Benefits of paper shredders

Paper shredders are used by dentists, doctors, and psychologists to protect their clients' private medical information.

Private citizens use them to destroy papers containing important personal and financial information. Businesses use them to protect employees’ personal information and themselves from corporate espionage and information theft. Depending on their features, paper shredders cost between $15 and $130. A small price to pay to prevent identity theft and fraud!

A large number of different models of paper shredders are available on the market, but they all fall into two main types: strip cut and cross cut. Strip-cut paper shredders cut the paper into thin strips. They are sufficient for many businesses, but they are not recommended for a business requiring maximum security. Cross-cut paper shredders cut documents into tiny pieces of paper that are almost impossible to reassemble. Cross-cut paper shredders are better than strip-cut shredders for security, but they are also more expensive.

Before buying a paper shredder, consider how often you will need to use it and the volume you will need for it to handle. Different paper shredders are built to handle different amounts of paper and to operate for different lengths of time before needing to cool off. For example, some top models can work for 10 to 12 minutes then need to be turned off for 20 minutes to rest. Other models can work for only two minutes at a time before they need to be turned off for 4 minutes. The optimal length of time for work and rest depends on the model of shredder. A shredder’s instruction manual should contain this information. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Any quality machine will burn out if overused or used improperly.

Another feature to consider is the shredder’s capacity for volume. Different types of paper shredders accept different numbers of sheets at one time. The size of the “throat” or opening where paper is fed varies between models. Some models can handle up to nine sheets at one time, but most take about five. It is recommended that you feed a little less volume at one time than the maximum allowed in order to keep the machine working well. The dimensions of the opening should also be considered. Most shredders accept 9-inch sheets of paper, which is good for almost every type of paper and size of document. It is best not to fold a sheet of paper to make it fit into the shredder.

The Benefits of Paper Shredders