The Unsafe Safe
The definition of a safe is “a strongbox where valuables can be securely stored and protected”. But what do you call a safe that is designed, engineeredand produced to destroy your valuables. You call it First Alert Safe. My First Alert Safe did not keep my valuables secure. I purchased the First Alert safe because it advertised as being fire and waterproof. But unbenouncedto me, this safe was designed to produce its own moisture, moisture that destroys all contents within, without the safe aver being submerged. The moisture contents that this safe produces, grew mold on my passport and madeeverything in it, such as cash and irreplaceable documents wet.When I contacted First Alert and its parent company WoodSales.Inc, they replied by stating: “Due to the materials used in the manufacture, all fire resistant safe have to be opened periodicallyto prevent moisture. We also recommend keeping valuables in such as jewelry or passports in an air tight container, to prevent moisture damage. This can be found on page 10 of the owner’s manual.”So how safe are your valuables? Well as long as you protect them from the Safe Alert safes, then they should be undamaged. Or, you should set an alarm to go off every couple of weeks, sothat you can aerate your safe. Or maybe just keep the door open.First Alert also told me that I would have to replace their safe every 5 years, since that is when it is out of warranty and would no longer keep my valuables safe. How often do you replaceyour safe? Do you write the last time the safe was replaced on it, as you would say a water filter? Because if your house burns down 61 months after installing a First Alert safe, and all contents that you wanted to protectare destroyed in this safe, then you are simply out of luck. That said, why would you purchase a product that will not only not keep your valuables secure, but because of its faulty design and defective construction will damageyour valuables while you sleep.
Date of experience: April 30, 2025
