Storing Cards in a Fireproof Safe

[KMayUSA6060]

I am a 2nd Amendment man, and last Christmas asked my now-fiancee for a fireproof safe for guns and other important documents. With guns, there is the issue of rust when it comes to storing them in a safe, so most people get a dehumidfier for the inside.

I got a second safe (identical) this Christmas for my cards, and was wondering if anyone else stored their more valuable cards in a fireproof safe. If so, do you use anything to keep moisture out? Does moisture in a safe even have an effect on cards?

Edit: I should add that I also keep a couple autograph memorabilia in this safe. Any fear of moisture in the safe damaging the autographs on the item(s)?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

really? What well-regulated militia do you belong to? Or did you mean you just like guns?

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

really? What well-regulated militia do you belong to? Or did you mean you just like guns?

My rank is "Citizen" in the "United States of America".

And I like guns.


Any input on my question?

[arcadekrazy]

Don't forget to consider water - fire and heat are important considerations, but smoke and water normally do more damage than the actual fire. So whichever safe you consider, please look into its ability to keep water from seeping in.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by arcadekrazy

Don't forget to consider water - fire and heat are important considerations, but smoke and water normally do more damage than the actual fire. So whichever safe you consider, please look into its ability to keep water from seeping in.

1 step ahead of ya. This is what I have.

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Products/4...tion_Fire_Safe

[RobertC]

About 25 years ago, I purchased a large, HEAVY Browning gun safe. The door is actually a little loose when locked to allow air to circulate. It has a seal which melts at a certain temperature and seals the door air-tight (although I really don't know how you would get it open after a fire). In 25 years of collecting high end .44 magnum handguns, I have never had any issues with moisture or rust. Now the top is filled with firearms and the bottom with cards. The only problem I had was moving it to my new house.

[rommesc]

I use silica desiccant packs and humidity indicator cards within my waterproof safe.

[Beastmode]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

really? What well-regulated militia do you belong to? Or did you mean you just like guns?

Huh? WTF, is this suppose to be funny? Lots of us have guns for many different reasons, none of which should concern you. The question asked was about storing cards anyway.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Beastmode

Huh? WTF, is this suppose to be funny? Lots of us have guns for many different reasons, none of which should concern you. The question asked was about storing cards anyway.

I'm not anti-gun, my point wasn't political. My point was don't reference the 2nd amendment unless you know it. I was going to let it drop.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I'm not anti-gun, my point wasn't political. My point was don't reference the 2nd amendment unless you know it. I was going to let it drop.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

I see the can of worms slowly opening here..............

[MVSNYC]

Chris- thanks for the eBay link, I've been looking for these. How many do you put in the safe? How often do you change them? Thanks.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

I am a 2nd Amendment man, and last Christmas asked my now-fiancee for a fireproof safe for guns and other important documents. With guns, there is the issue of rust when it comes to storing them in a safe, so most people get a dehumidfier for the inside.

I got a second safe (identical) this Christmas for my cards, and was wondering if anyone else stored their more valuable cards in a fireproof safe. If so, do you use anything to keep moisture out? Does moisture in a safe even have an effect on cards?

I have used a 32-gun fire safe for my cards for 5-6 years. The safe is in a temperature regulated area of my home. The cards in this safe are all graded and I have never seen any signs of any moisture in the safe, on the cards, etc. I have a second fire safe (non-gun) which I have used for 15+ years for my raw cards and have never seen any signs of moisture in the safe, on the cards, etc.

Upon the expansion of my collection, I opted for the gun safe, because as far as space, I got the most "bang" for my buck.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

I have used a 32-gun fire safe for my cards for 5-6 years. The safe is in a temperature regulated area of my home. The cards in this safe are all graded and I have never seen any signs of any moisture in the safe, on the cards, etc. I have a second fire safe (non-gun) which I have used for 15+ years for my raw cards and have never seen any signs of moisture in the safe, on the cards, etc.

Upon the expansion of my collection, I opted for the gun safe, because as far as space, I got the most "bang" for my buck.

Excellent to hear.

So you don't use any dehumidifying materials?

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Excellent to hear.

So you don't use any dehumidifying materials?

I do not use any dehumidifying materials .....never felt I needed to, possibly (as Robert mentioned) the door's seal has helped with this.

[Leon]

I am generally with Adam, in post 23 on this one.
I have a 1200 lb jewelers, fireproof safe but if the plastic gets too hot inside the slabs could still melt. When I had a bigger (more valuable) collection I had a bank safe deposit box. I doubt moisture seeps through good slabs, as in humidity, unless there is something extraordinary going on. (being submerged )

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

I am a 2nd Amendment man, and last Christmas asked my now-fiancee for a fireproof safe for guns and other important documents. With guns, there is the issue of rust when it comes to storing them in a safe, so most people get a dehumidfier for the inside.

I got a second safe (identical) this Christmas for my cards, and was wondering if anyone else stored their more valuable cards in a fireproof safe. If so, do you use anything to keep moisture out? Does moisture in a safe even have an effect on cards?

Edit: I should add that I also keep a couple autograph memorabilia in this safe. Any fear of moisture in the safe damaging the autographs on the item(s)?

[Seabornman]

I bought a freight-damaged fireproof Sentry floor safe and lugged it into the basement. I got bulk dessicant sold at Michael's for flower drying and placed it in an open container inside. The basement isn't very dry, but if I take the dessicant out and bake it once in a while the inside of the safe stays dry. Loaded up, the safe is too heavy to leave the basement in one piece.

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am generally with Adam, in post 23 on this one.
I have a 1200 lb jewelers, fireproof safe but if the plastic gets too hot inside the slabs could still melt. When I had a bigger (more valuable) collection I had a bank safe deposit box. I doubt moisture seeps through good slabs, as in humidity, unless there is something extraordinary going on. (being submerged )

Leon,

Did you take any measures to protect your cards from the extraordinary in the safe deposit box? Poly bags?

[Bigdaddy]

I don't keep cards in my gun safe, but I do have two different reusable desiccants in it. One is a can that you can put in the oven to recharge (a couple of hours at a low temperature) and the other plugs into the wall to recharge. I assume that there is some type of resistance heater contained in the package.

They seem to do pretty well.

[Exhibitman]

Kyle, you are assuming you are home when a break-in occurs, you can get to your gun, you can use your gun successfully, and you are not going to get caught in a hostage situation or one in which you place your family in a cross-fire. I assume the opposite and plan for that scenario. If someone gets in under those circumstances, I would rather have them take whatever it is and get the hell out of the house as quickly and quietly as possible. That's why I keep the good stuff in the bank and buy insurance. Someone wants my 1981 Donruss set, don't trip on the way out...

[Leon]

Originally Posted by CharleyBrown

Leon,

Did you take any measures to protect your cards from the extraordinary in the safe deposit box? Poly bags?

No. The few bank safe deposit boxes I use, and have used, are very "safe" looking. I guess you can never be too safe but it has never been an issue...