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The larger banks offer their clients the possibility of hiring safes without needing to declare the total value of the contents.� The main problem arises if a bank is robbed and generally fails to cover the costs of the undeclared stolen material.� This is one of the fundamental reasons behind the increasing popularity of home safes.

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There is a wide range of safes, security caskets, compartments and archives available on the market. In Spain, strict rules govern the installation of safes in public spaces, such as banks, bingos, casinos, and so on, but private homes are not affected.

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The size of a safe box depends on the amount of objects that are to be stored inside and on its location, all of which should be considered before purchasing. Safe boxes are larger than safes and come in portable forms or else can be built into the wall or a cupboard. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common are square or tubular (usually built in). Basic levels of security are offered by steel safes, preferably thermically isolated in order to protect documents in the event of fire. The lock can be key or combination based, or else electronic.

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Electronic locks are very user friendly, as the combination is programmed via a device that can be integrated into the safe or the lock itself. To prevent problems with these locks, ensure that the batteries driving the electronic system are accessible from the outside of the safe and not from the interior. They often have mechanisms that warn you that battery life is low, which could result in the safe becoming inaccessible if due care is not taken.

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This is another domestic option. Their reduced size make them ideal for jewellery or small valuables. However, they should also be made of steel and fireproof, above all if you are intending to store documents or money inside. Both caskets and security boxes come with a small slot (not over 1cm in width), which allows you to insert money or documents without opening the safe.

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If you need to protect a large number of documents, the best option is an archive box. They are larger in size and often have three or four compartments with metal dividers. If you decide to choose this option, you should again check that the safe is fireproof and can withstand a temperature of 900� C during no less than 3 hours.

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As for location, the manufacturers recommend building them into walls or cupboards that are large enough for the safe. However, if the safe is small, you are better off with a portable one, which you can move about the house. If you decide to build it into the wall, the most common locations (such as behind a picture, in large cupboards, behind bookcases or in bedside cupboards) are not recommended. Better to find a small room that allows you direct access, such as the bathroom or the kitchen.

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Finally, if you have house insurance, the vast majority offer large discounts if the titleholder has a safe installed at home. In other words, investing in the security of your house via the installation of a safe could bring you short to medium term gains in your annual insurance bill.