It might seem an odd question to ask, but could a determined thief steal your safe? If it’s not bolted down, then the answer is an undoubted ‘yes’, because small safes are relatively easy to carry, and once the thief has made good his escape, then he can work at breaking into the safe at his leisure. And even if he’s not able to open it, you’ve still been deprived of its contents, which must have been valuable to warrant storing them in a safe. You might also find that allowing a thief to steal your safe makes your home contents insurance policy invalid. So what’s the answer? It’s really simple. Don’t put the safe in full view, and bolt it down securely. For a further level of security choosing a wall safe or, completely invisibly, underfloor safes might be a good alternative. Floor and wall-mounting models clearly require specialist installation, since they are designed for fitting within reinforced concrete. However, they do have security cash ratings of up to £100,000.
Here’s a quick guide to securing a safe
• choose an out-of-the-way location
• make sure there are neither pipes nor electrical wiring where the screws or bolts need to go
• select robust and sturdy fittings
• before you drill anything, make sure the safe is level. If it’s not, there could be a danger of fingers being trapped as the door closes on its own
• if you’re in any doubt, get someone in to do the job professionally.