Shredding documents

[Romanos]

Anyone here typically use a shredder at home? I've used them in the past, although I've tossed any old bank documents into a fire when we are having one in the fire pit.

 

[Lamb]

Anyone here typically use a shredder at home? I've used them in the past, although I've tossed any old bank documents into a fire when we are having one in the fire pit.

We shred everything here.

 

[psalms 91]

I use one

 

[tango]

Anyone here typically use a shredder at home? I've used them in the past, although I've tossed any old bank documents into a fire when we are having one in the fire pit.

I used to use an industrial strength crosscut shredder. A lot of domestic shredders are all but useless, if it cuts into 1/4" wide strips it wouldn't take someone particularly long to put everything back together again if they were so inclined. The crosscut shredder that prunes into tiny pieces makes it almost impossible to do that.

Years ago I worked for a place that dealt with a lot of commercially sensitive material. They had a crosscut shredder that was rated for secure destruction of classified government material. As far as I know they never dealt with anything like that, it just made commercial customers feel more comfortable that anything that needed to be destroyed was properly destroyed.

Now I just keep a bag of paperwork that needs to be destroyed and take it out to the burn barrel every once in a while. When I've got wood to burn it makes a good fire lighter. A good dousing with acetone helps....

 

[Albion]

Crosscut shredders are basically the norm now for home use and are not expensive or complicated to use, either. Nor do they have to take up much space.

I really don't know how anyone can get along without one. FWIW, Tangos solution to the problem strikes me as much less convenient than using a shredder!

 

[Josiah]

Anyone here typically use a shredder at home? I've used them in the past, although I've tossed any old bank documents into a fire when we are having one in the fire pit.

Yes. I shred ANYTHING that has personal information.


MORE IMPORTANT is what is stated on the internet (on social media or even sites like this). NO pictures. NO location (IMO, countries or even states are okay, not cities). NO full names (if I had to do it all over again, I too would use a nick name). We don't post pictures of our son (or permit others to), etc. What can be used against you probably will. Too bad but....

 

[Lamb]

Burning is fine in areas that allow it but some towns have ordinances against it.

 

[Albion]

true, but the idea of burner-barrel disposals or lighting up firewood doesn't quite add up in my mind in the first place. That is about paper refuse in general--newspapers, flyers, packaging, etc. The material that is normally shredded is much less in volume.

 

[tango]

Burning is fine in areas that allow it but some towns have ordinances against it.

Unless you're burning a huge amount, or you live in a very densely populated area, nobody would know. Last time I was burning laths I wandered over to talk to my neighbor and from no more than about 50 feet away you couldn't even tell there was a fire in my barrel.

 

[tango]

true, but the idea of burner-barrel disposals or lighting up firewood doesn't quite add up in my mind in the first place. That is about paper refuse in general--newspapers, flyers, packaging, etc. The material that is normally shredded is much less in volume.

Not even newspapers, typically I tear off anything that is identifying and burn it, and recycle the rest. Newspapers can go in the trash with everything else.

Something like a periodical gets the address torn off and then thrown in the recycling. Things like old bank statements get totally destroyed.

 

[tango]

Yes. I shred ANYTHING that has personal information.


MORE IMPORTANT is what is stated on the internet (on social media or even sites like this). NO pictures. NO location (IMO, countries or even states are okay, not cities). NO full names (if I had to do it all over again, I too would use a nick name). We don't post pictures of our son (or permit others to), etc. What can be used against you probably will. Too bad but....

Outside of people respecting your wish I don't think there's a whole lot you can actually do to stop people posting pictures.

Some years ago I was asked to take pictures at a childrens' party. One of the parents worked for one of the larger technology firms and was of the opinion that no pictures of their child were permitted in any shape or form. The organisers told me not to worry - if they were that bothered about their child being photographed it was up to them to stay away from the event.

Certainly if you're in a public place there's almost nothing you can do to stop someone taking your picture. There are all sorts of pictures of me on social media where I've taken a variety of steps to mask my face. Somewhere there are group pictures of friends with me facing away from the camera.