In many cases storing your most valuable belongings in the home may not be the smartest idea. Home security systems are easily overcome and even with the best home and contents insurance, some items that are stolen can never be replaced.

The question then becomes, where is the safest place to store precious jewellery, antique heirlooms, gold or silver bullions, cash, artwork or anything else of significant monetary or sentimental value? For those who need the peace of mind to store valuable and sensitive items with utter confidence, here are four storage options that may be worth looking at.

1. Vaults and Safe Deposit Boxes

Best used for storing smaller items of value including cash, gold, jewellery or sensitive documents or data, safe deposit boxes and vaults have some of the most robust and technological advanced security systems. Security features may include time locking vault doors, infrared alarm sensors and 24/7 security monitoring with rapid response when needed.

Access to vaults and safe deposit boxes are only granted under strict identification requirements that may include facial recognition technology, finger print scans and much more. When it comes to security of the Fort Knox kind, bank vaults and safe deposit facilities offer some of the most impenetrable security available.

2. Safes

For those that prefer to keep their significant valuables within closer reach, a home safe can be used. For these to be effective, it's important they meet certain standards and are made from robust materials. The heavier the better so the safe cannot easily be removed from the property. Also ensure that the safe is property installed by being bolted to the floor or wall. Homeowners can also choose from fire and flood protection to ensure valuable stay protected during a natural disaster.

3. Self Storage Facilities 

Storage units offer a sensible option for people with larger collections of goods where more space is required. Self-storage complexes with the best security are monitored around the clock by a live in caretaker, alarm systems and CCTV cameras. Imposing fences – sometimes electric or barbed wire – prevent access to the facility, with only encoded swipe cards allowing vehicle or pedestrian access. A final layer of security is the entrance to the unit itself and only the person leasing the space will have a key. Some units also have electronic keypad where a PIN may be used to gain access.

4. Shipping Containers

A shipping container can be more flexible secure option compared to a storage unit since containers can be dispatched off site to wherever this storage is needed, allowing convenient access. As they are used to transport goods across the world, with their robust exterior and limited entry points they are a very secure option. Better yet, they can be fortified with much more than just a simple padlock using interior bolts and a lock box to house the padlock, leaving only space to insert a key and avoiding the padlock to be overcome by bolt cutters. They also offer a premium amount of space, suitable for those storing larger collections of valuable items.

Storing items in the family home (or under the mattress) doesn't offer peace of mind or the level of security people need. To keep your most valuable possessions out of the wrong hands, these four options are among the best ways to keep belongings secure and worth considering for anyone wanting to take extra measures to keep their valuables safe.  

For more information, check out companies such as Store-It-Safe.

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