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)