When you set out to purchase home safes, you look for a number of important features including: solid construction, tamper-proof access, optimum storage space and aesthetic good looks. But what about the highest degrees of fire protection? If you think home fires are events that happen to “other people,” think again! The fact is that a new fire starts every 60 seconds in the United States alone. Here are just a few of the latest home fire statistics reported by the National Fire Protection Association®:

• In 2008, fire fighters responded to 386,500 home-related fires
• These fires resulted in 13,160 injuries and 2,755 deaths
• Home fires caused $8.2 billion in property damage and loss

If you plan on using your safe to protect essential valuables such as cash, jewelry, important documents, guns and so forth, ask yourself this question: if my home experiences a fire, will my safe be fireproof enough to take the heat?

Not All “Fireproof” Ratings Are Created Equal

Safes that are promoted as being “fireproof” must meet certain standards and will be given two ratings: one for the highest temperature limit that it can withstand while still protecting contents, and one for how long it can withstand exposure to these temperatures. ETL testing is considered the industry standard, and is the most reliable means of measuring fireproofing in the market today.

When researching safes, be wary of those that have undergone laboratory “testing” other than through Intertek-ETL: it’s simply too easy for these manufacturers to exaggerate claims. For example, if a safe is NOT tested at an accredited testing facility such as Intertek, the manufacturer may use heat resistance measurements of a very small safe and apply them to their larger model in order to exaggerate fireproofing claims. Or the manufacturer may only use heat sensors on the bottom area of a safe during testing and not in the upper area, which will also distort the final fire resistance figures.

The bottom line is that not all fireproof ratings are created equal, so make sure you only purchase home safes that are tested, verified and certified by an accredited independent testing facility like Intertek. When you purchase a product from Cannon Safe, you can be sure that its fireproof rating says what it means and means what it says when it comes to high temperature resistance.

Hopefully your home will never become a fire statistic: but if disaster strikes, knowing your documents and valuables are protected in a Cannon Safe will give you the peace of mind to get through it.

According to FBI statistics, after a brief decline in the number of home invasion gun thefts between 2008 and 2009, the incidences of home invasion crimes are on the rise again. No neighborhood is “too” safe; no town is “too” secure when it comes to thievery. The police are only helpful after a crime has been committed, and not usually before. So when it comes to preventing your family from becoming a victim and therefore a statistic of home invasion crimes, it’s up to you to take the proper steps.

What Are Burglars Looking For?

Criminals who steal from homes are generally a cowardly lot: they fear getting caught, and will therefore take the time to pick and choose their targets carefully. Their “comfort zone” within the walls of your home is only about 6 minutes; in other words, they want to break in, grab what they’re looking for, and then get out as quickly as possible. If they can’t find what they came for fast, chances are they’ll go elsewhere. What are they generally looking for? Stuff of value that they can carry with them easily:

Most people would agree that summer time is the most enjoyable season of all: it’s a time for gorgeous weather, barbecues with friends, family vacations and lazy afternoons at the pool. But did you know that it’s also the #1 season for home invasion crimes? Fine weather brings out the best in us, but it also brings out the worst in criminals: so it’s essential to know the statistics and then take every precaution necessary to avoid becoming a victim. Here are some facts and statistics as well as suggestions.

A FEW HOME INVASION FACTS AND STATS

• Home invasions make up more than 75% of all criminal activity in the United States (FBI).
• According to a recent Reuters news story, the current economic disaster is also having an effect: ” Of the 100 agencies who linked crime rises to the economic crisis, 39 percent said they had seen an increase in robberies [and a] 32 percent an uptick in burglaries.”
• A burglary takes place in the United States every 14.6 seconds according to a prominent crime reporting program.
• Most residential burglaries occur during the daylight hours when people are at work.
• Favorite items for theft are guns, jewelry, cash, watches, computers and DVD players; what do these all have in common? They’re valuable, highly portable and easy to take on impulse.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Since most home invasions are crimes of opportunity, make it harder for burglars to access your home: invest in all-steel exterior doors with the latest deadbolt technologies; keep windows locked; install motion-sensitive lighting, get a burglar alarm system, etc.
• Burglars look for the easiest targets and consider factors such as accessibility, hiding places and convenient escape routes: take the necessary steps to make your home a “hard” target.
• Keep highly sought-after items securely stored in a high quality home safe like the ones designed and manufactured by Cannon Safe. Even if a burglar does obtain entry into your home, chances are good that they will come away with virtually nothing. Home safes are an extra layer of protection against property loss, and they also allow you to keep your valuables nearby for when you need them.

Don’t become another home invasion statistic this summer! Take the necessary steps to burglar-proof your home as much as possible and you will enjoy greater peace of mind along with a more pleasant summer season.

Statistics show that a full 75% of all crimes are related to the theft of personal property from a residential location. You could safeguard your valuables by putting them in a bank safe deposit box, but that is hardly a convenient solution; so most of us simply keep the majority of our precious belongings at home and take our chances.

But you simply don’t have to take those kinds of chances anymore! Savvy homeowners just like you are turning to home safes as a happy medium: they offer the security you need while still maintaining the easy accessibility you crave. Once you’ve made the decision to go with a safe the question becomes: is a floor model best or should I go with a wall safe?

If every inch of square footage is at a premium in your house, or if you just prefer keeping your valuables securely hidden out of plain sight, a wall safe may be the storage solution you’ve been looking for. Some of the many items that can be stored in a safe this size include:

• Jewelry
• Cash
• Personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and immunization records
• Financial records such as investment portfolio information, tax returns, and bank statements
• Documents relating to large purchases such as a home or vehicle
• Prescription medications
• Hand guns

Today’s wall safes have convenient interior shelving, optional lighting, and thick-plated steel doors. They can be installed in a recess of virtually any wall, allowing for easy access yet complete secrecy: all without sacrificing floor space.

Installing Your Wall Safe in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Choose a good location. You want to select an inconspicuous location for your wall safe; for this reason, many owners opt to put it in a closet where the front of the safe can be easily concealed by clothing. It can also be placed into a wall out in the open and covered with a hanging or with art work. Most importantly, you want to avoid wall areas that contain wiring or pipes.

Step 2: Use a stud sensor to pinpoint ideal location. You will want to cut the hole in your drywall so as to position the safe securely between wall studs. A stud sensor will help you to locate where the studs are, allowing for easy insertion of your safe into the recessed area between.

Step 3: Plan on screwing the safe directly into the studs on either side and using other types of reinforcement to ensure the stability and security of your safe.  Your safe vendor can help you to troubleshoot and determine the best way to effectively install your unit.

Cannon Safe is a leading manufacturer of home safes, including models that are specifically designed to fit in a wall. A wall unit is a great way to keep all kinds of valuables secure, and it’s so discreet that only you will know it’s there.

If you think home safes are just for storing Grandma’s diamond baubles, think again! There are plenty of valuable items in our lives that need be kept conveniently close at hand yet safely stored away where they cannot be accessed by little hands or unwelcome visitors. Here are some things you may not have thought of that should be kept in a home safe for extra security.

Personal documents: What would you do if you couldn’t find your passport or if your toddler decided to use it as a coloring book? Yikes! A safe is a great place to keep important personal documents such as:

• Passports
• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Immunization records
• Marriage/Divorce certificates
• Education records
• Professional documents, and so forth

Financial records: Many homeowners like to keep their private financial records where they cannot be accessed except by designated persons. Documents to keep in a safe may include:

• Tax documents
• Bank account information and records
• Investment portfolio information
• Employment contracts, and more

Property documents: The single biggest investment most people make is their home, followed by their vehicles. All documents pertaining to these two major purchases can be safeguarded at home.

NOTE: If you choose to store original documents in your home safe, it is wise to make copies and keep these copies in an off-site location as an extra precautionary measure.

Medications: A home safe provides fast, easy, and convenient access to anything you choose to keep in it. If you are worried about leaving prescriptions where little hands might get to them, a secure container is a great place to keep them.

Priceless heirlooms: Some possessions are simply irreplaceable such as antique photographs, great grandma’s hand-tatted lace handkerchiefs and other precious heirlooms. For greater peace of mind, why not keep them in the safe too?

Home safes are invaluable tools for anyone who wants to keep their documents and other important items of all shapes and sizes easily accessible yet totally secure. Think you don’t need a safe? Think again!

If you’ve been dragging your feet about getting an office safe, don’t wait till disaster strikes before you finally decide to get one. No matter how many security measures you put into place, there simply is no such thing as a totally secure workplace: but today’s office and home safes are multi-functional, attractive, and convenient tools that add an extra layer of security against theft as well as complete protection from fire damage.

When you purchase high quality office or home safes from a top manufacturer such as Cannon, you can be sure that they will have all the features needed to provide you with total peace of mind. Here are the Top 10 Reasons for using one or more office safes from Cannon.

1. Our office line models are space-conscious, making them appropriate for just about any size workspace.

1. They are attractive pieces of furniture with a matte finish that can withstand all kinds of daily use and abuse.

1. Fabric-covered shelves are fully adjustable for complete versatility.

1. We make safes good enough to boast a high UL rating for security, and our outstanding reputation for excellence and craftsmanship is famous in the industry.

1. Our safes are made with layers of tough steel composite and hard plate, making them virtually impenetrable for those not authorized to do so.

1. Multi-layers of fire insulation allow many of the models in our office line to withstand heat of up to 1200 degrees for 75 minutes.

1. Our safes’ secure locking systems are second to none, yet they open quickly and easily: as long as you have the combination!

1. We manufacturer exceptional products yet they sell for hundreds less than our competitors’.

1. You will have a secure place to store cash overnight if you need to, and you can also use your safe to safeguard valuable documents anytime.

1. You can finally have peace of mind knowing that your Cannon Safe is keeping your business documents and other valuables completely secure and private.

The time to start safeguarding your business interests is before a theft or catastrophe happens: not after.

If you have a gun collection, you know that keeping them in a safe at home is the key to keeping your firearms protected from intruders and away from little hands. But what about other types of home safes? In today’s uncertain world, it’s more important than ever to keep important documents, jewelry, family antiques, keepsakes, and anything else that’s valuable to you under lock and key. Here are just three of the many great reasons why homeowners across America are turning to the use of home safes.

1. A Security Deposit Box is Not Always Accessible, But a Home Safe Is

Let’s face it: there are definitely times when you need access to important documents that traditionally have been kept in bank security deposit boxes. When your child needs an original of his social security card or birth certificate, you don’t want to have to worry about running to the bank to get it. And if the bank is closed, getting access to a security box is simply impossible. Home safes will securely store important documents such as the above-mentioned items, as well as marriage certificates, banking and investment documents, and anything else you may need to get access to quickly.

2. They Are Water-  and Fire-Resistant

Many people have hesitated to keep important items at home for fear of a disaster such as a house fire, tornado, or flooding. Today’s home safes will still be standing if everything else around them is destroyed. And the contents will be protected from fire and water damage so you will not lose those items which are simply irreplaceable.

3. They Keep Valuables Out of the Hands of Those Who Shouldn’t Touch Them

The huge majority of home break-ins are crimes of opportunity: and thieves will be more likely to be deterred from taking your precious valuables if they are stored in a home safe. Additionally, the little children living in your home will never be able to play with, damage, or lose items that are tucked away in home safes.

In the unfortunate event of a disaster or theft, we can replace most of our “stuff” quite easily. But for those valuables that are truly irreplaceable, keeping them securely stored and organized yet readily accessible in a home safe is the way to go.

Experiences like this remind us to keep producing quality products:

Cannon Safe,

I talked to you today regarding the American Eagle safe that was damaged in a burglary at my house. The serial number is S232113 and I will fax a copy of the police report when I pick up . I will need a number to fax it to. I purchased it at Rural King in Muncie, IN. I have attached a couple of pictures showing the damage. I have added a few thoughts on your product.

In a time that everyone talks about a lack of quality in American made products, along comes Cannon Safe. Your product saved my family a ton of loss, grief, and money. We had a burglary at our house and they attempted to break into my American Eagle safe ! With the use of a hammer, pry bar and other tools the best they could do is take the dial and handle off the door. The door did not even budge! Not only did it save my gun collection, it also saved all of the personal and financial information for my entire family!! This safe made the “healing time” for this tragic time in our lives half of what it could have been. After contacting the repair tech, I was totally pleased with the warranty and the fact that this company stands behind a great product. You have a customer for life !!!! Thank you for a great product and standing behind it !!!!!

Outdoor Channel Reveals Winners of
10^th Annual Golden Moose Awards

America’s Leader in Outdoor TV Recognizes the Best in
Outdoor Talent, Programming & Production of 2009

WHAT: Outdoor Channel (NASDAQ: OUTD), America’s leader in outdoor TV, today announced the much anticipated winners of the 10^th Annual Golden Moose Awards at a ceremony held last night during the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas.

An outdoor industry favorite, the Golden Moose Awards honors the talent, production teams, graphics and design teams and hosts behind Outdoor Channel’s best-in-class programming. Outdoor Channel handed out 20 honors at this year’s ceremony, including several “Fan Favorites” determined by over 15,000 viewers voting online at www.OutdoorChannel.com during a four-week period.

WHERE: Approximately 2,000 outdoor industry leaders, TV personalities, media personnel and lucky fans attended the awards ceremony at the famed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

WHO: The celebration was hosted by Michael Waddell of Outdoor Channel’s “Bone Collector” and “Realtree Road Trips,” and featured a spirited rock music performance by Ted Nugent from the network’s “Spirit of the Wild” program.

The Golden Moose Awards was sponsored by Budweiser, the great American lager. Together with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Budweiser selects nominees for the Budweiser 2010 Conservationist of the Year award presented at the event. This year’s “Bud Conservationist” recipient was the late Jim Range, one of the country’s most influential conservationists and founder of the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. His brother, John Range, accepted the award on his behalf.

And the Golden Moose goes to…

Best Overall Production | Winner: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures

Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Hunt Masters, Bone Collector, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Best of the West, Bow Madness , Leupold’s Big Game Profiles, On Your Own Adventures , Whitetail Freaks

Best Big Game | Winner: Bone Collector

Nominees: Hunt Masters, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany , On Your Own Adventures, Realtree Roadtrips, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, In Pursuit with Greg Miller, Ultimate Hunting, Bone Collector, Biologic & Drury’s Wildlife Obsession

Best Fishing | Winner: Bill Dance Saltwater

Nominees: Penn’s Big Water Adventures, Classic Patterns, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Jackie Bushman Show, Bill Dance Saltwater

Best Bird Hunting | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander

Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Outdoors 10 Best, Pheasants Forever, Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild, Benelli’s American Bird Hunter

Best Turkey | Winner: Realtree Road Trips

Nominees: Bone Collector, On Your Own Adventures, Realtree Road Trips, Muzzy’s Bad to the Bone, The Choice

Best Conservation | Winner: Beyond the Hunt

Nominees: Pheasants Forever, Beyond the Hunt, Knight & Hale’s Ultimate Hunting, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, Leupold Big Game Profiles

Best Educational / Instructional | Winner: Bass Pro Shops Next Generation

Nominees: Bass Pro Shops Next Generation, The Best of the West, Gold Fever, On Your Own Adventures, In Pursuit with Greg Miller

Best Videography | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander

Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Bone Collector, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Stihl Dogs N Logs World Championship, Hunt Masters, Destination Polaris, Tracks Across Africa

Best Sound Design | Winner: Hunt Masters

Nominees: The Best of the West, Whitetail Freaks, Hunt Masters, Benelli’s American Safari, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany

Best Graphics | Winner: (Tied for 1st) Hunt Masters & Bass Pro Shops Next Generation

Nominees: Bone Collector, Hunt Masters, She’s Beyond the Lodge, Bass Pro Shops Next Generation, Full Frame

Best Commercial | Winner: Benelli – “Vinci”

Nominees: Benelli – “Vinci,” The Best of the West – “Gunwerks LR-1000,” Duck Commander – “Carry-Lite Decoys,” Knight & Hale – “Pack Rack Tease,” Remington

Best Blooper / Outtake | Winner: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures

Nominees: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, Inside Outdoors TV, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, The Jackie Bushman Show, Realtree Roadtrips

Fan Favorite Best Overall | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander

Fan Favorite Best New Series | Winner: (Tied for 1^st) Benelli Presents Duck Commander & Bone Collector

Fan Favorite Best Hunting | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander

Fan Favorite Best Fishing | Winner: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Fishing

Fan Favorite Best Host | Winner: Lee and Tiffany Lakosky for The Crush

Golden Moose Honorary Award – Outdoor Adventure | Winner: Savage Wild

Golden Moose Honorary Award – Off Road | Winner: Destination Polaris

Golden Moose Honorary Award – Shooting Sports | Winner: Impossible Shots

Gun ownership comes with certain responsibilities. The following list provides basic guidelines for safe handling and storage of guns.

1.  Safekeeping guns. First and foremost, guns should be safely stored in a heavy-duty safe. Guns should always      be stored unloaded. Guns and ammunition should be stored in two separate locations. The keys to these safes should be stored in yet a third location, in a place unknown by unauthorized persons. If the safes require codes, not keys, only authorized adults should know or have access to the codes. Never leave a gun unattended.

2.  Protecting ears and eyes. The noise from guns can cause hearing damage. Guns may also release debris and hot gas that could injure eyes. Shooting glasses and hearing protectors should always be worn by shooters and spectators.

3.   Cleaning guns. When the time comes to clean the gun, be absolutely positive that it is not loaded; there should not even be ammunition in the cleaning area. The gun’s action should remain open throughout the cleaning. Regular cleaning is important for guns to operate properly and safely. It also prolongs the life of the gun and helps maintain its value. Your gun should be cleaned after each use. A gun should be cleaned before use if it has been in storage for a prolonged period of time. Built-up moisture and dirt may prevent the gun from operating correctly.

4.   Handling guns. Before handling a gun, familiarize yourself with how it works and its basic functions. Learn how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition. Remember, the gun’s mechanical safety device is not foolproof.  Also, be sure to identify your target and be aware of the area surrounding your target and beyond before shooting.

5.   Loading guns. Do not load a gun until immediately prior to using it. The following are specific instructions:

• • Point muzzle in a safe direction.
  • Open the action, and ensure that the barrel is free from obstructions.
  • Put the safety on if firearm can be loaded with the safety on.
  • Load ammunition.
  • Close action.
  • Put the safety on if you weren’t able to before loading.
    

6. Uploading Guns

• • Point muzzle in a safe direction.
  • Put the safety on if it is not on already.
  • Keep your finger outside trigger guard.
  • Open action.
  • Remove ammunition by detaching the magazine first. Eject shells or cartridges if it’s the only way to remove them.
  • Ensure that the gun is empty by checking both the chamber and the magazine.

—Information obtained from NRA’s Gun Safety Rules (www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp) and Today’s Hunter in Arizona Web site (www.hunter-ed.com/az/course/ch6_safely_loading_unloading_firearms.htm)