DUNCAN, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Many people stash their valuables in safes for safe keeping. During a FOX Carolina investigation, a crew put three safes to the test to see how they withstand fires.
Chris Massey, the assistant director with the Spartanburg County Emergency Academy, supervised the burning.
"Normally, in a residential fire, you're probably going to get closer to well above 1,000 degrees," Massey said.
Massey, along with two other firefighters, tested a Honeywell safe, a First Alert anti-theft safe and a Sentry safe.
The Honeywell and Sentry safes stated they were fire and waterproof brands that promised to protect valuables. The First Alert safe was not a fireproof safe, but a FOX Carolina crew burned it too. The crew put CDs, papers, folders and a plastic water bottle cap in each safe.
"We do have a thermal imagery camera that we can read the temperature of the room on," Massey said.
SLIDESHOW: Safes burned, tested for fire-safety
After the testing, results showed the Honeywell safe held up well with just a couple of water drops inside. The Sentry safe held up well too and didn't have any water inside at all. Meanwhile, the particular First Alert safe wasn't fireproof and the safe burned along with the contents inside.
"That proves that you need to make sure that you buy a safe that is fire rated," Massey said.
However, administrators with First Alert said they do make fire and waterproof safes. They released this statement:
"First Alert safes, like all First Alert fire safety products, meet or exceed standards that are appropriate for the product as set by internationally accredited laboratories."
Company representatives said they can't comment on product testing done by third parties.
Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
One of the safes tested to see how it would withstand a fire. (File/FOX Carolina)
