How to Anchor a Safe to the Floor

News stories abound of determined thieves who carry away freestanding safes after being unable to break the lock at the scene. Safes aren't truly secure against theft unless they're bolted to the ground. Some safes only exist to protect against fire and don't even feature bolt holes. Fortunately for the safety-conscious, anchoring a safe to the floor requires only a few basic tools and an hour or so of your time.

Black marker
Corded drill
Wood or masonry bit
Carpet knife (optional)
Vacuum
Anchor bolts
Hammer
Wrench or pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Position the safe in its final location.
- 2
  Open the safe door and locate the bolt holes inside. Use a marker to color the ground visible through the bolt holes.
- 3
  Move the safe away from location.
- 4
  Drill a 3- to 4-inch deep hole into the floor underneath each colored circle, using a drill bit sized to match the diameter of the anchor bolts you'll be using. Use a standard bit for wooden floors and a masonry bit in concrete floors. Cut away any carpeting before drilling the holes.
- 5
  Vacuum the dust and debris out of the holes and the nearby floor.
- 6
  Slide the safe back into its final location. Line up the bolt holes with the holes you drilled in the floor.
- 7
  Shove the anchor bolts through the bolt holes in the safe and into the drilled holes underneath. Tap the top of the bolt gently with a hammer to help work stubborn bolts into their holes.
- 8
  Tighten the nut on the top of the bolt with a wrench or pair of pliers. Continue until the bolt's sleeve expands enough to securely anchor the safe to the floor.

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