It is never been more important to have a
paper shredder. Identity theft is very common, so shredding items like
bank statements, correspondence, and other private documents is
necessary. But how do you decide which shredder is right for your
personal use? It's easy. Just follow these steps:
It's never been more important to have a
paper shredder. Identity theft is very common, so shredding items like
bank statements, correspondence, and other private documents is
necessary. But how do you decide which shredder is right for your
personal use? It's easy. Just follow these steps:
Consider brand names. Paper
shredders are made by many different manufacturers. You're better off
going with a respected name even if that means you spend a bit more on
your machine. Some names to look for include Fellowes and Swingline.
These companies' shredders are well-made and many of them are affordable
and perfect for home use.
Choose between strip-cut and cross-cut machines.
There are really just two types of paper shredders: strip-cut and
cross-cut. For personal use, strip-cut shredders are just fine. They
don't offer quite as much security as cross-cut devices, but if you're
just shredding junk mail and old paperwork, you should be okay. Plus,
strip-cut machines are less expensive.
Consider shredding capacity.
Shredding capacity refers to how many sheets of paper a machine can
process at once. Since you're going to be using your device for personal
use, you should be fine with a 3 to 10 page shredding capacity. It's
enough for taking care of those pesky credit card offers and such.
Get a shredder that can destroy credit/debit cards. One
thing that some people don't know about shredders is that many of them
can destroy non-paper items like credit/debit cards. Having a shredder
that can destroy credit/debit cards gives you extra security, which is
always a good thing.
Look for good safety features. Using
a shredder can be dangerous if your machine doesn't have adequate
safety features. (This is especially true if you live with kids and/or
pets.) One safety feature to look for is an interlock switch. When the
switch is engaged, the shredder can't be operated, so it's a good
feature to have if there are kids around. There are some machines that
are equipped with sensors that can detect when your hands are too close
to the paper entry. When this happens, the shredder stops working. This
is one of the best safety features available, so you should look for it.
Check out the warranty.
As with any other electronic product, the shredder you choose should
come with a good warranty. A year's coverage is optimal, but a 6-month
warranty is also good. That way, you can get your shredder fixed or even
replaced if it starts malfunction.
Finally, consider price.
Of course, price is going to factor into your decision. You don't need
to get the most expensive shredder on the market but don't expect to get
a lot for a meager sum. You should shop around a bit to find a shredder
you like at a reasonable price.
Although
it looks like there is a lot that goes into choosing a paper shredder
for personal use, the process is quite easy. Shredding capacity, safety
features, and warranty are the most important things to consider. Go
from there and you'll find the right shredder for your needs.
Jeff McRitchie is the Vice-President of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, reviews, and blog posts on topics related
to bookbinding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment. More
than 2,500 of his reviews have been published in thousands of locations
on the Internet. If you're looking for information about paper shredders, his articles are a great place to start.
