We open hundreds of safes every year, usually because someone bought the wrong one. Here’s how to pick a safe that actually fits your needs.
Step 1: Decide What You’re Protecting
- Documents only: Passport, deed, will, social security cards. A small fireproof safe ($150–$300) is plenty.
- Valuables (jewelry, cash, watches): You need burglary resistance. Look for B-rated or TL-15 minimum.
- Firearms: Dedicated gun safe. California law requires specific approval for handgun storage.
- Mixed use: Get separate safes. One safe rarely does both fire and burglary well in a budget.
Step 2: Understand the Ratings
Safe ratings tell you what they’ve been tested against:
- UL RSC (Residential Security Container): Resists 5 minutes of attack with hand tools. Entry-level.
- B-Rate: 1/4” steel body. Decent burglary resistance.
- TL-15: Tested against 15 minutes of professional attack. Real protection.
- TL-30: 30 minutes. Serious money territory.
- UL Fire Rating: 30 min, 1 hour, or 2 hour at specific temperatures. Get at least 1 hour for documents.
Step 3: Bigger Than You Think
The #1 mistake we see is buying too small. Within a year people fill it up and start storing valuables on top of the safe (defeating the point). Buy 50% bigger than what you think you need.
Step 4: Bolt It Down
An unbolted 50-pound safe walks out the door under a thief’s arm. Always bolt your safe to a concrete floor or solid framing. Most safes come pre-drilled for this.
Step 5: Choose Your Lock Type
- Mechanical dial: Reliable for decades. No batteries. Slow to open.
- Electronic keypad: Fast access. Battery-powered. Needs occasional replacement.
- Biometric: Convenient but historically less reliable. Always have a backup keypad.
Need help picking, installing, or opening a safe in LA? Call Abe’s Lock & Key at 818-249-5128. Already own a safe that's stuck or won't open? See our guide on common reasons a safe won't open.