Should You Get a Hidden Safe for Home or a Visible One?

When it comes to buying a safe for your home, one of the first questions you must answer is whether or not it should be hidden. What is the value and purpose of hiding safes? And when is it smarter to use a larger, more visible safe? Here's what you need to know.

What Are Hidden Safes Great For?

Despite what movies may indicate, hidden safes are not the go-to for all homeowners. But they do have their purposes. A hidden safe's goal is to slow down a burglar by making it harder to locate the target. Because thieves want to stay inside homes or businesses for very short periods of time (to reduce the likelihood of being caught), any delay can be helpful. 

Hidden safes are also small and light, so they're good solutions where space is limited — such as apartments, home offices, or a guest room. While it can be challenging to find hiding spots where thieves don't look, it can be done with some creativity. This type of safe is also less expensive and so is accessible for families who want to protect things temporarily or keep them out of the reach of children. 

When Should Visibility Take a Back Seat?

While delaying a thief with your safe's location is valuable, there is a time when this may not be something to focus on. If you can invest in a safe with a higher rating against break-ins, that delay will come in the form of more time needed to actually break in. A larger, hard-to-hide safe provides greater protection for higher value items and things that cannot be replaced. 

Larger and more protective safes also tend to provide more fire and water protection. The hidden safe may be vulnerable to fire if placed in walls or floorboards or if it's too light and portable. Heavier, larger safes forgo appearance for fire or waterproof materials. So if your concerns are less about burglars and more about a natural disaster, this may be a better option. 

Finally, don't underestimate the value of a visible safe as a distraction. Because most homeowners only have one safe, a thief may waste time on the one they find without searching further for the one that's hidden. 

Where Can You Learn More?

Want to know more about hidden and visible safe options? Start by touring the inventory at a safe retailer in your area. By considering your goals for the safe, your protection needs, and your budget, you can find the right safes for whatever you need to keep secure. 

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