If you have valuable objects or important documents to secure, a high-quality safe for home or business can be an essential investment. Larry's Lock, Safe & Security Center, the leading commercial security company and best locksmith in Cincinnati, OH, specializes in high-quality safes, alarms and electronic security, and master key service.

Here, they offer the following tips on what to look for when shopping for a safe.

• Fire Rating: Choose a safe with a certified fire rating of at least one hour. Ratings of less than an hour cannot protect your valuables throughout the course of a typical building fire. Many fire safes are not designed to protect against burglary, as they are made of thin metal that holds fire retardant materials. Even simple tools can access a fire safe if it is not also made to provide security against theft.

• Security Rating: For content values up to $10,000, choose a B-rated safe with 1/2-inch plate steel doors and 1/4-inch steel body. C-rated safes are good for up to $30,000 in content values, and feature 1-inch plate steel doors and 1/2-inch steel bodies. Other safe ratings offer security for content values of $200,000, $375,000, or even $1 million. The latter can resist up to 30 minutes of torch and tool attacks on all sides.
• Concealment: Hidden wall and floor safes are suitable for inexpensive items, but do not provide real protection against fire or determined thieves.
• Size: Commercial security experts recommend you choose a safe that is larger than you expect to need. Once you have a safe, you'll discover additional items you want to protect, so err on the side of "too big."

Larry's Lock, Safe & Security Center has an AAA rating with the Better Business Bureau and serves the entire Tri-State area. If you’re looking for a safe, visit them online. You can also call (513) 791-9163 to speak to a friendly, knowledgeable professional about your home or commercial security needs.