In 2001, there were nearly 410,000 residential fires in the US.
That averages out to almost one every 80 seconds.
The average loss per fire is around $15,000 and in 2001 the total property loss was over $5.
5 billion.
That is an amazing number.
Most people think that they will never have a fire in their home.
They are probably right as home fires are rare.
Unfortunately, when they do occur it is possible to lose valuables, jewelry, cash, and important documents.
Even if they are not destroyed by the fire, they may be lost in the rubble.
With the prospects of losing these items, many homeowners are now making the choice to buy a fire safe box.
These small boxes are not fireproof, but actually fire resistant.
They are made of materials that protect the contents against not the flames, but more importantly the heat of the fire.
The most common ingredients in these safes is vermiculite and perlite.
Both are lightweight, inorganic, and completely fireproof.
Most manufacturers will then add additional chemicals to improve their products ability to withstand a fire unscathed.
Depending upon what you are planning to store in the fire safe box, may change the ratings or type of box that you should be purchasing.
Most safes have a UL fire rating.
It is set out as a UL 1, 2, or 3.
This means how many hours can this safe protect its contacts for in a fire that is at 1700 degrees.
You may be thinking that you should buy a 3 hour rated one always.
Keep in mind that most residential house fires rarely get above 800 degrees for more than a short period.
Plus if you are within minutes of the responding fire station, it is unlikely the fire will burn for more than 1 hour.
Buying a 1 hour rated box is usually adequate for most homes.
That averages out to almost one every 80 seconds.
The average loss per fire is around $15,000 and in 2001 the total property loss was over $5.
5 billion.
That is an amazing number.
Most people think that they will never have a fire in their home.
They are probably right as home fires are rare.
Unfortunately, when they do occur it is possible to lose valuables, jewelry, cash, and important documents.
Even if they are not destroyed by the fire, they may be lost in the rubble.
With the prospects of losing these items, many homeowners are now making the choice to buy a fire safe box.
These small boxes are not fireproof, but actually fire resistant.
They are made of materials that protect the contents against not the flames, but more importantly the heat of the fire.
The most common ingredients in these safes is vermiculite and perlite.
Both are lightweight, inorganic, and completely fireproof.
Most manufacturers will then add additional chemicals to improve their products ability to withstand a fire unscathed.
Depending upon what you are planning to store in the fire safe box, may change the ratings or type of box that you should be purchasing.
Most safes have a UL fire rating.
It is set out as a UL 1, 2, or 3.
This means how many hours can this safe protect its contacts for in a fire that is at 1700 degrees.
You may be thinking that you should buy a 3 hour rated one always.
Keep in mind that most residential house fires rarely get above 800 degrees for more than a short period.
Plus if you are within minutes of the responding fire station, it is unlikely the fire will burn for more than 1 hour.
Buying a 1 hour rated box is usually adequate for most homes.