Everyone knows you should have a fireproof safe if you want to get a safe to store documents or cash, but how effective are they really at protecting paper valuables?  This is something I have been concerned about, because it is difficult to trust an inanimate object with precious photos, important papers and paper cash.  As it turns out, fireproof safes seem to really do what they promise – keep the contents inside safe from fire damage.

In Charlotte, NC, a fire captain tested a $40 safe by exposing it to direct flames for several minutes.  The temperature of the safe, according to a thermo imaging camera, was 650-700 degrees.  The plastic casing on the outside was destroyed, so the key would not work to open the safe, but they were able to pry open the safe and reveal the damage, if any, on the inside.

In the test, papers and a CD were placed inside, and once the safe was pried open, even the CD was completely safe.  I assumed any plastic inside a fireproof safe would still be melted, but amazingly, the housing of the safe can keep even plastics from getting too hot inside.

So if you have valuables to protect, investing in even an inexpensive fireproof safe may be one of the best choices you can make.  When buying one, be sure it will fit all of your valuables.  We bought the largest one we could afford and could still use a little more room, so try to maximize your investment by getting the best one for your dollar.