Some safes have locks with manual key overrides; whereas others rely exclusively on combinations. No matter what type you own and what’s inside it—whether jewelry, documents, or firearms—create a combination that’s easy to remember but difficult to crack. Here are a few tips for remembering your combination and what to do if you forget.

What Can I Do to Remember My Safe Combination?

Tips for Remembering Combinations

Avoid obvious combinations, such as the date of your birthday or wedding anniversary. Try an alphanumeric code by identifying a favorite word and swapping numbers for letters, such as A = 1, B = 2, and so on. Remembering a word—kitty, couch, or lipgloss—is a lot easier than remembering a bunch of numbers.

Other tips for remembering a combination include picking dates that aren’t personally associated with you, such as a president’s birthday or holiday. If you pick St. Patrick’s Day as your code, for example, 0317 would open your safe.

If these tips for remembering a code combination seem insufficient, write the numbers or word key down on a piece of paper, and place it where it won’t be found, in the first pages of a favorite book, for example. Don’t write “safe combination” on the paper. Only you should know what the numbers mean.

What to Do If You Forget Your Code

Should you forget your code, don’t attempt to break in. You’d likely inflict permanent damage. Use a manual override key, or check the owner’s manual for change-key instructions, which will allow you to change the combination and gain access to your valuables.

If neither of these options is available, call an experienced locksmith. If you provide the service technician with all the pertinent information about your safe, reentry should be quick and easy.

The locksmiths at Central Safe & Lock LLC in Fairfield, OH, routinely sell and service security products to assist residents and businesses in northern Cincinnati and South Dayton. This insured company provides 24/7 emergency service as well as advanced security system installations. Call (513) 884-1870 today to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for a list of their residential services.