Recently, wildfires have raged across the Pacific Northwest, causing widespread devastation and destruction. According to the U.S. Forest Service, "Wildland fires are a force of nature that can be nearly as impossible to prevent, and as difficult to control, as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods."
When these fires spread, families often flee with only a few minutes of notice. As wildfires increase, families are taking precautions to preserve valuable goods in case of an evacuation by using a fireproof safe.
What to Store in a Fireproof Safe
A fireproof safe is an excellent tool for protecting important and valuable items in the event of an emergency. Here is what to store in one, plus a solid entry-level pick that fits under most desks or in a closet:
Hornady 95407 Fireproof Keypad Safe
$249.99
An affordable, keypad-locked fireproof safe ideal for storing important documents, cash, and other paper valuables you want protected during a fire evacuation.
View ProductFirst, store important identification documents:
- Original birth certificates
- Passports
- Social security cards
There are options for safes that are both fireproof and waterproof to provide additional protection for your documents.
Next, store memorabilia and irreplaceable items:
- Photo albums
- Sentimental items
- Family heirlooms
- Jewelry
Then, gather important financial and legal documents:
- Copies of prescriptions
- Trust and/or will
- Investment information
- Bank account information
- Insurance policies
Finally, store emergency cash and backup credit and debit cards:
Don't depend solely on the cash and cards in your wallet or purse. If you must evacuate quickly due to a fire, you may not have time to grab any material items at all.
What About My Digital Media?
If you have digital media such as images, videos, or documents on a removable storage device like a flash drive or an external hard drive, it can be stored safely in a data media safe. Don't forget about your photo prints either. Scan them, store them on a storage device, and keep them protected inside the safe.
Data media safes such as the Phoenix 2001 DataCare 1 Hour Data Media Safe are specifically built so the interior temperature will not exceed 125°F during a fire, keeping digital media safe and protected. A standard fireproof safe can reach up to 350°F internally, which is extremely harmful to digital media.
Phoenix 2001 DataCare 1 Hour Data Media Fireproof Safe
$849.00
UL-listed KIS Data/Media 125°F 1-hour fire rating, impact-rated for a 30-foot drop, double-door construction with internal water-resistant seals. Purpose-built for hard drives, tapes, memory cards, and other magnetic and digital media.
View ProductItems that should be stored in a data media safe include:
- Cell phones
- Tablets
- External hard drives
- Flash drives
- Laptops
- Memory cards
- CDs and floppy disks
- DVDs
- Cameras
Choosing the Right Fireproof Safe
Once you have considered all of the items you need to store, make sure you pick the right fireproof safe to fit your needs. Your safe should be the right size for everything you plan to store, and it should include all of the features you need to properly protect those items.
Features to consider:
- Fire ratings
- Water-resistant door and cabinet design
- Dual dial and key lock protection
- Double steel wall construction
- Removable shelves
- Warranty
- After-fire guarantee
- Digital media protection
Remember, if you plan on storing electronic media in a fireproof safe, be sure the safe is specifically designed to protect electronics. Unless the safe's description explicitly states it protects electronic media, flash drives and electronics will not survive a fire in a standard paper-only fire safe.
Ideally your fireproof safe should be a combination of waterproof and fireproof
Waterproof safes are often sold on their ability to withstand floods and complete water immersion. In most situations, a water-resistant safe protects against the water used to fight fires as well. A waterproof safe should be independently certified as water-resistant for a certain number of hours and to a certain depth.
Fireproof safes can also include additional security features like an assortment of lock technologies to ensure that your items are safely stored and inaccessible to strangers. When you choose your fireproof safe, consider both the fire rating and the burglar rating:
By taking the simple step of purchasing a fireproof safe, you can find peace of mind knowing your items will be safeguarded in an emergency.
Are You a Collector?
If you collect items like toys, comics, pop culture memorabilia, fine wine, or other valuable possessions, a safe can be a great choice to protect them. A safe alone may not be enough to fully safeguard your collection, though. Taking additional steps helps keep everything in excellent condition for years to come.
These items often hold sentimental or monetary value, so safeguarding them is essential. Porch.com's blog, Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Collectibles, is an excellent resource for keeping them safe, secure, and in pristine condition.
Need Help Choosing the Right Fireproof Safe?
Our safe professionals will help you match the right fireproof or data media safe to what you actually need to protect. About 10 minutes on the phone.
Call 800-207-2259Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST
