I did not realise there was so much to consider when buying a safe to protect valued possessions. After my grandmother passed and left me her jewellery, I quickly became aware of my need to get a safe to protect it. Because I live in a rental property, I needed secure options which were transportable when I move to future homes. In this blog, I want to share with you my findings on the best types of safe and the best location to hide a safe, so you can keep your personal belongings safe and sound too. You can use my research to help you whittle down your safekeeping needs quickly.
The Basic Security Features You Should Have At Home
Security is most people's top priority when it comes to choosing their home's location, and often, they will spend a lot of money on features that they hope to last them a lifetime. While this may have worked in the past, today's technology is making things obsolete quicker and quicker, and this applies to security devices as well. Every year, new CCTV cameras, motion detectors, and virtual assistants are released, and while those are all great, there are some basic security features that retain their usefulness for far longer. Here are some basic security features you need to get right before you worry about other, more high-tech options.
The Lock
Locks were invented hundreds of years ago and still retain a lot of their benefits that popularised them. Residential locksmith services can help you investigate the perfect type of lock for your home, but in general, you should be looking for locks that:
- Are pick-resistant and have at least five pins--preferably more
- Can withstand forced entry attempts
- Has easy access for correct keys
- Is from a trusted brand that has good reviews
Again, residential locksmith services come in very handy when choosing a lock because they know which ones say they are good locks on the advertising and which ones actually stand up to the test in real life.
Alarm System
While the latest and greatest motion detection/CCTV camera set up might seem appealing, any residential locksmith services expert will tell you that a basic but reliable alarm system can be just as effective. Alarm systems don't need to be updated as frequently because they perform a simple function that is hard to bypass, which makes them ideal for long-term options. If you are willing to spend a bit extra, then getting an alarm system that is externally monitored is probably the best option for you on a budget. This ensures that if anything goes wrong, someone else is also watching and taking note of your situation.
Online Security
This may surprise you, but online security is now just as important as your home's physical security. While you can spend years going down the rabbit hole of what security software you should get and how often you should maintain it, there are a few basic steps that will stop most cyberattacks in their tracks. Firstly, almost all computers come with a firewall (this goes for Mac and Windows OS systems), but your browser likely does not. Using AdBlock software, a VPN and encrypted messaging sites is the best way to ensure your data is not being remotely accessed. The most basic tip for keeping your bank and personal information safe online is to always update software as soon as it is available.