The Forgotten Key: Why 1 in 3 Garage and Letterbox Calls are for Lost Keys
We’ve all been there; you stand at your front door, heart sinking as you realise your keys are sitting on the hallway table. It’s a classic locksmith emergency call. But our latest 5-year study of over 350,000 locksmith calls has uncovered a blind spot in British home security that most homeowners don’t see coming.
The Data: A Secondary Lock Crisis
According to our internal database, ‘Forgetfulness’ (lost keys or key locked inside) accounts for a staggering percentage of secondary lock calls. When we look at why people call a locksmith for their garage or letterboxes, the numbers tell a clear story:
- Letterboxes = 39.2% of all calls regarding lost keys
- Garage doors = 30.3% of all calls regarding lost keys
- Gun Cabinets = 27.3% of all calls regarding lost keys
In contrast, front door calls are much more likely to be caused by issues with the handle not turning up or wear and tear. It seems that if a key isn’t on our main daily keychain, it is effectively on a countdown to being lost.
Why Do We Lose These Keys Specifically?
There is a psychological reason behind the “Secondary Key Syndrome.”
- Low Frequency of Use: You use your front door multiple times a day. You might only open your garage once a week or your letterbox every few days. This lack of habit means the key doesn’t have a “dedicated home” in your brain.
- The “Junk Drawer” Trap: Because these keys aren’t used daily, they often end up in a bowl, a junk drawer, or a “safe place” that is promptly forgotten.
- Keyring Isolation: Many people keep garage or letterbox keys separate from their main car/house keys to avoid a bulky pocket. Once a key is off the main ring, its chances of disappearing increase by nearly 40%.
How to Avoid the Locksmith Fee
The cost of a locksmith for a lost key usually costs between £140 and £160, depending on the time of day and the complexity of the lock. Here is how you can stay out of our database and keep that money in your pocket:
The “Keyed Alike” Solution
Did you know you can often have your front door, back door, and even some types of garage locks set to the same key? This is called “Keyed Alike.” It eliminates the need for a secondary key entirely. If you have one key that does everything, you’re far more likely to keep track of it.
Digital Upgrades
For garages, consider a smart controller or a keypad entry. If your “key” is a code in your head or a button on your phone, it’s impossible to leave it in a junk drawer.
The Spare Key Audit
Once a year (we recommend April, which our data shows is the “safest” month with the lowest emergency rates), do a sweep of your spare keys. Ensure your garage and letterbox spares are labelled and stored in a secure, consistent location—ideally a fixed key safe.
Attach Them to Your Main Set
It might make your pockets a little heavier, but the data is clear: keys attached to a primary keyring are 3x less likely to be the subject of an emergency call-out.
Summary: Don’t Let a Small Key Cause a Big Headache
Our Wear and Tear Study and Forgetfulness Index prove that while we worry about burglars, our own memory is often the biggest threat to our wallet.
If you are currently struggling with a stiff garage lock or can’t find that elusive letterbox key, don’t wait for a total lockout. 54% of repairs start as “Problems Operating.” Addressing the issue now could save you from becoming another statistic in our next report.
Methodology Note: This data is based on 354,363 anonymised Keytek Locksmiths job records from 2020–2025. You can download the raw “Forgetfulness Index” dataset to see the full regional and seasonal breakdown.
Becki Hooper
Becki is a seasoned home security specialist and the Marketing Manager at Keytek, one of the UK’s leading locksmith companies. With over a decade of hands-on experience in the locksmith and security industry, she offers trusted guidance on everything from upgrading to high-security locks to selecting the best home protection systems.
A graduate of Winchester University, Becki blends academic insight with practical expertise to empower homeowners with reliable, up-to-date security advice.
