You watch the commercials on TV and marvel at the bells and whistles that come with contemporary home security systems. Did you know there is a time-tested strategy for preventing thieves from ripping you off at home? No, it is not a replacement for a home security system, but instead, a complementary way to protect your most valuable possessions.

We are talking about diversion safes, which do not represent the types of safes that require moving a knob forward, backward, and then forward again to open up a vault.

Overview of a Diversion Safe

Also referred to as a can safe or a stash can, a diversion safe is a safe that hides in plain view and typically does not come with a lock, key, or dialing instrument. A diversion safe is simply any household container that conceals your valuables, from a cherished wristwatch to an expensive piece of jewelry. From an empty can of stewed tomatoes to a half-full box of old cereal, you place valuable items inside of the vessels to create the ultimate in anti-thief protection. Diversion safes can also include books, clocks, and even appliances. My grandparents used to stash extra cash in an encyclopedia and no, they did not hide the extra cash in the M encyclopedia under the explanation of “Money.”

can safe, hidden stash container, diversion safeWhy Diversion Safes Work

Federal crime statistics reveal that on average, criminals spend about eight minutes breaking into a home and searching for stuff to steal. Criminals typically search in easy to access areas, such as the dresser located in a bedroom and a coffee table drawer located in the living room. Of course, thieves take notebooks and laptops left on desks and dining room tables. What thieves do not have the time to perform is a meticulous search of every conceivable diversion safe. With eight minutes to search for things to steal, a criminal does not have the time to unscrew the back of a clock or check inside of every box of food stored in your pantry.

As Mick Jagger famously sang, “Time is on your side.”

The Problem with Do It Yourself Can Safes

Criminals check the most conspicuous hiding places for things to steal, including inside of a bedroom closet and underneath your bed. However, a growing number of thieves include a swift search of common household packages to see if you created your own diversion safe. After all, many criminals store what they steal inside of shoeboxes, dry rice cans, and bags of dog food. In other words, thieves no longer take your household product packages for granted. Most homeowners do not possess the professional expertise to create diversion safes that look like the real thing.

Which is Why You Need to Hire an Expert

An expert home security professional has the talent to create diversion safes that look like the real thing. You want a stash can to look like it has never been opened. Thieves check open cans and boxes, but not diversion safes that appear like they belong on grocery store shelves. This means you need to hire an expert who knows how to create authentic looking can safes. Remember that thieves are on the clock, an eight-minute clock.

The most important skill a home security expert brings to the table is the ability to locate diversion safes strategically. A thief has to process a lot of information within a short period. He or she looks at what appears to be an unopened box of cereal and quickly moves on to the next object. A home security expert knows where to place each of your diversion safes.

Most law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and municipal level enthusiastically endorse the use of diversion safes. Yet, the endorsements are based on using diversion safes as one part of your overall home security strategy. The most effective home security plans incorporate diversion safes into a broader system that includes an alarm and a hidden safe.

2 thoughts on “Sleight of Hand: What is a Diversion Safe?

  1. Rick hupp says:

    I would like to get a catalog. I’m interested your product If You could send me one it would be appropriated . Thanks

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