How to keep your ‘home safe’ safe

You could spend an absolute fortune and purchase the best-rated home safe in the entire world. But the reality is, if it isn’t installed correctly, it’s not worth the metal it’s made from.

Yes, safety boxes are heavy – and, admittedly, some would be difficult to lift by hand.  But most small-to-medium domestic options weigh in the region of 5 – 20kg. Which means, it’s possible to become a victim of theft, in which the robber steals your valuables, simply by picking up the safe and carrying it away – then spending as much time as they need to crack it open!

Incorrect fitting can, essentially, defeat the object of having a safe in the first place.

Plus, according to European Standards, all burglar-resistant safes weighing up to 1000kg (i.e. pretty much every at-home safe available) must be properly anchored. If it’s not, its certification is invalid and there’s a risk your insurance provider will not pay out in the event of a burglary.

So, what exactly can you do to prevent this and keep your home safe box – and all of its valuable contents – as safe and secure as possible?

4 steps to prevent your home safe from being stolen

That doesn’t involve hiding it in a cupboard.

1. Invest in the right safe

Before purchasing a safe for your home, double-check the specification to ensure it can be fixed to a wall or the floor – particularly if it’s a small or medium-sized model that’s relatively lightweight.

Here at eSafes, the majority of our home safes not only come with pre-drilled holes – perfect for easy anchoring – they’re also supplied with the necessary bolts to secure them into place.

If you opt for a free-standing model instead, ensure it’s too heavy for a burglar to lift by hand.

A little forward planning can make all the difference.

2. Recruit the help of a professional

Most house safes come with a DIY fixing kit. And even as a beginner – with the help of the instruction manual supplied and access to online tutorial videos – it is possible to do the job yourself.

But keep in mind – any safe that’s anchored in a particular way, or using particular fixings not specified by the manufacturer, will not be certified or insurance-approved. And to ensure the best (most secure) results, it’s often worth recruiting the help of a professional.

An experienced and skilled technician can advise on the ideal location for your home safe – taking hidden pipes and other obstacles into consideration – as well as the best fixings for your model.

They’ll also know how to anchor your home safe box, efficiently yet effectively – using the right tools to install it correctly and securely, and ensuring it cannot be physically removed or lifted.

This is an additional service we offer here at eSafes. Not only are we a leading UK supplier of home security safes, we also have over 35 years of experience in moving, installing and disposing of safes. To find out more or book an installation with our team, just give us a call on 0800 783 2328.

3. Anchor it to the wall or floor

Anchoring is (by far) the best way to ensure would-be thieves cannot abscond with your whole safe.

Essentially, it involves fastening the structure to the wall, floor, or both simultaneously. Once it’s secured to the wood or concrete foundations using strong bolts or fixings, it’s then very difficult for the safe to be physically moved or lifted – at least, it is without plenty of time and the right tools.

It also helps to prevent leverage. If it’s not bolted to the wall or ground, a criminal could potentially knock the safe onto its side and use the leverage of their body weight to pry it open. However, when anchored upright, it would be virtually impossible for the safe door to be compromised in this way.

4. Hide it from view

Having a safe in itself is a fantastic delaying tactic, prolonging the theft process and costing the thief precious time in which they could be caught in the act – especially if the safe is anchored.

But to add another layer of protection, it’s also worth considering your safe’s whereabouts.

Tucked inside the wardrobe, under the bed, at the back of the garage. Unfortunately, thieves know all those ‘secret’ places – and they’re banking on you using one of them. So, be sure to give it some thought and try to choose a spot that’s both inconspicuous and inaccessible.

Some domestic safes are actually designed to be hidden beneath the floor or behind the wall.

These are particularly clever options, which are much more likely to thwart would-be burglars. And here at eSafes, we have a comprehensive selection to choose from. Have a chat with your professional installer about the options and make it as difficult as possible for your safe to be found.

Contact our safe installation experts

Buying a high-quality at-home safe is only half the battle.

To prevent your entire safe from being stolen, it’s also crucial that you choose the best hiding spot and anchor it to the wall or floor correctly. And this is something you should certainly take into consideration before selecting and purchasing the safe itself and having it fitted.

If you have any questions – about the products in our home safe collection, the best methods of safe installation or how our experienced installation team can help – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can give us a call at any time on 0800 783 2328. Or if you prefer, send an email to info@esafes.co.uk and one of our specialists will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.