantial object in the home" as well as one with hidden hinges. Both are important for security. This safe offers these attributes as well as four live-locking door bolts and a combination lock that allows you to set your own code. Additionally, this safe does offer a backup key that you can store in an inconspicuous location, if necessary to use in its place. Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL-verified for 60 Minutes at 1700°F | Dimensions: 17.8 x 19.8 x 15 inches | Weight: 79.45 pounds | Security: Combination Key Terms to Know Why You Should Get It The safe's sleek design makes it easy to store anywhere in your house. Keep in Mind Depending on the number of items you plan to store, the size may not be large enough. The best fireproof safe that doesn't cost a great deal of money is the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box. It's UL-certified to endure 30 minutes at 1,550 °F and can be submerged in water for up to 72 hours. Torrillo recommended this brand in particular as they are a leader in the industry and typically more affordable than other high-end options. When you open the safe, an interior light turns on. This is ideal for quickly spotting what you need in case of a power outage or if the safe is stored in a dark area. The safe stays locked with a key lock. A second key is included, so you can share it with another member of your household or a trusted family member or friend. The lock is also designed to stay closed in the case of a flood, so it won't open up accidentally. The size of the safe is smaller than other options on our list—it's only 0.28 cubic feet. However, that should be enough to hold any legal documents and digital devices like flash drives or DVDs. There is also a storage area under the lid, which has two straps to hold objects in place. Plus, the sleek design makes it easy to place it on top shelves or other storage areas without taking up too much room. Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL-Classified for 30 Minutes at 1550°F | Dimensions: 15.4 x 6.6 x 14.3 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Security: Key lock Why You Should Get It The interior design includes a place for holding keys, a top tray, and a drawer, and is large enough to hold a significant number of items. Keep in Mind The combination lock does not contain a backup key. Plus, the hinges are visible. For those willing to splurge, the SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe is UL-certified to endure up to 1,700°F for one hour, and it has even been tested to withstand a 15-foot fall. It's also ETL verified for water damage up to 24 hours in 8 inches of water, which is not typically found in many fireproof safes. It's also made of alloy steel, a durable construction material for added protection. The interior of the safe is suitable for those who want to keep their belongings organized. It contains a top shelf, a drawer, and a place for keys. Plus, with its 2 cubic feet of interior space, there is plenty of room for any other necessary objects you want to keep safe in a fire. The safe weighs 125 pounds, so it will not easily be grabbed in the case of a robbery. You can also bolt down the safe if you want the added security. The locking mechanism is a combination lock, which is suitable if you prefer a simple locking system. However, it does not include a backup key if you happen to lose the combination code. However, the code is preset by the company, so you can contact them in case you lose it. The hinges are visible but are considered pry-resistant. Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL certified for 60 Minutes at 1,700°F | Dimensions: 18.6 x 23.8 x 19.3 inches | Weight: 125 pounds | Security: Combination lock Why You Should Get It It’s fireproof for one hour at 1,700°F. Keep in Mind Even though it has a handle for easy carrying, it weighs 40 pounds so it is hefty. For a small option, Redmond recommended this brand as being another well-regarded and reputable choice. The Honeywell Portable Waterproof and Fireproof Chest has an ETL-certified protection rating of 60 minutes at 1,700°F and can be submerged in water for 100 hours up to 1 meter. This gives firefighters plenty of time to stop the fire, and you won't have to worry about water damage to the items inside. The safe measures 0.39 cubic feet, giving you plenty of space to store legal-size documents or jewelry. It weighs 40 pounds, which could be a deterrent during a burglary, but it also may make it difficult for you to move around your house. The locking mechanism only requires a key to open it. This may not be ideal if you are wanting a more complex system for additional security. However, that is a better option if you are ever in need a neighbor or friend to open the safe to access documents. "There are definitely situations where people traveling abroad or with a medical emergency, and suddenly need a trusted person to open a safe and found [more complex locks] to be a major challenge," Redmond says. Product Details: Fireproof Rating: ETL-Certified for 60 Minutes at 1700°F | Dimensions: 19.96 x 7.32 x 17.17 inches | Weight: 41.9 pounds | Security: Key lock Why You Should Get It It's perfect for storing and organizing legal or otherwise important documents with enough room for you to use file folders. Keep in Mind The hanging file system is sold separately. If you want to keep documents safe and organized, the SentrySafe Fireproof Safe Box is the best fireproof safe. It has enough room for you to use letter-size hanging files to organize your documents, making it perfect for those who want to find what they need effortlessly. There is also a storage area inside the lid for DVDs, passports, and other small objects, so you can find the most important items you need without difficulty. It is also waterproof for up to 72 hours immersed in water. Inside, the fireproof safe can hold up to 40 hanging files (purchased separately). Its design looks similar to a typical filing system that you might place near your desk, making it a discreet option for your home office. However, it weighs almost 40 pounds, so it cannot easily be stolen, making it ideal for security. The locking mechanism is a key, which can be ideal if you want to access items swiftly. It comes with an additional key for safekeeping in case the first one gets lost. Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL certified for 30 minutes at 1,550°F | Dimensions: 15.5 x 14.3 x 13.5 inches | Weight: 38.9 pounds | Security: Key lock The First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe is our top pick for a fireproof safe. It provides adequate protection with a UL certification of one hour at 1,700°F, and it offers plenty of room for storage. If you’re willing to spend more on your fireproof safe, the SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe is a fantastic option—it has been tested to withstand a 15-foot drop. The fire protection rating means that the safe has been tested to withstand the listed temperature for the specified amount of time. Torrillo says at a minimum it should be 30 minutes at 1,550°F. However, both Torrillo and Redmond say that 1,700°F for an hour is ideal, like you find with the First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe. "Look for safes that have been independently tested and rated by recognized testing laboratories, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), for their fire resistance," Redmond says. Intertek, which performs the ETL certification, is another fire-resistance testing label to look for when shopping. The type of lock is an important consideration for fireproof safes. You want one that keeps valuables safe without being too complex in case an outside party needs to access documents inside. "You can get traditional combinations, key locks, electronic keypads, and biometric scanners. Each type of lock has benefits and drawbacks," Redmond says. The First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe has a combination lock with a backup key system. Meanwhile the Honeywell Portable Waterproof and Fireproof Chest uses only a key. The weight of the safe is part of its security. A heavier safe will be more difficult to grab during a robbery than a lighter one. Options such as the First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe weigh over 80 pounds and the SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe weighs 125 pounds. However, a lightweight safe, like the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box weighs only 20 pounds. This can be ideal if you want to be able to move it or place it in an easy-to-grab location, such as a high shelf. Not all fireproof safes are waterproof. You'll want to look for one that specifically says waterproof in order to protect your valuables. "Besides fire resistance, a good safe should protect against water damage,” Redmond says, “If they are not waterproof, water can seep into safes and damage the contents." If possible, select one with an ETL certification for water damage. "The safe should have robust construction, typically made of steel," Redmond says. Additionally, Torrillo says "you’ll have to assume that a reputable company manufactures their safes to the highest standards to what they’re expected to protect.". That's why it's more important to purchase a safe that is either ETL-certified or UL-verified to ensure it's been through rigorous testing to withstand the temperatures and conditions of a fire. Each safe will come with specific instructions on how to perform regular maintenance to protect the contents inside and the overall integrity of the safe. Redmond recommends testing every six to 12 months. "Test the lock mechanism and keys, if applicable, to ensure they are functioning properly,” she says, “Inspect the seal around the door for any signs of wear or damage that could compromise its waterproof or fire-resistant integrity." She also advises you to test the batteries if you have purchased one with an electronic lock. Torrillo recommends you perform extra maintenance on the contents inside by airing out the safe for 20 minutes every two weeks. It's especially important to perform this task if you live in an area with a lot of humidity. "To protect paper items, such as cash, documents, etc., against mold and mildew, consider placing these items in heat-sealed pouches or plastic zip-lock bags with silica gel desiccant packs, the types that are delivered with electronic equipment," he says. Nicole Pyles is a commerce writer with extensive experience researching and writing about home products for a variety of brands. She interviewed Retired FDNY Lieutenant Joe Torrillo and Anna Redmond, founder of Braav, a security consultancy company for their insights.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Fireproof-Safes-tout-96bb85b27cc243de9ff0a98881046252.jpg "Keep Your Documents and Valuables Safe With One of These Expert-Approved Fireproof Safes (1)")
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First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe
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SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box
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