Do You Have A Safe?

Do you have a safe for your valuables? Is it also fireproof for your papers?

I've worked with many people who have a safe but few have it bolted to the floor. If it is the type of safe that you contains money or jewelry or other valuables you should have bolted to the floor. Otherwise thieves can just take the whole thing and open it at their leisure.

If it is on an upper floor it can fall if the structure burns. So put it in the basement or on the first floor.

If you only need something small for papers than get a fireproof box at one of the office big box stores. It will hold your important papers so they will not burn.

You should also make copies of the papers and send them to someone who does not live in your aera or scan them to a disc and also send them to someone out of the area. This way at least you have the information until you can replace the originals.

Keeping Your Home Safe

I just saw a really interesting story about protecting your home from a burglar. It was written by someone who spoke with a former burglar and got a lot of tips about what you can do to protect yourself. It goes well beyond the usual keep-your-doors-locked-when-you're-not-home type of thing. I already knew about some of the basic ideas mentioned such as:

They want to get in and out as fast as possible.

They turn over drawers and throw things out of closets looking for hidden valuables.

Don't have a safe unless you have it bolted into the floor by a professional. If it's not bolted down they'll take it and open it at their leisure.

But this story and the second one have lots, lots more info and good ideas to keep you and your home safe.

http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/02/05/101141_the-best-place-to-hide-money-conversation-with-a-burglar.html