Dehumidifiers are a great way to avoid humidity’s harmful effects on metal items like firearms and precious metals while they are being stored in the safe. Let’s go over some of the biggest benefits of safe dehumidifiers and why you should consider investing in one.

1. They Limit Dust and Humidity

Dust mites and other annoying tiny pests thrive in dark, damp environments. Things like furniture, carpet and (yes) safes are perfect places for them to grow and thrive… unless you have a dehumidifier. By keeping the air humidity low, it limits dust mites since they enjoy air that has a moisture content.

2. They Better Protect Valuable Items

Just because you put a valuable item in a safe doesn’t mean it will be protected. Certain items (especially paper products) can get warped and damaged due to improper humidity control. By drying out the air with a dehumidifier, it eliminates moisture and prevents damage to valuable items like:

• Sports cards and comics
• Books, posters and stamps
• Precious family photos
• Fancy silverware
• Money!

3. They’re Ideal for Electronics and Firearms

If you’re storing any type of electronic, firearm or metal item that can rust, you need a safe dehumidifier. When rust develops on electronics, it can damage or destroy them, which isn’t fun if it’s a particularly high-dollar piece of equipment. Even temporarily storing electronics in a safe for a short vacation can result in damage if the humidity within the safe is too high. 

And the same goes for firearms, which, most, are primarily made of metal that can rust. You don’t want to mess with the structural integrity of a firearm.

4. They Improve Air Quality and Reduce Allergens

Mold and mildew are additional culprits for allergens (in addition to the above-mentioned dust mites). Dehumidifiers create an environment that isn’t ideal for mold and mildew development, which will reduce the number of allergens present. 

5. They’re Portable and Easily Moved

Unlike some bulky and heavy safes, dehumidifiers are much easier to move. So if you’re traveling to a location with a safe or you’re taking a smaller safe with you on vacation, you can protect the valuables in your safe and easily transport it as needed.

If you’re interested in a home safe or safe dehumidifier advice, contact us today or check out our online A-1 Locksmith shop to find out which safe is right for you.

What the Heck is a Safe Dehumidifier Anyways?

If you’re new to the world of safes you may not have heard of the marvelous contraption known as a safe dehumidifier.  It’s not exactly a complicated concept, either.  A safe dehumidifier reduces and removes moisture from the air inside your safe.  When it comes to valuable items, moisture is the enemy.  Metal guns, jewelry and important paper documents are all highly susceptible to moisture.  From rust to mold to decay, if your keepsakes are exposed to moisture over an extended period of time they are just as at risk as if you gave a burglar your key.

Why Would I need a Safe Dehumidifier?

You may be thinking moisture isn’t an issue for your particular safe.  Maybe you keep your lock box safely indoors in the basement, or tucked away in the garage.  Surely moisture can’t penetrate there, right?  Wrong!  Moisture can enter a safe every time it’s opened in order to access the contents.  In humid areas, this moisture can build up quickly in the internal, circulation free environment.  Even in dry environments, if you own a fireproof safe the lining often traps moisture which can eventually penetrate the inside lining creating conditions that are harmful for your prized possessions.

Types of Safe Dehumidifiers

So now that we’ve got you scared straight on the need for a safe dehumidifier, you probably are wondering what installation entails.  Well that depends on the method you’ve chosen to properly eliminate moisture from your safe.  Safe dehumidifiers range from low-tech bags similar to those abundant in packaging do-not-eat packs to battery charged to electric models.  Which you choose will depend on both your safe configuration and your dedication to regular maintenance.

Bags filled with moisture wicking material, known as desiccant bags, are inexpensive and can be placed in nearly every model of safe.  The downside to this option is that they need to be replaced, sometimes frequently depending on your level of moisture, and you’ll need to adhere to a set schedule of swapping to avoid damage to your valuables.

More effective are the mechanical safe dehumidifier units.  Battery charged models rely on a combination of moisture wicking silica gel or beads and a small air circulation system that filters moisture away.  This type of machine can be used regardless of whether your safe is wired for electricity but is not adjustable for level of moisture and needs to be monitored occasionally and recharged and the internal materials replaced once they’ve reached capacity.  The more reliable mechanical dehumidifiers are electric models which are adjustable and warm the air to the appropriate temperature to avoid moisture build up.

Whichever option, if you have valuable worth protecting you should own a safe dehumidifier.  If you’re still not sure which solution is best for you, call A-1 Locksmith for an evaluation of your system.  The experts at A-1 can make a personalized recommendation and have many solutions on hand with professionals able to assist with proper installation.  Whatever the safe design, A-1 is sure to have a safe dehumidifier that works for you.