The recent Southern California wildfires have been a stark reminder of how unpredictable and devastating fire-related disasters can be. The dry conditions and high winds in January made the smallest spark turn into a roaring inferno. At American Security, we’ve heard firsthand from customers who were relieved to have a fire-resistant safe protecting their most valuable belongings and others who wished they had taken that precaution sooner.
This feedback we’ve been receiving has reinforced the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. In this article, we’ll cover essential steps to safeguard your valuables and explain how a fire-resistant safe plays a critical role in fire preparedness. Wildfires can spread rapidly, leaving little time to react, so having a plan in place now can make all the difference when every second counts.
How to Prep for a Natural Disaster Like a Wildfire
During times of crisis, such as a wildfire, many people scramble to figure out what essential items to pack in a “go” bag for evacuation. Unfortunately, trying to make these decisions while a wildfire is approaching is far from ideal. The best approach is to plan ahead. By preparing an evacuation plan in advance, you can ensure you know exactly what to take when the time comes.
A typical evacuation kit includes critical items like medications, legal documents, a change of clothes, and other essentials. If you own or are in the market for a safe, it’s a great idea to store your most important documents—passports, birth certificates, social security cards, and more—inside a “go” bag you can quickly grab in an emergency.
Of course, it’s not possible to bring everything with you, and some items may have to be left behind. This is where a fire-resistant safe becomes invaluable. It can protect irreplaceable items that you cannot take with you, offering a shield against extreme temperatures. By investing in a quality safe, you give your valuables the best chance of surviving.
The Role of a Fire Resistant Safe for Wildfire Preparedness
At American Security, our safes offer more than just a steel exterior. While steel provides a solid foundation, we go a step further by incorporating fill materials designed to enhance fire resistance. This additional layer of protection helps shield your valuables from intense heat.
For example, paper documents begin to burn at temperatures as low as 350°F, making them highly vulnerable during a wildfire. By investing in a fire-resistant safe, you’re improving your chances that your most important belongings—documents, family heirlooms, or other valuables—will be protected from the extreme temperatures that wildfires generate. This extra layer of security can give you peace of mind, especially if you must leave your home during an evacuation.
Testing Process for Fire-Rated Safes
In order for a safe to have a fire-resistant certification, it must undergo strict testing procedures through industry-leading organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories or Intertek-ETL. These serve as a good benchmark you can reference for the durability level of each safe you evaluate.
To summarize this testing process, American Security safes are subjected to high temperatures of 1,200 – 1,800°F and the interior of the container must stay below 350°F. If successful, depending on how long the product withstood the heat, it will typically receive a rating from UL or ETL ranging from 30-minutes to 2-hours.
What to Look For in a Fire-Rated Safe
First and foremost, seeing the term “fire-resistant” on a product label doesn’t guarantee it meets industry standards. To make your investment worthwhile, look for safes that have been independently tested and certified by organizations like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or ETL (Intertek). These certifications indicate that the safe has undergone rigorous testing to withstand extreme heat for a specified period.
- When shopping for a fire-rated safe, be sure to ask key questions, such as:
- What materials were used in construction? A high-quality fire-resistant safe should feature multiple layers of protective materials, including proprietary fireproofing insulation, to slow heat penetration.
- What is the fire rating? Check how long the safe can withstand high temperatures.
- What sizes do you have available for the heat protection I’m looking for? Make sure you’re prioritizing the size just as much as the materials.
As much as the safe fire rating matters, its size is just as important. Many American Security customers have shared that after experiencing a wildfire, they wished they had invested in a larger safe to protect more of their valuables. Losing irreplaceable items in a disaster can be devastating, and having extra space in your safe can safeguard more of what matters most. When choosing a fire-resistant safe, consider not only what you need to protect now but also what you may want to secure in the future.
Real-World Stories
After the recent Southern California wildfires, we’ve spoken to many individuals, one being a man who lost his entire Malibu home with only his American Security safe left standing. Inside, his entire irreplaceable arsenal and paper bonds were protected and kept in mint condition. His only regret was not purchasing an even bigger safe that was large enough to house more of his extensive World War II collection.
How to Choose the Right Fire-Resistant Safe
We’ve touched on this a little bit, but we want to emphasize the importance of selecting a safe that aligns with your needs and possible future plans. What you plan on storing now, may look different in the future. If you’re a gun enthusiast or an avid collector of other irreplaceable items, it’s not far-fetched that your inventory may grow.
If you’re located in a wildfire-prone area like Southern California, we suggest investing in a high fire-rated safe. Depending on the crime rate in your area, you also want to consider the burglary rating which determines how long it could take for an intruder to access the inside of your safe.
Other Steps to Protect Your Valuables from Fire
Investing in a fire-resistant safe is one of the most effective ways to protect your valuables, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. A well-rounded disaster plan includes additional steps to safeguard your important belongings in case of an emergency evacuation. Here are a few best practices to consider:
Create Digital Backups
While a high-quality safe offers strong protection, making digital copies of important documents—such as birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, and property deeds—adds an extra layer of security. Store these files securely on an encrypted USB drive, cloud storage, or an external hard drive in a separate location.
Gather a “Go” Bag
A “go” bag is an important part of your emergency plan and should consist of essential items you’ll need when you need to evacuate quickly. Consider keeping one inside your fire-resistant safe for important documents you can’t leave home without, such as passports, birth certificates, insurance papers, and social security cards. This ensures they remain protected from fire until you can retrieve them.
Additionally, prepare a separate emergency bag with everyday essentials, including:
- A change of clothes for each family member
- Basic toiletries (toothbrush, soap, travel-sized hygiene products)
- Important medications and prescriptions
- Comfort items for children and pets (favorite toy, blanket, pet food)
- A small amount of cash in case ATMs or card systems are down
While many of these items may not have high monetary value, having them readily available can bring immense relief during a stressful evacuation. With a well-prepared go bag, you can focus on getting to safety rather than scrambling for necessities at the last minute.
Create a Home Inventory List
A home inventory list is essential for protecting your valuables and simplifying the insurance claims process in the event of a fire. Documenting your belongings—including photos, serial numbers, and descriptions—ensures you have a clear record of what was inside your home before disaster struck.
Relying solely on memory after a fire can make it difficult to recall every item lost. By preparing a detailed home inventory in advance, you’ll have concrete proof of ownership.
Have a Clear Evacuation Plan
Securing your valuables is important, but ensuring your family’s safety comes first. A well-prepared evacuation plan can make all the difference in a fire emergency or natural disaster.
- Establish a plan: Identify multiple exit routes from your home and designate a safe meeting point outside. Ensure every household member knows the plan and practices it regularly.
- Prepare an emergency kit: Keep a disaster-ready bag stocked with non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, flashlights, extra batteries, and essential medications.
- Stay informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts and have a battery-powered radio on hand to receive updates if power or cell service is down.
By planning ahead, you can focus on getting to safety quickly, knowing you have the essentials ready and a secure place to return to after the disaster.
Start Wildfire Prep Today
Wildfires can ignite without warning, leaving little time to react. That’s why preparation is key—the steps you take today can protect your valuables, home, and loved ones in the future. Make sure you:
- Secure important documents in a fire-resistant safe
- Prepare a “go” bag with essentials for quick evacuation
- Create a home inventory list for insurance purposes
- Establish a clear evacuation plan with multiple exit routes
- Keep an emergency kit stocked with food, water, and first-aid supplies
If you’re considering investing in a fire-resistant safe, check out American Security’s selection of top-tier fire rated safes, or if you aren’t sure where to start, our team is here to help. Contact us today, and we’ll assist you in finding the perfect safe for your valuables and necessities!