In the context of home security any safes that are concealed with the use of camouflage, or by mimicking the appearance of common household objects are referred to as diversion safes. It should be noted that when talking about home diversion safes, we are not usually talking about what is thought of as a conventional safe, per se , but rather, a small lockable container designed to appear like something else. Common examples include soda can safes, candle safes, etc.
There are a wide range of diversion safes suitable for use in the home. They tend to be made to match the appearance of items you will commonly find in the home. These include soda cans, water bottles, picture frames, aerosol spray cans, sealant tubes, CD racks, hardcover books, candles, and even soft toys. There are also other types available, known as hidden diversion safes, which typically refer to items that would appear to be a fixture, or simply not there at all. Examples include rock safes, wall-socket safes, or small conventional safes that are obscured with the use of a picture frame, or light fitting. Amusing as it sounds, the value of these items is not difficult to grasp: How many burglars do you suppose stop to grab one of your cans of coke, or make themselves a peanut butter sandwich while robbing your house?
The great thing about diversion safes is that a large component of their security comes from not being noticed at all. Most of the products on the market do a fairly convincing job of mimicking household objects and in this way, manage to avoid detection by intruders, who are almost always in a hurry. Due to the simplicity of the ruse, diversion safes do not tend to be particularly sturdy or tough, and have simple locks. Fortunately, this makes them the cheapest form of safe available to the domestic consumer. Basic soda can safes start at less than ten American dollars, while slightly larger and sturdier containers such as book safes or the larger candle safes, can be within the $20-$30 range. The more complex home diversion safes which integrate a fluorescent light-fitting with a lockable container can cost as much as $50. It is worth noting that due to the small size of these items savings can often be made by buying in bulk, so consider wholesale diversion safes to earn discounts and save on shipping.
Hidden diversion safes have many obvious uses. If you often store significant quantities of currency at home, then a smaller diversion safe is probably a good investment. Likewise if you have quantities of valuable jewelry that you don't feel comfortable storing without some added measure of security, then you may consider one. Passports and other identity documents, along with important certificates, post office or safe-deposit box keys, or precious family mementos all go well in a larger book safe. Finally, if you need a good hiding place to store a spare house key or the like, then a rock safe is a great idea.
Some caution should be entered into when using diversion safes, however. Since any of these items are easily broken or can be simply pocketed and cracked open elsewhere, you should think carefully about just where you would put your container. Leaving the safe in the middle of the kitchen table for all to see may attract unwarranted scrutiny from prying eyes, and your deceptive storage could be discovered. Basic guidelines for maintaining the illusion are simple enough, but if not followed, could result in loss of property: A book safe belongs in a book shelf; a rock should be placed in the garden, not just left next to the doormat; and give your burglar some credit - he knows that the Heinz baked beans belong in the pantry cupboard, not at the bottom of your locked study drawer!
All in all a diversion safe can be a very good idea for the average home owner.
