One of the most frustrating things that any homeowner must
deal with is getting locked out of their house. Unfortunately, getting locked
out of a house is fairly common as keys are a small items that are easy to lose
or misplace. Here are some important tips on how to avoid this
problem.
Extra Keys
A great way to prevent the annoyance of being locked out is
to have more than one set of house keys. Some people don't understand the
importance of having an extra set of keys, but spare keys are crucial.. If you
do not have any spare house keys, contact a professional locksmith as soon as
possible and have an extra key, or multiple extra keys, made.
Where to Hide
Once you have a spare set of keys, the next step is to
choose where to hide or safeguard the keys. One good idea is to hand over a
spare key to a neighbor or relative that you trust completely. If you ever find
yourself locked out, you simply contact the neighbor or relative, get your
spare key and unlock the door.
If you do not have a person in your life that you trust with
a spare key, or no one who lives close enough to help, you have the option to
hide a key on your property. In fact, even if you do have a friend or relative
that you entrust a key to, it's a good idea to hide a key on your property
anyway. That way, if your relative or friend is not available, you still have
another option.
Bad Hiding Places
If you decide to hide a key on your property, make certain
that you avoid places where burglars commonly look such as under a welcome mat
or inside a wall-mounted mailbox. Other spots where you don't want to hide a
spare key are under a planter or taped to a window ledge.
Good Hiding Places
You want to hide your spare key where a thief or burglar
won't find it. Burglars won't spend much time trying to find a spare key
because the longer they are on the property, the more their chances of getting
caught increase.
Consider hiding the key under a rock in your garden or
flower bed. Another good idea is to put a combination lock on the electrical
panel on the exterior of your home. Then place the spare key inside the panel.
Keyless Entry
Another way to avoid being locked out due to lost or
forgotten house keys is to use a keyless entry system, also known as a smart
lock. These devices typically have a number pad on the front and you simply
enter the combination to unlock your door. Some devices even come with a
fingerprint scanner that operates as a double authentication method.
Many smart locks also allow you to use an app on your
smartphone to open the lock. That way, you have the ability it open the lock
remotely if the need arises. Most smart locks are powered by a battery, so keep
a close eye on the battery life. Replace the battery well in advance of
complete loss of power.
It's never pleasant when you are locked out of the house,
but follow these tips to keep the odds of a lock-out to a minimum. But if you
ever are locked out and have no spare key, Roca Lock & Key will get you
inside your home quickly. We also can make spare house keys for you or install
a keyless lock system in your home. Contact us
to learn more.
