How Safe are Outdoor Key Safes - 90 Second Insight

Outdoor key safes provide a practical solution to many situations in which property keys need to be made accessible but remain secure. In our latest 90 second video and blog post we answer some commonly asked questions about these secure key boxes.

Are you one of the many who leave a spare key outdoors, hidden under a plant pot or concealed under a door mat? Or do you need to securely provide property keys to enable those who have permission to get in?

Reliable, secure key storage that facilitates access without putting property security at risk, is a challenge. Outdoor key safes can be the answer.

What is an Outdoor Key Safe?

An outdoor key safe is a very strong, mechanical metal box in which keys are safely secured. The box is robustly installed, outside the property, and the keys are easily accessed by entering a combination code. This ensures keys can only be accessed by those who know the combination.

Outdoor key safes are available in a variety of styles and designs. Boxes offering the lowest level of security tend to be manufactured from thinner metal with only 3 or 4 digit combination code locks and don’t have any industry recognised security ratings. Higher security key safes use stronger materials, such as alloy steel, have a greater number of digits in their combination codes and some have gained recognised security ratings, for example - Loss Prevention Certification Board security rating.

Where is the Best Location for an Outdoor Key Safe?

As the name clearly states - these key safes are intended for outdoor installation. Its therefore vitally important to pay attention to where and how the key safe is installed.

When thinking about an outdoor key safe location you need to consider:

• Can it be seen from the road or by passers by?
• Is it at eye level?
• Is the device clearly identifiable as a key safe?
• Is the location near the door or gate?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” - then you should look for an alternative location.

As a rule, the outdoor key safe should be concealed and not easily seen by passers by or delivery people. The only people who need to know where it is are those who need to have access to the secured keys. The key safe might be sensibly concealed behind a window box or plant, for example. Although the key safe needs to be hidden, the location should ideally mean that if someone finds and attempts to break into the safe, they are likely to be witnessed.

The key safe manufacturers instructions should always be followed when installing the box. Approved fixings should be used to securely attach the safe to robust brickwork or concrete.

Where are Outdoor Key Safes Used?

There are many situations in which secure outdoor key safes make life a little simpler and more secure. As an alternative to leaving a spare key under a plant pot, for example. Or to allow the children to get in if they come home from school when nobody is at home.

Some people use outdoor key safes to securely store their home keys when they go out for a jog or a countryside walk. Securely leaving the house keys at home removes the worry about possibly losing them and reduces the weight carried when running.

Key sharing is simplified using secure outdoor key safes. This removes the need to keep track of who is currently holding the property keys. Key safe codes can be easily changed, whenever necessary, ensuring only those with permission know the active code.

A very popular and practical application for outdoor key safes is to provide access to carers. Older people and patients who have recently left hospital, may need to be visited by carers or family members and outdoor key safes enable accessibility. The key safe also alleviates the need, for those with mobility issues, to answer and open their door.

Holiday lets and temporary accommodation facilities also commonly use outdoor key safes. Guests, provided with the access code, can let themselves in at whatever time suits them. And the key safe code can be easily changed when they depart, to maintain security.

Contractors and workers who need to access a property also benefit from outdoor key safes. If its necessary to allow trusted tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians or decorators to enter a property, there is no need to take time off work. Similarly, estate agents can benefit from using outdoor key safes to access properties and show people around, without the vendor being at home.

Emergency services, including paramedics and fire fighters, can also benefit from having access to property keys by simply entering the combination code, allowing swift entry to deal with the emergency.

Outdoor key safes are not only good for property keys, they can also be used for vehicle keys. Car keys, for vehicles in a car pool, can be readily shared without the need to physically hand them over. Many excellent key safes are also large enough to secure multiple keys and access control cards.

Community halls, scout and guide venues, youth centres and allotment sites are amongst the many properties that benefit from using secure outdoor key safes.

Are Key Safes Police Approved?

As previously mentioned, there are many designs and types of outdoor key safe on the market today. Some are relatively basic boxes, without any form of security accreditation. But there are models that have met rigorous, police approved security ratings.

An excellent example is the Keyguard XL - Police Approved Key Safe.

This robust outdoor key safe is built to the Police Approved Specification and is certified to LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) security rating (LPS) 1175, issue 8.

The robust Keyguard XL key safe is ideal for both indoor and outdoor key security applications.

Another good example is the Supra C500 Police Approved Outdoor Key Safe.

This robust outdoor key safe has achieved both “Secured by Design” accreditation along with a Loss Prevention Certification Board LPS 1175 security rating 1. This means the key safe successfully resisted a number of professional attacks, each lasting up to a minute, involving the use of various aggressive hand tools such as levers, screwdrivers, spanners and more.

Do Key Safes Get Broken Into?

It is important to understand that key safes are not the same as key lock boxes. Lock boxes are sometimes incorrectly advertised and sold as key safes, but they don’t offer the same level of security protection as robust key safes and can be easily broken into.

High security, police approved key safes are tested and verified to make certain they can withstand the various forms of attack used by those who might want to steal the secured keys. Sadly, there have been cases in which suspects broke open key safes to access door keys and then used to these to enter a home, take the car keys and steal the owner’s car.

In one case, a collection of key safes, that were highly visible on the front wall of a multi-occupancy building, were ripped away. The police recommended that key safes should be located somewhere less obvious and they should always be installed in compliance with manufacturers guidance.

What are the Advantages of Outdoor Key Safes?

Outdoor key safes offer many advantages in a wide range of applications.

Accessibility. As we’ve outlined in this post, outdoor key safes securely facilitate accessibility for those who need it. Carers, for example, can enter the homes of those they are caring for without troubling them. Service providers and contractors can get into property without the owner having to remain at home. Children can get in without the need for them to carry keys to school.

Convenience. There are many situations in which outdoor key safes are far more convenient and avoid the need to physically hand over keys or carry them with you. Holiday makers, for example, can get into their accommodation at whatever time they arrive, without the need for the property owner to be present. Joggers and others, who don’t want to be encumbered with the additional weight of their house keys and don’t want to risk losing them, benefit from conveniently leaving their home keys securely locked in an outdoor key safe. Pet carers and dog walkers can also securely access a home to feed the pets and walk the dogs.

Emergencies. Outdoor key safes enable emergency services to get the keys they need to quickly gain entry into a property by simply entering the required combination code. This can enable paramedics or fire service professionals to deal with emergencies much quicker and avoid the need to bash doors down.

For more than just property keys. Outdoor key safes can be used for securely sharing items and keys other than just property keys. Car keys for car sharing, for example, can be conveniently locked in an outdoor key safe, avoiding the need to physically hand them over.

How Safe are Outdoor Key Safes?

The security and safety offered by outdoor key safes is dependent on a number of factors. The quality and robustness of the specific key safe model is an important security attribute. As discussed, some are relatively basic and would not be suitable for high security applications. But there are models which meet stringent police approval and security accreditation standards, suitable for higher security applications.

The location in which the key safe is installed is another important factor that affects security performance. Prominently locating a key safe on the front wall of a building, where it can be clearly seen by anyone, is an obvious security risk. Ideally, an outdoor key safe should be concealed but accessible to those who need to use it and therefore know where it is.

How the key safe is installed is another important factor when considering how safe an outdoor key safe is. Key safes must be installed in compliance manufacturers recommendations. Some are supplied with mounting templates, fixings and very clear installation instructions. Holes need to be drilled in flat brick or concrete, where the key safe will not rock. The mounting template should be used to guide where the holes need to be drilled and a spirit level used to make certain the key safe is vertical. Care should be taken to make sure the drilled holes are optimally sized for the security fastenings.

Does an Outdoor Key Safe Invalidate Home Insurance?

Its important to know that some insurance companies may reject a claim for theft if the burgled property was accessed using keys taken from an outdoor key safe. Its therefore essential to check with the property insurance provider and the specific insurance policy. When considering the installation of an outdoor key safe it makes sense to consult with the insurance provider to find out what their recommendations and restrictions are.

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