Is it safe to leave a spare key in a wall-mounted key safe?

Most people have faced the scenario at some stage whereby they have lost or forgotten their key and have no means of accessing their home or work. An alternative is that you are at work and a family member calls you to explain they have lost their key, or it has been stolen. The traditional key is a trusted and reliable form of security and has been for many years, but the physical element does present some limitations which can be impractical from time to time. One solution to this is the key safe.

In this guide we will learn what a key safe is and how it works, and we will review the security element to assure users that leaving a spare key in a key safe is a secure thing to do.

What is a key safe and what is it used for?

A key safe is a small metal box that is usually wall-mounted and is located externally to a property. The safe is used to store a spare key and is accessed using a keypad or a rotary dial, on which anyone with authorisation can input a four-digit code. This code will enable a hinged door to be opened, revealing access to the key for the property. A key safe can be used outside a residential property or a commercial business property.

This means that a spare key is always available in case of various scenarios in which a family member or a work colleague doesn’t have a key. A key can be forgotten, lost or stolen, or circumstances can combine to result in someone needing a key but isn’t able to physically get hold of one. A key safe also solves problems with contractors at a house when you are at work, or family members visiting when you are out, or looking after the house while you are on holiday. A key safe is also useful in emergency situations and when authorised medical staff need to access a home and a patient doesn’t have the mobility to answer the door.

Security considerations when installing a key safe

To answer the main question, yes it is safe to leave a spare key in a wall-mounted key safe. A common alternative is that people leave a key under a plant pot or a doormat, which is the first place an intruder or a criminal will look if they want access to the property. Key safes are strong, robust and durable and are usually manufactured to specific quality standards. So a key safe improves this security issue considerably, however, it is important to make note of the following considerations in order to reduce the security risk.

• Location – The key safe should be wall-mounted but in a discreet location. It is advisable to position it in a location where it is not visible from the road, or by any passers-by. While the key safe is strong and secure in itself, leaving it in a visible position will draw attention to it unnecessarily. It is also recommended that only authorised people are told of the location.
• Installation – A good, professional installation is also recommended to ensure the key safe remains wall-mounted. Again, while the key safe can’t be accessed without knowledge of the code, someone could remove the key safe from the wall and use destructive methods to access it, if they wanted to, but only if the wall installation is not good enough.
• Authorisation – Only share the unique code number with people that need to have it, and that you trust. It is possible to change the code, for example if you suspect someone knows the code who shouldn’t. It is also common for people to change the code after it has been used by contractors doing work at the property. Even if there is no reason to suspect the contractors are not trustworthy, it just makes sense to review security and distribute a new code at this time.
• Code – Make sure the code is unique and not an obvious number such as ‘1234’. Family members may also be able to guess birthdays and other memorable numbers, so if there is a family member you don’t want to have access to the key, make sure the code is truly unique, and again, keep changing it periodically.

Using these tips and suggestions you can ensure a key safe is fully secure and it is a sensible move to leave a spare key in a wall-mounted key safe. You can check out the full range of safes supplied by MB Direct and order a model to suit you today.