The most important decision is deciding what type of safe you require, this is determined by what items you need to protect. There are three distinct types of safes available:-

Burglary protection – Security Safes 
For secure protection of your cash and valuables.  Security Safes are tested - rated according to a given Cash rating – this indicates the most monetary value, Insurers suggest can be stored in that safe overnight. Please confirm with your own insurer. For further information refer to Safe Glossary.

Fire protection – Document Safes 
For secure storage of paper records incase of fire.

Fire Protection – Media Safes 
For secure storage of media records (CD’s DVD’s) incase of fire.

Burglary Safes 
Cash – valuables safes are designed to offer burglar resistance. However, due to their construction (e.g. body thickness, infill material) higher-grade cash safes do offer some fire resistant qualities. 

Fire Protection Safes 
There are many types of fire protection safes and cabinets currently on the market.  Subject to tests carried out within a controlled environment, for time periods of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Tests include conditions such as Fire & Impact, Explosion etc.
Document 
Document safe is designed to protect paper only. 
Media 
Media safe is designed to protect disks and other audio, visual equipment such as video and cassette tapes from fire. These materials have special requirements because they are more fragile than paper documents.

(Summarised)
The following summary is designed to give a brief, “at a glance” guide to product suitability.