Key Safes

A Key Safe is a small, secure container that is fitted to the outside of a property. It is a convenient way to hold a spare key should any trusted person need access to that property without the need to be there to physically let them in.

Advantages of having a key safe

It provides peace of mind in a number of situations where you can allow people to access your property if you are not there, for example:

There is an elderly person with mobility issues. They may need carers to enter the property.
There is a pet indoors and you are late back
A trusted babysitter/childminder can visit
Allow access to cleaners, tradesmen and other professionals so that maintenance can be carried out.
Useful for holiday rentals / AirBNB properties
In case the emergency services need to gain access quickly
Your key may become damaged and worn and cannot unlock the door

It may just be useful to keep a spare key if ever you or any of your family members get locked out somehow. It is a cost effective solution and is more convenient than cutting extra keys and handing them out to various people.

Other factors to consider

Make sure you purchase a good quality product that has a good degree of security. It should be made from durable materials such as steel and have multiple layers of protection including sturdy locks and a strong mounting design.

Do not pick an obvious access code. Do not forget it. Make sure to scramble the code after use. If it is a push button version, clean the key safe from time to time as after a while it may be possible to identify which buttons are used in the code by visually looking at it. Remember to put the key back after use.

Check the mounting position. It should be at a convenient height, but if possible should be located where it is not too obvious so that any would-be burglar can easily see it whilst passing by. It should be secured into the brickwork, not in the mortar joints or on rendered surfaces and not on any wooden structure.

What Key Safe to Buy

You may wonder how secure a key safe is. Be aware, that not all key safes are the same. Quality and cost can vary greatly. You do not want an inferior product that a burglar/intruder could get into and get the key.

You should look for a key safe that has been independently tested and certified. It is highly recommended to get a Secured by Design (SBD) product.

SBD approved products are formerly known as police accredited. Such products have been rigorously tested to withstand physical attacks as well as environmental ageing tests.

The Supra C500 is a good entry-level SBD Key Safe and would be recommended as an affordable, secure product. You can find further details by clicking on this link.

So, as you can see, key safes are a highly convenient solution to allow trusted people to enter a property without owning a key. You do not need anyone else to be there and you do not need to rely on a neighbour.

As an alternative solution, you might want to consider smart locks where you can open locks remotely on behalf of other people. For example, the Ultion Nuki is a great solution – although more expensive than a key safe.

I hope this article on Key Safes has been useful to you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss my services please get in contact.

Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.