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There
are
many products being advertised as lock
boxes (or strong
boxes, security
boxes, cash
boxes, etc.). Without knowing
what features provide the
best security in a lock box, you
may think these products are all pretty much the same. Basing your
purchase decision on price alone and not
considering important security features could be
costly.
You
want to be a "smart shopper" when you
invest in protection for your valuables. When you
consider items
taken during a burglary are not recovered approximately
80 percent
of the time, it only makes sense to make the right choice
when selecting a lock box (or strong box) to safeguard the items you
want
to protect.
What
Do You
Want To Protect?
Before
you go shopping for any lock box, I recommend you do the
following:
- First, make
a quick list
of the items you want to protect. The
list may
include cash, jewelry, gold/silver coins, hand guns,
cameras, watches, medicines or other controlled
substances. By identifying
the items you want to protect, you will have a good idea of
what size lock
box to shop for.
- Once
you have your list, estimate the total value of all
of these
items. This will help
you determine how "strong" your lock box should be and what would be a
reasonable amount to spend to protect these
valuables. When it
comes to lock
boxes, you really do get what you pay for. Don't try
to protect $2000
worth of valuables with a lock box costing $20 and feel you
did what is right.
Does
the value of your items deserve a "High Security"
Lock Box?
If
so, you will find these questions useful
for 1) shopping for the "right" lock box (or strong box) for your
needs,
or
2) determining if your current lock box is good
enough.
-
What Is The Lock Box
Made Of?
You
want your lock box to be rock solid - top, bottom
and all four sides. Look for one made of steel
(preferably heavy duty steel). Stay away from the tin,
thin metal or non-metal lock boxes unless your items
have little dollar value. If the box is made of a non-metal material,
it is primarily for fire protection and will offer very little
protection from burglary or theft.
-
What Is The Locking
Mechanism Of The Lock Box?
 For
keyed lock boxes, you want a high-quality 5 or 6-pin
tumbler lock
that is tough to pick or otherwise defeat. Most of the lesser
quality lock boxes (and cash boxes) come with cheap wafer
locks that
are easily picked or forced open. For electronic locks, make
sure you have a decent length code (four is okay, six is better) that
is
user changeable and
a key or two for emergency opening.
-
Are There Additional Lock
Box
Security
Features?
There
are additional features that can help prevent a break-in
if your lock box is discovered. These include a recessed
lid to prevent
a pry bar or screwdriver from prying the lid open. Another desireable
feature
is concealed or recessed hinges which can help prevent
hinge
pins from
being punched out thereby bypassing the locking mechanism.
-
What Stops A Burglar
From Stealing Your Lock Box?
You
have to consider what is going to  stop someone from walking
off with your lock box if it is discovered. Look for
options
that allow you to fasten the lock box to something
solid. The
best ones, the ones we recommend and sell, attach to a steel plate
(shown at right) that
is fastened to a solid
surface. This allows the lock box to be locked down
for those
times you want maximum security and released in just
seconds when you need portability.
If you
already own a lock box and realize it is not "strong" enough for
your purposes, use it as a decoy. Put a few low-value items in it and
place it in a not-so-secret location (such as in the back of your
bedroom closet). Then shop for the real thing.
When
you are shopping, don't be afraid to ask questions. Try the locking
mechanism, examine the lock box carefully. Imagine
how you would
break in to it if you didn't have the key or electronic code.
Then be comfortable with your final decision and purchase.
 Are
you curious about
the lockbox featured in this article? This
particular
steel lock box is made in
Germany by a long-established
company. They come in three sizes ranging
from approx. 8"x10"x 4" high to 11"x14"x 5" high and
weigh from 10 to 20
lbs. Prices start at about $160 which includes the steel lock-down
plate.
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