72% keep their valuables at home.
Posted on 30 May 2025
Safe? Not really.
What do you do with inherited jewellery? Or with a coin collection, old documents, or a watch that holds emotional value? Research shows that 72% of people keep these treasured items at home, often in a cabin or drawer.
It feels familiar, but how safe is it really?
CitySafes conducted research into how people handle their valuable possessions. The results show: we keep a lot at home, but often in places that offer little protection against burglary, fire, or water damage.
What do we prefer to keep at home?
The research reveals:
- 72% of people keep emotionally valuable items, like photo albums, jewellery and letters, at home.
- 40% choose a hidden spot, such as a drawer or cabinet.
- 6% store valuables in a book.
- 46% keep personal documents, like passports or contracts, in the house.
- 43% have heirlooms at home, such as artworks or old documents.
These figures highlight that the sense of control and closeness is important to us. We want to keep our valuable items nearby, in a familiar environment.
But how safe is that, really?
A cupboard or drawer might seem like a logical choice, but during a burglary, these are exactly the first places thieves search. Fire or water damage can also cause irreversible harm within minutes. And the things we’re most emotionally attached to are often irreplaceable.
A reassuring alternative.
For those who truly want to protect their treasured belongings, an external safe is a reliable and accessible alternative. With 12 branches across Belgium, there’s always a location nearby. That way, the feeling of control and closeness remains. And this summer, you can take advantage of a special offer: rent a safe for free all summer long, so you can leave home with peace of mind.
