4 Alternative Options To Hiding Exterior Spare Keys
Hiding a spare key on the outside of your home may seem like an ideal way to have security, but it can make your home vulnerable to crooks and criminals that know a majority of hiding places. Instead of giving easy access to your home, there are multiple ways to prepare back-up home entry options. The following four options can prepare your home for a lockout, stolen key, and other incident that leaves you on the outside looking in. By working with a professional locksmith, you can easily set-up one or more of these methods on entry points for your home.
Decoded House Keys
Making extra spare keys can result in more security vulnerabilities and more keys to actually lose. The next time you visit a locksmith, it's a good idea to have your key decoded rather than just made a copy of. A decoded house key is programmed into a national locksmith system. Once you have the code, you can keep it on file with your local locksmith or write the code down and put it in a safe place like your wallet.
If you lose your house key, the special code can be used to make a duplicate of your key without needing the original. Not only will this help save time, but you do not need to have all your locks replaced or taken apart by a locksmith.
Smart Lock Entries
More than actual keys, it seems like people do not leave home or go anywhere without their smart phone. A smart phone device not only connects you to the world, but it can connect directly to your lock at home. A locksmith has the ability to install a smart lock on your home. This lock enables you to unlock your home's door with a few taps or even through automated distance detection.
Not only can the app give you access to the locked home, but you can use the smart lock to check and make sure that your home is properly locked when you are not are not there. A digital log can showcase when the lock was accessed and how many times the door has been open and shut. It's a great security option to offer extra protection.
Keypad Locks
A similar design option to smart locks is the keypad locks. Instead of using a spare key, you can use digital pin access to enter your home. Light-up buttons make it easy to see the numbers at night and access your home when needed.
The keypad features also allow you to set temporary keypad codes. This is great for relatives or guests visiting the home. Some advanced keypad entry systems feature both a pin pad option along with the ability to use fingerprint scanners. This is a great way to add extra security and never worry about spare keys.
Exterior Lockbox
If you want to keep copies of spare keys for various entry points like garages, backdoors, or basements, then consider having a lockbox installed on the exterior of your home. These small boxes can be attached to a hidden location around the home and feature a pin-pad entry so you do not need additional keys to access it.
Along with pins, older styled lock boxes feature a sliding combination mechanism that work in the same way. The boxes are also weather-resistant, allowing you to access your extra keys in all types of weather and temperatures.
Once you eliminate the traditional spare key from outside of your home, your security will be naturally increased. As a locksmith from a company like Top Security Locksmiths visits and installs upgrades, you can inquire about other ways to add security to your home and get protected even further.