Home Night Safe ???

**ol' boy** · 03-12-17, 11:34 AM

With the recent spate of vehicle thefts from people breaking into your house and taking your car keys, then just driving away
(happened to a mate yesterday)
Has anyone considered a Night Safe or something similar for the obvious Car Keys, Wallet, Cash, Laptop, etc that might be kept in the home?

I think most people are a soft touch, everyone i've spoken to either doesn't lock their house at all, and all keep their keys in a common location, like in bowl on kitchen bench or on some hooks on the wall or somewhere equally as obvious for a thief to find.

Im now thinking of getting a Night Safe like they have in a Motel Room, with a key pad access.
Has anyone done this?
Are they fool proof or easily compromised?

Im sure there are bigger and better ones, but seems cheap insurance
After all, its 99% just about removing the oppertunity, than making it 100% secure.

Thanks

**lsemmens** · 03-12-17, 12:17 PM

Not a bad idea. We have an automatic door bell. We call him Max, He's big, and his bark is definitely worse than his bight, but the crooks don't know that.

**shred** · 03-12-17, 12:22 PM

It's a good idea, but then the crooks think you have gold bullion stored in there and may damage your home attempting to steal the entire safe.

I know someone who has two safes: one is a new, really upmarket looking safe in an obvious location. It has nothing of value in it and serves purely as a decoy. The second one is an old, crusty looking but very sturdy and secure safe. It's moderately well hidden and you'd need to go to a lot of effort to get it out - that one has the valuables in it.

**ol' boy** · 03-12-17, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by shred

It's a good idea, but then the crooks think you have gold bullion stored in there and may damage your home attempting to steal the entire safe.

I know someone who has two safes: one is a new, really upmarket looking safe in an obvious location. It has nothing of value in it and serves purely as a decoy. The second one is an old, crusty looking but very sturdy and secure safe. It's moderately well hidden and you'd need to go to a lot of effort to get it out - that one has the valuables in it.

Yes, i did consider this
But to remove a safe, involves noise and time.....

I would think the idea is just to remove the obvious items laying around in obvious places, like car keys, shed keys, garage keys/openers, jewellery, phones, tablets, laptops.
Things that are small and easily transportable.

I have seen builders here install floor safes in the concrete floor, under the carpet, but that is kind of a different thing i feel.

But you are right, some thought when installing the safe needs to be given, so simple tools like a pry bar couldn't remove them.
And it does bring a focal point to the crooks, if they wanted to go on with it.

I like how in Motels they have these Safes, its fast and easy to use and becomes a good habit.
After all, half the things that go missing are probably family related

**ol' boy** · 03-12-17, 04:42 PM

Hmmmmmmmmm

**Tiny** · 03-12-17, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

Hmmmmmmmmm
[video=youtube;aqC9V7SDKdQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqC9V7SDKdQ[video]

yes safe design is important to a point, however you are only ever going to keep the stupid criminals from being successful, as the smart crims will break into any safe & the Youtube will be available eventually.

Having a safe that's easy to find with not much in it would be better, then put your valuables in a can of something in an obscure place.

**porkop** · 03-12-17, 06:26 PM

Baseball bat across the hands as they enter is better!!!!!

**Rick** · 03-12-17, 06:33 PM

I just stuff my gear into my boots, that way when I get dressed of a morning i'm not hunting for my keys and wallet, and a thief is to stupid to think of shoes

**Tiny** · 03-12-17, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by porkop

Baseball bat across the hands as they enter is better!!!!!

yeah & for when you're not home,

**LeroyPatrol** · 03-12-17, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

I just stuff my gear into my boots, that way when I get dressed of a morning i'm not hunting for my keys and wallet, and a thief is to stupid to think of shoes

or can hold his nose long enough to go near them :P

**downunderdan** · 03-12-17, 08:17 PM

Be aware that most of the 'safes' sold at Bunnings have about as much attack resistance as a petty cash tin. They're moneyboxes, not safes.

A good safe is worth $500-$10,000 depending on size and attack resistance e.g. torch/drill resistant (TDR) which relates to what you're actually storing.

Second hand safes are often very good value for money although removals can be costly depending on their size.

Any safe weighing less than 2 tonne should absolutely be bolted down. Stealing safes is easier than you think and then a thief has time to break into it at their leisure.

I agree with having a 'decoy' safe e.g. in the bedroom (where most people keep their one and only safe) with the real safe elsewhere and well concealed.

They're only useful if you use them. Digital locks are not always as secure as a dial lock (it's complicated) but the tradeoff between convenience and security is a good one.

**ol' boy** · 03-12-17, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by porkop

Baseball bat across the hands as they enter is better!!!!!

Thats the trouble, i'm not always home

But i love your proactive thinking

**peteramjet** · 03-12-17, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by downunderdan

Any safe weighing less than 2 tonne should absolutely be bolted down.

For smaller safes that need to be secured to a structure it’s probably a good idea to follow the firearm safe securing requirements, which stipulate where and how those safes can be mounted to offer the best protection from being forced open or forcibly removed.

**bob_m_54** · 03-12-17, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

Hmmmmmmmmm

Even easier with a rare earth magnet..

**ol' boy** · 04-12-17, 08:15 AM

Now that would be a fun thing to do in the shop in front of the sales person....

**ol' boy** · 04-12-17, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by bob_m_54

Even easier with a rare earth magnet..

Now, these would be fun around a bunch of mobile phones!
262kg of force!!! That's gonna snap a finger!

**downunderdan** · 08-12-17, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

262kg of force!!! That's gonna snap a finger!

Actual mileage may vary...

**motion** · 13-12-17, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by downunderdan

Be aware that most of the 'safes' sold at Bunnings have about as much attack resistance as a petty cash tin. They're moneyboxes, not safes.

Originally Posted by downunderdan

Any safe weighing less than 2 tonne should absolutely be bolted down. Stealing safes is easier than you think and then a thief has time to break into it at their leisure .

Unless you have a cache of firearms or bullion (both which should be stored in a dedicated facility) I wouldn’t worry about torches and drills coming out. Moneyboxes? Yes. Tho $400 got me a 20 gun safe on eBay. It’s 170cm high, 60 wide and 45 deep - 95kg empty. I can pour a square foot of concrete in the bottom and make it 150kg and still fit my welder, tools and computer stuff. I would almost rather not bolt it down because even tho it has 10k of equipment in it - 1 or 2 people would actually try and handle a 200kg (fully laden) safe which doesn’t exactly have carry handles down stairs and out a front door. Results would be hilarious, especially when I come home to a guy with a broken leg I can kick in the head. Happy days.