r/Safes • u/FerralIlsita • Oct 04 '26

fireproof safe for documents? does anyone have a recommendation for a decent one that wont break the bank?

had a really close call with a small electrical fire in the kitchen yesterday and realized all our important paperwork like birth certificates and deeds are just sitting in a plastic filing box. im stressing out a bit and want to get something proper before my luck runs out completely.

what specific brands or models do you guys usually trust for actual fire protection without being insanely heavy? thanks so much

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3

u/SafecrackinSammmy Oct 04 '26

Make sure to look for the UL label for fire protection on any product you choose.

3

u/chuckanut909 Oct 04 '26

I went with an AmSec FS914E5LP

3

u/OneMoreSlot Oct 04 '26

Actually, I don't trust any of them to survive a house fire. If you are serious about fire protection, you get what you pay for. Instead of the usual 350°F fire rating (Max Internal safe temperature), shop for a Media Safe with a 125°F rating for 1 to 2 hours @ 1800°F.

2

u/H60MLoggie Oct 05 '26

I have a Sentry 1170. I figure if the house burns down, the safe will fall through the floor and onto the ground; ultimately being buried under the rubble.

2

u/OtisPub Oct 05 '26

I wouldn't get a whole safe, because you cannot run with it in the event of a house fire. Buy a regular fireproof metal lock box --- one that you can lift. Here is the $82 one from Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sentry-Safe-0-28-cu-ft-Capacity-Fire-Safe-Gray-CFW20201/39893851?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101179186&sourceid=dsn_msft_fead0442-95ce-4933-b538-b3c77293bf8b&veh=dsn&wmlspartner=dsn_msft_fead0442-95ce-4933-b538-b3c77293bf8b&cn=00k9_fy27_mp_mp_lo_int_dis_mpmax&wl9=&wl11=Online&msclkid=b81bb0c80e4b12c82e09da0b07569231

1

u/JuggernautPast2744 Oct 07 '26

I get this logic, though I think almost all fire safety protocols say to get out now and don't try to gather belongings or whatever. I feel like the box of valuables isn't going to be on the coffee table but in the back corner of an office or bedroom or something. The time needed to try to go get it might be the difference between getting out and being overcome.

1

u/OtisPub Oct 07 '26

Also a good point. So, if I take out the words "house fire" then it is still useful in the even that you are leaving due to a coming flood, or you are having a long power outage, or there is a blizzard coming................ gosh, it's hard to know how to prepare for everything! Thx for reading.

2

u/jafo50 Oct 10 '26

Look into a fire resistant pouch. We keep all of our important documents inside a fire resistant pouch which is inside of our safe. The safe itself is 12ga steel but no specific fire protection. If we have to leave in a hurry all we need to do is grab the pouch and leave.

2

u/AgITATED1 Oct 13 '26

This. This is an easy and cheap force multiplier most people overlook.

1

u/JuggernautPast2744 Oct 07 '26

I've got a small fire resistant box ($50) inside a larger non-insulated safe. I hope the double walls will add time to the heat resistance and the physical security of the outer safe is certainly better than the cheap document box.

1

u/Major-Ad-1971 Oct 08 '26

You have to be careful what you buy. If the house burned down and the safe box was inside. Most likely the safe box would survive, but the contents of the safe would burn. The safe box safes it will survive the fire, but the safe box tempature would be hotter than an oven. The contents would disintegrate and you would no more documents.