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Home Filing Cabinet
A home filing cabinet is a necessity for home based businesses or for homeowners who need a secure place to store valuable documents. If you're having trouble finding bills, notices or forms, a home filing cabinet with file cabinet locking bars gives you a convenient, affordable way to store your important papers. With a filing cabinet at home, you can easily store and retrieve tax returns, business receipts, project files or personal mail. When you compare the cost of a sturdy home file cabinet to its benefits as an organizational tool, you'll realize that this investment is well worth the price.
The type of home filing cabinet you choose depends on the type and size of documents you want to store, the number of papers you have to file and the degree of mobility you need. Price is also an important consideration for many homeowners. A finely crafted solid wood cabinet adds to the beauty of your home, but you may get more filing space at a lower cost with a metal or wood veneer cabinet. If you're buying your home filing cabinet for your residential office, this investment may be tax deductible as a business expense.
Defining Your Filing Needs
The size of the documents you file most often and the layout of your office will help you determine which filing cabinet is most appropriate for your needs. Filing cabinets may be vertical or lateral in their orientation. If you have a small room with limited floor space, a vertical model, which is taller than it is wide, may be the best choice. Keep in mind that you must reserve enough space in your layout to allow the drawers to open completely.
If you have oversized promotional materials, legal documents or forms to organize, a lateral home filing cabinet may fit your needs. Lateral cabinets are long, with deep drawers that do not extend as far as the drawers of a vertical unit. Because of the depth of a lateral filing system, these models are often used to hold legal files.
If you need to move your home filing cabinet around the office as you work, look for a mobile model with wheels or casters. Mobile cabinets are convenient for home offices, but these models generally have a limited amount of file space. Most four drawer vertical units and many larger lateral units are fixed in place for safety reasons. A large mobile home filing cabinet could cause serious injury to children or to users who aren't familiar with safe operation techniques.
Security Considerations
While homeowners insurance can replace your valuable personal belongings if they are damaged in a fire or flood or stolen, your insurance policy can't replace your personal documents. Although copies of many of these forms are readily available, replacing all of your vital documents can be time consuming and expensive. In addition, you may keep handwritten letters, handmade birthday cards or old photographs at home that can never be replaced for any amount of money.
If you're concerned about the security of documents like your birth certificate, will, life insurance policy, house title, Social Security card or checks, look for a unit that offers the additional protection you need. Steel models are more resistant to the effects of fire and moisture than wood, and fire proof steel units provide the ultimate in fire security. Fire proof units are insulated with a protective layer of non-combustible material that protects your most important household papers.
Your tax returns, personal medical files, blank checks and other confidential documents can be protected against theft or unauthorized access with a secure locking system. A locking bar attaches to the drawers of a home filing cabinet, supplementing the security that a combination or key lock provides. Although double locks may be excessive for some households, many homeowners feel more secure about their vital papers if they're protected by a locking bar in addition to a key lock.
When you're comparing the cost of the latest models on the market, consider a unit's resistance to fire, water, impact, theft and pests. If security is a top priority, wooden models may not be the most suitable choice. Wood is more easily damaged by water, fire, insects or rodents than steel or other metals. If your papers are related to your business, confidentiality is also a key concern.
A sturdy, long lasting home filing cabinet can fulfill its purpose for decades. Look for a model that's covered by a manufacturer's warranty, so that you can feel confident about your purchase for years. The manufacturers of fire proof units may offer free replacement if the cabinet is damaged by flame. If you're purchasing a wooden piece, look for solid craftsmanship and easy operation as well as aesthetic appeal. For every homeowner, there's an efficient, affordable organizational system on the market.
