When I was growing up, it was relatively safe to leave a spare door key outside somewhere (or at the very least, appeared to be safe); some people left theirs under the mat, some under the flowerpot, others above the doorframe I remember my mum having a “rock” that went in the garden which had a concealed compartment. These days, that is something we can’t and shouldn’t do, especially with domestic burglaries on the rise in the UK. If you do need to keep a key outside then you should use a key safe, preferably a police approved key safe, such as the Supra C500 Pro Key Safe.
As more and more people are taking their home security much more seriously and fitting stronger locks, better lighting and security cameras (check out police.uk for other some crime prevention advice), that means you shouldn’t undo it all by leaving a key under the mat or somewhere equally as insecure and easy to locate.
Whilst leaving a spare key outside is not advisable, there are times when you do need to do so, for the kids coming home from school or carers coming in and out during the day. If this is the case then you should have a key safe securely installed on the wall with a combination to open it.
The Supra C500 Pro Key Safe is a Secured by Design Police Preferred key safe for use on external walls. Before installing/using any key safe, please check with your home insurer that if by using one it would invalidate your insurance (some insurance companies will only allow certain outside key safes, if any). You can read more about Police Preferred key safes here.
The Supra C500 Pro is a Police Preferred key safe and has been tested for use on external walls. As long as you use the fixings supplied (self-tapping masonry screws that fix into brick or concrete without the need for rawl plugs) you will maintain the police accreditation. It has also achieved an independent security rating from the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) to LPS1175. Constructed from Zinc Alloy, making it attack resistant. it has over 4,000 possible combinations and you can change the code as often as you like, making securing a spare key outside as safe as you possibly can.
The key safe is a small wall-mounted box (external measurements 149 x 81 x 63 mm). It has an anti-theft single-piece construction of thick, hardened Zinc Alloy with a plastic, pull down front to protect it from the elements and weighs approx. 1.8kg). Hidden behind the pull down cover are 12 push keys (numbered 1 to 10, letters A and B) and a reset button. It has space inside to store up to 6 keys on an internal hook (depending on type and size of key).
Before doing anything with it, a code needs to be set up (it does not come with a preset one). It has 4,096 possible code combinations – a mixture of numbers and letters. The code you decide to use must be between four and seven digits (you really should use at least five for better security). Each digit can only be used once – for example, you could use 12345 but not 11122. Caution: there is no override or reset code, so don’t forget the code – make sure you test it before closing the unit and keep a note of the number somewhere safe. Once locked you will not be able to open it again without the code that you have set. The code is easy to set using the supplied code changing tool and can be changed as many times as required, you could change it every day, week, month or year – it’s up to you.
If you are competent with DIY you can fix it to the wall yourself (or you can pay to get it professionally installed). There are instructions and screws supplied and when purchasing the key safe you can also purchase the optional fitting pack which contains the correct drill bit and torx screwdriver. Find a suitable place that is not too obvious to site it. Using the template on the back of the instruction leaflet drill four holes and then screw the key safe (using a T30 Torx screwdriver) to the wall. It needs to be onto brick or dense concrete (not masonry) to be fully secure. Once fitted, you can now store a spare key(s) outside and be safe in the knowledge that it is secure and only people with the code can gain access.
Overall, if for whatever reason you do need to leave a spare key outside, I think that this is an excellent quality and secure key safe. It is strong and secure, rust and weather resistant and constructed from a thick and heavy Zinc Alloy to make it attack resistant.
This is the most secure way to keep a key outside for family members and carers (especially if you have different carers in and out all day). There is no need to cut new sets of keys for various people, reducing the risk of any getting lost or misplaced when a carer changes. It is approved by the Police and some home insurers as secure for home use (check with your insurance first), giving you assurance and peace of mind that your spare key is safe.
If you do need to use a key safe for whatever reason, make sure that you always use a Police Preferred one, install it out of sight where possible, use the correct supplied fittings and only give the code to anyone that is absolutely necessary to have it. And for better protection and security, make sure that you change the code regularly, it isn’t difficult to change it and is a quick process.
Don’t take the risk of leaving a key under the mat or flowerpot, you never know who’ll go rooting around your garden. Keep you spare key safe and secure with a Secured by Design Police Preferred key safe.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £67.99
For more information or to buy, visit keysafe.co.uk. Also available from Amazon here.