Action Lock-South Georgian Bay

Located in Collingwood servicing Meaford, Midland and Barrie

Why Should You Own A Safe?

A safe is your best safeguard against theft & fire. Security is all about layers. You can have the best locks on your home that money can buy, have a top of the line alarm system and still end up being broken into. Even with an alarm system, there is a period of delay between the time the alarm sounds and the police arrive. Depending on where you live, what kind of alarm system you have and what company you have it with, the response time can vary considerably. In Toronto the police will not respond to a house alarm unless the alarm is verified with audio, video or multiple zone activations. This means that the amount time it takes the police to arrive on site can be as quick as 5-6 minutes to as long as 20-30min. We have heard of cases that took even longer. This gives your thief a good amount of time to grab goods and be long gone, before any help arrives. Having your belongings in a well-hidden, quality safe that is properly secured in your home can make all the difference in the world when it comes to safeguarding your most valuable belongings.

As a Homeowner the top 10 reasons why you should own a safe are:

  1. Property insurance policies and agent contact information. You'll need this information right away if your house suffers damage in a fire.
  2. Passports and original birth certificates & SIN cards. These can be a hassle to replace and will come in handy to establish your identity for other purposes. The banks charge a monthly fee for their storage of your items and may not be available when you need access to those items and documents i.e. weekends and evening
  3. CDs or an external hard drive containing digital copies of all family photos. It's a good idea to scan all older family photos and keep a digital copy of them as well. Your family memories in photographs are irreplaceable.
  4. Important papers related to investments, retirement plans, bank accounts etc. Because you may need ready access to funds. Copy of wills and all wills in which you are designated the executor. It's important to have access to these as safe deposit boxes are typically sealed upon notification of the box owner's death.
  5. You have firearms or other dangerous items that require secure storage by law
  6. Spare Keys and titles to all vehicles: It helps to know where copies are in the case that you need them.
  7. Valuables: Jewelry, coins, cash, etc. that you may want access to from time to time. The contents of a safety deposit boxes, at the bank, are not generally insured.
  8. Information on your outstanding debts, due dates, and contact information. It's important to protect your credit even in the event you're displaced by a fire.
  9. A list of family doctors and prescription medications. You may need these to get new supplies of medications you use on a regular basis. (Keeping extra medication for an emergency is a good idea as well.)
  10. Copies of your important legal documents. These include powers of attorney, living wills, and health care proxies-both for you and for anyone else for whom you are designated attorney-in-fact or health care surrogate.

As a Business owner having a safe is important if:

  1. You operate a business that uses a lot of cash
  2. You want to prevent prying eyes from accessing media or paperwork
  3. Want to keep items such as Keys locked up
  4. You want to monitor who has access to something, and see when they are accessing it. (Audit Trail)

IDENTITY THEFT

As mentioned above, a Safe is not just for the wealthy; nor is it something that people get for jewelry or items that just have a large dollar amount attached to them. Today one of the biggest concerns is identity theft. In 2018, there were 10.11 incidents of identity theft per 100,000 residents in Canada. We are living in an age where it has become more important than ever to guard our personal information (whether on paper or digital media) then it is to guard a piece of jewelry.

What Size, Style and Brand Should I Get?

So now that you better understand why you should have a safe, the question becomes what kind should I get. Safes come in a variety of different styles, materials and weights. Some safes can be purchased at department stores for low prices but that is not necessarily the smartest way to go. A good rule of thumb when it comes to buying a safe, or lock for that matter, is to look at how valuable the items you are safeguarding or locking up are worth to you, and in knowing what or who you want to guard the items inside from. Is it just a place to keep some items that you don't want your children to get into, or somewhere you are keeping your most sacred information. How much would it cost to replace the items you want kept safe? Can you even put a dollar value on the item? If you are locking something up that has a value of under $80.00 then purchasing a safe for $400.00 may not be necessary. However, if you are locking up something that has a value of $2000.00 or more, ideally you would NOT want it locked up in a safe that cost you $200.00. Quality is usually determined by the weight of a safe. There are some manufactures that save money by constructing a thinner door or body. This makes for a lighter product that is easier to break into. There are several companies that make quality safes. Each company offers its own specialties, unique designs, qualities and pricing. In order to decide which brand to get, ask yourself:

  1. What are you going to be storing in the safe? This will help you determine the approximate size and type of safe that you should be looking at. Be sure to check both the exterior and the interior dimensions of a safe. Remember to ALWAYS take into account the thickness of the door which is often overlooked but will affect your inside dimensions when the door is closed.
  2. What is the approximate value of the items you plan on storing in the safe? This will help you determine what price range you should be looking at spending.
  3. Where are you planning on keeping it? This will help you to determine size again, and what qualities the safe should have. If you plan on storing the safe in the basement near the sump pump, then its water resistant ability might be of importance.
  4. Who is going to have access to it? Do you want an audit trail? This will help you to determine what kind of lock you will want on the safe.
  5. What price range will fit into your budget?
  6. Is a fire rating important to you? What fire rating do you need for the safe?
  7. Is the lock on the safe UL approved?
  8. Can the door of the safe be replaced? Should you require the services of a locksmith to access your safe, it is easier to replace the door on a safe than attempt to fill the holes he will drill in order to break into the safe.
  9. Does the Safe have holes to bolt the safe down or against a wall? A small lightweight safe that is not secured to the wall or a floor can be carried out of your home in a burglary.
  10. Does the safe have a key override? This is important if you have a digital lock and the batteries were to die. It can also be handy backup for you or a family member if the combination was ever lost or forgotten.

At Action Lock we sell safes from a few different companies. Our Halsco and USCan Safes are both made at the same factory by Eagle. A South Korean company that has been producing safes since 1973, Eagle Safe uses technologies such as a CO2 laser cutting machine and roll forming machines to produce their products. They have several different lines of safes with different choices available in all of them. Their fire safes and cabinets come in all sizes to fit any home or office. Their burglary & fire safes are designed to be resistant against the vigorous attacks with hammers and drills. They carry a wide variety of options to fit any spot you are looking to hide a burglary safe. Eagle also makes gun safes and safe deposit boxes.

We also sell Inkas Safes. Located in Canada, INKAS is trusted by thousands of companies, retailers and individuals across the globe. Their safe manufacturing division has many lines for their clients. The custom luxury safes are something to be seen, and once they have been seen will never be forgotten. They also manufacture explosive-resistant safes, U.L. rated safes, fire & burglary safes, fire safes, B-rated safes, cash depositories and hotel safes. INKAS also produces safe deposit boxes, secure cabinets and dials/locks.

AMSEC Safes are made in Fontana, California, American SecurityProducts (AMSEC) safes set the standard when it comes to building high quality safe made in the USA. The Amsec BF safe line has a very good quality, name brand (Sargent and Greenleaf) lock, heavy-duty hinges, a well-built door mechanism, and comes pre-drilled and with hardware to bolt it to the floor. It is a good choice for a home-use fire safe. AMSEC was also been rated as one of the best in 2020 for Gun safes.

ALS Safes, provided by APA, are made by Liberty. Liberty Safe is based out of Utah and this company manufactures residential and commercial safes. Founded in 1988, their products are tested by Underwriters Laboratories and pass UL requirements. Liberty Safes are rated highly with AMSEC as the top two American Safe companies to buy from. ALS carries several different lines of safes much like Eagle.

Dial vs. Digital

Safes commonly used to be locked with a key or dial or both. Today there are many different options available to choose from. Most of the safes we sell can be purchased with either a mechanical combination lock (dial), electronic safe lock (keypad) or safe deposit lock (key lock with lever). Some lock systems use a combination of them.

Dial locks are not dependent on a power source; therefore have a lower rate of failure due to power outages or low batteries. They also require precision, time and some knowledge in terms of knowing the sequence of turns and direction needed when applying the combination and opening the safe. Digital or electronic locks take less co-ordination and with the combination can be quickly opened. Many now have audit software which is great for companies monitoring who is accessing the safe and when.

At Action Lock, we are able to modify many of the older dial safes and convert them to digital. This is great for companies that currently own a quality safe, but are looking for a way to make access easier for staff and provide upper management more knowledge and control over who is opening the safe and when.

La Gard Safeguard Audit Safe Lock

  • UL certified Type 1
  • Manager code and up to 8 user codes
  • 3 try lock out penalty
  • Dual custody
  • Time delay (override in manager mode)
  • Low battery signal
  • Available in satin, chrome, and chrome

Burglary

If your number one concern is theft then your basic B-Rated Burglary Safe will do. If you are concerned about Fire as well then Fire and Burglary Rated Safe is ideal. It would probably be helpful if you understood a little bit about Safes and their Ratings.

How Do I Know What Grade of Safe to Get?

Underwriter Laboratories

Underwriter's Laboratory: an organization that has dedicated itself to educating businesses and the public about safety and performance of products for over 100 years. They have devised a system where a Code represents a testable safety or performance standard to show a consumer what proficiency their product is capable of doing.

If a safe has a U/L rating, it has been tested and certified by the underwriter's laboratory and assigned a code that appropriately describes what sort of protection you will receive for that specific product.

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For Burglary Rating

This list shows what grade of safe you should have for approximately

the dollar amount you are protecting.

Grade Protection Features

Grade Protection Features
RSC 5000 The door successfully resists entry for 5 minutes when attacked with
(TL-5) common hand & electric tools of rigorous prying, drilling, punching, chiseling and tampering attacks by UL technicians.
B Rated $10,000 Steel doors less than 1" thick and steel body less than ½ "thick.
C Rated $30,000 Steel doors less than 1" thick and steel body at least ½ "thick.
TL-15 $200,000 The door successfully resists entry for 15 minutes when attacked with common hand & electric tools & includes anchorage.
TL-30 $375,000 The door resists the same attack as TL-15 for 30 minutes
TL-30x6 1,000,000 The entire safe resists the attacks described for TL-30

NOTE: Add TR for torch resistance and TX for explosives resistance to a burglary safe

NOTE: If a safe has a B or C rating it has not been tested or certified by the underwriter's laboratory, (insurance companies will often not usually accept a B or C rating depending on what or where the safe is being used for)

For Fire Rating

Grade Protection Features

350-1 Paper

A UL 72 Class 350 1 Hour rated safe is the most widely recognized industry standard for commercial quality fire safes. This rating is given when a safe demonstrates an internal temperature that does not exceed 350 degrees F for up to 60 minutes even when exposed to external temperatures of over 1700 degrees. Safes with this "records protection equipment rating" are meant to store only paper documents and files.

250-1 Paper Internal temperature will not exceed 250`F when fired for 1 hour

250-2 Paper Internal temperature will not exceed 250`F when fired for 2 hours

150-1 Media Internal temperature will not exceed 150`F when fired for 1 hour

150-2 Media Internal temperature will not exceed 150`F when fired for 2 hours

125-1 Media Internal temperature will not exceed 125`F when fired for 1 hour

BURGLARY & Fire SAFES

Come in several different models, shapes and sizes. They can have an electronic or dial lock.

  • Floor Safes
  • Under-the-Counter Safes
  • Wall Safes

In-Floor Safes

These safes are designed to conceal and secure a limited amount of valuables and documents, without others' being aware of the safes location. Proper Installation of this safe is below floor level, in concrete. A steel dust cover is provided for installation to provide a completely level surface and concealment. If the safe is properly installed this way, it is next to impossible to remove. These safes are generally best installed during the construction of a home.

Wall Safes

Wall Safes are designed to provide hidden protection for documents or valuables in closets, behind wall hangings or tapestries. These safes are generally designed for easy installation. They are generally speaking approximately 4" deep which allows them to fit easily in a standard wall thickness between the wall studs. These safes are much more difficult to be noticed by a burglar and are easily accessible when needed. They do not tend to be very large in size however, and you are limited as to what they will be able to all hold. We do have an option available for those looking for something that can go deeper into a wall, if more room is needed.

Data Media Safes

If your interest in purchasing a safe is for products such as computer media, tapes, discs, microfilm and microfiche then this is the type of safe you should be looking at. While paper can endure temperatures of up to 350 °F (177 °C), data media is easily damaged by temperatures that exceed 125 °F (52 °C) and a humidity of above 80%. This product line also functions well for burglary and vandalism as well as possible damage from dust, dirt and magnetism.

Defense Vault Safe (AMSEC)

The Defense Vault Safe is designed to be used for storage when space is limited in your home. This type of safe generally fits right under your bed. Generally speaking they are used for gun storage.

COMMERCIAL SAFES

Depository & Drop Safes

These are ideal for a business that deals with a lot of cash; like a convenience store, eating and drinking establishments or even churches. They are designed so that the money (or keys) can be dropped or deposited into the top (Top Load) or side (Front or Rear Load) of the safe, through an "anti-fish" baffle, which allows the money to go in, but doesn't allow the ability to insert ones hand or other object into the opening to access the money once it has been dropped. They then have another compartment that opens via dial or electronic lock for the owner to be able to withdraw the cash, and potentially store some other small items in.

Steel Money Safes

The Solid Steel Money Safe works well if you are trying to save money and don't feel you require Fire protection. This is a great way to secure cash and valuables so that a thief or employee can't easily access them.

Hotel Safes

Most people are familiar with the Hotel Safes, often seen when travelling at hotels and other lodging facilities. The great thing with these safes is their size. They can be installed in service or recreational vehicles to keep valuables safe while travelling on the road as well. These safes also work very well for storing laptops in. This is a good idea for use at the home; to keep prying eyes away from information you want protected, or prevent children from being able to access the web when you are not at home.

Security Cases & Portable Cash Boxes

Security Cases and Portable Cash Boxes are small and designed to hold bills and change, a small amount of valuables or in some instances function as a fire safe filing box. The smaller ones are often then stored inside a safe. It is an excellent way to double guard your money from theft and keep things well organized inside your safe. This would allow employees to have access to the safe for an item such as keys, but keep the cash locked up and separate from sight and contact when the safe is being accessed for other means.

Data Media Safes

If your interest in purchasing a safe is for products such as computer media, tapes, discs, microfilm and microfiche then this is the type of safe you should be looking at. While paper can endure temperatures of up to 350 °F (177 °C), data media is easily damaged by temperatures that exceed 125 °F (52 °C) and a humidity of above 80%. This product line also functions well for burglary, vandalism and protection. It is ideal for businesses that deal with large amounts of computer data.

Electronic Laptop Safes

Much like the Hotel Safes, these can be installed in the home and service or recreational vehicles to keep valuables safe while travelling on the road.

Key Cabinets & Safes

Key safes and Cabinets are ideal for several types of businesses. Realtors, Property Managers, Hotels Office buildings, Maintenance Staff , Schools and so many others. If you have a facility with many different keys being used for different access then having a key safe or cabinet can save you a lot of headaches. Nothing is worse than being unable to find a key, when you need it right away. Cabinets come both in plastic (with or without a lock) to Steel Boxes with electronic locks and manual key override. Most of them can be bolted to the floor or a wall. Some come with a key deposit slot, so people can return a key, without having access to the whole lot of them. The number of hooks provided varies from model to model.

Key Safes are much smaller than the cabinets, and generally speaking hold 2-5 keys. Depending on the size some allow room for storing access cards and keys with larger handles. Some of them can attach to a wall or flat surface, while others come with a hook that locks over a door knob.

DIGITAL KEYSAFE

Designer key box with electronic time stamp that records last nine access events. Easy-to-use, one-hand operation ensures quick access. Low profile, subtle design compliments door frame with a variety of natural colors. Change code anytime for added security. Know what time your children and others enter your home.

FIRE RESISTANT FILING CABINETS

We have had a few customers now asking about a safe to store documents in. Many people do not know that you can purchase a Fire Resistant Filing Cabinet which functions just like a Fire and Burglary Safe, but allows for better organization and filing, then stacking a bunch of documents inside a safe would. This is ideal for businesses that deal with a lot of confidential information.

These come in several different sizes to accommodate individual needs.

GUN SAFES

Why Should I own a Gun Safe?

If you own a gun then having a safe for it is of utmost importance. In Canada it is law that fire arms must be trigger locked or inside a cabinet or room that is locked. Most insurance companies require that you have a safe for your firearms as well. The great thing about many gun safes is that they can hold much more than just your gun. They are perfect for storing pretty much anything that is of value to you. Just like the burglary and fire safes, gun safes provide protection against theft and fire as well. Many accidents and killings occur every year due to children accessing firearms that should not be readily available to them. It is not just children however, that you want to keep away from your gun. If your home were broken into, your firearm could be stolen and then used by someone else to commit a crime. Studies have shown that people who own a gun safe can often access their firearm with more ease and speed in an emergency, then those who do not own one. If your safe is readily accessible then it just requires the entering of a code or in some cases biometrics to gain access. The majority of gun safes include holes that can be used to mount them on a wall or the floor.

Is there a downside to owning a Gun Safe?

All that being said, Gun safes can be quite large and extremely heavy. The good thing about this is that no one is going to break into your home and carry off with one, but depending on how well the safe is made, there have been incidents where gun owners have had their safes opened with a pick, axe or crow bar. When it comes to buying a safe, it is important to know that you have somewhere you can safely store it that is out of sight. Gun safes today can be quite decorative, and some gun owners proudly display their ornate safes in recreational rooms in their home like a fine piece of furniture. Having your gun safe on display can be quite enticing to a burglar. In summary, if you are going to make the investment of getting a quality gun safe, then it is very important to put more emphasis on the fire and burglary rating then the appearance of the safe.

So where should I put my Gun Safe?

First you need to decide what you want the safe to be able to hold. Are you looking for something for a pistol or handgun? In that case you can look at something that is small and easily hidden. If you own hunting rifles than you may want something much larger. Then you need to look at where you have room to hold a safe, and the strength of the floor to support the weight of the safe, which could go up to 1000lbs. You also want to look at risk factors like humidity, theft, flood and fire. If you are going to store the safe in the basement then having it in the same room as the washer and dryer puts you at a much higher risk for humidity, flooding and even fire. Storing it in the Garage puts you at a medium risk for humidity, and flooding, but at a much higher risk for theft. Ideally storing your safe on the first floor, away from a fireplace, dryer, or the kitchen puts you at a lower risk for fire, humidity and flooding. In terms of theft, the master bedroom is a higher risk area then a child's bedroom or spare bedroom would be. Storing your safe in a bedroom, hall or coat closet, all have a fairly low risk of theft, fire, and flooding.

Handgun Safes

If you own a hand gun or pistol, then having a 1000lb safe might not be necessary. We also carry handgun safes that can be concealed under a desk, in a vehicle, into the wall, inside a cupboard or closet, under the bed or in a bedside table or drawer. Much like any other type of safe it is important to consider the chances of fire or floods affecting your firearms. The best safes are always the ones which give you the most protection needed for your individual needs.

HALSCO

USCAN

Uscan Safes Brochure - English

APA

INKAS

INKAS residential safes

INKAS commercial safes/

AMSEC

AMSEC GUN SAFES

AMSEC GUN SAFES 2019-2020 Product Catalog

AMSEC GUN SAFES 2020 Catalog

SAFES

Uscan Safes Brochure - English

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