In terms of an actual box… Fireproof — I’d first read the information on the box itself. At what temperature will the box itself get so hot that the things within it melt or be incinerated? What about chemical fires –? Most things have a destruction point and knowing that might dissuade one from buying.

That said, I’d suggest that you might also want to consider storing certain documents off-site if you are concerned — maybe in a safety deposit box? Personally, I’d digitize just about everything (scan it).

If you are content with keeping these things around though… You also may want to consider any of these: diplomas, marriage license, savings bonds, etc.

Here’s another link to some useful ideas: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/ne.....ge=default

I keep all the video’s of our kids growing up safe from fire too… most of which were prior to the digital was approachable for us common folk !

Also, when buying one of the inexpensive household firesafes, look for info about its water-tightness. If they don’t mention, it’s NOT. Your documents might survive the heat of a fire, but it’s moot if they can be immediately ruined by fire extinguisher chemicals and water seeping in. I learned that one the hard way after a leaky roof exposed my (sealed) safe to a slow drip. It leaked in easily, and wreaked a lot of damage with just a small amount of water.

I discuss the downsides of safe deposit boxes in tomorrow’s post. In short, if the bank is closed, you can’t get to your things. And, if you don’t remember to grab your safe deposit box key or wallet when you’re fleeing in a fire, you won’t have the key or ID to prove who you are when the bank does open. You shouldn’t have to worry about saving anything other than yourself and loved ones in an emergency.

Most fireproof boxes are designed and rated to protect paper documents, not plastic CDs or thumbdrives. Paper burns at 451F (thank you Mr. Bradbury). The plastics in CDs and other computer media suffers failure at a much lower temperature.

@rodney –

That’s actually a possibility … hence why having an off-site copy of those photos is very nice

“oh yeah, they stole my fire-proof box!”

Photos of the interior and exterior of your home are for properly reporting what you lost in the fire/emergency to your insurance agent. The photos are as much for you as they are for your agent. (Our insurance company actually requires these photographs.) They also come in handy if someone breaks into your home and steals things. In the trauma of the event, you may not remember exactly what was stolen.

The short answer is no. Check back tomorrow where I’ll explain ALL you ever wondered about fireproof boxes!