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# Safes

When choosing or deciding to use a safe, consider:

- Could there be any duplicate keys? In rented property this is quite likely. If so, do not use existing safes.
- Relative security of different safe types: key, combination or both; stand-alone or built-in; fire-resistant as well as thief-resistant?
- Where can you buy a new safe - if possible do this discreetly and in a different town or even country.
- If you have two safes one of them could be handed over if necessary; the other acts as an emergency reserve.
- Where should the safe be kept - office or residence?

Policy for the use of the safe

- Key holder policy - how many key holders should there be? What is their individual or joint responsibility for the contents of the safe? How do you open the safe when all the key holders are away?
- Should staff be allowed to leave their personal possessions in the safe, e.g. money, credit cards? If so, what is the organisation's liability and responsibility?

An example of good practice

- Only one person is responsible for the keys at any one time.
- If one person takes over responsibility for the keys from another person, a written record is made of the contents of the safe at hand over which is signed by both people
- A spare set of keys is held by the programme manager in a sealed, signed envelope.
- Keys are never left in the office.
- Personal possessions may be left in the safe in a sealed, signed envelope but the organisation does not accept any responsibility for the envelope or contents.

Remember, a safe only provides additional security if it is used correctly. Case study