Advice & Tips

In this category, you will find interesting articles that further discuss specific regulations, types of safes, type of security as well as installing safes yourself to choose the right safe for your situation. In short, useful and practical tips on safes, fire safes and related products.

Digital Safe or Key Safe - What's Best?

Here at Simply Safes, this is one of the most frequently asked questions that we receive. We have put together this handy buying guide to help you make your choice. Ultimately it is our opinion that this broadly down to your own personal preference. This guide also goes into further detail about the different options available on digital locks and your options when faced with a really long safe key.

How secure is a digital lock and can it be hacked?

When a safe is tested for insurance purposes, it is done in two parts, one is the safe and the other is the lock. The lock goes through testing and part of that is to check if it can be hacked by various methods.

Of course the lock is only as secure as the numbers that are programmed into it and ensuring all factory codes are changed. The last thing you want is not have deleted a master code that is readily available in product manuals online.

We also recommend that you ensure the code is changed regularly and to use different numbers in that process to avoid tell signs of keypad wear that might tip off an opportunist.

Is one lock type more secure than another?

Essentially, no one type of lock is more secure than another, as we have mentioned above. Locks are tested to a specific level for the type of safe it is fitted too.

Ultimately it boils down to keeping the code you set secure on a digital lock or keeping the key secure. For insurance purposes, your broker can insist you keep the key on your person at all times.

What happens if the batteries fail on my digital lock?

Is it some customers fear that if the batteries fail then the safe might spring open or go back to the default settings. Rest assured, it will definitely not just open and only in very rare cases will it go back to the default factory codes if at all.

In essence, we strongly recommend that you ensure you change the batteries regularly to avoid these kinds on issues. It might be wise to put a simple calendar reminder in for 6 months after your purchase to check the level of the batteries.

What happens if I lose a key to my safe?

If you should lose a key to an entry level model, then sadly it is not possible to get replacements in most cases. You could try a locksmith local to you, this needs to be a reputable MLA registered locksmith and not somewhere such as Timpsons. If you have purchased an Arregui or BTV safe from us then it may be possible for us to arrange a replacement key however we need proof of purchase and a form of ID before we are able to do this.

Should you lose a key to an insurance approved model with a double bitted key lock then replacements can be cut for you but a copy would need to be made from an original. If you have lost both keys we can arrange for an engineer to visit, they would use best practice to minimise any damages. Once open, a new lock can be fitted to get your belongings secure again.

Some key locking models from Burg Wachter and De Raat Security have the option to re-key your lock. This means should you lose a key or a staff member leaves with one, the safe is not compromised. As long as you have one key to open the lock, you can change the lock over to a new set of keys.

To do this, you would need to purchase a set of new keys in a kit from us - in the kit also comes a change key. All of this can be done without the need to call a locksmith out, saving you money. Please call us for more details and assistance.

What are my options on the really long safe keys?

If you have a higher rated safe that features long safe keys, which you do not want to keep on your person then in some cases it is possible to have key stem system. This is where the keys come in multiple parts and essentially you put the key together to open the lock.

The only part you would need to keep on your person in this instance is the part that features the double bitted key.

I need an audit trail and multiple users, is this possible?

Yes this is certainly no issue at all, you may require a more advanced digital lock to be fitted, if you require certain functionality. Where possible, we will find a product that matches your requirements from an off the shelf item.

This will be more cost effective for you and also quicker to be delivered. Please call one of our friendly sales team to discuss your options further

Are you able to provide digital locks with one-time access codes?

We have worked with several large customers on big projects where very advanced digital locks were required. This was for audit and internal purposes to provide added security for staff members. One-time access codes can be created off-site and then sent to the user that is present, once they have been verified.

Our summary

We hope you have found this buying guide to be helpful, we understand that some of the tips may not apply to everyone.

In short, keys for safes that are approved for insurance purposes may need to kept on your person, so could prove an inconvenience. There is however, peace of mind in that you do not have to remember a code or change batteries.

An electronic digital lock has the benefit of no keys to keep with you and are easy to open for the user. The more advanced locks have various features which might be of more benefit to the commercial market.

DIY: How to Secure a Safe

Positioning and securing a safe yourself is possible with the right knowledge and tools . The lighter safes in particular are not that difficult to position and bolt down yourself.
Read on for supplies and step-by-step instructions.

Supplies needed to install a safe yourself

Impact drill
Concrete drill
Socket wrench
Plastic hammer
Level
Air syringe
Fixing anchors (with or without delivery with safe)

Secure your safe in 7 steps

1. Take the safe out of the packaging and dispose of the packaging material in an environmentally friendly manner.

2. Place the safe in the desired location. Check that the safe is level and if it has enough room for the door to fully open. Remove any flooring elements so the safe is placed directly on the concrete.

3. If necessary, fill the space under the safe until it is level.

4. Insert the key or operate the electronic lock and open the safe.

5. Mark the anchor holes on the floor with a pencil. Depending on the safe 1 or more holes.

6. Drill the marked holes. Depending on the size of the safe, the safe will first be removed to drill the holes. Make sure the holes are free of grit.

7. Postion the safe on the mounting holes and follow the final steps.

Place the anchors through the inside of the safe in the pre-drilled mounting holes.
Drive the fixing anchors completely into the holes using the plastic hammer.
Tighten the bolts using the socket wrench.
If supplied: place the cover over the hole.

Tips & tricks for placing and fixing a safe

Always make sure that there are no pipes in the wall or floor in which you want to drill. Drilling is not possible with underfloor heating. Use a pipe finder to be on the safe side.
It is necessary to use the correct drill diameter for maximum strength.
Adjust the mounting anchors to the type of floor or wall to which you want to attach the safe.
Positioning a safe is specialist work. It is particularly difficult to maneuver with heavy safes. Always ensure a safe working environment.
Always have a flat floor and wall; make sure that there are no crevices or cracks, so that a crowbar can easily get 'grip'.
Remove the existing plinth to get a good connection between the back of the safe and the wall against which it is placed.
Make sure you have the correct tightening torque with the anchors and used screws.
Close or operate the lock with open safe door. This way you can check whether the closing mechanism is functioning properly.

Have the safe installed and secured by Simplysafes.co.uk?

Perhaps you prefer to have the safe installed and secured by experienced and skilled technicians. We are happy to be of service. We have a professional and experienced installation service with years of experience and know which measures must be taken to place and anchor a (heavy) safe safely, correctly and in the desired location. If you want a standard installation and fixing, you can select it directly at the product page when you place it in the shopping cart. A standard installation is delivery, positioning and anchoring on the ground floor or on a floor with an elevator. There are no thresholds at the 1st door or front door and the route to the place where the safe should be located is flat.

For more information go to the installation page or contact us directly for placements under special circumstances, such as in a basement, on a floor without an elevator, etc.