Latest Home Security Articles

What Makes Browning Safes the Best

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:11:51 -0700

Browning safes make a great investment. Whether it is to protect valuables from fire or theft, or to safely keep guns away from curious children, owning a safe is a great idea. And a beautifully handcrafted safe just looks fantastic. Contrary to what you may think, all safes are not created equal. Let's cut through it just a bit and discover just what it is about Browning safes that makes them one of the world-class leaders in the safe industry. They have been making safes for over 30 years and all of the quality, precision, tradition, and craftsmanship that they are known for goes into each and every safe that comes off the production line. Let's look at what makes Browning different, and what to shop for when looking at safes.

First of all, Browning safes is the innovator of many of the features that are marketed by safe companies as premium or essential features in their safes, like vault type cam locking systems, advanced fire protection, easy access, high capacity gun storage, and living room quality finish.

Let's explore some of the things to look for in a safe. These are things you may not have thought about unless you are in the business of making safes. Browning safes adhere to the old adage, what you can't see does matter. Not all browning safes have all the features, but with a little effort on your part you can easily learn about them and decide what ones are important to you.

Obviously, theft protection has to be the first thing to look at. Your safe must be able to keep an intruder at bay until he either gives up because it is taking too much time, or making too much noise. Criminals often start by attacking the safe door. Browning safes have a dual form door on many of their safes. This is much better than safes made with just one thick door because it makes the door rigid and strong. Some other safes have doors that can be pried, bent, and warped on the hinges. Even with a thick door, it can still bend. Not good.

Browning safes have a locking mechanism that allows the locking bolts to move on a cam system. External force is, therefore, ineffective against this system because pressure applied goes to the cam and not to the lock itself. Other manufactures bolt systems can be opened by drilling the side of the safe and applying pressure to a bolt. Browning safes have protection right up front and makes it virtually impossible for a thief to gain access because the bolt is isolated from the lock.

Another thing to check is the door frame itself. You want to find steel reinforcement, not wood trim or even sheet rock for strength. The door frame is a critical part of the safe and Browning safes are, once again, solid with real steel reinforcement. External hinges allow the door to open 180 degrees. And, even if they are cut off, the door still remains closed because the bolts are still engaged behind the hinges. This feature also makes the safe easier to move by allowing the door to be removed.

Browning safes are the most beautiful safes on the market, but the features above are what matters most. Insulation also matters for fire protection. You can count on Browning for maximum protection. There is no industry standard for measuring fire protection, but be sure to look into the thickness of the insulation used in the safes you are considering. Strength, beauty, and protection make Browning safes the ultimate solution for your protection needs.

A Sentry Fire Safe to Help you Avoid Total Destruction in a Fire

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:07:39 -0700

The weather turned cold the other week, so it was time to load up the wood burning stove to get some heat in the house. We have had a wood burning stove in the past, but not for about 12 years, so we have to get accustomed to maintaining a fire again. But, I love wood heat, so it is worth the effort. However, the wood stove also got me to thinking about safety issues as well. I know two people who had their home burn to the ground last year (neither due to a wood stove), and realize that fire is a danger to anyone. Obviously there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of fire, but there are also steps that can be taken to protect you and your valuables when a fire does occur. And that first basic step is a Sentry fire safe.

We have just a small Sentry fire safe chest. In it we keep some important documents and a few valuables, but it really doesn't hold much. However, early on in our married life, it was good enough. But now I realize that it is not good enough any more. Some of our most important valuables are sentimental. My one friend who lost most everything in the fire says that her greatest loss were her scrapbooks. She was an avid scrapbooker, and in them were cherished memories of her son's childhood. They were all lost in the fire. And she was someone who was home and did have a chance to get important things out of the house before all was lost. But the fire was electrical and started in one of the walls, the wall where all her scrapbooks were stored.

When I think of items I would keep in a larger Sentry fire safe, things like photos are at the top of my list. Obviously, things like photo albums and scrapbooks are nice to keep out for easy access, but you can keep digital back-ups, copies of second prints and negatives in a fire resistant safe. My friend was saying what she wouldn't give to have a single scrapbook page that showed the stages of her son's life while growing up.

You may have other sentimental items, but only you will know what those items are: family heirlooms that have been handed down though generations, special items that belonged to a loved one who has passed away, or keepsakes from your children's lives that have special meaning.

Besides sentimental items, you want a good Sentry fire safe for your important documents, collectibles, any fire arms and valuables. So take all this into consideration when determining what size of safe you need. Also consider how much protection you want or need. Based on your homes construction, location, distance from a fire department and age, among other things, can determine your risk factor to how long and hot a fire would burn before it could be put out. All fire resistant safes are rated for how long it can withstand a fire and at what temperatures.

Don't take any risks. Fires can happen to anyone at any time. A fire is devastating no matter what, but you can take precautions by protecting your valuables in a Sentry fire safe. That way everything would not be a total loss.

Updating Your House to Avoid a Home Invasion

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:58:49 -0700

Home invasions are growing in numbers all over the country. Unlike regular burglaries, where property theft is the main objective, home invasions usually occur when the residents are home and can have much more serious consequences.

While most burglaries occur between 9 am and 5 pm when people are at work, home invasions occur between 6 pm and 6 am.

Creating a secure environment for your home is becoming easier with products and information available to the community. Police often hold seminars on protecting your loved ones and belongings. These offer a good insight into the ways to deal with this horrendous crime, should it occur to you.

Here are some tips to help avoid a home invasion:

1. Before you open your door to anyone, use the peephole. Many varieties today have wide-angle vision. If you do not see anyone, DO NOT ANSWER IT.

2. Install an intercom system at the front door so you can speak with the person who is knocking or ringing your doorbell.

3. Use automatic indoor lighting devices that turn on lights at a pre-set time. Some versions will randomly rotate the “on” time within a short period to fool thieves that are watching your home for activity.

4. Upgrade locks on doors and windows. Deadbolts should have a reinforced strike plate, with two- or three-inch bolts.

5. Make sure you have a cordless phone so you can move around the home. Ensure it is fully charged at all times for emergencies. Have a cell phone available in case phone lines are cut.

6. Set up a speed dial on your phone for 911. If available, use speakerphone mode so emergency dispatchers can hear what is going on in the background.

7. Install a reputable home-alarm monitoring system. Have the company’s decals displayed prominently on your doors and windows. This may deter would-be thieves who are looking for an easy target.

8. Practice an escape plan with your family, and know what to do when you get away from your house.

9. Install motion sensor lighting on all four sides of the house.

10. Always keep your window coverings closed, especially at night.

The intention of these tips is to create layers of protection for your home. If a criminal has to spend a lot of time and effort getting inside your house, he may be persuaded to move on to another location.

One unique addition to your home security plan would be the virtual dog, or an Electronic Secure Dog. Once plugged in, this device can be set to create the sound of an angry and protective watchdog or even a warning siren.

What to do if you get Locked Out

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:40:35 -0700

Even the most switched on of us sometimes leave our keys at work or shut them in the house. For those of us with automatically locking doors, actually locking our keys in the house is also a common occurrence. In these situations it's easy to panic and break a window, or to write off the whole day as wasted, but if you keep a cool head and consider your options then there are certainly safer and quicker ways to deal with the problem.

If you should get locked out of your home then the first thing to try and contact people who may have a spare key - other residents of the house, friends, partners or family. You should try to get a locksmith to get them each a copy if possible. Of course there's a chance you won't have done this, or your support network will be busy or unavailable. In this instance you may opt to stay somewhere else for the night or to visit a friend or the pub until the person you need becomes available (make sure you don't wait outside in the cold. In an emergency however you may not have time to wait, and in these cases you need to start thinking more outside the box.

One solution here is to call your landlord if you rent. Most landlords have an ‘emergency' number you can call (which can usually be found online) and will send someone out to deal with your problem. Of course they normally charge for this service so you should only do so if you've exhausted all other options. If you are a homeowner however then the chances are that no one else will own a copy of your key and you might want to consider ways of breaking in

Firstly check to see if you've left any windows open (if you forgot to take your keys then there's a fair chance you might have forgotten to close the windows). If you have and they're low enough and wide enough to enter safely then you can climb in and unlock your home from the inside. Remember that though some windows may look shut, unless you've locked them or fastened them down many can be opened with a push. Of course it's not advisable to leave your window open as it will leave you vulnerable to theft.

If you can't find anything like this you may be able to pick the lock. This is a difficult skill and really requires a locksmith, but if your door utilizes a very simple locking mechanism and you happen to have a lock pick set (or any two long thin pieces of metal) then you can manually push in the pins and turn the mechanism.

Obviously if you cannot pick the lock yourself then you can always call out a locksmith to do the task for you. They will let you in quickly and efficiently without damaging the lock for only a small fee (and you won't get the condescending reminder to 'be careful in future' that you would from friends or a landlord). Failing this, if it's after working hours, you may have to break a window to climb in. This should be the last resort solution however as it is both a dangerous and expensive method.

Common Types of Lock

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:28:34 -0700

Cylinder locks - Cylinder locks are perhaps the most well known of the three main mechanical lock systems, with the most common of these being the cylinder rim lock. These are commonly found in main doors and are often referred to as Yale lock (though this is actually the name of a particular manufacturer, much as the term Hoover has been adopted to describe all vacuum cleaners). The cylinder in question provides the chamber into which the key is inserted wherein a selection of pins will be organised to prevent it twisting and unfastening the latch. The purpose of the key then is to push these pins out of the way so that the cylinder is no longer held in place. A typical five pin cylinder can provide up to 100,000 variations. A locksmith or professional lock picker can perform this task manually to open the door.

Lever locks - Another of the three mechanical types of door lock and also widely used, lever locks can be found in abundance at most locksmiths. The most commonly used variation is the five lever lock mortice deadbolt lock which are now often found in doors to homes and commercial buildings. The key for a lever lock has a long neck with the end coming off at a right angle at the very end to be inserted pointing downwards, whereas the cylinder lock uses the smaller and more common round keys with the pattern coming straight out. This way you can determine whether your lock uses a cylinder or lever mechanism simply by inspecting the key.

Warded locks - Warded locks are one of the oldest lock designs and have been used by many a locksmith for centuries. The appearance of the keys for a warded lock is similar to that of the lever lock, except the end or ‘blade’ is not so close to the end of the key. This is the design of most ornate or antique keys and is most commonly used for gates and cupboards as well as large doors for churches and monasteries (for this reason they are sometimes also referred to as ‘church keys‘). These keys utilise different shaped locks to ensure that only the right key fits, but only provide a few possible variations making them more of a deterrent than a serious security option.

Digital locks - As technology advances so the art of the locksmith must evolve. Today digital locks are becoming more and more common as they can’t be picked or overridden by skeleton keys and are particularly useful for buildings that require many people to enter on a regular basis. These use a computer that requires input from a key card or number pad before it will give the user access. In some cases these can even utilise a remote activation system, voice verification or iris or fingerprint scan. While these systems are immune to lock picking they are more susceptible to other forms of attack such as short circuiting and hacking, and are unnecessarily complex and high maintenance for most family homes.

How to Avoid Getting Locked Out

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:02:42 -0700

Getting locked is something that’s almost inevitable eventually, the fact that you’re required every single day to remember all of your keys as you leave means that you’re bound to slip up at some point. Unfortunately it’s also one of the most irritating things that can happen and can leave you stranded in the garden for hours sometimes while you wait for help. In some cases it will ruin your plans for the day and make it a write off. As we often lock ourselves out when we’re distracted or stressed it can also often come at the worst possible time. This is particularly a problem for those with automatically locking doors.

Fortunately there are a variety of precautions you can take to minimize your chances of getting locked out of your home. The first and most obvious of these is to have spare keys. Lot’s of them. By getting copies of your keys by a locksmith or at key cutters, you can then make sure that you have backups around should you need them. You should get around five cut to be on the safe side (they’re not expensive) and hide them or give them to people so that you can always access one.

The best thing to do with a spare key is probably to give it to a neighbor. This way they’re local and you won’t waste much time popping round to retrieve them (though if you do it too often you’ll become a pain and they might start pretending to be out). You should also make sure that you get a locksmith to cut a key for every member of the household so that it usually becomes simply a matter of waiting for your partner or housemate to get home.

If you live alone however you need to ensure that at least one other friend has a spare copy so that you don’t end up having to smash your own window which makes a waste of time into a waste of money as well. Finally you should stash a copy of your key in your car and/or at work which leaves you with yet another place you can go to collect it. If you want to be really smart though and you carry a bag or suitcase to work then you can always hide a spare in there. That way if you forget to take them you can always rely on your second pair that should always be with you.

Of course if you can avoid locking yourself out in the first place then that’s going to be far preferable than having to pester a third party, drive long distances or call a locksmith. One way to prevent yourself forgetting your keys and leaving them at home or at work then is to keep all your keys on one key ring. This way you’ll be likely to notice your lack of keys when you try to open the car and can go back in to get them. You should also make sure that you leave your keys somewhere on view that you will pass in the morning and notice - even leaving them in the front door.

If you still find yourself getting caught out however then you will need to contact a locksmith or break a window. For this reason it is sensible to have the number of a local locksmith on you at most times.

History of the Locksmith

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:53:15 -0700

When most of us think of the locksmith it will conjure images of a man with gigantic key ring full of keys trying to open a heavy old door leading to hidden or forgotten treasures. Being a locksmith, like being a blacksmith or carpenter, is a traditional labour job that has a long history. In fact the history of the locksmith is closely linked to that of the blacksmith and can be traced back to long before the middle ages with early locks consisting of a wooden wedge skewered between a door and its frame existing in biblical times. Like many innovations however, the earliest known ‘lock and key’ system was found in Ancient Egypt and consisted of two crossbars mountain on two separate surfaces that were locked into place by small movable pins and utilised a key hole to disable. By inserting the key tiny pins would bee pushed out of the way back inside the crossbars to allow them to be moved, which is largely how locks today work.

It was not really until the Middle Ages however that locks requiring keys caught on in the West. Initially forging locks and keys was the job of the blacksmith who would shape the metal in much the same way they would forge a horseshoe or weapon. As crime rates increased this increased the need for locks and for more complex locking mechanisms (though at this time only the keys were metal and the locks themselves were wooden meaning they fell under the jurisdiction of the carpenter). This huge demand created an industry, leading to the rise of locksmith guilds around the 14th century which eventually overtook the trade and lay down regulations regarding pricing, design and quality. In order to rise through the ranks and become a ‘master locksmith’, an individual had to impress the authorities with their innovations which would then be put on display in the guild hall.

In the 1930s these locks became more complex which made it more difficult for burglars and other to pick them and the first metal locks were introduced. This again correlated with a further increase in incidences of theft and crime, as well as with new advancements and lower prices following the industrial revolution. Locksmiths were now a highly valuable part of any community whose jobs consisted of both forging locks and keys as well as opening locks that others had left. During World War 2 locksmithing like most trades suffered with many locksmiths being drafted into the army and with supplies being harder to come by.

Today however new techniques have lead to the widespread use of a variety of locks which now come as standard in almost any building or installation. Locks are now found on external and internal doors, windows, vehicles, vaults and safes and locksmiths have expanded their expertise to cope with this demand providing key cutting and copying, installation, design and production. This gives us; the general public, a varied selection of purpose built locks to suit our every need.

Purchase Sentry Safes for the Right Reasons

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:40:08 -0700

Sentry safes are just one of the many top safe manufacturers in America today that are experiencing a dramatic increase in sales. The industry is experiencing a general increase in sales across the board, and many have attributed this to people's desire to gain some sense of control over their cash and other valuables. This may be the case, but I am not so sure that, what motivates people to buy, is always the best reason, especially when that reason comes from a place of fear or illusion. What is it exactly that makes people think that a safe is going to do more than just make them "feel" safe? I really think that this is a very real possibility and I want to shed some light on this generally so people aren't duped into a false sense of security, or into purchasing something for the wrong reason.

Yes, the economy is different now than it was a few years ago. None of us have a crystal ball so we just don't know if or when the economy may improve. However, in times of uncertainty or fear, there is an unfortunate tendency for people to fall prey to companies set on profitability at all costs. For those who buy because they have identified the real reasons behind their decision, I salute you. For those who buy because somebody got it in their head that they "need" something, I offer caution and hopefully some direction. Good companies like Browning, Sentry Safes, Liberty and others, generally do business with integrity and honesty. So, my cautionary tone is not directed at them as much as at the thought processes we each use when deciding what to buy. If we buy because other parts of our life are going through challenges, then we may be buying for the wrong reasons. If we think it through, and really determine that, for us, a safe will give us control and security where it is lacking elsewhere, then more power to us.

Perhaps there has never been a time when having a safe makes more sense, or, in fact, is more needed. Dishonesty and thievery runs rampant in our society and the threat of fire is as real now as it has ever been. When you decide to purchase a safe for protection of valuables from theft or fire you should feel comfortable turning to companies like Sentry Safes. They have proven over and over again that they deserve the continuing high customer satisfaction ratings that they have enjoyed for years and years.

Sentry Safes do protect. They do keep our items safe from theft and fire, and they do give a sense of control and an increased sense of protection. If the contents of a safe can be protected from the typical house fire for approximately 30 minutes then chances are pretty good that the safe will have done it's job. On average, fire department personnel are good at extinguishing a fire within that amount of time. If a safe is designed and proven to be resistant to prying fingers and tools then it gives actual protection. These sorts of reasons to buy a safe are far and away better than buying just because somebody got it in our head that having a safe is somehow going to make our economic challenges go away.

Think through why you want a safe, then buy a top quality safe from a company like Browning, Liberty or Sentry Safes and you'll have protection, a sense of control, and you'll be doing it for the right reasons.

Browning Safes Various Levels of Fire Protection

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:38:10 -0700

Browning is a company well known for their hunting and outdoor products. This includes items such as clothing, knives, lights, firearms and Browning safes to keep those firearms safe and out of the wrong hands. Not only are safes used to keep the firearms secure, they also protect from fire and other natural disasters. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the different fire ratings and how fire protection differs from one safe to another. Lets take a look at each safe and the fire protection that it offers.

There are two main lines of safes offered by Browning. The first are the Value Safes, and there are three series in this line. They are the Theftguard series, the Bronze series and the Copper series. The other line of safes are the Premium safes, of which there are four series: the Sterling, the Medallion, the Gold and the Platinum series.

Let's first take a look at the three series in the Browning Value safes line.

The introductory series for Browning safes is the Theftguard series. The models in this series includes the TG30F, TG33F, TG23F and TG15F. The fire protection feature for these safes are:

Offers 30 minutes of fire protection for a fire burning at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
1/2" fireboard (fire resistant insulation), with one layer of fireboard in the body and two layers in the door.
Palusol expanding fire seal in the door

The Bronze series is the next step up and includes the BR41F, BR34F, BR24F and the BR61F. These offer the following upgrades in protection:

Has 45 minutes of fire protection
Two layers of 1/2" fireboard in the body and the door.
Palusol expanding fire seal

The Copper Series of Browning safes is the top series in the Value line. This series includes the C41F, C34F and C26F. These offer:

60 minutes of fire protection at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Three layers of 1/2" fire resistant insulation in the body and the door.
Palusol expanding fire seal.

Now lets take a look at the Premium line of Browning safes, and its four series.

Sterling series is the base level series in the Premium line of safes and includes the S26F, S39F and S47F. Though there are other upgrades in security, the fire protection is the same as the top level Copper series of Value line safes:

60 minutes of fire protection at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Three layers of 1/2" fire resistant insulation in the body and the door.
Palusol expanding fire seal.

The Medallion series is next up with the M56F, M39F, M28F and M19F. It upgrades to:

90 minutes of fire protection.
Four layers of fireboard in the body and door, and five layers in ceiling and floor.
Palusol fire seal.

The Gold series includes the G65F, G47F, G39F G28F. There is increased fire protection in this series also. It is:

100 minutes fire protection.
Five layers of fireboard in the body, and four layers in door.
Premium 3-in-1 palusol fire seal.

The Platinum series is the top of the line in Browning safes. The different size models are the PP47F, PP39F, PP28F. It has some security upgrades from the Gold series of safes, but the fire protection is the same as listed directly above.

So, if fire protection is one of your primary concerns, decide how much you want or need. Then choose one of the many Browning safes offered that best suits your needs.

Modern Safes Are Amazing

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:33:42 -0700

Contemporary safes are simply amazing in both design and function. They protect valuables from theft, fire, and even water damage. And while no safe is completely impervious to any harm whatsoever, most safes today offer an amazing level of protection. A lot has been written about what makes a good safe, what to look for when purchasing a safe, and many other topics related to safes. All of that is great because it makes consumers more aware, savvy and prepared to purchase exactly what they really need. Need fire protection? There are safes that can do that. Need protection from theft? There are safes that can be bolted to the floor, and are so secure that it would take an almost impossible Herculean effort to get the door open without the combination or key. Most modern safes get the job of protection done right.

I remember back when I was a kid noticing safes while watching old western tv shows like The Rifleman, Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, The Virginian, and others. It seems like the bad guys in these shows didn't have much trouble at all when it came time to rob a bank. They just donned their bandana masks, wielded their six shooters, barked out some commands to the frightened tellers and ultimately helpless bank managers, then diving for cover as the sticks of dynamite did its job on the safe. Boom and viola! the safes gave in and revealed all the cash and jewels inside. I remember thinking how pathetic those safes were. One little explosion and they were opened. I kept thinking that if that is all it took to get into them, they would have been better off to just leave the safes unlocked and save themselves the trouble of fixing up all the damage that came as a result of the bad guys blowing things up. But that was just me.

As an adult with a home, a few valuables to protect, and a greater sense of how the world really works, I am now proud to say that I own several safes. I don't know if they would be strong enough to withstand a dynamite blast, but I do know that I have a lot more peace of mind. I figure something is better than nothing when it comes to safes. Why do I have more than one? Because I have multiple needs, just like you probably do. The portable safes on the market (mine is a Sentry fireproof safe) offer people the ability to store valuable documents, cash, and other valuables in something that they can quickly grab if needed, yet still protect from fire damage.

My other safe is a big bazillion pound monster that I defy anyone to get into without the combination. This thing is going nowhere without permission. It is rated to withstand normal house fire temperatures for over a half hour, is bolted down to the floor, and is impervious to pry bars and other attempts at entry. I can just see the look on Don Knotts' face (think Apple Dumpling Gang) when the dynamite goes off and my safe is still standing there intact and with a little grin on its face.

Safes are a serious investment and a great thing to have in today's tough uncertain economic times. They are built to be incredibly strong and feature-rich. Sure, enough explosives, or maybe the right thief could possibly figure out a way to breech some safes, but any modern safe made by a proven and respected manufacturer is certain to be reliable and beneficial for most people.