Would you like to know the most secure position for a key safe? Not sure whether it needs to be hidden from view for maximum security?
At Key Safe, we believe that not all key safes are made equal. Cheaper products such as scroll locks and plastic push-button lock boxes are easier to break into and do not go through the same rigorous testing as high-security key safes do. In our opinion, if a key safe is truly secure there is no real reason to keep it hidden. Read on to find out the best position for yours:
Choose a secure outdoor key safe to install
Price is often a good indicator of security and quality levels. Cheaper products often do not have any independent security certifications whereas high-security key safes will be SBD (Securedby Design) and LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) certified, which you can learn more about in our recent ‘What Is A Police Preferred Key Safe’blog. There are different levels of LPCB certification too. ark Tamo is the most secure, having attained the LPS 1175 Issue 8 A10 certification – the first and only push-button key safe to do so – closely followed by Supra C500 Pro and Supra P500 Pro which both have the A5 certification.
The best approach to installing a key safe
To install the key safe securely the following rules need to be observed: •Always follow the manufacturer's installation guide
•Be sure to use the screws supplied with the key safe. The fittings supplied with our products have undergone stringent tests as part of the independent product attack testing to ensure the key safe cannot be prised off the wall. Using unapproved fittings could compromise the key safe’s anchoring onto the wall and will invalidate the security certification.
•The standard masonry screws provided with our police preferred key safes are self-tapping and should be installed directly into brick or concrete - no rawl plugs are required
•Ensure the key safe is mounted flush with the masonry surface and does not rock
•Do not install a key safe closer than 6” or 15cm to the corner of a masonry surface
•Masonry screws should only be installed directly into brick and never directly into the mortar as this would weaken the mounting
•We recommend setting your key safe code before you install it. For guidance on how to set a code in one of our products,
The best place to install your key safe
Where you install your key safe will depend on the product you choose. High-security products can be positioned in sight but no or low-security key boxes can be an easy target and should be out of sight. Always opt for the highest security product you can afford and look out for a police preferred specification badge. Our police preferred key safes lead the way in home security products.
Covert positioning for your key safe
Inferior key safes or key boxes without independent security certifications like SBD police preferred specification or LPCB LPS security rating are easier to break into and should always be positioned out of sight not to attract attention. We recommend that you always opt for the highest security key safes which have been independently tested against attacks such as ark Tamo, Supra P500 Proand Supra C500 Pro. If you do, however, purchase a non-secure key box or key safe, we recommend that you only use them for buildings with low-value contents such as sheds or outbuildings and never to provide access to vulnerable people’s homes.
Cheaper key lock boxes may invalidate your home insurance
Many people install lower security key boxes on the sidewall, at the back of the property or hidden out of sight on the front of the house, for example, at a lower level or behind a plant. This is not as safe you might think, particularly when the key box is not visible from the front of the house, as it presents burglars an opportunity to attempt breaching the device without being seen. At Key Safe, we recommend choosing high quality, independently certified key safes even for an ‘out of sight’ positioning, to minimise the risk of burglars breaking into your key box.
Overt positioning for your key safe
Products with a third-party accreditation like Secured by Design or LPCB attack standard are safe to be placed both at the front of a house or at the back, if preferred. To get the most out of your key safe, we recommend installing your police preferred key safein an overt positionas these products will have undergone vigorous anti-attack testing by independent industry bodies. Front of house positioning offers greater ease of use and ultimate convenience as the key safe is in easy reach and in good light for quick key and code changing access. If your high security key safe is used by a third party like a dog walker, cleaner or carer, positioning it by the front door will make it much more convenient for them to use, as they can open the device with one hand whilst holding a dog lead, cleaning products or shopping bags in the other. They don’t have to waste time locating the key safe and can let themselves in quickly and with ease. Equally, if you’re regularly using the most secure key safe yourself in order not to take the key when going on walks or to the gym, you’ll want it positioned conveniently right by the front door so you can quickly access and put back the key without having to go round the back of the property to retrieve it. This way, you will find using the key safe much more enjoyable and are likely to use it more frequently, making sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Positioning the key safe at a convenient level such as chest level or wheelchair access height and in a place with plenty of natural lighting will make it easier to use and will also help with code changing. We recommend you change your code on a regular basis for security reasons, particularly if you’ve shared your code with someone outside your close circle of trust.
