Many people use safes for both domestic and commercial purposes; whether it be keeping important documents safe or storing valuable items like jewellery. From combination wall safes to fire safes, the type you choose will entirely depend on where it is going and what you are putting inside.

With this in mind, there’s always one question which remains the same: should I go for a key lock or electronic lock on my safe? Which is best?

Both types of locks have their advantages, and in this guide, we will talk you through both to help you make an informed decision.

What’s More Secure: Key or Electronic Locks?

If a safe wasn’t secure, it wouldn’t be called a safe. What we’re trying to say here is that both key and electronic locks are as secure as each other. It’s the way in which they’re used that determines how effective they will be. For example, you’ll need to keep the key to your safe in a discreet location so that it doesn’t get lost or stolen. And, in terms of electronic locks, you’ll have to remember the code.

Let’s take a look at both locks more closely...

Key Locks

Key locks are considered to be the traditional locking option when it comes to safes. You simply need to insert the key and twist to unlock the safe.

Advantages: Key locks are seen as more robust and reliable. They won’t have any technical malfunctions, meaning as long as you have the right key, you’ll have access to your safe for years to come. In terms of lifespan, key locks nearly always last longer than electronic locks.

Disadvantages: As mentioned earlier, losing your key is a very real threat. As soon as you lose the key to your safe, you have no way to access it. This becomes even more of a threat if your key ends up in the possession of someone untrustworthy.

If a lock is poorly made, then things may go south one day if you use the key with a bit too much strength. As soon as a key is stuck in a lock, you’ll be looking at an expensive repair bill to replace both lock and key.

Electronic Locks

Electronic locks are the modern alternative to traditional key locks. They tend to be found in commercial spaces or hotels, when more than one person needs access. You simply enter the right code on the keypad to unlock.

Advantages: The great thing about electronic locks is that they don’t need a key, meaning there’s no risk of someone having an easy break-in. You can also easily change the code on them, meaning it’s not the end of the world if someone untrustworthy finds out the original combination.

Disadvantages: Technology isn’t always reliable. Whether the safe gets water damage or the batteries die, there’s no reassuring that your electronic safe will always be in action. Electronic safes are also slightly pricier, which is why most households tend to opt for key safes.

Summary

As you can see, both key locks and electronic locks have their own advantages and downfalls. But rest assured, whatever choice you make will be the right one for you! Browse our range of safes to day to get a product you can trust (at an affordable price!).

4 Best Places To Hide Your Safe

Whether you’re keeping important documents out of reach or storing valuable items, safes provide the answer to all your security needs. Although your home or office should already be following strict security protocol (check out this guide for more information), there’s no harm in adding an extra layer of protection to the items you truly care about the most. Within this guide, we will be discussing how important it is to have a safe, as well as how important it is to hide it discreetly.

Do I need to hide my safe?

Although having a safe almost guarantees that your possessions will remain out of reach, some intruders may still try their luck and break-in. Due to this, it’s important to keep the safe as hidden as possible in your home or office. If an intruder notices you have a safe in broad daylight, they may feel inclined to break into it as they will be almost certain that it will have valuables inside. Even if they have no success breaking into the safe, it is likely that surrounding objects may become damaged; is it really worth it?

So, to avoid falling victim to theft or damage, it is highly recommended to hide your safe in a discreet location.

The best places to hide a safe

A lot of people start to panic when they realise that they need to find an area in their home or office where they can hide their safe. However, it is worth knowing that absolutely anyone can hide a safe discreetly when they give it a bit of thought. Read on to discover 4 of the best places to hide your safe.

1.        Inside the wall

Wall safes tend to be all the craze in dramatic films; they’re usually found hiding behind a picture frame.

Believe it or not, wall safes aren’t just for the movies. They are in fact one of the best ways to hide your safe, and the greatest thing about them is that they take up absolutely no room.

It’s always recommended to get in touch with a professional when installing a wall safe, as it’s important to make sure that your walls have enough depth and security to hold it. Intruders are highly unlikely to bother stealing a wall safe, and they will only have success if it’s been installed incorrectly or inside thin walls.

2.        Inside the floor

If your walls aren’t acceptable for wall safes, then why not head to the floor instead? Floor safes work perfectly when installed in cement or concrete floors, and depending on how often you would need to access it, you can cover it up with carpet to keep it out of sight.

https://www.fastkeys.co.uk/safes/products/Yale+Floor+Safe/YALEFLSA

Once again, floor safes will need installing by a professional if you don’t already have space. They are typically opened via a key and lock system and open like a lid. It is also worth noting that floor safes are not recommended in areas where there is water, as leaks may end up damaging your valuables.

3.        Inside a cabinet

Store your safe inside a cabinet and it’ll be hidden away just like everything else you don’t want on show. If you are serious about keeping your safe secure, then you can get a professional to anchor the safe onto the cabinet, which will prevent intruders from simply removing it.

Storing a safe inside a cabinet is a popular option for those who like to add convenience to their lives; more times than not, cabinets are at eye level and require no reaching or crouching to access. This means that your safe will be easily accessible for those who have permission to enter it.

To add an extra layer of security, ensure that there is room in front of your safe to store items with less value. For example, a row of DVDs will cleverly hide the safe.

4.        Under a desk

Last, but by no means least, we have the best location for office safes in particular. Storing an office safe under a desk is a simple yet effective way to keep it out of sight. If an intruder was to walk past the office, they are highly unlikely to see a safe when it’s hidden under a desk. And, in the day, there will always be someone protecting it. It’s a win-win!

Keep your home as secure as can be

If you have items which you can’t bear to lose, then storing them in a safe will guarantee safety. Here at Fast Keys, we aren’t just key specialists. We have a huge collection of safes online and instore that can cater to your every need. From fire safes and key cabinet safes to all the safes mentioned above, your possessions will always remain secure. Get in touch for more information.

What is AIS Approved?

AIS approved safes are safes that are inspected and have had their test certificates checked and corroborated by the Association of Insurance Surveyors. This is an independent UK insurance body which is sponsored by leading members of the British Insurance Industry to monitor and maintain standards of security. An AIS Approved safe ensures that the design, quality and security of the safe meets the levels expected to European standards.

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5 Things To Consider When Buying a Safe

No-one wants to consider the possibility that their home could be subject to a break-in or theft, but the reality is that there’s always a risk. It's important to protect your valuable possessions to ensure they’re safe from burglary or damage.

A home safe is a great investment for your home security system but there are some considerations you need to make before making a purchase. Here are five things to consider when buying a safe to ensure you choose the right one for your property and requirements. 

Should I Have A Safe At Home?

Good quality home safes are certainly worthwhile for certain items. The first thing to consider when looking at buying a safe is: do you need one? If you have sums of cash in your home, important legal documents or personal files, insurance documents and valuable collectables in your property, a safe is the best way of protecting them against theft if your home is burgled. It provides peace of mind that the things that are most important are kept safe from theft or fire hazards. 

Where Should I Put My Safe Box In My House?

There’s no one answer to this question, as it depends on the layout of your home and how much access you need to the safe on a regular basis. If you want to store personal possessions like jewellery in your home safe, your bedroom might be the best location, whereas a safe that’s going to be used to protect files and documents from fire or flooding may be best suited higher up in the property. 

Consider the purpose of the safe before you choose a location – one that’s as safe and secure as possible, while also accessible. However, the one place you shouldn’t locate your safe is a garage. Garages are easier to access for burglars than your home, and this puts your items at risk. 

How Heavy Should A Home Safe Be?

Ideally, you want your safe to be as heavy as possible in order to prevent someone being able to pick it up and walk out of your home with it. Even the lighter safes should be too difficult to carry out of your property. Plus, by choosing a heavier safe, you’re also gaining more durability. If you require a portable safe, make sure you choose a stronger lock system that’s harder to break into. 

What Size Safe Do I Need?

It’s a good idea, before buying a safe, to think about the items you want to store in it. This will help you determine the size you need to protect everything in one place. But in addition to the items that will be inside, also think about where it will be located. If you’re going to be storing your safe in your wardrobe, for example, you may want something on the smaller side that’s less conspicuous, whereas a safe that’s going to be in your loft or basement can be larger as it’s out of sight. Your budget may also be a factor in the size of safe you want to buy, as the larger and heavier the safe it, the more expensive it will be. 

What Type Of Safe Is Best?

The type of safe you choose depends on the level of protection you want. There are various styles on the market, from fire resistant safes to luxury cabinets, freestanding safes and data safes. Each offers its own pros and cons to think about, depending on where you’ll be installing it and how much protection you need. There are also different lock types, such as PIN access safes, combination locks or biometric locks, for varying levels of security and accessibility. 

Stay Safe!

Having a home safe is a primary way of protecting the items that mean most to you, whether it’s jewellery and keepsakes, photographs and collectables, or documents and cash. But knowing how to choose your safe and where to put it are important in making sure your items are as protected as possible. Think about the items you want to secure, the size of your home and the budget you have available when looking for a safe, as these will all factor into the model you decide to buy.