The key is finding the balance among capacity, available room, and your personal security requirements. As you weigh up your options for home safes, this guide can help you determine the right size to protect your valuables now and in the future.

What Do You Plan to Store in Your Safe? 

Before you can choose a safe, consider what you plan on storing inside. Some common household items include:

• Important documents (passports, birth certificates, and property titles)
• Jewellery and heirlooms
• Cash and other valuables
• Electronics and hard drives
• Firearms or controlled items
• Digital media and backups

Since different items require different configurations, you’ll need to choose accordingly. For example, firearm safes must meet specific requirements, while safes for cash or deposit safes might use drop mechanisms. Depth also matters, as document safes might require less space compared to bulkier items such as firearm components or camera equipment. 

How to Estimate Safe Storage Volume and Growth

It’s common for homeowners to underestimate how much space they actually need. For the best indication of how much internal volume you need, it helps to lay out all the items you intend to store and group them. 

As a general rule, you should allow an additional 25–50% capacity beyond your current needs. Consider new valuables you might acquire over time, changes to your household circumstances, and seasonal or temporary storage needs.

Modern house safes often include adjustable shelving or removable interiors, so there’s flexibility as your storage requirements change. Having this adaptability can extend the lifespan of a safe without requiring an upgrade, making it a smarter investment.

Safe Size vs Available Space in Your Home

Equally as important as its internal capacity is the external dimensions of a safe. Your home safe should suit its environment, meaning you have to weigh up practicality and security. 

Common installation locations include:

• Bedrooms (in wardrobes or built-in cupboards)
• Home offices
• Garages or workshops
• Under staircases
• In concealed wall/floor spaces

Additionally, wall depth, floor strength, and surrounding clearance can all influence the size of a safe, and where you install it. When we install safes in Perth for our customers, we require a specific door-swing clearance to ensure ease of use without compromising security.

Weight and Structural Considerations of a Safe

A safe’s size directly affects its weight, which is another factor in installation and security. Generally, larger safes are significantly heavier and place higher demands on your home’s structure, but they also offer greater resistance to theft. Although WA experienced a decrease in burglaries in 2025, it’s the peace of mind many homeowners want.

Heavier safes also require specialised safe installation services to ensure they’re positioned and anchored correctly, preventing movement. During installation, we’ll also consider floor load capacity, ease of transport, and any handling requirements. 

With additional specifications, it’s important to consider what you might store in it. For example, safes for cash will require something different from a safe for jewellery or heavier items, so shop only for the size you need.

Internal Configuration and Usability

The internal layout of a safe can also impact its practicality, with higher-quality safes designed to increase usable space without increasing their external footprint. To make the most of your safe’s configuration, look for features such as: 

• Adjustable shelving for more flexible storage
• Drawers to hold jewellery and other small valuables
• Document holders to organise files
• Compartments for cash or digital media

Practicality is key. So, a safe that’s easy to identify and retrieve items from reduces the risk of disorganisation and improves accessibility and usability for its owner.

Safe Placement: Accessibility vs Concealment

Although your home safe should be easy for you to access, you also want to conceal it from others. Choosing a safe that’s too big to hide might provide better organisation. However, smaller safes are easier to conceal in cupboards or behind furniture, offering a more discreet security solution.

The best choice depends on what you’re storing and how often you use it. For homeowners who access their safe regularly, convenience will be the deciding factor. If you’re storing long-term, a more discreet placement could work. 

Why Professional Advice Matters When You’re Choosing a Safe Size

Choosing a safe is a big deal. As you entrust your safe with protecting your most prized possessions, you need to consider more than just its dimensions. Thankfully, it’s easier with experienced guidance. 

Askwith Safe Company can assess factors in your home, such as functionality, installation, and security, to recommend suitable options tailored to you. For those considering a house safe or safety deposit box in Perth, we also factor in Western Australia’s unique environmental and climate.

With a wide range of options, including home safes, jewellery safes, deposit safes, and quality used safes, we have solutions for every household. Our team also provides professional safe installation and safe removals, ensuring each safe is installed securely and correctly. 

Gain Expert Help from Askwith Safe Company

Selecting the correct safe size is essential to protecting valuables now and in the future. At Askwith Safe Company, homeowners are supported in choosing the right safe for their space, storage needs, and security requirements, from compact document safes to large, fire-rated home safes.

Our experienced team offers expert advice, a wide range of high-quality safes, and professional delivery and installation services across Perth and Australia.

Contact Askwith Safe Company today at www.askwithcompany.com.au or call (08) 9451 7848 to find the perfect safe for your home.

The post Home Safes: How to Choose the Right Size appeared first on Askwith Safe Company.

A common question among firearm owners is whether a cabinet or a gun safe is the better option. Although they’re both designed to store firearms securely, they differ in construction, security, and compliance with Western Australian law.

For those searching for gun cabinets or gun safes in Perth, knowing the difference is essential.

What Is a Gun Cabinet?

A gun cabinet is a lightweight storage unit with a locked enclosure for storing firearms. Often constructed from thinner steel or sheet metal, they usually include a basic locking mechanism such as a key lock or simple latch.

Construction and Typical Materials

Gun cabinets are generally made from low-gauge steel, providing a basic level of deterrence and limited resistance to forced entry. Their doors aren’t always reinforced, and hinges can sometimes be exposed.

Common Use Cases and Limitations

A firearm owner might use a gun cabinet for:

• Low-risk storage 
• Temporary firearm storage
• Secondary storage for non-primary firearms

However, they typically also offer minimal fire protection, limited compliance with firearm laws, and lower resistance to tampering. So, a gun cabinet safe may not always meet the storage level expectations set by Western Australian authorities.

What Is a Gun Safe?

A gun safe is a purpose-built security unit designed to provide robust protection for firearms. It’s constructed from thicker steel, has an advanced locking system, and is engineered to resist forced entry.

Construction and Materials

Made with a heavy-duty steel construction, gun safes provide reliable protection against drilling and forced entry. They also feature either an electronic or a mechanical lock with internal locking bolts for an additional layer of security.

Common Use Cases and Limitations

Gun safes are commonly used for:

• Primary firearm storage
• Long-term secure storage
• Compliance with legal firearm storage requirements

Many gun safes also meet specific security ratings and legal requirements, assuring their resistance to tampering and theft. 

Looking for gun safes in Perth, WA? Contact Askwith Safe Company for expert advice and the best range.

WA Firearm Storage Laws: What Do the Regulations Require?

Using a firearm storage matrix, the WA Government assigns security and storage requirements at each level, depending on the number of firearms an individual owns, the type, and where they’re kept.

* These specifications allow for composite construction (e.g. steel/concrete/steel).

Firearm owners must comply with these laws. Otherwise, penalties may apply, including the loss of their firearm licence. 

Askwith Safe offers a range of secure, compliant gun safes that meet these requirements.

Are Gun Cabinets Compliant Under WA Law?

A gun cabinet may meet minimum requirements for firearm storage in WA, provided it has the proper features. However, since cabinets often feature a thinner steel construction, weak locking systems, and a lack of anchoring, many no longer meet the changing expectations for secure firearm storage. 

Gun Safes and WA Laws: Why They’re Often Preferred

A quality gun safe is designed to meet or exceed specific firearm storage regulations. For firearm owners, this means peace of mind that their safe’s construction complies with WA Police requirements.

In addition to compliance, a quality gun safe offers:

• Greater resistance to forced entry
• Secure internal storage compartments
• Reduced risk of theft or unauthorised access

As you research gun safes for sale, choosing a compliant option is the smartest way to reduce both legal and security risks.

Construction & Security Comparison: Cabinet vs Safe

The primary difference between gun cabinets and safes lies in their build quality. A cabinet usually features thin steel and basic locks, whereas a safe is made from thicker steel with reinforced locks and bolts, and offers more robust protection. 

A gun safe can also resist common attacks, including forced door entry, drilling, and prying. By contrast, a gun cabinet may be more vulnerable to these methods.

Storage Capacity & Practical Use: Safe vs Cabinet

Gun safes can accommodate:

• Multiple firearms
• Different types of firearms
• Ammunition compartments
• Accessories such as scopes and cleaning equipment

A gun cabinet has limited space, and there’s less flexibility in how you can use it and what you can store inside it. 

Storage and Accessibility: Safe vs Cabinet 

Gun safes provide secure long-term storage and convenient access. Depending on your preference, you can choose from options such as a high-security key lock, a digital lock, or a mechanical combination lock. Whether you’re a regular user or collector, your firearms are easily accessible, but only to their owner. 

On the other hand, due to their lightweight construction and quick access, a gun cabinet could deliver your firearm into the wrong hands.

Installation & Anchoring Requirements for Gun Safes in Perth and WA

In WA, firearm regulations require storage units to be securely anchored to concrete floors or structural wall elements. Preventing the removal of the entire unit during a theft attempt is a necessary additional layer of protection.

However, to ensure your firearm storage is installed and anchored to meet WA requirements, professional safe installation is critical. Doing so ensures:

• Correct anchoring technique
• Compliance with legal standards
• Long-term durability and safety

Even with a high-quality safe that meets all the requirements, improper installation can render it non-compliant. So, it’s not a risk you should be willing to take.

The Confident Choice for a WA-Compliant Gun Safe

When it comes to firearm storage in Western Australia, compliance isn’t optional. Choosing the right storage solution matters – for your safety and the community’s. 

Whether you are upgrading from a gun cabinet or purchasing your first firearm safe, Askwith Safe Company has a range of compliant gun safes in Perth designed to meet current Police storage requirements.

Our team can help you find the best solution, advise on professional anchoring, and install compliant gun safes and gun cabinets in Perth.

To secure your firearms the right way, speak to us today by calling (08) 9451 7848 or enquire via the website.

The post Gun Cabinets vs Gun Safes In Perth: What’s The Law? appeared first on Askwith Safe Company.

It’s not – if you happen to be a highly experienced commercial safe locksmith. Cracking a safe is no easy feat, but we do have a few techniques at our disposal to retrieve your valuables without resorting to Hollywood tactics.

(Spoilers: it’s not as easy as putting your ear to the safe and turning the knob, and we’re not going to blow your safe sky-high to open it).

Why a commercial safe isn’t opening

Forgotten code or lost key

It happens to the best of us. Codes disappear from our heads and keys go missing. This might be the most common reason a safe won’t open. Digital safe locks will shut you out after too many incorrect attempts, where a mechanical safe simply won’t budge.

If you forgot the code and the safe is closed, a locksmith will first try to pick the lock. This requires experience and patience because getting it wrong can cause irreparable damage.

If the safe is locked open, then you’re in luck. A commercial safe locksmith can help you find the code and set a new combination or install a new safe to move your valuables.

Mechanical fault

Did you forget to schedule maintenance on your safe? Jammed bolts and frozen lock mechanisms are a frustrating problem arising from poor servicing or physical damage.

Even the right code won’t help you here, unfortunately. But by calling a locksmith, you can get the safe open and serviced at the same time if there is no lasting damage to the lock mechanism. (Also Read: Keep Your Valuables Secure with Reliable Safe Servicing and Maintenance)

Unknown codes

Bequeathed, inherited and discovered safes are always an interesting case. Sometimes the person bequeathing the safe may be thinking about what’s inside, not how to access it – and they forget to pass on the code.

Provided you can prove ownership (more on that below) and the safe is relatively undamaged, a locksmith should be able to get it open for you.

How to open a locked safe

Attempting to pick a commercial safe lock without the right training, experience and tools is a recipe for disaster. Not only will the task prove fruitless, but the risks of damaging either the locking mechanism or contents run high.

Professional safe locksmiths like Askwith Safe Company use specialist tools to open locked safes. We are in contact with the manufacturers and highly experienced with the different brands, lock mechanisms, digital lock systems and common faults.

Picking, cutting, drilling and scoping

Our preference is to gain access with non-destructive lock picking. This is much simpler with small safes brought to our Perth or Adelaide locations, however we are happy to come to you anywhere around Australia for lock picking on commercial safes.

If picking is pointless, we may attempt to cut or drill through the lock mechanism. Keep in mind your lock will need to be replaced, if not the entire safe. Sometimes a small drill hole can be used to insert a borescope, which allows us to find a solution by looking inside the lock.

What information you need to collect

Is your commercial safe locked, jammed, or unresponsive? Before you call Askwith Safe Company to come out and work our magic, you will need to get a few things together:

• Proof of ownership
• Warranty information
• Safe make and model
• Lock size
• Details of attachments (to the floor, wall etc)
• Previous combinations
• Service history

Once you have all the details you can reasonably find, call us to arrange a visit from the most reliable commercial safe locksmiths in Perth and around Australia.

The post How To Open a Combination Safe Lock Like a Locksmith appeared first on Askwith Safe Company.

Although having a gun at home can increase safety, it also becomes a danger to any family when it isn’t stored properly. Keeping firearms out of reach of family members and friends is just as important as protecting them when intruders come. This is where gun safes come into play.

Here are four quick reasons why gun safes in Perth are a must-have for owners.

Gun Safes Keep Firearms Out of Reach

Your top priority when owning a gun is the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Having a police regulation-compliant gun safe lets you protect your family and valuables from accidental harm.

At Askwith, we install home gun safes for Perth residents. We can provide you with law-compliant gun safes to ensure that your firearms stay locked away safely. Our products also guarantee that your guns are secure from kids who could accidentally get their hands on them.

Protection Against Gun Theft

Owning a gun safe also means that you can protect your firearms from possible theft. In case your residence has been broken into, burglars will not be able to steal your guns if they have been secured in gun safes.

Thieves place high value on firearms, and at the worst, may use your guns against you if you have not secured it in a legally-compliant gun safe.

You may also keep other valuable items in home safes Perth to keep everything secure.

Keeping Guns Away from Home Invaders

Most law-abiding gun owners fear the idea that a home intruder can cause damage with a firearm you own. You purchased a gun because you want to keep your loved ones safe. If someone uses that gun against you, this purpose has failed.

Our gun safes Perth ensures that you can stash your firearms securely while allowing only you to access it when needed. Having a bedside case ready also lets you get to your guns quickly and easily.

Making Your Gun Safely Accessible

Some of you may worry about not being able to access your guns immediately in case of a break-in.

With the modern gun safes in Perth that we provide, you can keep your firearms secured while providing hasty access when required. Some of our contemporary gun safes even allow you to access your firearms quickly in just a matter of seconds.

Is A Gun Safe Worth It?

If you want to keep your loved ones safe from home intruders and accidental discharge, then you want to make sure that you have a reliable gun safe to store your firearms.

Our gun safes in Perth are a long-term investment that can last you for many years. They are definitely worth the cost if you purchase one today.

Can Gun Safes Be Broken Into?

With enough time and the proper tools, any gun safe can be broken into by a persistent thief.

However, top-quality safes, such as the ones we offer, are going to take time to crack open. Our gun safes have been designed to protect firearms from theft and they incorporate anti-drill protection as well.

The additional welded lock strap behind the lock adds an extra safety feature against thieves.

Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our gun safes in Perth.

The post List of Reasons Why Gun Safes Are a Must-Have for Owners appeared first on Askwith Safe Company.

However, does the same benefit really apply when it comes to purchasing used gun safes?

At Askwith Safe Company, we’re passionate about helping our clients to find the best new and used gun safes, so we’ve pulled together some pros and cons of investing in both a brand new safe and a used gun safe.  

New Gun Safes

There’s an almost childlike excitement that comes with buying brand new items for your home, and a new safe is no exception.

Pro: Newer, High-Tech Security Features

Generally speaking, the newer the item, the more up-to-date it is technologically. This might mean that the base model of the brand new item has better specifications and tech features than the equivalent older model.

If you’re into your tech features or don’t want to settle for older security methods – like the simple yet effective lock and key or combination lock – a new safe could be the answer for you.

Pro: Peace of Mind + Warranty

When you make a purchase a new gun safe direct from a store, you know exactly what you’re getting, as the safe shouldn’t have any known defaults.

With a brand new gun safe, you know that it hasn’t been tampered with or damaged in any way.

Newer safes are also more reliable, and you know that if anything did happen to your safe, you should be covered by warranty.

Pro: Customisation

Newer safes may be more customisable, which might be suitable for your usage; you may choose to add on lockable compartments or drawers inside the safe for extra protection.

If you really wanted to go all out, you could also have it completely custom-made to your needs.

Con: Higher Costs

The first potential con of buying a brand new safe is the higher cost. A new safe will cost you more upfront and will likely cost you more in insurance premiums to have it insured.

Con: Value Depreciation

Just like the immediate depreciation of a vehicle as soon as it leaves the showroom, new gun safes also lose their value as soon as they leave the store.

In addition, gun safes don’t remain ‘new’ forever, so you need to be prepared that the new gun safe will become an ‘old’ gun safe in a few short years.

Related Article: Get a Gun Safe

Used Gun Safes

At Askwith Safe Company, we sell a range of second hand safes, including used gun safes. Some of our clients prefer to purchase used gun safes for their home, so it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this

Pro: Lower Up-Front Costs

A major benefit of purchasing a used gun safe is that you will spend less money up front; you might be able to find a used gun safe that is a fairly recent model, but comes in at a considerably lower price because it’s ‘used’. (Related Article: Refurbished Safes: How to Get a Great Deal)

Pro: Lower Insurance Costs

The lower price tag and ‘used’ status on a pre-owned gun safe often results in lower insurance premiums and costs, saving you even more money! 

Pro: Reliability

This might sound a little odd – how can a used gun safe be reliable?

Customers often opt for a used gun safe because it’s effectively been tried and tested by someone prior to them. With the used safes we sell at Askwith Safe Company, we ensure they work correctly and meet our strict standards before we sell them onto you.

Con: Limited Warranty Returns Policy

Unlike a new safe, used gun safes don’t come with the same level of warranty or returns policy. This means that if you do experience any issues, you may need to pay for them out of pocket.

Con: Previous Issues and Alterations

Unless a considerable service or repair history has been kept by the previous owner of a gun safe, it can be difficult to know 100 per cent whether the safe has had notable issues or alterations made to it.

When purchasing a used safe, this information is key because it helps to identify whether the safe operates as per its original manufacturer’s specifications or if it has had any features added on or taken away. (Also Read: Keep Your Valuables Secure with Reliable Safe Servicing and Maintenance)

Choose Askwith Safe Company for Used Gun Safes

Buying a new or used gun safe can be a great investment, but it is important to understand the difference between both new and used versions before you start your search.

At Askwith Safe Company, we have a wide range of high quality safes for all your needs, including new and used gun safes.

Don’t trust anyone else with the safety of your valuables – contact our team at Askwith Safe Company today to browse our range of safes Perth or find out more information.

The post Pros and Cons of New and Used Gun Safes appeared first on Askwith Safe Company.