Is Sentry a decent brand for a safe?
Posted by BreakMyFallIfYouCan@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 18 comments
This would be to hold things like cash, Social Security cards, important documents and similar items in a fire proof safe. I can’t afford a $500+ safe though.
I see a lot of safes for sale using the brand-name Sentry. On the surface, they appear decent enough but I also don’t wanna waste $200 if they won’t really do me much good.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[deleted]
BreakMyFallIfYouCan@reddit (OP)
I think I'm mostly worried about a possible fire (or maybe water). I live in a very low crime rate area, although I know I'm certainly not immune to that possibility. We have a small Glock, a couple thousand in cash, and personal documents such as SS cards & birth certificates.
We also have an old (cheap) safe that I might use as a decoy and try to find a really good hiding spot for the new safe. But I'm also thinking of going with the additional idea of a safety deposit box for the personal documents and some of the cash (not sure about the cash because if there's a major event in the area, I might not be able to get to the bank).
We don't have any kids or grandkids, so there are literally no kids in the house ever. But that doesn't erase the possibility of a break-in by teenagers (or others).
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Between your comments and all the others, I believe I have a pretty good game plan moving forward.
MetalButterfly19@reddit
I have been researching safes and found this thread and wonder after reading all the comments what you decided on
Affectionate-Pair256@reddit
They are GARBAGE. I literally just ripped open a sentry plastic covered safe with my bare hands.....
Forsaken-Rip-1051@reddit
Someone probably already said this, but no. Sentry safes are horrible safes, especially their electronic counterparts. Their ONLY use if any is as fire/flood protection boxes. Any thief above the level of a high school kid trying to get some extra cash could easily crack one of these. At best it'll keep out a child, and maybe a dumb adult, don't expect anything else.
williaty@reddit
No, Sentry "safes" are just tin cans with an easily pickable lock on them. Sadly, at the price you're talking about, you won't be able to buy anything that can't be opened with a medium sized screwdriver or a paperclip.
Someone else suggested a safe deposit box at the bank. I think that's your winning move right there.
BreakMyFallIfYouCan@reddit (OP)
OK, thank you very much. The only question I have for you is what is my biggest concern is fire? Would a Sentry safe cover me in that regard?
williaty@reddit
No. You want a fire rated safe that has been tested by UL for fire rating. 90% of "fire rated" safes are just tested by the manufacturer. You need a real fire rated safe tested by UL. Hence why a safe deposit box is the better answer in the price range you're exploring.
KathrynK12@reddit
Sentry safes are UL rated!
williaty@reddit
Which Sentry safes meet which UL rating?
That's the real kicker: the actual model you're buying has to meet a rating that actually means something. For example, a lot of stuff is certified to be a RSC (Residential Security Container). The RSC cert is trash. A tin lunchbox would pass. Many cheaper safes (like Sentry) will only have RSC and maybe some basic fire resistance (which itself is a joke) certifications.
That doesn't make them a good choice for serious use.
KathrynK12@reddit
It really comes down to what a person is going to be storing in the safe whether it's more important for the safe to be fire resistant, water resistant, or shockproof, etc. Myself for example I spend a lot of time at home and because I've had money taken in the past when I've been in a relationship it's more important for me if I have cash at home for it to be secure.
entersandman602@reddit
I bought a sentry safe from Lowes, which was the only electronic version, which meant no manual way to open. Up until today (7 months old), it worked fine. I kept my medicine and my handguns for when the grandkids came over. Well, today, the safe won't open at all. I called customer service and there was a 112-minute wait time. Its been over 2 hours, and no call yet. I called back and now a 125-minute wait time. Now, I can't get to my meds or my handgun, so if I have a medical emergency or get a home invasion (nor can protect myself when I am out, then I am out of luck. I then saw that a large magnet could open this safe within 2-3 seconds. Holy crap, what's the point of this safe if it doesn't work or you need to go buy a 300-dollar magnet or 100 dollar service call from a locksmith?
sokol8@reddit
I found sentry safes complete rubbish.
With the first one priced at C$500 I got problems opening it after about 3 years.
I was stupid enough to buy a bigger Sentry safe for about C$800. I got problems opening it after about 15 months - just after the their 1-year warranty ended. Now I cannot open it at all with all my stuff locked it. My plan is to utilize my CC extra-warranty to get it open and NEVER buy Sentry save again.
BreakMyFallIfYouCan@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your reply. I’ve finally realized that safes, in general, are bad ideas. Better to keep most items such as important documents and extra cash in items that look innocuous. Guns are clearly different. Those need to be close to the bod at all times.
AresLeviathan@reddit
I have had a Sentry firesafe in my apartment for a little over a year now. I just tried to open it today and realized the key did not fit the keyhole. Out of desperation I just thought that stupid thought of, "What if I just shove a piece of metal in there?" So I found a metal letter opener with slid into the keyhole with ease. I just jiggled it a little and I turned and unlocked the safe. I'm no locksmith by any means. I was very happy to get access to my much needed files and documents, But it's abhorrent that I trusted my security to a safe that could be opened by the likes of a chimpanzee.
Rupejonner2@reddit
Not only that , even though they claim they’re waterproof you can not store items inside that are paper , cardboard , silver , etc as the walls of fireproof safe has high moisture liquid and if you don’t open the safe every week or so to vent , you may may find mold damage & tarnish on items that do not do well in high moisture environments
Immediate-Fun2034@reddit
Sentry safes and customer service suck! Booth a file type safe locked my things in it and now the key doesn’t work. Call customer service got a condescending answer. Told to try WD40 no luck. Sent an email to their help center last week, no response! Total waste of money and now I’ll have to pay someone to get it open and never be able to lock it again!
c413bm@reddit
A lot of sentry safe use the same key