You Can't Trust Most Fireproof Safes to Protect Your Data and Photos on CDs Or Flash Drives

!: You Can't Trust Most Fireproof Safes to Protect Your Data and Photos on CDs Or Flash Drives

What's wrong with Fireproof Safes?

There is nothing really wrong with a home fireproof safe. They are well designed to keep paper products from reaching a temperature that will destroy or ruin them. However they will not prevent computer data that you have backed up on CDs, DVD, or even flash drives from being destroyed. They will not protect photo slides and negatives either.

The problem is that we may not understand fireproof or fire resistant ratings that are assigned to safes. There are three basic ratings for fireproof safes by the Underwriters Laboratories. If a safe is rated for 1 hour then it must maintain the internal temperatures below the specified rating for the entire hour.

UL 350 - The safe must keep the interior temperature below 350 degrees Fahrenheit. That's below the normal temperature for most paper products to burn, char or become useless.

UL 150 is the rating for tapes, cartridges, microfiche, and microfilm. In addition to keeping the interior at or below 150 degrees, the humidity must be below 85%.

UL 125 is the standard for diskettes. In this case, the temperature cannot exceed 125°F and 80% humidity.Humidity and water damage is important if you intend to protect electronic devices like flash drives.

Test Your Own Data Media

If you doubt the need to have a better rated home or office fireproof safe to protect your data, then you can try this simple test.

Find a couple of photo negatives or slide and a print or two that you don't care about. Get two old CDs or DVDs with some data on them. Put one of the CDs in a jewel case.

Preheat your kitchen oven to 200 degrees and shut it off so the elements don't turn on. The radiant heat could be greater and cause the plastic to melt even if the air temperature is only 200 degrees. Place both the CD in the jewel case and the other CD on a piece of paper and place them in your oven. Wait a few minute and you can watch the CD in the jewel case curl up. Obviously the data will never be retrieved from it. Remove the other CD carefully that you don't bend it. When it is cooled you can put it in your computer and see if the data is intact. Sometimes it will be OK.

Now preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Don't set it on 350 just in case your oven thermostat isn't accurate. When the oven has reached the correct temperature, shut it off. Insert your photos, slides, and negatives on a piece of paper. Put your good CD back in the oven also on a piece of paper.

You will notice that a negative will almost immediately curl up and be destroyed. The pictures will curl a little and most likely be discolored slightly. The pictures will eventually flatten out again but there will be no hope for the slides or negatives.

The CD will remain flat but the data will be gone. You will likely be able to see bubbles in the plastic of the recording side of the CD.

Alternatives

Here are three alternatives if you want your data protected.

Get a fireproof media safe. It will protect your pictures, slide, negative, CDs, and DVDs. As shown above, a UL 125 rated fireproof safe will protect your data from heat and moisture. While a regular home fireproof safe may protect the data contents for a few minutes, the likely hood that the data will be safe longer than 15 minutes is extremely low.

Benefits of a fireproof media safe:

The ability to quickly backup to a flash drive and immediately store your data ever night after doing a backup. The data is available whether or not you have internet access. You don't have to pay any monthly or annual fees ones you have your safe.

Drawback of a fireproof media safe:

The biggest drawback to a fireproof media safe is the initial cost. They aren't cheap.

Use an online backup system. This is a very effective way to ensure that your data is safe. Well, as safe as you can expect when you are using another company to keep your data. If you don't have very much data, you can find free services on the web.

Benefits of using online backup:

Your data is kept in a completely different location. In many cases, your data can be encrypted for extra safety.

Drawback of:

You may need to use special software. Software changes over time and so do encryption methods. You may find yourself converting your data or even moving it when a company goes out of business. There are annual fees when you have a lot of data and that will cost you more over time than a fireproof media safe. You can't store some purchased software DVDs online. They often require the original DVD to reinstall the software. Uploading your nightly backup to the internet is not as fast as saving it on a flash drive.

Rent a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Benefits of a safety deposit box:

You have maximum protection. You have offsite data protection.

Drawbacks of a safety deposit box:

Limited access to your data. It isn't there when you need it and you can't secure it every night. Deposit boxes are really small. You can store a lot of data on DVD but you can't put many slides and negatives in one. The costs of a deposit box vary greatly but they also will cost more over time than a fireproof media safe.

Conclusion

Evaluate your situation. If you don't have much data then online backup may be the best option. If you have a lot of data and you have many purchased software packages then your best option is a home or office fireproof media safe. Whatever you do, don't be caught with a fire in your home and office and find out that you have lost your data.

You Can't Trust Most Fireproof Safes to Protect Your Data and Photos on CDs Or Flash Drives

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What's in Your Memory Box? Creating an Organized Home For Your Prized Possessions

!: What's in Your Memory Box? Creating an Organized Home For Your Prized Possessions

When conducting an organizing presentation or teleclass, I often mention the idea of creating a Memory Box for each family member. Many participants share that the Memory Box tip is their favorite, and one they cannot wait to act on.

A Memory Box is a container in which each family member can store his or her most treasured possessions. The size should be big enough to fit the prized possessions, but small enough to grab and carry out of the house, in case of an emergency. The actual container can be a no-nonsense functional type, like a plastic bin, or it can be a lovely decorated stylish box, bin, or basket. My personal Memory Box is an old trunk that has handles on the side to carry it in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The location for storing the Memory Box is also a personal decision. Often, because of the confidential or personal nature of the items in the box, it makes the most sense to store each person's Memory Box in his or her room, at the top or bottom of a closet, under the bed, etc. But some choose to store all of the Memory Boxes for the family in a basement or attic, so that they do not take up precious space in the living areas of the home, and can be grabbed easily in one fell swoop if need be.

I would not recommend storing vital documents such as your will, birth certificate, etc. in the Memory Box. Those items should either be stored in a safe deposit box at the bank, or at home in a fire resistant box (remember, there is no such thing as a fireproof box for the home!). Some people store their vital documents in a regular file folder in their filing cabinet, and keep copies (or the originals) in a separate location. In the event that an emergency causes a very quick evacuation, the people and pets go out first, followed by the vital documents, and then the Memory Boxes.

What goes in a Memory Box? Well, that is up to you, of course. But here are some ideas.
Start a Memory Box for your children's prized artwork, sentimental childhood possessions, schoolwork, etc. They can decide, with you, what goes in it. You can have a master Memory Box, and one for the current school year. At the end of the school year, your child, with your help, can revisit the year, purging any items that are not vital enough to go in the master Memory Box. If you have a few sentimental favorite articles of clothing that you just can't part with, but don't wear, store them in your Memory Box. Want to revisit your love life? Store old love letters, poems, your corsage or boutineer from your high school prom, a playbill from the first date with your spouse, etc. If you plan to store documents or photographs in your Memory Box, consider getting an archival quality document or photo box to insert the paper and photos in, and then store the document or photo box inside the larger Memory Box. This will ensure paper and photos do not get destroyed over time. If an item is much too large to fit into the Memory Box, and you can bear to part with it, take a photo of the item, and store the photo with a description of the item in the box. This works well for items that you are merely keeping out of obligation. For example, that hideous painting your aunt made for you that you will never hang up! Take a photo, write a note saying, "Aunt Gertrude meant well" and donate the painting to someone who will appreciate its unrecognized beauty.People are often surprised to hear that I have a Memory Box. "You, a professional organizer?" Yes! Organizing is about de-cluttering your life of the stuff that does not serve your goals, and letting the cream rise to the top. It is about giving your favorite possessions a place of value in your home and life. My personal Memory Box includes select sentimental items, including my handwritten journals, my baton (yes, I was a baton twirler - don't laugh!), my middle school graduation dress (loved it!), love letters from my husband from before we were married, letters and cards from friends and family members that are precious to me, and poems that I wrote growing up.

Ms. Bisel shares that her new Memory Box will contain her kid's baby books, drawings from elementary school, some treasured photos, and other memories from her kids' childhood. She says that her kids love looking through the stuff, and it would be great to have it all in one place. Before she attended my workshop, the items were scattered around the house, and now they will be stored conveniently together, in a place of distinction.

So, what's in your Memory Box?

What's in Your Memory Box? Creating an Organized Home For Your Prized Possessions

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Quick Ship:s 5000 43" Wide Insulated Lateral File Cabinet - 4 Drawers (fire resistant) Color: Putty, Drawer: Standard, Lock: Plunger Lock

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Quick Ship:s 5000 43" Wide Insulated Lateral File Cabinet - 4 Drawers (fire resistant) Color: Putty, Drawer: Standard, Lock: Plunger Lock

4HD43-5000(Putty+ standard lock+ standard drawer) Color: Putty, Drawer: Standard, Lock: Plunger Lock Eight businesses burn almost every hour in the United States. Unfortunately, 7 out of 10 have not adequately protected their vital records. Don't be one of those businesses. No other form of vital paper record protection is as fail-safe, dependable or convenient as Schwab's Series 5000. Features: -Insulite, the most efficient insulation in the industry, provides maximum protection with thinner walls and less weight than the competitors' insulation -Drawers roll smoothly and freely on a rugged suspension system even when fully loaded -Each drawer independently insulated -Attempts to open a locked drawer leave distinct visible evidence -Comes with a Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class 350-1 hr rating (rated as fire resistant for 1 hour in a fire where temperatures reach 1700 -far greater than the normal business fire) -Comes with hanger bar for filing hanging folders front to back -Choose the drawer-in-a-drawer option to efficiently store index cards and checks Lock Options: -Standard plunger key lock secures all drawers -Medeco lock provides extra security against lock picking, manipulation, drilling, pulling, and other forms of attack. Key duplication is legally restricted -Double your security with the Combination Group 2 with key locking dial. Users require the 3 digit combination as well as the key -The electronic digital lock gives the benefits of multiple combinations. Users can open the lock in about seven seconds, and entirely change the combination within minutes -Add security and convenience with the Group 2 combination lock -The Group 1R combination lock is modeled to protect against x ray technology and still has the convenience of a combination lock More Information on Schwab Corp's Lock Options Specifications: -Overall Dimensions: 53.563'' H x 43'' W x 20.375'' D -Inside Dimensions (each drawer): 10.25'' H x 38.375'' W x 15'' D

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How to Reduce the Risk of Fire in Your Home

!: How to Reduce the Risk of Fire in Your Home

Everyone hears about fires consuming homes, damaging property, and threatening lives. Often the causes of fires are literally right under our noses! Whether it's the lighting on a Christmas tree, leaving a flammable item too close to the heater, misplacing a piece of paper allowing it to blow into a candle, or frayed wires ready to ignite at any moment, there are numerous situations in many homes that create the potential for disaster.

Hazards and Statistics

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in the year 2006, 3,245 civilians were killed as the result of a fire, 81% of which occurred in residences. 16,400 more civilians were injured, and 106 firefighters lost their lives while on duty. Fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined. 1.6 millions fires were reported, causing more than billion in direct property damage alone.1

The majority of deaths caused by fires is due to smoke inhalation rather than actual burns received. Thus, even though someone may escape from flames, it may be too late for survival once the carbon monoxide has intoxicated the lungs.
Fire risks are heightened significantly during holiday seasons. Dried-out Christmas trees, increased use of candles, electrical decorations, and frequent cooking and baking attribute factors for this increase.2

Fire Safety Tips

The National Safety Council has identified several tips to help prevent fire injuries, death and damage in the home3:

• Each home should be fortified with a smoke detector on every floor. All members of the household should be trained to recognize the sound of the alarm. Alarms should be checked monthly, and the batteries should be replaced twice a year regardless of their working ability.

• An escape plan should be prepared and practiced so no one is left panicking for a way of escape in the event of a fire.

• Matches, lighters, and candles should be stored out of the reach of children.

• Regular wire inspection aids expedient identification of frayed or exposed wires. Of course, upon their discovery, discontinue their use.

• Unplug appliances when they are not being used.

• All flammable objects should be a safe distance from heat sources.

• Since many fires begin in chimneys, they should be inspected and cleaned regularly.

• Each room should have two avenues of escape.

• Equip your home with a sprinkler system.

• Train children to respond properly to smoke by crawling beneath it. Make sure they recognize and respond properly to firefighters who are trying to rescue them. Ensure that they know to call 911 and are able to clearly dictate their street address.3

• Fire extinguishers should be readily available throughout the home, particularly in areas most prone to starting fires, and everyone should be able to use it. "The NFPA says to remember the word PASS when operating an extinguisher:

Pull the pin. Release the lock with the nozzle pointing away from you.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side."4

Reducing the Risk

A typical fire hazard in the home occurs when drapery or other furnishings come into contact or close proximity with electrical appliances such as lights or heaters. The continuous radiation of heat can cause these items to burst into flames. Such hazards can be prevented simply by keeping electrical appliances a sufficient distance from flammable objects and turning off or unplugging them when not in use.

For homes that depend on a wood stove as a heat source, a screen, preferably without perforations, should enclose the area so sparks or pieces of coal cannot exit the fireplace. Sparks that land on a carpet, rug, or other objects can easily ignite into an unwanted fire in the home.

Further steps to flame proof your home can be taken by using fire-retardant spray. This retardant can be applied to curtains, carpets, bedding, paper and wood products, decorations, and many other in-home objects that create fire hazards. Fire gels can also be applied to buildings and property. Areas surrounded by a lot of brush possess a greater likelihood for fire damage, and gels can help protect these areas from spreading fires. Though such products cannot create an invincibility to fire, they greatly reduce the ability to ignite.

After a fire, it can be quite a hassle to remove the remaining soot from a house and to do so within legal ramifications. Often a police marshal must be consulted to fully rid the home of the destruction. Obviously it is much better to channel efforts into fire prevention so restoration is never an issue. Limiting the opportunity for fire damage is a more worthy cause than waiting until it is too late. While it is wise to equip your home with supplies such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems, every possible means of preventing a fire should be of primary concern.

A little effort now to inspect your home for fire risk can greatly reduce the chance of the tragedy and painful loss caused by fire. Do it now!

1 http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/quickstats/index.shtm

2 http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v1i4-508.pdf

3 [http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/fires.htm]

4 http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/fire.html

How to Reduce the Risk of Fire in Your Home

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Fireproof File Cabinet - Choosing One That Suits Your Needs

!: Fireproof File Cabinet - Choosing One That Suits Your Needs

I still remember it. The flames, the smoke, my neighbor's wife sobbing, tears streaming down her face. Fortunately this family got out safe, they had good insurance to pay for their losses, and close friends to help them recover. However, they lost several irreplaceable photos and difficult to replace documents. Richard, my neighbor, later lamented about the hassles he and Eleanor experienced getting official copies of birth certificates, a new drivers' license, passports and the title to one of his vehicles. He stated that having one form of ID would have helped him immensely.

One of the saddest parts of Richards' experience is that if he would have invested in a fireproof file cabinet, he probably would have had a safe storage place for those documents, photos and other digital media. I had the opportunity to learn from his oversight and chose to do so.

Fireproof storage doesn't have to be inconvenient or expensive. Not everybody needs a ,500, 4 drawer lateral file cabinet rated at 6 hours to protect their documents and small valuables. Here are a few economical and practical options that will fit most people's needs and budget.

The most basic is the fireproof file box. This system is ideal for those who only have a handful of documents and perhaps a little jewelry that they want to protect. The file boxes that range in price from up to 0 are rated up to a half hour at 1550 degrees F, which is sufficient in most house fires. The advantage of these is that they are easily stored and moved. Amazon is a good place to look for these, or if you prefer the retail shopping experience, you can pick one up at Office Depot or Office Max.

The next step up will be the 1 or 2 drawer file cabinet. These are a good choice and may be the answer for those that work from home and need to store several files, or if tax documents are extensive. Unfortunately, there are some low quality products made by some big names. Sentry in particular makes a 1 drawer fireproof cabinet with a poor slide mechanism for the drawer. However, Sentry's 2 drawer 1 hour rated cabinet gets great reviews, including the smooth operation of the drawers. A 1 drawer model will set you back somewhere between 0 and 0 while 2 drawer models run 0 to 0.

FireKing is one of the leading names in fireproof document storage and produces UL listed, high quality products. The smallest cabinet they offer is a 2 drawer model. Those interested in enterprise level safe document storage should seriously consider the FireKing line.

While the vast majority of us will not personally experience our place of residence burning down, it is still a possibility. The cost of a fireproof file cabinet is a bargain compared to the loss of those documents that can help you get your life back in order after experiencing such a devastating event.

Fireproof File Cabinet - Choosing One That Suits Your Needs

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