Protecting your home and belongings is of the utmost importance. Criminals and their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated so new preventative measures are always required. Whether it be security cameras, lights or alarms, there’s several options discouraging burglars from breaking into your home, but what if they do manage to gain access? 

If you’re planning a renovation to your kitchen or other area of your home, you’re most likely considering the appearance and functionality of the space. Protecting your belongings isn’t something often associated with a redesign because traditional security measures like standard safes are generally unsightly and impractical.

After spending so much time, energy and money on a renovation, the last thing you will want to do is ruin it by installing a safe which doesn’t complement the design and occupies far too much space for what you’re likely to store inside, whether it be jewellery, keys, passports or other valuables. Thankfully, modern alternatives are now available which utilise a variety of innovative features, such as…

An inconspicuous design

When you think of a safe, you probably imagine a large metal box with a locking mechanism on the front. If an intruder sees this, they immediately know that your valuables are likely to be stored inside; all they have to do is unlock it. With a Stoneham Kitchen, you have the option to install the EverydaySafe, which gives the appearance of an ordinary kitchen drawer by blending in with the rest of your cabinetry. This not only gives no indication that it’s even worth opening, but also ensures the appearance of your new kitchen isn’t tarnished by an ordinary safe.

Protecting private documents 

It isn’t just valuables and sentimental belongings that you’ll want to protect, but also private documents too. These might not be very appealing to intruders but leaving them on your worktops means they could be seen by anyone who is visiting your home, whether it be guests, cleaners or other contractors. The safe allows you to keep them out of sight and prevents you from misplacing them, which could save you a headache later down the line.

Fingerprint access

Of course, there has to be a means of ensuring only you and the people you trust can access the safe. Typically, this would have been some sort of code which can easily be forgotten or shared without your knowledge. Modern safes can avoid this issue by using a fingerprint scanner which works within a matter of seconds to make retrieving and storing your belongings quick and easy.

Faraday functionality

Your car is likely to be one of your most valuable possessions. Intruders have learned to target cars, often entering properties with the sole intention of stealing the keys and leaving immediately, rather than increasing their risk of being caught by spending too long in your home. In fact, the DVLA found that over 58,000 vehicles were stolen in 2022 – an increase of 18% on 2021 figures.

The introduction of keyless cars, which unlock when a dedicated fob is within a certain distance of the vehicle, has also contributed to an increase in car theft. You might be wondering how this makes a difference; surely the thief still has to enter your home to steal the fob, the same as they would an ordinary key, right? Well, not exactly. They use advanced devices which extend the signal from the fob inside your house to your car parked outside. This sort of theft has become so common that insurance provider, Aviva, suggests keyless cars are twice as likely to be stolen.

If you own a keyless car or are likely to purchase one in the future, install a safe which has Faraday functionality. This system blocks the signals emitted by the futuristic devices criminals take advantage of, ensuring your vehicle can’t be stolen as long as the fob is stored in the safe.

Our bespoke kitchens can all be designed to incorporate one of these safes, so find a design which is perfect for you by browsing our brochures.

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