Leave-a-key safe: any experiences?

[Piglet]

Dad has taken to locking himself out fairly regularly (in his defence the back door used to have a mortice lock which he could leave open but as we've extended and removed the door we only have yales that slam shut).

Have anyone used anything like this http://www.insight-direct.co.uk/DotNetShop/Product... , I'm slightly concerned about the security risk of leaving keys outside but these things seem to come recommended by social services etc.

Any thoughts/experience?

[HOGEPH]

Have it in an out of the way position. Better than leaving a key under the flowerpot!

[Jazoli]

They are fine to use, I have fitted loads of these to holiday cottages and villa's over the years, don't buy a cheap one, get a decent quality mid priced one and they are perfectly safe (as safe as they can be).

Just don't put them in a obvious place as already mentioned, you can always spray the cover to make it blend into your exterior finish to make it even more discreet, If someone really wants in they can break a window anyway.

[tribbles]

I have one of those exact models - unfortunately mine didn't come with the cover, and it got wet in the recent weather, froze and won't lock up. And the keys got frozen inside too.

Had to chisel it open, and now it won't lock. Hey ho.

[markmullen]

When I was volunteering for a charity driving the old and disabled a few of the disabled passengers had these so we could let ourselves in to collect them, or their carer could let themselves in, never heard of any issues.

[dickymint]

I tend to hide a key in my pocket

[Trevelyan]

The council fitted one of these to my grandmothers house when she started needing daily visits from home carers. I think it was standard procedure for any elderly people living on their own so that if they were incapcitated in any way someone would be able to get into the house. Never had any problems with it at all, and the house insurance company were happy with it as long as it was an approved type.

[andy-xr]

Key on a string, worn around the neck just like the nice little council kids have

[J500ANT]

That looks like the one my mate has, the keys secure to the back of it so you cant put the numberpad back on without the keys (which is a good thing).

[scorcher]

Piglet said:

Dad has taken to locking himself out fairly regularly (in his defence the back door used to have a mortice lock which he could leave open but as we've extended and removed the door we only have yales that slam shut).

Have anyone used anything like this http://www.insight-direct.co.uk/DotNetShop/Product... , I'm slightly concerned about the security risk of leaving keys outside but these things seem to come recommended by social services etc.

Any thoughts/experience?

Has he got a car? Could he use on of those magnetic key things to attach a key underneath it. Or give a spare key to a neighbour.Or hang a key on a bit of string deep inside an evergreen conifer.In the bottom of a bird feeder.In the bottom of a plant pot with a fake plant/gravel in it.Hook a bit of wire with the key attached and then hook it over a low bit of guttering?

[ticmon]

I've used key safes in the care industry for a number of years. Never heard of any problems though. They're standard use in my work. As a previous poster has said if you're concerned put it out the way or round the back of the house if possible.

[saleen836]

A good one will make life very easy for you, unless you have paying guests who write the code on the doorframe to remind them

[mikeyr]

dickymint said:

I tend to hide a key in my pocket

I thought you were just pleased to see me!

[chimera40]

Never seen or used one, but the facy one poster got his open with a chisel says it all. I would go for a false rock. They look just like a real rock but are hollow inside. You can just place in the garden. Only problem is trying to find the bugger when you need the key. You end up picking up loads of rocks.

[HOGEPH]

mikeyr said:

dickymint said:

I tend to hide a key in my pocket

I thought you were just pleased to see me!

He said key, not donkey!

[rocksteadyeddie]

We have used one of these with our kids for years. I would echo the comments of those above about putting it in a discreet position. The only issue is returning the key when used. Our kids have learnt the lesson the hard way that if they don't put it back they're going to get cold but might be a problem with olds perhaps?

[Piglet]

Thanks all, useful comments. Those that have fitted them can you suggest any brands - is the one I linked to OK or should worried that someone opened there's with a chisel! Don't mind paying a bit more if needs be and I've noted the need for a cover! We had to use a blowlamp to get into the shed padlock today as it was frozen!

I want to avoid lose keys around the place, firstly he's a bit forgetful and might struggle to find one (I'm very forgetful I'd have no chance!), plus I like the idea of being able to direct someone else to a keysafe if they need to get into the house.

I hadn't thought about the insurers, I might give them a call and see if they recommend anything specific.

[pits]

rocksteadyeddie said:

We have used one of these with our kids for years. I would echo the comments of those above about putting it in a discreet position. The only issue is returning the key when used. Our kids have learnt the lesson the hard way that if they don't put it back they're going to get cold but might be a problem with olds perhaps?

Our local council was using them for all of us that work in the council properties, they lasted oooh 2 months before everyone got pissed off and wwent back to the old method, not only that, they can be taken off the wall very easy

[rocksteadyeddie]

pits said:

rocksteadyeddie said:

We have used one of these with our kids for years. I would echo the comments of those above about putting it in a discreet position. The only issue is returning the key when used. Our kids have learnt the lesson the hard way that if they don't put it back they're going to get cold but might be a problem with olds perhaps?

Our local council was using them for all of us that work in the council properties, they lasted oooh 2 months before everyone got pissed off and wwent back to the old method, not only that, they can be taken off the wall very easy

I'm sure a crowbar would have them off the wall. My thinking is that it doesn't actually help very much to get them off the wall as you still have to get into the damn thing to get to the keys which is not so straightforward. As someone previous said a brick through the window is a far easier way of breaking into your house if the scrotes are that way inclined.

[Trevelyan]

pits said:

Our local council was using them for all of us that work in the council properties, they lasted oooh 2 months before everyone got pissed off and wwent back to the old method, not only that, they can be taken off the wall very easy

Well as I said above, they're still standard use in many councils for care workers to access people's houses. Also they can only be taken off the wall easily if they're not fastened on very well in the first place. Even if you do get it off the wall you'd still need to break into the box itself to get the key out.

Surely the fact that another poster needed a chisel to break it open isn't a bad thing? I'm sure that anyone prepared to break into your house using tools would attack the door or window locks directly rather then bothering to break open a key safe. Give me a hammer and chisel and I guarantee I'd have the door smashed open quicker than I would the key safe...!