There must always be keys near doors?

[Namechange202323]

im sick of arguing with DH and my parents about this. With UPVC doors that are locked with a key from inside, rather than putting keys on a hook near door, they will take them into the house / upstairs, pockets whatever. Meaning you have to find a key to open the door and/or leave the house! I feel really strongly (from a fire risk etc), that we should always be able to get out and there should ALWAYS be a key at the door. They just don’t care as much and don’t think it matters. Even if it means a visitor is waiting for a few mins while they go get a key. Please tell me they are being ridiculous, and if there are any ideas to make sure key is always there. We have loads of spares and every so often I’ll put all 4 spares on the hooks but within a week they are in pockets / bags etc and need to be found! grrrr!

In the day time I keep mine on my kitchen counter which is in a separate room to the front door, but about six feet away so ready to access within seconds.At night, next to me on my bedside table.
Of course you should be able to lay your hands on them in seconds to get out should the worse happen.

Not being able to grab them within seconds is crazy.

If they are worried about them being fished through the letter box get a key cupboard with a closing doors with hinges on the same side as the door, that way even if a fishing attempt happened they wouldn't be able to get around the door as it would be in the way.

My front door key is hung from a nail on the door. Mainly so I don't forget it when I go out because its a yale lock, but also because it's easy access. I don't think anyone would be daft enough to try reaching through my letterbox, it bites.

I changed the locks in our house myself (thanks YouTube) to the type you can open without a key from inside. The thought of the kids not being able to get out in a fire was awful and once I'd had the thought I couldn't get rid of it 😕

This!

@elenacampana that surely depends on either having a letter box or window they could fish through or alternatively not having any secondary locks on the door

Of course the keys should be near the door, if only in case of fire.

Do you really all have locks that need a key to unlock them from the inside?

My deadbolts have the little bar you turn to lock them from the inside. Then use the key to lock it from the outside when leaving the house.

Other place has all digital locks.

Well we’ve been insured in two homes that have them 🤷🏻‍♀️. If they want to try reaching in through the small glass panel that’s at the top of the door to reach the lock then fair okay as no one’s arm is that long or dexterous.

We have our keys hanged near the door so soon as we come in they get hung up and we know exactly where they are

ThatMs really dangerous. You need to replace this with a lock that is keyless from the inside (twist lock). These are less than £10 from Screwfix, and you can install yourself in about 5 mins, no special skill required (just one screwdriver).

Ours is like that.

@Namechange202323 just get a copy and put it on your keyring.

We do this too. Our neighbours locked themselves out and we helped them try and hook their key through the letterbox with wire etc - none of us could manage it!

I have a friend who’s 5yo son died in a house fire because they couldn’t find the door key. DH tried moving our key upstairs and it was very nearly divorce territory. On our new door we have a turn screw inside so no key necessary. Both of us are much happier now.

Keys should always be to hand, but not visible from door (butglar fishing) and most definitely NOT in the lock. My mam had local firebrigade out fitting smoke alarms and they went over it with her. If a key is in the lock it makes it more difficult/longer for them to get into your home in an emergency.

We have sets at both front and back doors, and I've put them on large, unappealing keyrings to deter them being taken, and easier to spot. Still happens occasionally but not so often.

When I had new doors fitted, I had a none moving handle fitted to the outside of them, so the door locks automatically when you close them, but just by pushing the handle down as normal on the inside, they open.
They have locks and keys, but we only use them if we're going away.
I don't have a letterbox or glass on the doors.

If your key isn't in the door and there's a fire, can you find your key and get it into the lock if you are impaired by dark, smoke, panic?

Always got a key in the lock here.

Got a thumbturn on the front door and garage door so no need for keys. The thought terrifies me of being trapped in a locked house in a fire. Even keeping a key in a lock inside the door can prevent a key being used on the outside so people with a key can't get in in am emergency etc. Those with keys nearby...the chances of finding them in a smoke filled, pitch black house when you're panicking for your life and don't know what way is forward is very small.

I've always had doors that you can just open from inside. Honestly until this thread I didn't realise most people didn't ask for this. Im genuinely shocked people are relying on keys from inside!!!!

This would frighten me.

All holiday accommodation (and that includes Airbnbs, even the homestay) has to have keyless exit for fire safety reasons.

The locks are cheap and easy to fit.

There always, always needs to be an easy way out of a building, without the need to wait for someone with a key to open it. Utter madness otherwise. What if the one person with the key is overcome by smoke inhalation?

Either fit locks you can open from the outside without a key or keep one within easy and visible reach of the door - just make sure you can't see it through the letter box obviously.

Wr have just got a thumbprint lock. You need a thumbprint to get in or unlock it through your phone, or there's a catch on the inside to unlock from the inside. No way to get in without our thumbprint and no more keys.

Out front door has to be locked manually (but you can't get in from the outside) so it is never locked until we go out. This includes not being deadlocked overnight.

Is this an option for you - change the locks to those types?

Our back door has to be locked but the keys are quite close to that door in any case. And we often leave the key in that door as we are in and out.