Fireproof Safes

Safes rarely fail electronically. The usual problems are a lost or forgotten combination, a flat keypad battery, a bolt that will not retract, or a lock that has been damaged by force. Most of them have a manufacturer route that does not involve drilling.

The four things it usually comes down to

• A keypad that beeps but does not open is usually a battery or contact problem, not a broken lock.
• A dial that turns but does not engage often means the combination was entered with the wrong starting point.
• A door that will not close is more often an obstruction or a dropped bolt than a broken mechanism.
• A key override exists on many models, and the manufacturer can supply a combination against proof of ownership.

Repair or replace

Try the manufacturer's own recovery route before anything destructive: the override key, the serial number, or a written request with proof of purchase. Drilling and prying usually destroy the fire rating that was the reason to buy the safe.