SentrySafe Charcoal Gray Waterproof and Fireproof Safe, Lock Box with Keypad for Documents and Hanging File Folders, Exterior: 14.1 x 16.6 x 13.8 Inches, ‎FHW40300 | Document and Hanging File Folder Storage With Fire/water Protection, Programmable Digital Keypad Access For Added Security

The initial order for this safe arrived with a problem that has been reported previously that it woudl not open. Called tech support who recommended that I apply a heavy weight to the top of the safe to loosen the waterproof seal. I did this an was able to open the safe. To test it, I closed it again and was unable to open the safe. I returned the safe and ordered another one. This one had no problems opening. (important: When you put in the code and the lock mechanism opens, pull up on the far right of the open mechanism to open. Not an obvious to do). The new safe is exactly what I wanted.... a fire and waterproof safe for important documents and digital media.

I purchased this safe in November 2024. From the beginning, the lid was difficult to open, even after the correct code was entered. By early 2026, it stopped opening altogether: the keypad indicated that the safe was unlocked, but the lid remained firmly latched.A quick search for the FHW40300 reveals reports from other owners describing the same problem. After more than 50 attempts, mine finally released. I immediately removed my belongings and threw the safe away—exactly where it belongs.This is my second bad experience with a SentrySafe product. A safe that unlocks electronically but cannot be physically opened is unreliable and potentially disastrous. I strongly recommend avoiding this model. I hope no one else wastes their money on it.

It’s great! No complaints other than the latch sticks a little. But if I push down on the top as I’m opening it, it opens easily. It holds quite a bit of stuff and seems very well built. I do recommend.

It is very, very heavy. Lifting it out of box and into position was not easy. But it is rock solid. Read instructions carefully to understand battery installation. Programming your own code is easy. It is tricky to open -- you have to put in your code and then quickly push down on the top as you squeeze up on the opening lever. I usually need to do it more than once to get it open but I do feel it is secure and it's roomy enough to hold all my important items/documents.

Only worked a few times now is refusing to open with my paperwork trapped inside so I can't even return it, beyond frustratedUpdate: after all the troubleshooting what worked was tapping it with a rubber mallet as they suggested to dislodge any stuck mechanisms, then it easily opened the first attempt, I changed my star rating to a 5, it is a great safe 👍

I compared several fireproof safes on Amazon and chose this one. It appears strong and nondescript. The electronic lock is strong and well-insulated. It's designed for letter-size, hanging files and any legal docs can fit behind the last file. The safe is very heavy and could use a strong handle. Instead it has inset handholds only. I still highly recommend this product.

Bought one here, to replace a Sentry Safe unit that I had for several years until the top came off. Replaced it with this one with the digital combination lock. Bad decision.I was able to open the unit one (1) time, because it came unlocked. As soon as I shut it to try the combination they provided, it was clear that it wasn't opening with that combination. It made a noise that sounded like something was moving in the lock mechanism, but whatever may have been moving in there wasn't enough for me to get the lid opened. When I looked closely, I could see that the mechanism involved a "hook" and what I would call a "latch bar." The design seemed to be such that you should be able to press on an exterior bar to get the hook to pivot enough to not get caught on the latch bar, probably the latch bar was supposed to move away from the hook when the correct combination is entered. I tried a bunch of times but never saw that latch bar move at all and while it looked like the hook pivoted some it was not enough for me to get the thing opened.So, I called the manufacturer, I figured I just had the wrong combination and since the combination was six digits I didn't really feel like trying literally 1,000,000 combinations to see if that was even the problem. I have to say that the manufacturer was great about it, they didn't think it was the wrong combination, they thought it may be a flaw with either the mechanism itself or possibly the seal was somehow interfering with the mechanism. So, I tried what they suggested, but to no avail. I called them back (the person I spoke to gave me a direct dial number which I thought was outstanding) and they sent me another one and told me don't bother returning what I paid for.Guess what happened with the one they sent me? Same thing, opened it once, tried to open it again with the combination they provided, it didn't open. I called the same agent again, she offered to send another one, but I declined. I purchased a different model from a different manufacturer and made sure that it had a key lock rather than a digital combination lock.

Incredibly hard to open. You need two hands to squeeze the handle after it unlocks, and sometimes it requires multiple attempts to open.

I have Rread the various reviews about issues with the locking mechanism. After a number of trial and error problems I can confirm that when operated properly there are no issues. 1. It is important that you push down on the lid to take the pressure off the mechanism. 2. The mechanism automatically locks after after a short delay even when open so you have to input the unlock code just before locking it. 3. You again have to hold down the lid and wait for lock mechanism to engage.It is heavy which is a good thing making it less likely to be carted off.

El interior es muy pequeño. Las paredes de la caja son muy gruesas por ende a penas caben un par de libros dentro. La chapa no es de la mejor calidad y si fuerzas la tapa de la caja hacia un lado, se abre aún con el candado puesto.

Excellent produit! Ouverture et fermeture sur écran tactile très simple. Peut être facilement transporté pour être placé dans un endroit accessible. Évidemment, ce n'est pas un coffre-fort anti-vol mais il est utilisé pour protéger certains documents légaux, passeports, bijoux et autres contre le feu.

As soon as I received the box I opened it and noticed the front panel was detached from the cover. Actually, I realized that after reattaching it again, it was pretty easy to detach it and open the safe without much effort.The grey finish around the safe was cracked on the back and you can see the white interior.Of course, I returned it immediately and tried to find an alternative. Apparently SentrySafe doesn't care any more about the quality of their products.

This product has quite a fragile external coating on it. I purchased mine as a returned item, so it came with some cosmetic damage; but what I expected and what I got were two different things.Apparently the coating on these safes is thin and brittle, so when someone dropped it somewhere along the line before it got to me, the coating cracked in several places on the back of the safe around the hinges, exposing the cement-like fire resistant layer.I'm not inclined to think this is at all serious as far as functionality is concerned, but this sort of plastic coating isn't really that impressive as far as product quality goes. Of course, it is a heavy product, but it really should have something more durable, and I think the fit and finish of the product aside from that leaves something to be desired too.Otherwise, I'm relatively certain it will serve it's purpose, protecting documents from fire damage at least, for awhile anyway; and I expect anything short of submersion it in water should be fine as well. At least, to some extent; it really isn't convincing on examination.The locking mechanism is also pretty flimsy; which fortunately isn't one of the reason I bought it. I'm pretty sure I could break it with a minimum of effort and a prybar.Still, when weighed against the other products out there, cost vs. cost, for what you are getting, I don't think it's a bad deal. It will keep out anyone who doesn't want to leave behind any indication of intrusion provided you keep your passcode secure, and it should protect the contents for a short time in the event of a fire.I wouldn't trust it in a flood. If you want water protection, seal your belongings in a water resistant bag and put them in the safe. Might be a good idea for passports, or any sort of sensitive and hard to replace documents.