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Original poster

keysafe -any experience, pros/cons

33 replies

alifemoreorlessordinary · 08/07/2017 10:27

hi, been thinking about getting a keysafe for a while - where you keep a spare (front) door key inside a metal box, with a keycode, for outside our house. I know they seem mostly to be used for elderly people, so visitors/carers can let themselves in. Anyone got any experience -are they really safe i.e. can't get the key out unless you use the correct keycode? and must be much safer than leaving a key under a plant pot which we never do

OP posts:
Spartak · 08/07/2017 10:30

I have them installed for elderly patients and use them a lot at work. Never known any problems, they are very sturdy. If you were determined enough it could be smashed open I suppose, but it would be quicker and easier to smash open the door.

Vanillamanilla1 · 08/07/2017 10:33

Agree with the poster above ^^
It saves the teenage kids losing their key all the time .
Its sturdy it's on the side of the house we've never had a problem with ours and we change the code regularly

Original poster
alifemoreorlessordinary · 08/07/2017 10:38

great thank you, will definitely look into getting one after having a nap due to being woken at 3am this morning for DS1 who forget his key (he had text me much earlier but I managed to miss that!), thanks

OP posts:
hoochymama1 · 08/07/2017 10:52

Yep, like Spartak I use them a lot for work too. One tip is don't start the number with year of your birth, 19... as most people do this and it's easy then to guess the rest. Also site it away from casual observers passing. All the best with it Smile

Roystonv · 08/07/2017 10:56

Think of who needs to access it! My 6' 2" day did not think of me at 5'2" when he put his up so I have a bit of a struggle using it

Roystonv · 08/07/2017 10:56

Ffs ds

Letsgotocornwall · 08/07/2017 11:00

We have one, mil had one in case an ambulance, etc needed to get into her house.
We have one so our kids can get in easily.

PossumInAPearTree · 08/07/2017 11:07

We've had one for years for when dippy teen forgets her key. Touch wood, no issues. Its out of sight of the road.

Original poster
alifemoreorlessordinary · 08/07/2017 11:32

thank you for your practical tips! Especially the one about height...

OP posts:
specialsubject · 08/07/2017 11:36

Check reviews first - there is at least one dodgy one that every low.life can open in seconds.

Wiifitmama · 08/07/2017 11:41

We have one but do not leave a key in it regularly. We use it for when we home exchange our property. We are on a main road and it is next to the front door so I would not feel comfortable leaving a key in there all the time. Though that said, no-one knows there is no key in there and we have never had it broken into!!

Original poster
alifemoreorlessordinary · 08/07/2017 14:37

ooh ok, thank you re checking reviews!

OP posts:
corlan · 08/07/2017 14:40

I opened the plastic cover on my Mum's keysafe once and a bee flew out! Apart from that, we had no problems.

HemanOrSheRa · 08/07/2017 14:41

I get them installed for the older people that I work with. Like a PP in 25 years I have never known of a problem, security wise. In fact, we had to get one open recently. Long story of care agency changing the code without telling anyone and the elderly gent locking himself INSIDE his flat. We had to call a locksmith out - he had to angle grind the front of the box off!

Heartoverheadhouse · 08/07/2017 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlrightBabby · 08/07/2017 15:16

We have one and have never had a problem. We had it so our teenagers could get in when they forgot their keys, when they got older we used to leave an emergency £10 in case they needed to get a taxi home from anywhere, but now they are older it's more likely to be me that's gone up the shops and forgot a house key.

Morecaffeineplease · 08/07/2017 21:02

We find it useful for tradesmen that we trust. Easy to remove for a house move, easy to reinstate. Very easy to change the code (which I do very frequently) Our sits in a situation where it actually blends into its surroundings so it's not easily spotted.

chocoshopoholic · 08/07/2017 21:08

There's one on my house, it was installed before I moved in. I've had no problems with it, I've changed the code several times but only leave a key in it when I'm expecting someone to use it

BattleaxeGalactica · 08/07/2017 21:15

DM has one. It was deliberately installed out of sight of the road and I use it if I forget the door key. It's slightly fiddly (small buttons) but otherwise no problems.

wowfudge · 08/07/2017 21:38

Can anyone who has one tell me which make and model they have please? We're looking at getting one.

purplenessy · 08/07/2017 21:41

Our builders have screwed one to the house wall. I've no idea the number but so far it's working well with all the tradesmen working here

PossumInAPearTree · 08/07/2017 21:44

This is what I have

www.amazon.co.uk/Wall-mounted-combination-black-sharing-securely-x/dp/B000JTIX3S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499546604&sr=8-3&keywords=key+safe+outdoor&tag=mumsnetforum-21

See on amazon there's a police approved one, but it's £80.

PossumInAPearTree · 08/07/2017 21:47

Oh and I've just read a review where someone had theirs broken into with a screwdriver, plus another review saying they can pick the lock in a minute. So maybe ignore my recommendation and get the £80!

Vanillamanilla1 · 08/07/2017 22:58

That's the one I have possuminapeartree
It's done us well and feels very secure

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