draining cooling system through drain valve

Is the radiator drain valve prone to breaking, leaking or anything when used? I don't know when they last used it. Or is there a safer way to drain the cooling system?

Some people just pop off the lower rad hose, but that's pretty messy. I siphoned out 3/4 of the coolant once by placing a hose down the tank. That could reduce the mess when popping off the lower rad hose.