The key phrase has been widely adopted by the home security industry to specifically mean ‘outdoor key box’ – a lockable storage device that is mounted to the outside wall of a property to store keys in case you want to give someone access to your home when you’re not there. Collins dictionary defines it as ‘a box with a lock, used for securing items of value, like a safe-deposit box, a strong box, a post-office box, etc’. And shockingly, contrary to what the name suggests, not all key safes are either! Read on to find out how to pick a key safe that is truly secure.Ī key lock box is a generic term that’s made its way to the UK from the US. But be warned: very few key boxes are safe. So, storing your key in a lockable key storage device is a minimum requirement. Not only hiding a key under a doormat is inviting trouble, but it is also very likely to invalidate your home insurance as the key is not deemed to be held securely. If you’re wondering what the differences between lock boxes, key lock boxes and key safes are, you hopefully already realise that there is no such thing as a safe place for hiding keys. Let us save you the legwork by giving you a quick overview of the differences between a key safe and a key lock box. We also tried to include a reasonable range of prices, so whichever style you prefer, or budget you’re working with, there should be an ideal option for you.Looking to find out the best way to safely store and share your keys? With a myriad of key storage solutions out there, it takes a lot of time and persistence to figure out what’s best for you. We did our best to include a good mix of styles and types, including a pair of boxes that don’t actually have locking mechanisms, but that can be hidden or camouflaged, as well as several models that use alphabetical instead of numerical combinations. This can help the dials and other lock components resist rust or corrosion over time. These don’t actually have locking mechanisms, but depending on how you use them, can be more secure than a traditional lock box.Īlso, if you live in a wet or cold-weather climate, you should consider a box that has a protective cover. If your key will only need to be accessed occasionally, or you just want it to act as a backup in case you get locked out, you might want to consider a hidden or camouflaged box. You should also consider avoiding push-button locks in this case, since frequently used buttons can show wear and tear over time, and make it easy for anyone to see which numbers are being pressed. These are convenient for whoever is accessing them, which also makes it more likely they’ll return the keys after they’re finished. If it’s meant to be used often, like for a cleaning person or at a rental unit with high turnover, you’ll probably want to go with an option that can be hung from your doorknob, or door handle. When purchasing a lock box for your keys, an important factor to consider is how often it’s going to be used. It removes a couple steps and adds some extra comfort and security. (Keep in mind that even though they’re designed to deter any would-be intruders, no lock box is totally impenetrable.)Īn alternative to a key lock box, is a smart lock. They typically use some kind of combination lock to keep your keys secured inside, and you can easily change that combination whenever you like-adding even more security, and much cheaper than changing the door locks themselves. A dedicated lock box for your spare keys allows you to provide entry to others when you’re not around-like dog walkers, Airbnb guests, or cleaning workers. Leaving a spare key under the doormat or on top of a doorframe is never a good idea.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |