Theft Protection 101


If a thief considers an attempted break-in on a safe, they must consider the high gloss finish—perfect for finger print identification. Some thieves consider removing the safe to give them more time to break in but most residential security or gun safes are too heavy. Buyers nearly always utilize the predrilled holes for bolt-down security, making the safe virtually impossible to move or be tipped over in disgust by the thief (because he’s mad you own a safe and he can’t get in).

You should look for the safes that have passed actual break-in tests by professional safe crackers if you want to buy more time. Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) hires experienced safe crackers to test the security resistance of residential security or gun safe and commercial safes. To receive their Residential Security Rating, a residential security or gun safe must pass four stringent tests. Three attacks are performed to the door, locking mechanism and handle using just about every conceivable method of drilling, chiseling, punching and prying. A fourth and final attempt is to drill, punch and pry through the sidewall of the safe. UL even creates an advantage by determining the attack points before any attempt begins or the clock starts ticking. If the safe passes all four timed tests, the manufacturer’s safe is certified.

While the safe-testing industry has certified ratings for residential security or gun and commercial safes, buyers should understand that given enough time any safe can be defeated, even the most sophisticated bank vault.

The objective of manufacturers is to produce residential security or gun safe with as many security defenses as needed to discourage or delay thieves for as long as possible. Residential security or gun safes today provide an excellent defensive barrier.

There are many factors in building security into a residential security or gun safe . The number one location for attempted assaults to a safe are on the door. As a primary defense tool, manufacturers install layers of hardplate behind the door’s combination, which protects the safes lock and locking mechanism from drilling. Top of the line models go further by installing ball bearings in the hardplates, virtually eliminating entry by chewing up or breaking drill bits.

If by chance entry is made through the hard plate, additional security measures are installed in the lock itself to prevent break-ins. Both mechanical and electronic locks have relockers built into them, which is a trigger mechanism that freezes the safe’s mechanism when the lock is drilled, punched or torched. Most UL listed locks include at least one relocker, sometimes more. The most reputable and widely known lock manufacturer used by safe companies is Sargent & Greenleaf. Other manufacturers include LaGuard and Ilco.

To protect against punching out the lock’s tumblers (which releases the locking bolt), manufacturers install additional, yet separate relockers. If the back plate of the lock is knocked off, it releases a spring-loaded trigger mechanism, much like a mousetrap. This additional insurance is an extra measure to ensure the safe’s cam and bolts stay locked tight.

A more sophisticated “remote” relocker system is found in higher end models. They are strategically installed away from the locking mechanism entirely, yet triggered from a security breach to the lock. Simply put, if the combination lock were completely cut out of the door, the remote relocker would engage and lock up the bolts. The remote relocker security feature is enhanced when attached to the best of all systems—A glass relocker. Commercial grade tempered glass replaces the traditional hardplate in front of the lock. When drilling commences, the glass shatters on impact, triggering and engaging the relocker. Thieves are known to curse and throw down their tools in disgust when they hear this relocker fire.

Owning a residential security or gun safe doesn’t eliminate unpredictable events from happening, but they can help to avoid serious consequences when threatening circumstances arise.. It’s never too late to begin preparations for security.

There have been many home and business owners who bought full-sized residential security or gun safes before any unforeseen break-in occurred. Hundreds of residential security or gun safe buyers have found their safe purchases protected their valuables from would-be-thieves even after they broke into their home/office. You can imagine the owner’s relief as they open their safe door to find everything secure and in its place. These testimonials turn full-size safe buyers into salespeople, recommending to their friends and relatives to not leave their home or office without one.