The Safe Experts Talk

Good advice about safes and security from people who know

The Smart Way to File Your Taxes

By: Bo | April 19th, 2008

You just filed your taxes, where do you put the paper work?  We have the answer, take a look at a file fire cabinet.  The Honeywell 2037 is great for protecting your most important papers from fire and flood damage.  The fire file box is tested and rated for 30 min @ 1550˚F and has a water proof seal to protect against water damage when the fire is being put out.  The safe has 1,070 cubic inches of interior storage and comes with a steel latch and key lock.

What sets the Honeywell 2037 apart from other fire safes is that it has a water proof seal and also you can organize your paper work by putting files in the safe.  It gives the user a nice organized place to keep the important papers that mean the most to them.
Features:
·         Overall dimensions:13″h x 16″w x 12.75″d
·         Interior dimensions:10.25″h x 12.17″w x 8.58″d
·         Weight 38 lbs.
·         1550˚F for 30 min fire protection
·         1,070 cubic inches interior storage
·         Includes Key lock
·         Holds hanging file folders
·         U.L. listed
 

Precious Metals prices escalate to new highs…Are you buying and are you protected?

By: MaggieG | April 11th, 2008

Precious metals pricing has risen to record levels in the past six months. Gold was purchased for about $325.00 a troy ounce in 1993. Today it is being sold for about $900.00 an troy ounce. Silver has skyrocketed and was being puchased for about five dollars per troy ounce, in 1993, today it is worth about twenty dollars per troy ounce. The greatest jump has been in the last six months.

With this rise have come the investors who are purchasing gold and silver and putting it away to see if goes even higher. If you are an investor how are you protecting your investment? Do you take it home and put it in a box in the closet?  Or under the bed? And what about those of us who have gold jewelry or grandma’s antique silver serving utensils? All of us are more at risk from someone breaking into our homes and ransacking everything looking for items made out of precious metals, so they can pawn it and get money. 

Original Jewelry Safes

 

 

 

If you have valuables including precious metals to protect, you should consider a jewelry type safe. These safes are meant to hold your possessions securely in case of an attack. The lock is protected by a re-locker, and some feature a glass trigger feature which when a drill attack is attempted, breaks and locks the safe in the closed position. Others have other type of triggers and they all have some type of protection in between the lock and the door to protect the lock.

Original Jewelry Safe, with the door open and the back panel off

The prices quoted above for gold and silver were taken from the following link http://www.infomine.com/investment/historicalcharts/showcharts.asp?c=Gold, these jewelry safes are meant to protect items valued for a great amount of money. So these safes will keep your valuables, as well as your precious metals safe.

 

 

 

Identity Theft and ways to combat it

By: JohnS | April 9th, 2008

Have you noticed credit card charges on your statement that don’t look familiar? You might be a victim of identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Don’t be a victim as its cost is emotional distress and your time. You must be careful how you keep and discard of your personal records. With a paper shredder you could save your credit and your peace of mind.

Identity Theft occurs in one of the following ways:

  • Phishing for credit card information, Social Security Numbers, account numbers, or other personal information on the internet by emails, or by phone by people posing as a representative from a company you do business with.
  • Stealing documents, by breaking into your home or office, that give this information to the thief.
  • Digging through your trash for credit card, loan or refinance offers which the thief can fill out and send in using your name and changing the address. They also look for bills and other items that they can use.
  • By calling or approaching you impersonating a government, bank or other authority figure to pressure you into giving information to a third party by phone, such as credit card numbers, birth date, or social security number.

Paper shredders will give the burglar no chance to get his hands on the information that he needs. By shredding all important papers and even the junk mail you receive, all the thief will find in your trash can are banana peels and milk cartons. If you have records that need to be protected from a burglar, you are welcome to let us help you purchase a safe that is right for you. But keep your important documents and junk mail out of the hands of the trash diggers in your neighborhood, by browsing our new line of paper shredders.

Double Digit Steel Price Increase This Quarter!

By: Bo | March 20th, 2008

For those of you that have been watching the world market, you have seen how volatile pricing is.  In this world market, China seems to be absorbing massive quantities of steel as well as the raw materials to complete their infrastructure.  What does that mean for us?  Fluxuating steel pricing.  As a result the manufactures are raising the pricing on all safes.

As a result we at Dean Security Safe Co. are having to increase our price on most of the safe models.  There is however a couple of things that we can do different then our competitors; like we have the ability to bring in truck loads of safes at a better price so we can pass along those savings to our customers.  Another option we have to help keep cost down is, we sell a large volume of safes so therefore we can spread our overhead over more safes then some of our competitors.

There is some good news that comes out of this; Cannon Gun Safes is coming out with a new light kit in all Cannon and Traditional series safes.  Fort Knox has added some new colors to choose from, along with some new graphics.  Let us know if you would like a new catalog.  Also, Amsec has come out with a new size in the BF series, the 6636 (65.5”h x 36”w x 26”d) very good look.  I hope this gives you a little better understanding of what is going on in the safe industry, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.   

Moisture: The Subtle Threat

By: JohnS | February 27th, 2008

A threat that is commonly overlooked by most people who buy or already own safes is moisture. Unlike a fire or burglary, moisture will, overtime, deteriorate and or even destroy personal valuables. By the time you realize that you have a moisture problem, the damage has already been done. To prevent this from happening, there are devices that are placed in the safe called dehumidifiers.

Dehumidifiers are an essential accessory to a safe that helps protect your valuables such as guns, jewelry, and other precious metals from rust, corrosion, and pitting. They limit the amount of moisture within a certain area. There are a few different types of dehumidifiers designed for safes.

The first is a type of heating element. They are most commonly known as “Dri-Rods” or “Goldenrods”.  They function by using electricity to heat up the rod. They sit at the bottom of your safe and as heat radiates off the rod, it circulates the air throughout the safe preventing condensation from forming. This type of dehumidifier requires virtually no maintenance as it continually runs off of a very small amount of electricity.

Another type of dehumidifier is a desiccant type of dehumidifier.  Desiccant or Silica beads absorb the moisture in a given area. With these dehumidifiers, the desiccant needs to be dried out after prolonged use. In order to dry it out, it needs to sit in an oven for about twelve hours at 250°. After which time, it can go back into the safe.

An Eva-dry dehumidifier is a new an improved version of a desiccant dehumidifier. Eva-Drys contain water glass technology crystals. These crystals have a much higher absorption rate than traditional desiccant products.  These crystals are encased within the unit. There is an indicator on the front that lets you know if the Eva-Dry needs to be recharged. To recharge the Eva-Dry, simply flip out its plug and plug it into a wall outlet for 8-12 hours. The Eva-Dry has a life span for about 10 years.

For climates with higher humidity, it is a good idea to use any of the three units together. These items are available at a minimal cost and can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of damage to your firearms and or other valuables.

Do you want to know if someone is going into your business or home at night?

By: Bo | February 27th, 2008

Are you worried that one of your employees is coming after business hours to the store?  Do you have a feeling that the housekeeper isn’t always showing up when she says she is?  You trust your pool man, but you want to have control over when he can come to your house?

The answer to these questions is the new Logic system by Medeco high security locks.  The logic system gives you the ability to have control over whom and when someone can come into your business, home, and office.  Plus the ability to have an audit trail, so you know exactly who and when someone has come through the door.

The Logic system works with digital keys and digital cylinders.  Logic electromechanical cylinders offer convenience and security through digital masterkeying.  Using technology that combines digital encoding and physical components, Logic electromechanical cylinders function like standard mechanical cylinders with the added advantage that all rekeying is done electronically.  Keys can be instantly and easily deactivated or reprogrammed with different access permissions or schedules.

You have the ability to program schedules into the cylinders or keys.  Example is if you don’t want your housekeeper to have access to your home or business at night, you can program the key so it only lets her in during the day.  The Logic electromechanical cylinders provide comprehensive audit trails reports showing authorized access, attempted access, and access and expiration schedules.  The audit trail can be obtained from either the key or the cylinder.

Medeco is the industry leader in high security locks and keys.  With factory controlled key cutting and highly encrypted digital codes, Logic electromechanical cylinders offer superior protection against unauthorized key copying and electronic attacks.  If you give a key to the pool man and you fire him, all you have to do is take the key out of the system and he will no longer have access.   

Shot Show 2008: Data & Document Security Solutions

By: JohnS | February 15th, 2008

Sentry Data & Document SafesWhile at the Shot show, I was attracted to a new product line by Sentry. They have worked with Maxtor (a major hard drive brand) and designed an external hard drive that provides protection against water and fire damage. They have also come out with three other units all designed to store media such as hard drives, flash drives, mp3 players, CDs, and DVDs.

A cool feature with these products is their USB connectivity. This allows the external hard drive to operate even while it’s sitting inside the safe.

In case of flood or fire, this is an ideal solution for businesses to protect important information. The computer might be gone but your files are safe. This is really a revolutionary product in the safe industry and I expect other companies to follow suit with similar products.

Shot Show 2008

By: Bo | February 14th, 2008

Shot Show 2008 was a lot of fun and a lot of work.  Very excited about the new products our manufactures have come out with for this year.

To start, the talk of the show was Amsec coming out with a new Two-Tone paint job on their BF and RF series Gun Safes that looks very good.  The safe has a matte black body and a gloss black door.  They also introduced a new light kit that goes behind the center divider in the gun rack.  The big news out of Amsec though, is that they are no longer going to carry the BF-6040 size, instead came out with a new size BF-6636 (65.25”h x 36”w x 26”d 1249lbs.)

Cannon has news of its own; they have come out with a new light kit that goes in the door.  It is going to be standard on the cannon series and traditional series gun safes.  A projected date for the light kit to be available is around May of 2008.  They also came out with two new gloss colors, charcoal grey and champagne.

Fort Knox didn’t come out with any new sizes, but surprised everyone with their new colors.  Back by popular demand is Mercedes silver very good look with silver detail.  The new premium colors are; Desert Rose, Champagne, Fusion Orange, Sage Green, Viper Yellow, and Flame Red.  They also introduced new graphics, the new Elite trim and Performance trim.

Gun Vault has come out with a new bio GV-1000b to go with the bio GV-2000b.  The new size is going to be available May 2008.  They also have a new size for their Gun Safes, GV-5926 (59”h x 26”w x 23”d).  This new size comes in a bio version or key pad.

All in all it was a very good show, lots of new products and new innovation that has all of us at Dean Security Safe Co. very excited for 2008.

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Underwriter’s Laboratories Fire Resistive Rating Classification

By: Bo | January 7th, 2008

Underwriter’s Laboratories Fire Resistive Rating Classification:

     The following is an explanation of the Underwriter’s Laboratories’ fire resistant container testing procedures on the class 350˚F, one hour and class 350˚F, two hour fire labels.  U.L Label/ Class 350˚F-one hour and Class 350˚F-two hour.  The safe will maintain an interior temperature less than 350˚F when exposed to fire for a period of one hour at 1700˚F or for a period of two hours at 1850˚F.  Safe must successfully undergo all other requirements for the Fire Endurance Test, Explosion Hazard Test and the Fire/Impact Test.

Fire Endurance Test:
      After heat sensors and paper are placed inside the safe, the unit is locked and exposed to a uniformly distributed fire.  The furnace is regulated to reach a maximum temperature of 1700˚F for a period of one hour, or 1850˚F for two hours, then allowed to cool without opening the furnace.  The interior temperature is recorded throughout the test and during the cooling period until a definite drop is shown and must never exceed 350˚F.  Once cooled , the unit is opened and examined for usability.  The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission.

Explosion Hazard Test:
     The safe is locked and placed into a furnace preheated to 2000˚F.  This temperature is maintained for 30 minutes(2 hour test is 45 minutes) and if no explosion results, the unit is allowed to cool without opened and examined for usability.  The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission.

Fire Impact Test:
       After the explosion hazard test the safe is removed from the furnace and within two minutes is dropped 30’ onto a riprap of brick on a heavy concrete base.  After impact the unit is examined for deformation, rupture of parts, damaged insulation and any other openings into the interior of the unit.  Once cooled, the unit is inverted and reheated to 1550˚ for a period of 30 minutes (2 hour test is 45 min. at 1638˚F).

        Once cooled, the unit is opened and examined for usability.  The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission.

V-Line Security Cases and Cabinets

By: MaggieG | January 3rd, 2008

V-Line’s Security Cases and Cabinets provide an ideal hiding place for small valuables such as firearms as well as jewelry, household cash, extra credit cards, and medicines. They are great for use at home, office, and in the RV.

V-Line Cases are popular with law-enforcement agencies: The State of California, F.B.I., I.R.S., U.S. Postal Service, T.S.A., district attorneys, many city and county police and fire departments are just some of the agencies using V-Line products. Many agencies are concerned with liability issues for their officers who have firearms in their vehicles and who bring their duty firearms home.

The mechanical lock featured by V-Line eliminates worries of dead batteries at inopportune times. The push button lock allows quick and easy access, without keys that can be lost or fall into the wrong hands. The combination is easy to program and can be quietly opened in low light by feel. 

A big safe in the garage may be ideal for a firearms collection, but the self-defense firearm in the master bedroom also needs protection while maintaining easy access. V-Line Cases and Cabinets can be easily installed to provide convenient access. 

V-Line Cases and Cabinets are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet individual needs. Mounting Brackets offer easy installation with portability; one Mounting Bracket may be installed at home, a second in the office or RV, providing protection at any storage location. Valuables and firearms need never be unsecured or exposed again.

V-Line prides itself in exceptional quality of design and workmanship from the welded hinges, staked for added security, to the precisely sized and formed body and lid. The tightest tolerances possible have been used for optimum security. A handsome gold tone ink pinstripe and logo design accent the durable powder-coated finish.

Customer service and support is available from our factory located in southern California.

V-Line’s Top Draw, Compact, Desk Mate, Hide-Away, and Quick Vault models are “California-approved firearm safety devices” that meet the requirements of California Penal Code Section 12088 and the regulations issued thereunder.

V-Line Top Draw Handgun Pistol Safe, Model 2912-STop Draw model 2912-S 

The Top Draw model 2912-S with its traditional top opening lid and classic slim design is a popular unit. An optional Quick Release Mounting Bracket is available to enable the Case to be used in more than one location.

Measuring 12” x 9” x 2 ½” deep, (OD), 11 ¾” x 8 ¾” x 2” (ID) the Top Draw is large enough to accommodate two handguns. Foam lining on top and bottom holds and protects contents securely in place.

V-Line has exaggerated the clamshell design with the door folding over the body, encompassing it to prevent a prying attack. An inner flange allows the lock bolt to lock into the body of the case, increasing the pry-resistance. A 3/8” thick steel lock block welded to the cover guides and strengthens the lock bolt.

California Dept. of Justice approved

The V-Line Compact Handgun Pistol Safe, Model 279-SCompact model 279-S

For a smaller top opening unit V-Line’s Compact has many of the same features as the Top Draw; clamshell design, locking bolt locks into the body of the case, welded and staked hinge. It measures 9 ½” x 7 ¼” x 2 ¼” (OD), 9” x 6 ½” x 1 ½” (ID) and has a shipping weight of 5 pounds. Felt lining pads the interior of the Compact.

California Dept. of Justice approved

The V-Line Hide-away Handgun Pistol Safe, Model 3912-SHHide-Away model 3912-SH and Desk Mate model 2597-SThe V-Line Desk Mate Handgun Pistol Safe, Model 2597-S

V-Line’s Hide-Away and Desk Mate models are designed to easily install under a bed, desk, or counter with the included Quick Release Mounting Bracket.

The Hide-Away’s front opening door drops down to allow the felt lined inner drawer to slide out for easy access to contents. Measuring 11 ½” x 7” x 2” the drawer is large enough to comfortably hold most sized handguns plus a badge, wallet, or second firearm. The Hide-Away is also ideal for securing small valuables, jewelry, or medicines out of sight and reach of children and household visitors.

The smaller sized Desk Mate offers additional installation possibilities, such as inside a cupboard or console compartment. A slide out tray is available as an option for the Desk Mate.

Optional Universal Mounting Brackets are available to allow the Hide-Away and Desk Mate to be installed on top of a surface. Additional Quick Release Mounting Brackets may also be purchased.

The Hide-Away is 12 ½” x 9” x 3 ½”, (OD) 11 ½” x 7” x 2”, (ID) and weighs 18 pounds. 
The Desk Mate measures 7 ½” x 10 ½” x 2 ½”, (OD) 6 ½” x 8 ¼” x 1 ¾”, (ID) and weighs 8 pounds. 

California Dept. of Justice approved

The V-Line Quick Vault Wall Safe, Model 41214-SQuick Vault model 41214-S 

V-Line’s Quick Vault is the perfect “Hiding Place” to secure valuables and firearms without compromising quick and easy access.

The Quick Vault is designed to install in between the wall studs, the Case mounts flush with the wall’s surface; hang a picture over the Quick Vault for complete concealment. 

The door of the Quick Vault is inset for both flush installation as well as maximum security. An inner steel frame gives added protection to the door guarding against prying attacks.

Felt lining on the side and back walls cushion contents. A felt lined adjustable shelf provides additional storage space. Additional shelves may be ordered. The Quick Vault is large enough to handle most handguns plus wallet, jewelry, and small valuables. 

14” x 12” x 4” (OD) 
17” x 15” x 4” overall all outside dimension including flange
13” x 11 ¼” x 2 ¾” (ID) 

The V-Line Shotgun Case, Model 3842-SAShotgun Case model 3842-SA and Rifle Case 31242-SAThe V-Line Rifle Case, Model 31242-SA

Security for long guns has not been forgotten at V-Line. 
The Shotgun Case measures 42” x 8” x 3 ½”, (OD), 41” x 7” x 2 ¾” (ID), weighing 30 lbs. 

If more room is needed the Rifle Case is 42” x 12” x 3 ½”, (OD), 41” x 11” x 2 ¾” (ID), weighing 38 lbs. The Rifle Case is wide enough for an AR-15 or short scoped rifle.

The mechanical push button lock is featured; additionally 2 tubular key locks provide extra security when quick access is not needed.
Both models can be installed horizontally or vertically; they are designed to bolt to the surface of a wall or floor. Foam liner cushions top, bottom and back. 
These models are also popular with law-enforcement agencies.

The V-Line Closet Vault, Model 51653-SACloset Vault model 51653-SA

V-Line Ind.’s Closet Vault was designed to install in between the wall studs, the door and frame protrude 2”outside the wall to provide extra internal depth. 
Measuring 50” x 14” x 5 ¾” (OD), 53” x 16 ¾” x 5 ¾” including outside flange,
49” x 13 ½” x 4 ¾” (ID), shipping weight is 70 lbs.
It can accommodate 3 - 4 long guns, (depending on their size). The Closet Vault can be easily hidden in a closet or behind a door.

The door fits flush into the frame of the Closet Vault. Two tubular key locks have been added to the mechanical lock at the top and bottom for additional security when quick access is not required.

One adjustable Barrel Support is included with each Closet Vault, a felt liner on the bottom cushions gun-stocks. Optional Full and Half shelves as well as a Gun Caddy, Pistol Rack and Pegboard door panel are available to customize the Closet Vault to best meet individual needs.

The Closet Vault is ideal for the collector or law-enforcement personnel who want to keep a couple of firearms secured and within easy reach, or the individual with a just couple of firearms he wants to secure.

An Additional Note:

Travelers should be mindful of transportation laws if they travel with a firearm. V-Line’s Security Cases meet many of the states’ and airlines’ laws regulating transportation of firearms. Travelers are encouraged to always check state and local laws.

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