The Threat of a Wild Fire

Wildfires, or forest fires, are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. Mere mention of them is enough to cause panic. Much more so with studies showing them on an upswing during the past decade. In 2009 alone, more than 5 million acres of US forests have gone up in smoke. But more than the destruction wrought on the environment, it's the damage inflicted on human lives and property that makes wildfires a serious threat.

Wildfires happen naturally in every American state, but many usually occur in the western part of the country. Particularly vulnerable is the state of California, which had registered the most number of wildfires in recent years. In fact, the series of conflagrations that swept the state in 2009 claimed more than 180,000 acres of forestland. The large human settlements in that state have also brought up damage to property in the billions of dollars.

Another state often hit by wildfire is Florida. In 1998, unprecedented wildfires swept across Central Florida forcing the evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Two years later, Florida came second to California with the most number of wildfires suffered. Last year, the state had more than 1,000 cases during the first two months alone. The figures are expected to rise this year as Central and South Florida experience a lack of substantial rainfall. The severe dry conditions could ignite another disaster with the advent of the lightning season.

Prepare for the Worst

If you live in an area where conditions make wildfires possible, you need to take appropriate measures to protect your valuables. It is easy to lose one's head when the wildfire alarm is sounded, hastily abandoning everything to the mercy of the flames. Even if you have the presence of mind to save a few things, you may simply have no time to gather them before escaping.

An excellent way to secure your important belongings is to keep them locked in a gun safe. Originally made to store firearms and ammunition, a gun safe is especially constructed to effectively seal and protect its contents against fire and heat. It has enough room to keep money, jewelry, pictures, legal documents, precious memorabilia, and even expensive works of art. It can withstand ultra-high temperatures as proven by the many stories from owners who found their valuables intact after their homes were lost to flames.

Inspiring Stories as Smoke Clears

One such story happened in Rancho Santa Fe in Southern California, which was hit by raging wildfire on October 22. 2007. 2,200 families lost their homes during that unfortunate evening. One of them belonged to Kim Crosser who barely had enough time to put a few valuables in a Liberty gun safe when the mandatory evacuation order was given. Kim recalled firemen battling the blaze, which had soared to a temperature of 2000 degrees. He saw his house gobbled by the flames as he watched television from an evacuation center, and there was no doubt in his mind that he had lost everything. Back at the charred remains of his home a few days later, Kim found his Liberty safe and immediately contacted the manufacturer. When the safe was pried open, Kim was surprised yet happy to see all the important articles he had placed there intact. It was a testament to the amazing fire protection that a Liberty gun safe can provide even in the face of a searing inferno.

A Liberty Gun Safe has its Rewards

Kim Crosser was lucky that he had a Liberty gun safe to store his valuables during the great Santa Ana wildfire. It was an asset that lived up to Liberty's reputation as America's Number 1 gun safe producer with an amazing record. Kim's experience imparts a valuable lesson in preparing against fires, which don't just happen in California or Florida but practically everywhere in America. Indeed, investing in a gun safe has become a necessity in the face of that threat. By choosing a Liberty safe, one ensures the three qualities that provide reliable fire protection. The first is optimum fireboard insulation; more layers are built into a Liberty safe, which means more fire resistance is ensured. The second is superior steel content; Liberty gun safes have thick steel material to keep off heat and provide maximum rigidity when attaching the fireboards. The third is impeccable construction; every component that goes into a Liberty safe is strong, including a balanced layer of fireboards, an effective door seal, and multi-sided door bolts.

Liberty Safe Life Time Warranty

Last but not least. It's no secret in the Gun Safe industry, that with the regards to providing warranty for its product, Liberty Safe puts their money where their mouth is. A fire can take everything away. But with a Liberty gun safe in your home, you can rest assured that not everything will be lost, and most of all your gun safe, which would be immediately replaced by Liberty after withstanding fire.