effect of heat on non-firearm safe contents

[Charger]

The wife and I are debating where to put a safe. Obviously in the house is preferred, but this presents a lot of issues since there really is no good place inside the house. I proposed we put it in the garage with a dehumidifier. She doesnt want to do this because she's afraid the heat in the garage will lead to faster deterioration of things she wants to keep in there: dvds and pictures of the kids, wedding, etc primarily. Any thoughts?

[Birdie]

I wouldn't put photos, electronic equipment, candles, perishable food (even canned) in a garage in Texas long term. Too hot in the summer.

No room in the back corner of a closet? Can't move something else the size of a safe into the garage, and put the safe in its place?

[leftyonly]

I know that you originally posted about garage-like temperatures and longevity of stored items, but remember, in a house fire, Safe = Oven. You might want to think about the mixed usage you describe with regards to fire protection....

Depending on the rating the safe interior can reach 350 degrees in a half hour....This is OK for paper, metal , wood, etc...Keep in mind that photos, DVD's, cellophane envelope windows, and other plastic items (many papers are also plastic coated), etc begin to deteriorate at a much lower temperature. Additionally, the items that do deteriorate can produce smoke/gases that may damage, discolor, or corrode items that otherwise may have been ok with the temperature alone....

[OldCannon]

Papers and photos should be scanned and stored in a "cloud" somewhere (a la Mozy/Carbonite/iCloud/etc), then the originals should be stored in a safe deposit box.

[steveincowtown]

Papers and photos should be scanned and stored in a "cloud" somewhere (a la Mozy/Carbonite/iCloud/etc), then the originals should be stored in a safe deposit box.

I also keep a DVD in my office that is backed up.

[flechero]

I've always been taught to put a "fireproof document box" inside the fireproof gunsafe. That way you will get a much more realistic degree of protection from the heat if you have a fire. My safe is rated to hold to 350 degrees or below for 90 minutes, so the firebox would never exposed to "high heat" by fire standards. The fireproof boxes can be purchased from any number of places and are not expensive. Alone, neither is great in a fire but combined, you would have to have a heck of a fire to burn contents. This combination is *supposed* to be safe for all paper and electronic media.

[Charger]

Well, a closet was my original idea, but the 23 3/8 doors on all of them made me think only little safes would make it. The wife doesnt want a safe in the middle of a room so... Today I spoke with a safe vendor that says the dimensions given are almost always total exterior, counting the handle etc. He says safes listed as 24 or 25 inches will fit through a standard 23 3/8 door if the exterior parts are taken off (which they'll do and during install). I'm going to Reliant this weekend to check them out in person :)