Keeping moisture out of a safe/fireproof filing cabinet - HOW?

[Dee67]

I have a safe and fireproof filing cabinet that are both like baby humidifiers. They both came with some desiccant silica gel packs, but they never appeared to do any good. Things inside are growing mold, and not just feeling damp but wet.

I called the manufacturer and the suggest keeping them open for hours at a time monthly (which kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion).

I never realized moisture would be such an issue - do I have other options? Are there better desiccants to be had? If so, from where?

Thanks

 

[monckywrench]

Once dessicant packs are full they need to be heated in an oven for several hours to dry them out. It sounds like your seals/gaskets (if any)on the doors are leaking. Good seals and fresh dessicant should take care of it. Dessicant can be had from gun shops, since it is used to protect weapons from rusting.

 

[xraymongral]

Depending on the size of your safe, you could use a golden rod. They smallest size is 12" long.

Try here, and search for golden rod.

If that wont work for you, try a search on the above web site, or on dogpile.com for dessicant.

 

[Moonbeam]

I think I'd want to call the manufacture back and tell them you want a new safe because the one you got isn't safe for your documents.

 

[Dee67]

judging from what I've seen around, the silica gel pacs were too small for the job they were supposed to do in the first place.