What should not be stored in a standard safe?
Documents, digital media and hazardous substances require different storage conditions.
A safe restricts access, but not every model protects against fire, water or persistent humidity. Before storing documents and data media, check which risks the specific model has been tested against.
Documents without fire protection
Passports, contracts and paper archives can be damaged in a fire even in a locked metal cabinet. They require a fire-resistant safe with a stated test duration and temperature rating.
Data media and backups
Memory cards and disks are more sensitive to heat than paper. Testing for paper documents does not guarantee protection for digital media. Important files require an encrypted backup stored elsewhere.
What not to store in a safe
- flammable substances, fuel, gas canisters and reagents;
- food, damp items and materials that may damage the rest of the contents;
- medicines that require a specific temperature or quick access;
- the only backup copy of a key or code inside the safe itself.
Water and humidity
If the premises may flood or the safe is installed in a basement, check the stated water protection. A water-resistant safe and a fire-resistant safe serve different purposes. Internal humidity should also be checked periodically.
Separate the risks
Cash and jewellery are stored in a burglary-resistant safe, paper documents are protected from fire, and data is backed up. To combine both requirements, see fire and burglary-resistant safes.
