How to Bolt Down a Safe in Your Home

Below are some common questions regarding installing a safe in your home.

Q: Should I consider bolting my safe to the floor?  
A: There are two ways a criminal can violate a safe. They can attempt to brake into it, or they can remove it. In order to complete the security of owning a safe it must be bolted to the ground.  


Q: Is the safe too small or too big to bolt to the floor?  
A: NO! Every safe should be bolted, regardless of it's size.  


Q: How do I install it? 
A: Read our instructions below.

How to Bolt Down a Safe in Your Home

Buy a safe, and OWN piece of mind. A safe provides security for valuables, memorable keep sakes, and keeps weapons away from children. The most popular residential safe is a gun safe. Gun safes are designed to store long guns such as rifles and shotguns. Burglars can do one of two things, attempt to brake into a safe, or simply steal the entire safe, therefore to complete the security of owning a safe it must be bolted to the floor.

Things You'll Need:

• Safe
• Power drill with tips for screws
• 1/4" drill bit
• Lag Bolts (3/8" x 3")
• Washers (1" to 1-1/2" diameter)
• Ratchet with socket and extension
• 2x6 material
• Saw
• Hammer
• Tape Measure
• Liquid Nails and cocking gun
• Screws (1/4" x 3")
• Wood Shims
• Hollow center punch

1. Find an ideal location to install your safe in your house, consider a back-up location in case this doesn't work. Before placing the safe in the desired location, inspect under the house for wiring, plumbing, etc. If you find there is too much underneath, you may want to consider another location
2. Place the safe in it's location. Use the wood shims to level the safe. They will need to be placed in the front of the safe, just under the door. Continue to add shims until the safe is completely level (plumb and square). The safe is level when the door can be opened without it opening on it's own, or slamming shut. If the safe is being installed on a carpeted area, place the safe about 1 & 1/2" away from the wall, this will help level the safe, by removing it from the carpet tack strip.
3. Locate the predrilled holes in your safe. (You may need to remove caps)
4. Use hollow punch and hammer to make a hole in the carpet for the bolts. TIP: Using a center punch will prevent damaging the carpet.
5. Use a 1/4" drill bit to make a pilot hole for the 3/8" lag bolts (with washers)
6. Locate the holes under the house, and measure and cut one or two 2x6 piece(s) of wood to fit between the beams of the house. If your safe has 4 holes you will need two 2x6 pieces. Apply liquid nails and screws to the edge of the beams to secure the 2x6 in place.
7. Return inside the safe and pre-drill another pilot hole (now into the placed 2x6) using the same 1/4" drill bit.
8. Drill the 3/8" lag bolts with attached washers down into the predrilled holes. (apply liquid nails to the screws for added strength)