Got something you need to protect? We all do: jewelry, passports, bank statements, legal documents. That’s why many safe manufacturers now offer small, affordable safes.
Although they’re secure from burglary, most home safes are not completely fireproof. You should keep any irreplaceable documents in a fireproof vault or bank safe-deposit box.
Here’s how to install a small safe, such as Sentry’s Steal-Safe Wall Safe (Model 7150, about $165), into a closet wall. This compact safe, which fits between wall studs spaced 16 inches on center, features all-steel construction and a dual-locking mechanism: You need a key as well as a three-digit combination to open it.
First, select a location on an interior wall that’s convenient yet hidden away. Next, locate the wall studs with a stud sensor or hammer and nail. Then, use a level to draw a 14 1/4-inch square onto the wall between the two studs. Cut out the opening with a drywall saw.
Work carefully to make sure you don’t cut into electrical wiring. The left and right edges of the cutout will extend one-quarter inch beyond the studs on each side of the opening. Fill in these spaces with wood shims or strips of 1/4-inch plywood.
Tilt the safe into the opening and press it flush against the wall. Fasten it to the studs with the four screws provided, then install the two removable steel shelves. Be sure the keys aren’t inside when you close the door.
