Preparing Your Liberty Safe for Holiday Travels

The holiday season is filled with the promise of exciting travel, family gatherings, and well-deserved time off. As you plan your itinerary and pack your bags, one of the most important preparations you can make is securing your home. While you have locks on your doors and windows, the ultimate protection for your most cherished valuables and firearms lies within your Liberty Safe. Taking a few proactive steps to prepare your safe before you leave ensures that your focus remains on making memories, not worrying about what’s happening back home.

A properly secured safe is your final and strongest line of defense. It guarantees that your firearms, important documents, jewelry, and irreplaceable heirlooms are protected from unforeseen events. This guide provides a straightforward checklist for preparing your safe, so you can travel with confidence, knowing you've done everything to keep your valuables secure.

Before you lock up and head out, running through these simple checks will reinforce your home’s security and protect the contents of your safe. It’s a small investment of time that pays huge dividends in peace of mind.

1. Organize and Consolidate Your Valuables

Use this opportunity to gather any high-value items that might otherwise be left out. This includes jewelry, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, property deeds, and spare keys. A well-organized safe makes it easier to account for everything upon your return. Consider using designated storage solutions like an ammo canister for ammunition or shelving for documents to keep everything tidy and protected.

2. Conduct a Full Maintenance Inspection

Your safe works hard to protect your belongings; a quick check-up ensures it’s in optimal condition.

• Check the Lock Battery: If you have an electronic lock, the holidays are an ideal time to replace the battery. This prevents a dead battery lockout upon your return. For guidance, you can view tutorials like how to change a SecuRam BackLit lock battery.
• Inspect the Door Seal: Check the Palusol™ heat-activated door seal for any signs of wear or damage. This seal is critical for providing industry-leading fire protection for your safe's contents.
• Test the Locking Mechanism: Open and close your safe a few times to ensure the bolts fully extend and retract smoothly. Confirm the handle is tight and the lock engages without issue.

3. Double-Check and Secure Your Combination

Never leave your combination written down near the safe. If you have it stored somewhere in your home, move it to a secure, off-site location or commit it to memory and destroy the physical copy. If you've been using a factory code or a simple combination, now is the time to change it to something more secure. If you ever need assistance, you can learn more about our combination and key replacement services.

4. Verify Your Safe is Properly Anchored

One of the most effective security features of a safe is its immovability. An anchored safe cannot be tipped over for leverage or carted away. Confirm that your safe is securely bolted to a solid foundation, preferably a concrete slab. Proper anchoring is a simple but critical step in theft prevention. For more details on best practices, review our gun safe use and care guide.

5. Enhance Interior Conditions

Long trips are a great time to ensure the interior environment of your safe is optimal. Place a dehumidifier inside to protect firearms, documents, and electronics from moisture damage. Upon your return, a well-lit interior makes it easy to find what you need. Consider installing a gun safe LED light kit with a motion sensor for convenient, automatic illumination.

As you prepare for your travels across the United States, you can take pride in knowing your valuables are protected by an American-made product. Liberty Safe has been America's #1 gun safe manufacturer for decades, building a reputation for unmatched quality and reliability right here at home. Each safe, from the versatile Centurion series to the robust Colonial safe, is crafted with a commitment to protecting what you value most. This dedication to excellence is why millions of American homeowners trust us to secure their legacy.

How often should I change my safe's electronic lock battery?

We recommend changing the battery every 6-12 months as a preventative measure, even if it isn’t low. Doing so before a long trip is a great habit to ensure you won’t be locked out when you return.

What should I do if I forget my combination?

If you have registered your safe with us, Liberty Safe may be able to help. You can use our secure online form to request your combination. This process requires notarization to verify your identity and protect your security.

Why is bolting down my safe so important?

Anchoring your safe to the floor prevents thieves from being able to tip it over to gain better leverage for prying, or from removing it from your home entirely to open it elsewhere. It is one of the most crucial steps for maximizing security.

What are the most important documents to store while I'm away?

Prioritize documents that are difficult or impossible to replace. This includes passports, birth certificates, social security cards, marriage licenses, vehicle titles, property deeds, and original copies of wills or trusts.

How can I protect the contents of my safe from humidity?

Using a dehumidifier is the best way to protect against rust and mildew. Options range from renewable desiccant canisters to electric dehumidifiers that actively circulate warm, dry air throughout your safe's interior.