What Should I Keep in Mind When Buying a Paper Shredder?

 

You will want to be sure you buy a shredder that meets your needs. You will want to ensure it handles your current volume of shredding, but also future amounts of shredding. These are a few questions you will consider before purchasing a shredder:

 

What security level shredder should I buy?

Shredders are designed to destroy paper. Various shredders cut paper into various sized pieces. If you will be shredding key material, that includes your social security number, account information, name, address and more, I would recommend buying at least a security-level three paper shredder. You will eventually need to determine how sensitive the material you are cutting up is before purchasing a shredder. Most companies that sell shredders have representatives that can help you with your ultimate choice.

Can a paper shredder shred all kinds of paper?

Most paper shredders can dispose all types of paper. Some home-office paper shredders will have a hard time shredding card stock. Some strip-cut shredders will experience difficulty shredding glossy paper. Be sure you are running paper through the shredder. Most shredders do not handle plastic, wood or metal.

How frequently should I oil my shredder?

If you use your shredder only a few times a week, it is better that you only oil your shredder once a month. If you use your shredder daily, it is recommended that you oil your shredder every four hours. It is a good idea to oil your shredder as you change your bag.

Can a paper shredder injure me?

 

Most paper shredders contain safety features built into them that avoid injury. Most paper shredders have an opening miniature enough that you cannot get your fingers caught. You will want to be cautious when shredding if you have long hair, put on a tie or wear a necklace. The only type of shredder that you really should worry about, when it comes to being hurt, are the industrial paper shredders. Although industrial paper shredders have safety options built into them, they are very powerful and have huge cutting blades.

 

How do I oil my paper shredder?

There are a few methods you can go about oiling your shredder. The most common way is to put oil on a sheet of paper and run it through the shredder. immediately the paper has gone through, put the shredder in reverse to oil all the parts. 

Resources and References:

• Paper Shredder Security
• Home Paper Shredders Pose Risk for Injuries