The Ultimate Guide to Spare Keys: How Many Should You Really Have for Maximum Home Security?
When it comes to home security, one of the most overlooked yet critical decisions you’ll make is determining how many spare keys to have. Ensure there’s at least one key for each responsible occupant, along with one spare key. But is one spare enough? The answer depends on your unique circumstances, living situation, and security priorities.
The Security Dilemma of Spare Keys
They’re a security risk. Every key you give out decreases your control over who enters your home. This fundamental tension between convenience and security is at the heart of spare key management. Once a spare key is out of your hands, you can’t stop it getting into the wrong hands. Even a trustworthy keyholder, like your teen, can lose it.
The stakes are higher than many homeowners realize. With unlawful entry now accounting for one third of all burglaries, you should consider a smarter alternative. However, completely avoiding spare keys isn’t practical for most households.
How Many Spare Keys Should You Have?
Security experts recommend a strategic approach to spare key management. Ensure there’s at least one key for each responsible occupant, along with one spare key. Consider making additional spare keys for trusted individuals, but always seek permission from housemates.
For most households, the optimal number follows this formula:
- Primary keys: One for each adult household member
- Emergency spare: One secure backup stored safely
- Trusted contacts: One for a reliable neighbor or family member
- Service access: One additional key if you regularly need access for pet sitters, housekeepers, or contractors
This typically means 3-5 keys total for an average household, though your specific needs may vary.
The Hidden Costs of Too Few Keys
In addition to being super convenient in case of a lockout, spare house keys save a lot of precious time and money as well. Also, if you’re locked out, you might have to call a professional locksmith, which can cause you more money than if you invested in making spares.
One of the main causes of lockouts is broken keys. Keys are not invincible to time or to the strain that owners put them on day in and day out. Keys can be easily broken when they have been in use for a long time. Having adequate spares prevents these situations from becoming expensive emergencies.
Smart Storage Solutions for Your Spare Keys
Where you store your spare keys is just as important as how many you have. Under the Doormat: This is perhaps the most predictable place to hide a spare key, and it’s one of the first spots any would-be intruder is likely to check. While it might be convenient, storing a key under your doormat is akin to leaving the door wide open.
Better alternatives include:
- Trusted neighbors: With a neighbor: Just leave a key with a neighbor. This is the most simple and safe way to keep your key safe, as long as you trust your neighbor, of course.
- Secure lockboxes: Use a Secure Key Safe or Lockbox: One of the most secure ways to store a spare key is by using a wall-mounted or portable key safe. These devices are locked with a combination code and can be discreetly placed on your property. Unlike hiding a key in a predictable spot, a key safe provides a controlled access point that only trusted individuals can use.
- Magnetic key holders: In a magnetic keytainer on your car: Leave a magnetic keytainer on your car. Most burglaries happen during the daytime hours when you’re not home. And if you’re not home, neither is your car (most of the time, anyway).
When Professional Key Services Make Sense
Creating quality spare keys requires professional expertise. If you’re in the Delaware County or Philadelphia area and need reliable key duplication Clifton Heights services, working with an established locksmith ensures your spare keys function properly when you need them most.
Family owned dependable Locksmith servicing all your home , vehicle/car/truck and business needs from local Delaware County to parts of Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester / Montgomery and Bucks counties. Professional locksmiths like McCausland Lock Service bring generations of experience to ensure your spare keys are cut accurately and securely.
Modern Alternatives to Traditional Spare Keys
Technology is changing the spare key game entirely. Many homeowners are opting to replace their traditional keys with a keypad for the same reason — no keys to keep track of so no need to hide a spare key. These can be especially helpful if you have college-aged or adult children who need access to your home but might not always have a key. You can also give the code to housekeepers or dog walkers so there is never a risk of having them make a copy of your key.
Smart locks offer several advantages:
- Temporary access codes for service providers
- Remote access control via smartphone
- Audit trails showing who accessed your home and when
- No physical keys to lose or duplicate
Best Practices for Spare Key Management
Make sure that you keep a list of all the spare keys you have made and know who has access to each of these spare keys. This makes it easier to track down in case anything goes wrong or if you want to get rid of a spare key.
Essential security practices include:
- Regularly audit who has your spare keys
- Change locks when keys are lost or relationships change
- Use high-quality key duplication services to ensure proper function
- Consider upgrading to restricted keyway systems for enhanced security
- Never label spare keys with your address
The Bottom Line on Spare Keys
The right number of spare keys balances security with practicality. Ultimately, the decision of how many spare keys to have is subjective and varies based on individual preferences. However, as industry experts, we recommend adhering to the outlined practices for optimal security and convenience.
Spare keys provide owners with an overall peace of mind, added convenience, and the realisation that they will not be stuck in a lockout for long if they ever find themselves in one. The key is implementing a thoughtful strategy that considers your household’s specific needs while maintaining security best practices.
Whether you choose traditional spare keys or modern smart lock solutions, the most important step is taking action before you find yourself locked out. Plan ahead, choose secure storage methods, and work with reputable professionals to ensure your home remains both accessible and secure.