| Identity theft is unfortunately becoming increasingly | | | | Safety |
| common. Thieves can get personal information about | | | | Before buying a shredder you should bear in mind too |
| you, steal your identity and generally create havoc in | | | | that they can be dangerous. Every year there are |
| your life by signing up for credit cards etc... in your | | | | people who lose fingers in shredders, particularly |
| name. One way they do this is by taking your details | | | | young children, so check out the safety features if |
| from documents your throw out in the garbage. It | | | | you think this is likely to be a problem. |
| has therefore become essential to destroy any | | | | The safety features to look out for are sensors that |
| documents containing personal information that you | | | | switch the shredder off if fingers get too close to |
| intended putting in the garbage. If you are unable to | | | | the paper entry, very thin paper entries, safety locks |
| burn your documents or if you simply have too many | | | | to ensure that children cannot switch the shredder |
| to make that a sensible option then you really ought | | | | on, safety flaps that hide the cutters when the head |
| to buy a paper shredder. | | | | is removed from the waste basket, safety interlock |
| A paper shredder is a mechanical device that cuts | | | | switches which prevent the shredder head from |
| paper into thin strips or small pieces. To protect your | | | | being operated if it is not in waste basket. |
| identity from theft by so-called dumpster divers you | | | | Security |
| need to shred or destroy all bills, tax documents, | | | | Standards have been created to define the level of |
| credit card statements, bank statements, etc... Bear | | | | security a paper shredder offers. These levels are:- |
| in mind too that documents you dump in the garbage | | | | 1 = 12 mm strips |
| can end up in foreign countries, as your municipal | | | | 2 = 6 mm strips |
| waste disposal service decides to dump them in | | | | 3 (confidential) = 2 mm strips |
| countries in Africa rather than in the local waste | | | | 4 (Commercially Sensitive) = particles measuring 2mm |
| dump or incinerator. Yes, they do do this. | | | | x 15 mm5 (Top Secret or Classified) = particles |
| TV documentaries have shown waste being | | | | measuring 0.8 mm x 12 mm |
| transported half way around the world to be dumped | | | | 6 (also Top Secret or Classified) = particles measuring |
| in landfill sites in places like Nigeria, where local people | | | | 0.8 mm x 4 mm |
| can then sift through the rubbish and get your | | | | Finally, when buying a paper shredder, go for a |
| personal information. | | | | shredder that is more powerful than you think you |
| Given how little paper shredders cost there is really | | | | need - the ratings are always over-optimistic. |
| no reason not to get one and use it. Light-weight | | | | Consider getting a shredder that also shreds CDs, |
| shredders will destroy your paper documents, but | | | | DVDs, credit cards etc... |
| there are heavy-duty shredders that will also shred | | | | Get a shredder with a bin that is easy to empty. |
| CDs, DVDs, etc... A cheap shredder will cost around | | | | Get a shredder with auto-stop/start and reverse |
| $40, a heavy-duty shredder will cost around $600. | | | | modes. Auto-start switches the shredder on |
| There are different types of paper shredder available. | | | | automatically when you insert your paper. Reverse |
| Some of them just cut your documents into strips, | | | | mode is useful for clearing paper jams. |
| but there are also cross-cut shredders, industrial | | | | And don't forget safety. If there are children or pets |
| shredders, heavy-duty shredders, and high-security | | | | nearby, get a shredder which offers the best safety |
| shredders. | | | | features. |