It’s time to spring clean your caravan or motorhome

The popularity of caravans and motorhomes continue to increase which is why it is imperative to ensure it is secure when not in use or you are out and about.

It is also as important to protect any valuables that are left within the vehicle.

It is predicted that it will be another boom year for staycations so whether you are opening your existing vehicle or planning to buy a new one, it is critical to invest in the right security products to have peace of mind when away from the vehicle.

Theft is a constant threat and continues be on the increase, especially in the uncertain and challenging times. As fuel prices soar, there has been an increase in the theft of petrol, diesel, and heating oils. It is important to fit deterrents from opportunist thieves or a planned theft.

Best Products and Brands to Buy

Simplysafes offers a full range of security products to protect your motorhome, caravan and trailers. The range comprises of Hitch locks, Wheel clamps and security posts. We have an excellent selection of products available from Autolok, Bulldog and Sentinel.

Our Recommendations

You may have recently purchased a caravan, motorhome or trailer and are now ready to use it over the next few months. Keeping your property secure from thieves is important for your peace of mind and insurance purposes.

Hitch Lock

Our recommended Hitch Lock is the:

Bulldog AA Alko/Albe Hitch Lock

One of our most popular hitch locks from Bulldog, the AA has been designed for use with a wide variety caravans and trailers. It has been tested to the Sold Secure Gold Standard and is insurance approved. For the price it provides excellent value for money and ensures that extra level of security when securing your trailer or caravan.

• Insurance approved
• 5 Year warranty
• Supplied with Bulldog Super Lock Bolt including 2 keys
• Drill and pick resistant lock
• Can be used on various models
• Can only be used unhitched

Wheel Clamp

Our recommended Wheel Clamp is the:

Bulldog DC400 Auto Clamp

The DC400 wheel clamp from Bulldog has been designed for use with larger sized wheels that are commonly used on vans and motorhomes. The wheel clamp is fully adjustable, lightweight and easy to fit. It comes with a 5 year warranty and ideal to keep your van or motorhome secure all year round.

• 5 Year warranty
• Insurance approved
• Supplied with a Bulldog plunge lock
• Top arms are fully adjustable for tyre width and diameter
• Simple to use and easy to fit
• Not suitable for smaller wheels

Security Post

Our recommended security parking post is the:

Sentinel SS-4 Fold Down Security Post

The SS-4 security post from Sentinel provides that extra security when your car, motorhome or caravan is stored on the driveway. A high quality padlock is provided with 2 keys included, it automatically acts as a visual deterrent to any potential thief. It has been constructed to an good standard and comes supplied with easy to follow installation instructions.

• Easy to fold down
• Supplied with a high quality stainless steel padlock – 2 keys provided
• Installation instructions included
• Bright yellow and black vinyl fascia ensures high visibility
• Fixing bolts not supplied

Securing your valuables in your motorhomes or caravan?

Now that your caravan or motorhome might be secured with a hitch lock or wheel clamp. It is important not to disregard the security of your cash or valuables. You may be out on a day trip, walk or night out. But you have also left personal belongings in the caravan.

Why not have that extra peace of mind whilst out by purchasing a small home safe to secure cash or valuables?

Please see our top 3 recommendations below -

Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1

Pros & Cons

• Digital electronic lock supplied with emergency override key
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Anti-bump solenoid – Prevents the safe from being bumped open
• Can be anchored to the base or back wall
• Not fire resistant

View the Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1 on our website

Chubbsafes Air 10E Compact Home Safe

Pros & Cons

• Beautiful design, good quality
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Robust keyboard
• Can be anchored to floor and wall, incl. mounting hardware
• Only 1 user code adjustable

View the Chubbsafes Air 10E on our website

Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe

Pros & Cons

• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Supplied with an easy to use digital electronic lock
• Concealed internal hinges
• Carpeted floor
• Not fire resistant

View the Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe on our website

Need advice?

If you have any questions on our Autolok, Bulldog or Sentinel range, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

How at risk is the UK to flooding?

Currently 1 in 6 properties in the UK are at risk of flooding and this is only set to increase due to climate change. Rising sea levels along with heavier rain fall combined doesn't make the situation any easier.

With the winter of 2021 now here, naturally the weather conditions will worsen over the next few months across the UK.

Parts of the UK are already bracing for heavy rainfall and floods such as Cumbria and Scotland.

The loss of precious and valuable items that are unable to be replaced can be devastating such as photographs, children’s favourite toys and antiques.

Flash floods, heavy rainfall and flooding can cause devastating damage to your home or business. The stress and anxiety in dealing with these issues after the flooding has occurred can be emotionally difficult for anyone to deal with.

Flooding can also occur internally in a home or a business with burst pipes or structural issues that may have happened suddenly.

How can floods affect your home or business?

• Property Damage
• Emotionally
• Loss of Life
• Local Infrastructure

Health and Safety

• Electrical and structural damage
• Sanitary risks
• Land damage
• Plus much more

How does a water resistant safe work?

Each water resistant or waterproof safe is individually tested up to a certain depth and time length during the testing validation process. The safes are submerged into water tanks with regular monitoring within the testing.

After the assessment is complete the manufacturer will then state how long the documents/contents stayed dry for during that period and under what height it was submerged.

ETL Verified Protection

ETL is an independent company that tests and grades each safe that has been provided by the supplier. After the testing has been completed they will give each product a certification mark such as below.

“ETL Verified for X hours of protection within water and up to X centimetres/millimetres of water.”

Are there many options available to purchase?

Water resistant safes are not as common as fireproof safes in the market but there is still a good selection to choose from.

Sentrysafe has been the main provider of water resistant safes over the past few years but Phoenix have now produced their own version recently.

With this is in mind, we have done a short review on the water resistant safes that are available from Phoenix and Sentrysafe.

Products in Review -

Phoenix Titan Aqua

The Titan Aqua from Phoenix is a well designed fireproof safe that offers 60 minutes fire protection along with water resistance of up to 200mm of water for 24 hours. It has been tested against water and it has a good level of protection for 24 hours to protect your cash or valuables.

One of the great features of the Aqua is that it also offers a good cash/valuables insurance rating along with 1 hour fire protection for paper and digital media.

Pros and Cons in Short

• Cash Rating £2,000 / valuables rating £20,000
• 1 hour protection for paper and digital media
• Water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours
• Supplied with removable shelf
• Comes with internal light
• Solid boltwork with 25mm diameter steel live locking bolts
• Can only be anchored to the base
• Not ETL verified

Phoenix Titan Aqua Model Range

In total there are 3 Phoenix Titan Aqua safes which differ in size. They are all water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours.

SentrySafe SFW082GTC Data Safe

The SFW082GTC from Sentrysafe is an excellent all round safe that covers most areas such as fire protection, water resistance and cash/valuables insurance rating. The advantage with the Sentrysafe is that it has been verified by ETL independently for fire and water.

The 082GTC can stand in up to 5" of water for up to 24 hours, whilst the 250GPC is 9" and the 123FTC is 8" of water.

Pros and Cons in Short

• ETL Verified 60 minutes fire protection for digital media and paper
• Interior light included
• Water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours
• Suitable for floor fixing
• Small internal tray included
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• ETL Verified water resistance - can stand in up to 5" of water for up to 24 hours
• Batteries not included

SentrySafe Model Range

In total there are 3 Sentrysafes which are different in size, they all differ in water resistance as shown below in the table.

Need advice?

If you have any questions on our Sentrysafes or Phoenix Aqua range, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Since the Covid Pandemic hit in March 2020, travelling abroad has become increasingly difficult due to the continuing changes to the traffic light system.

This along with the high risk of self-isolation on return is making it unattractive to travel overseas.

In comparison, the number of people planning staycations in the UK has risen significantly.

The increased usage of motorhomes and caravans will naturally rise. But making sure that these are secure before, during and after usage is essential to your valuable caravans or motorhomes.

At Simplysafes we provide a fantastic selection of Wheel Clamps and Hitch Locks from Bulldog to match all your requirements.

Hitch Locks

A hitch lock for a caravan is just as crucial as the key for the door of the caravan in terms of security. The usage of a hitch lock prevents your caravan being hitched up and towed away by thieves.

When choosing a hitch lock it is crucial that the correct one is chosen and purchased so that it fits correctly and secures your caravan or trailer as it should. At Simplysafes we have over 20 different Bulldog Hitch Locks to choose from.

For each model we have added further documentation to each product to make it easier to identify the correct one you need.

If you are still unsure on the correct hitch lock that you require please contact one of our team and we can ensure the correct model is selected.

On the side of your tyre it should state a number for example - "225/75"

Hitch Lock Identification Chart

Hitch Lock in Review – Bulldog BRC/BK Heavy Duty Hitch Lock

The BRC/BK from Bulldog is a heavy duty and well constructed hitch lock. It is easy to fit and has been supplied with a Bulldog super lock bolt and comes with 2 keys. The hitch lock has also been tested to the standard of Sold Secure Gold and is also insurance approved.

It provides excellent value for money and offers great security to your caravan or trailer. It can be used on Bradley Autoheads with rubber grip handles. Models GA3500, GA2750 & D05050 with and without cappits.

Pros & Cons

• 5 Year warranty
• Insurance approved
• Supplied with Bulldog Super Lock Bolt including 2 keys
• Easy to fit
• Approved by Sold Secure
• Can only be used unhitched

View the Bulldog BRC/BK Heavy Duty Hitch Lock on our website

Wheel Clamps

The usage of a wheel clamp on a car, motorhome, caravan or any other vehicle provides that physical immobilisation for your piece of mind.

With any vehicle you are provided a level of security with a physical key or electronic key fob. But having a wheel clamp secured on your vehicle provides that extra level to deter any potential thieves.

When choosing a wheel clamp it is crucial that the correct one is chosen and purchased so that it fits correctly and secures your vehicle as it should. At Simplysafes we have over 20 different Bulldog wheel clamps to choose from.

For each model we have added further documentation to each product to make it easier to identify the correct one you need.

If you are still unsure on the correct wheel clamp that you require please contact one of our team and we can ensure the correct model is selected.

Wheel Clamp in Review - Bulldog Centaur CA2000C Wheel Clamp

The Bulldog Centaur CA2000C wheel clamp has been manufactured to an excellent standard and is suitable for motorhomes, vans and 4 x 4 vehicles. The Centaur meets police approved standards and has also obtained Sold Secure Gold approval.

One big advantage of the CA2000C is that it has adjustable arms to allow fitting to a variety of wheel sizes, Please double check the sizing if you are still unsure.

The Centaur is one of our most popular wheel clamps from Bulldog, but we have a great selection of other wheel clamps to choose from here.

Pros & Cons

• Insurance approved
• Supplied with Bulldog Super Bolt lock
• 2 keys supplied
• Adjustable arms
• Approved by Sold Secure

View the Bulldog Centaur C2000C Wheel Clamp on our website

Securing your valuables in your motorhomes or caravan?

Now that your caravan or motorhome might be secured with a hitch lock or wheel clamp. It is important not to disregard the security of your cash or valuables. You may be out on a day trip, walk or night out. But you have also left personal belongings in the caravan.

Why not have that extra peace of mind whilst out by purchasing a small home safe to secure cash or valuables?

Please see our top 3 recommendations below -

Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1

Pros & Cons

• Digital electronic lock supplied with emergency override key
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Anti-bump solenoid – Prevents the safe from being bumped open
• Can be anchored to the base or back wall
• Not fire resistant

View the Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1 on our website

Chubbsafes Air 10E Compact Home Safe

Pros & Cons

• Beautiful design, good quality
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Robust keyboard
• Can be anchored to floor and wall, incl. mounting hardware
• Only 1 user code adjustable

View the Chubbsafes Air 10E on our website

Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe

Pros & Cons

• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Supplied with an easy to use digital electronic lock
• Concealed internal hinges
• Carpeted floor
• Not fire resistant

View the Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe on our website

Need advice?

If you have any questions on hitch locks and wheel clamps or any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Looking to protect your cash or valuables but don’t want to break the bank?

Then our budget safe range will be the perfect solution for you. We have put together our top 5 choices to choose from with advantages and disadvantages of each safe listed below.

The Best 5 Budget Safes

These are the 5 safes that our expert judges to be the best:

1. 1. Chubbsafes Air 15E
   2. Phoenix Rhea SS0103E
   3. De Raat Domestic Safe DS 4040E
   4. Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1
   5. BurgWachter PointSafe P2EFS

No 1. Chubbsafes Air 15E

In first place is the Chubbsafes Air 15E, it is ideal for home or small business use. It has an easy to use digital electronic lock and comes equipped with a manual override key should the battery power ever fail. The key lock option is also available in the Air 15 if preferred.

This safe has been simply designed and provides an excellent solution for storing small amounts of cash, passports and valuables in the home or workplace. The safe has a value storage for cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000.

Secure locking and anchoring through the floor and wall

The Air 15E is equipped with solid boltwork including 18mm live locking bolts and has concealed internal hinges for extra security. Anchoring of the safe is done via the base or back using the 4 bolts supplied. One removable shelf is also supplied with the safe.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Chubbsafes Air 15E in brief

• Lightweight and good quality
• User friendly digital electronic lock
• Cash rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Can be anchored to the base or wall (bolts supplied)
• Competitively priced
• Only 1 user code adjustable
• Safe not certified

View the Chubbsafes Air 15E on our website

No 2. Phoenix Rhea SS0103E

In second place is the Phoenix Rhea SS0103E, The Rhea is a compact home safe that can used for storing a 15.5” laptop along with small amounts of cash and valuables. It has an easy to use digital keypad with an LCD display.

This safe is straight forward, user friendly and ideal for storing small amounts of cash, passports and valuables. The safe has a value storage for cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000.

15.5" laptop can be kept secure

The Rhea is equipped with solid boltwork with live locking bolts and has concealed internal hinges for extra security. Anchoring of the safe is done via the base or back using the 4 bolts supplied. A manual override key is also supplied with the safe.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Phoenix SS0103E in brief

• Lightweight and good quality
• User friendly digital electronic lock
• Cash rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Can be anchored to the base or wall (bolts supplied)
• Can fit a 15.5” laptop
• Carpeted floor for valuables protection
• The lock has an audit trail facility
• Safe not certified

View all Phoenix Safes

No 3. De Raat Domestic Safe DS 4040E

In third place is De Raat Domestic DS 4040E safe, it is a basic and simple private safe for storing personal belongings at home or an office. It has an easy to use digital electronic lock and comes equipped with a manual override key should the battery power ever fail.

This safe is straight forward, user friendly and ideal for storing small amounts of cash, passports and valuables. The safe has a value storage for cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000.

Concealed internal hinges for extra security

The De Raat 4040E is equipped with solid boltwork including 18mm live locking bolts and has concealed internal hinges for extra security. Anchoring of the safe is done via the base or back using the 4 bolts supplied. A manual override key is also supplied with the safe.

Advantages and disadvantages of the De Raat 4040 Domestic safe in brief

• Can be anchored to the floor or wall
• Supplied with 2 emergency keys
• Cheap compact home safe
• Cash rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Removable shelf included
• Limited protection against burglary, not certified
• Weak locking mechanism

View the De Raat Domestic Safe DS 4040E on our website

No 4. Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1.

In fourth place is the Burton Primo home safe size 1, a modern and simple home safe for storing small amount of cash or valuables. We also have size 2 and 3 available if a larger safe is required.

It has an easy to use digital electronic keypad complete with an LCD display. It is ideal for storing small amounts of cash, passports and valuables. The safe has a value storage for cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000.

Anti-bump solenoid protection

The Primo home is equipped with 19mm live locking bolts and has concealed internal hinges for extra security. The safe also has anti-bump solenoid which prevents the safe from being bumped open.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1 in brief

• Can be anchored to the floor or wall
• Supplied with emergency override key
• Modern design
• Lightweight
• Cash rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Carpet interior to protect valuables
• Not certified
• No shelf for size 1

View the Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1 on our website

No 5. BurgWachter PointSafe P2EFS

In fifth place is the BurgWachter PointSafe PSEFS, this compact safe is supplied with an electronic keypad alongside a biometric fingerprint scanner for added security.

It has a digital electronic keypad for entry but is also supplied with a secure finger scanner for quick and easy access to the safe. The safe has a value storage for cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000.

Double walled door for added protection

The Pointsafe has been constructed from solid single walled steel with the addition of an anti-drill plate in the door frame for added protection.

Advantages and disadvantages of the BurgWachter PointSafe PSEFS in brief

• Can be anchored to the floor or wall
• Includes biometric fingerprint scanner
• Supplied with override key and emergency code
• Cash rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• Removable shelf included
• Optional hotel mode for guests if required
• Not certified
• No time delay

View the BurgWachter PointSafe PSEFS on our website

Questions or remarks about the top 5 budget safes ?

Depending on your further requirements for the safe, you can make a choice from these top 5 budget safes. You can also take a look at our full range of budget safes. Do you have any questions regarding the budget safes? Please contact our experts directly via our contact page.

Safes are all rated to different levels. Some even feature fire protection. During the safes testing process, they are attacked with different tools that a burglar may use. This buying guide will help you understand the complex world of safe ratings that bit easier.

Buying a safe can require a great deal of research. The variety of ratings or eurograde also adds a huddle. We have put together a selection of questions which we at Simply Safes often get asked.

What is a eurograde level?

Safes in the main, are rated to a eurograde level, except for the relatively new standards of S1 and S2 which are aimed more at the domestic market. The rating is achieved by attacking a safe using burglar hand tools for a set period of time. In essence tools are categorised by different factors that include:

• How effective they are
• How difficult they might be to operate effectively
• How tricky they might be to transport
• What sort of outside factors might prevent their use such as noise or smoke

Ultimately the safe is tested to withstand a set amount of attack time, to buy you time to either raise the alarm to the Police or for the burglars to flee the scene because of fear of being caught.

How the safe is secured is also part of the stringent testing procedure and the test is always carried out fixed to a solid concrete floor. Hence why this is always the best surface to use when fixing.

The final part of the test relies on the safe having a lock fitted that meets a specific standard for the rating. Should the lock not have been tested then any rating would not be applicable.

DID YOU KNOW - All sizes within a product range from a manufacturer have to be tested.

Your insurer may ask you to purchase a £3,000 or £5,000 cash rated safe. Although these do exist, you should be cautious about purchasing one. They may be relevant for your current insurer, but should you change your policy to a new company you may not be covered. You may then have to purchase a new safe.

Where do safes get tested?

In our experience, customers will often opt for a model that has fire protection as well as a security rating. These models are a little more expensive than those without. It is not essential to have a fire resistant safe but it is worth considering as we tend to keep important documents at home more than in the past.

Our banks and solicitors used to keep our Title Deeds and Wills as standard. In most circumstances this is no longer the case. Costs to replace copies of these and documents such as passports can cost a considerable amount. We have included an example table below:

In the period of time before we were part of Europe, we used to have our British standards and testing houses. At the this current time, most safes are tested by either ECBS or VdS in Europe, however we also have two test laboratories in the UK.

As we have explained above, quite a lot of detail goes into a scientific process and requires a high standard of thorough testing. For a safe to be deemed insurance approved it must be tested by ECBS, VdS, BRE or Sold Secure. It is worth checking where the safe you choose has been tested for that extra bit of peace of mind.

Cheaper safes that have not gone through such stringent testing may advertise a cash rating and not cover you in the event of a claim. If in doubt always check with your insurer before you buy.

Does the cash rating mean that Simply Safes will cover me?

No. The cash rating is what an insurer will cover you for under your insurance policy.

If you are storing cash speak to your insurance company prior to purchasing a safe, as they may require you to have a particular rating. This can be based on many factors that include your address and other security you have in place.

Does my choice of lock mean it will be any less secure?

No, the lock you choose will not make the safe any less secure. You should always change all the default codes if your choice is an electronic lock. In the event of a claim you could find an insurer does not pay out because the code was easily available. Likewise, if your safe keys were lying around or even if they were hidden but discovered by a burglar you could equally find your claim is void.

I want both fire protection and security, is this possible?

Yes. It is more common now for customers to want a mixture of both security and fire protection. This is because of a knock on effect from banks and solicitors no longer keeping title deeds and wills. Choosing one of these models means everything is secure and fire resistant in one location. It is worth noting that there is a trade off with these types of safes, as it will compromise the internal space that you have to store items.

This is down to the type of fill that sits between the two steel skins of the safe needing to be thicker. Typically the fire protection will only protect paper documents, should you want security and to protect data such as computer back up tapes from fire, then please call us for further advice.

Does a safe need to be fitted?

Yes. For any rating to apply, your safe must be installed in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. This applies to any model that has a weight of less than 1000kg. It is recommended that you secure your safe to a solid concrete floor. There are various alternatives if this is not possible. We have a detailed installation buying guide available to help guide you through the process.

Can I wire up my safe to an alarm?

Yes. Safes with a higher rating can be wired into your alarm system. This is where a duress box is fitted inside the back pan of the safe door. This is connected to your alarm by your alarm installer. To enter a duress code, you enter a number one digit either side of your normal code. For example, if your safe code is 123456, you would add 01234560. If the code is incorrectly inputted, this will send a message to your alarm to trigger an alert. The alarm will then alert the keyholder.

Our summary

In summary, safes are rated meticulously. If you should require a model for insurance purposes, we would advocate an AiS insurance approved safe. Your insurer will advise a rating based on your insurance cover. Should they suggest a rating that is not listed above, please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our friendly sales advisors will discuss your options further.

Drill protection or an anti-drill device is basically a means of protecting a locking mechanism from being tampered with by means of a drill to gain access to the items within.

Drilling a lock is a way of gaining access to a safe by using a power drill to open up the lock, giving the user the ability to insert a screwdriver to manipulate the lock and open.

Anti-drill locks

Locks that are fitted with anti-drill equipment will have hardened steel pins which deter drilling or ceramic or hardened steel plates which will also protect the cylinder from being drilled open.

Safes can also be drilled by creating a hole next to the locking mechanism so that the safe cracker can view the lock and attempt to bypass it. A good safe will have anti drill plates along all the vulnerable points such as locks and locking bolts. Various materials are used to create anti-drill plates, all are designed to blunt the drill bit before it manages to penetrate the lock or body of the safe enough to gain entry. Some anti drill devices are designed to wrap around a drill bit as it turns making it ineffective. Most anti-drill plates will be strong enough to damage several drill bits or even burn out the motor on a drill before finally giving way.

Another method of anti-drilling is the use of glass or ceramic relocking devices. These are designed to ensure that any tampering with the safe will cause the glass or ceramic to break, triggering secondary locks to snap into place, pinning the bolts into position and sealing the safe from within.

There are no rules which state how much cash you can have within your property, however there are some very good reasons why holding large amounts of cash at home is not a good idea.

Reasons not to keep large amounts of cash at home

The first reason is security. If you are burgled and you leave cash sums in the property unprotected in a drawer or cupboard it may be difficult to claim for this on your insurance. Providing evidence that you hold large amounts of cash at home is not easy and proving to your insurer that it has been stolen may be difficult. If you are keeping large sums in a safe, then ensure that the safe insurance rating covers the amount you hold. I.e., if you have £2,000 in a safe be certain that the safe is at least £2,000 cash rated AND that your insurance company have approved the use of your particular safe. It is advisable to use an AiS Approved safe, if you are storing cash.

Certainly, from an insurance point of view, it is not a good idea to hold large sums of cash at home, particularly if this cash is takings from a business. In the event of theft, your insurance company would not cover you for the loss of business takings kept at home. If safe storage on your business premises is not possible, always aim to bank your daily takings rather than taking it home.

Other things worth bearing in mind would be the purpose of holding cash at home. If you are ‘saving up’ for something, it is probably better to have a bank savings account rather than a jar in a cupboard. A bank will also give you some form of interest on your savings although it is currently very little! But at least your money is secure from theft in a safe.

Bank mistrust is a common factor when people keep large sums of money at home. This has probably been driven by high profile bank collapses in recent years. Legislation is in place to protect the investor from loss of savings due to bank collapse, meaning this is no longer a reason for holding large cash sums at home. Certainly, even the most basic level of bank security is going to be better than keeping it in your sock drawer at home.

Lastly, keeping large amounts of cash at home can be viewed with suspicion by certain authorities such as HMRC and the Police. If you are under suspicion and your home is raided, you would need to prove that the cash has been obtained by legal means and not by non-declaration of earnings or even criminal dealings. Failure to do this will result in the money being seized as part of an investigation.

When looking at what old safes are made of, we would have to go back to Egyptian times. The Egyptians were the first people to value their belongings to such an extent that they felt the need to secure them for future use and they kept their important documents and valuables buried deep in pyramids, so I guess you could say the first safes were made of stone.

Jump forward to the 15th Century and strongboxes were widely used as a method of security. These were primarily made of oak, this being considered the strongest of woods at the time and would have had cast iron bindings to hold them together. Locks would have been simple affairs, easily picked or broken.

The 19th Century saw the first ‘modern’ style safes being produced. These were primarily constructed of iron and their inner walling would have been made from stone, plaster, alum or even asbestos as a way of combating fire and providing strength. Given that iron is a very good conductor of heat, these safes did not provide much protection from fire and would not come anything close to the sort of protection given today.

Testing arrived early in the 20th Century and brought about radical changes in the way safes were constructed. Although this resulted in better protection for our valuables, these safes would not provide adequate security from being broken into or protection from fire today.

Important testing factors such as how long a safe will withstand an attack, how hot a fire burns, what the safe will protect and for how long are a fairly new idea. As these tests need to be carried out under laboratory conditions, today’s safes are rated according to a standardised system and all AiS Approved and Eurograded Safes have to perform to the same stringent testing regardless of manufacturer.

Modern safes are usually made from steel. However, early Egyptians would be happy to know that their idea to protect their belongings using stone has been given a modern twist and some fire safes today protect their internal space from fire and heat using concrete in the walling. Proof if it were needed that sometimes things are best left unchanged.