Learning About Safes For Business Settings

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Safe Malfunction And Maintenance Tips

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Investing in a safe is a great way to gain peace of mind about protecting your valuables and your important paperwork. While a safe will do just that, it won't do it without the proper maintenance. Many people fail to realize that a safe will need some care over its lifespan, and as a result, they find themselves dealing with malfunctions. Here are a few of the issues that you might encounter with your safe and tips to help you avoid them.

Jammed Or Misaligned Locking Bolts

You depend on the locking mechanism to function properly in order for your safe to work. When the bolt or the mechanism malfunctions, that can make it impossible to access the safe. There are several things that can cause the bolt or the locking mechanism to lock up.

For example, if the safe is struck by a hard impact, either during shipping or because of something that happens in your home, it can jostle the bolt enough that it won't line up properly to the receptacle. As a result, the bolt will get jammed if it's locked or refuse to actually lock if the safe is open when it's struck.

Another common problem that can cause it to malfunction is if the lock mechanism itself seizes. Sometimes caused by rusting or by locking between the gears, the lock mechanism won't move, which means that the bolt won't engage or disengage, rendering your safe inoperable.

Electrical Problems

Combination lock safes are fully mechanical, so there are no electrical issues to worry about. However, when you invest in one of the newer models, the electronic locks, while convenient, are another potential source for failure or malfunction. Whether it's due to damage on the electrical wires or a short somewhere in the system, when an electronic lock malfunctions, it can keep you from accessing your safe. You can avoid this to some extent by ensuring that you don't mishandle your safe. This keeps the wires intact.

Another way to avoid problems with this type of issue is to choose a safe that has a manual override on the electronic lock. Usually, the safe will come with a specialized key that you can insert into the door or the side of the safe to unlock the safe manually.

With these tips, you can keep your safe working at its best and reduce the risk of malfunctions. This can save you money on safe repairs over the life of your safe. Talk with a local locksmith for more information and tips.


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