Having a paper shredder is necessary if you
need to protect personal and/or business information. If you don't have
one of these devices, it is time to get one. The good news is that you
can find the right paper shredder for your needs simply by asking
yourself the following questions:
Having a paper shredder is necessary if you
need to protect personal and/or business information. If you don't have
one of these devices, it's time to get one. The good news is that you
can find the right paper shredder for your needs simply by asking
yourself the following questions:
How much do you need to shred? One
of the most important considerations in choosing a shredder is how much
you need to shred at once. If you only need to shred a few sheets at a
time, a heavy-duty departmental shredder might be overkill. Likewise, a
small deskside shredder isn't going to cut it if you need to shred large
amounts of paper on a regular basis. Get a machine that has a shredding
capacity that will meet your needs.
How much security do you need?
Since you're getting a shredder to keep certain information under
warps, you need a machine that will give you the appropriate amount of
security. Shredders are commonly given a security rating that ranges
from 1 to 6. As you might expect, machines with a higher security rating
will give you more security. These machines include strip- and
micro-cut shredders. Some of these devices even receive approval from
federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, so they're perfect
for highly confidential materials.
Do you need to get rid of non-paper items?
A lot of paper shredders have the ability to shred non-paper items
including staples, credit cards, and CD's. These machines can be really
helpful if you work with a lot of electronic media or if you don't want
to remove staples and paper clips from your documents. Also, you'll be
able to get rid of expired credit and debit cards which can give you
extra protection against identity theft.
What security features do you need? You
need to give some consideration to safety features since shredding can
be dangerous. A lot of machines have safety interlocks that prevent
accidental and unauthorized use. And there are shredders that have
safety shields in the feed opening. Plus, there are devices that can
shut down when your hands are too close to the feed opening. So there
are plenty of features to look for that can keep you safe.
What kind of special features do you need? Many
of the shredders on the market come with special features. These
include quiet operation (great for shared work areas), jam-free
performance, and automatic oilers which make it easy to maintain the
machine. Also, some shredders are small enough to fit under desks, which
can be really helpful if your workspace is limited.
What kind of warranty coverage do you need?
You should choose a shredder that has good warranty coverage so you'll
be covered in case anything goes wrong. A good warranty will last for at
least a year.
By asking
yourself the above questions and answering them honestly, you'll be able
to find the right paper shredder for your needs. Good luck and happy
shredding!
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.
