6 Ideas for Hiding a Safe at Home | Dixie Safe & Lock Service Inc.

Investing in a home safe is one the best ways to ensure valuables like important documents, firearms, jewelry and cash do not fall into the wrong hands. But if your safe is in plain sight, it is still vulnerable – thieves can pick locks and use physical force to gain access to even the sturdiest of safes. Give yourself some added peace of mind by finding a secure place to hide your safe.

Depending on the distance between the studs in your home – typically 16 or 24 inches – and the size of your safe, mounting it inside a wall is an effective option.1 After the safe is installed, it can be concealed using a painting, bookshelf, appliance or any other portable item. Not only is the safe hidden, it is bolted to the studs, making it difficult to physically remove.

Hiding a safe under the floor can be done one of two ways – it can be mounted between the floor joists or the frame can be altered to accommodate a larger safe. The latter method requires the assistance of a contractor in many cases. Master bedroom closets are a common location for floor safes. Once under the floor, the safe can be hidden with a decorative rug or removable floor boards.

Crawl spaces under stairs make excellent hiding spots for safes. This option gives you quick access to your valuables while keeping it out of view. You may consider bolting the safe to the floor inside the crawl space for added security. If you do not have a crawl space you can create one, just keep in mind that this will entail a large construction project.

If you have a small, portable safe, you can get creative with your hiding spot. Most thieves search for valuables in the master bedroom first, so avoid closets, dressers and under the bed.2 Instead, find someplace inconspicuous, like inside a plain cardboard box in the attic, a false bag of pet food, an old paint can in the garage or any other spot your typical burglar will likely not consider.

You might be surprised how many areas in your home can be hollowed out or altered to create a useful hiding place. For example, false-bottom dresser and kitchen drawers are easier to make yourself than you might imagine.3 Or, if you have wooden floors, all it takes are a few tools and some basic carpentry to create a covert compartment.4 Even stacks of books can be hollowed out to stash a small lock box.

Registers and air return vents make excellent hiding places because they are often not in the average person’s line of sight. You don’t need to be particularly handy to remove the grill. In most cases all you need is a screwdriver. Just keep in mind these areas vary in size – some are less than 10 inches wide and five inches tall – so they may not be suitable for a large safe. You also want to make sure the safe won’t interfere with the operation of your HVAC system.

If you are looking to protect your valuables and you have the perfect hiding spot in mind, the next step is finding the right safe for your home or business. Safes come in many shapes and sizes – many even have high-tech locking mechanisms. At Dixie Safe & Lock Service Inc., our specialists can help you choose the best option for your security needs. Call (713) 643-5767 today for a quote.

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