5 Important Reasons Why You Always Need A Spare Key
It’s surprising that so few people have a spare key and get caught out when they unfortunately get locked out of their house or lose their keys. Having a spare key is essential for homeowners, business owners, auto owners, etc. to name just a few.
Why Having a Spare Key is Important?
1. Spare Keys Help Prevent Accidental Lockouts
Lockouts can happen to anyone and at best they are frustrating, so it is best to be prepared for an accidental lockout before one even occurs. Not only does a spare key prevent you wasting your precious time and money it can also help in an emergency, it is not unusual to hear parents panicked on the phone as they’ve accidentally locked their young child inside their home whilst taking the bins out!
All it takes is a split second of absent-mindedness to leave you stranded in a lockout, at Keytek® Locksmiths we aim to be with you in 30 minutes* in such emergencies and get you back inside your home in a matter of minutes.
2. Snapped Key
One of the main causes of lockouts is broken keys. Keys are not invincible to time or to the strain that owners put them on day in and day out. Keys can be easily broken when they have been in use for a long time.
If the locks that you use in conjunction with your key are not behaving the way they are intended, then you might be in for a key break. In some cases, you will be able to tell that your key is in danger of breaking just by paying close attention to it. Many keys will have minor cracks along the shaft of the key, and this is a sign that your key is in danger of breaking.
The presence of a spare key reduces the chances of damaging an original key. This is because one key will not be exposed to the extreme amounts of pressure that comes with extended use. A spare key allows owners to switch between multiple keys. This allows them to make use of a spare key if their original key is showing signs of wear and tear, which prevents the original key from snapping inside the lock, rendering it useless and for you to become locked out.
3. Quick Key Replacements
There are several things that will lead people to need a key replacement. It could be that you lost your keys, the key got stolen, or the key got broken. Whatever the case may be, in this scenario, your next move will be to acquire the help of a local Locksmith that can help you fashion a new key.
Having a spare key handy greatly decreases the amount of time that a Locksmith will need to fashion a new key for you. If the key is not available, the Locksmith will either have to disassemble your lock or they will have to resort to other measures to try and obtain the key code necessary to cutting your new key. In the instance that you are already in possession of a spare key, the key cutting process takes only minutes, and it will cost owners only a fraction of what it would have been without a spare key available.
*In the event that your keys are lost or stolen we recommend that you have your locks replaced with new keys as you do not want your keys falling into the wrong hands. At Keytek® we will always provide 2/3 keys with every door lock replacement and more may be available if asked for in advance.
4. Spare Keys Means Multiple Users
There is an old saying that goes, “too many cooks spoil the broth”. The same concept applies to having too many people using one key. For instance, if a homeowner only has one set of keys, and has multiple people living under their roof, it makes it hard for everyone to depend on one person to always be there to lock and unlock doors. It also increases the chances of keys getting lost because there are so many people who are using one key.
With the presence of a spare key, every individual is responsible for their own key, and it allows for much more convenient access to places. If homeowners and commercial business owners are concerned about limiting access, they can look into employing owners are concerned about limiting access, they can look into employing master key systems. Any professional Locksmith will be able to answer whatever questions you might have about this.
5. Spare Keys Help You Save Money
In the long run, having a spare key can save you lots of money as a homeowner, car owner, or a business owner. In the instance that you already have a spare key made (or several spare keys), you can avoid the feels that will be incurred with having to call a Locksmith, having to miss an important meeting, or having to keep your business closed for a few hours because no one can gain access. There are many more downsides to not having a spare key then there are to having one.
If you happen to lose your keys, or they break, or they are simply out of the picture somehow, you will most likely be making use of Locksmiths services. In most cases you will need a door unlocking or a key extracting when this happens and the costs will of course be higher than that of getting a spare key cut.
For more information on prices, check out our Locksmithing Pricing page.
How Many Spare Keys Should You Have?
The number of spare keys will be determined by your particular preferences, you can create multiple spare house keys to distribute to those you trust. It might be a good idea to give a spare key to a trusted neighbour and or a nearby trusted family member, but bear in mind we would suggest that you limit the number of spare keys you give out as this can lead to security issues.
Who Should Have a Key to Your House?
Considering who should have a spare key to your property is important for better security for yourself and your property. Anyone you trust can have a spare key to your house, but you might want to consider a few factors like proximity and reliability – if you were locked out and needed to get in could they be there to provide a spare key.
If you know your neighbours well, we suggest giving a spare key to a trusted neighbour who lives close to you as well as this is the best option, as all you will have to do if you are locked out is just walk next door! A family member or friend is also the perfect person to give a spare key too.
You should choose someone who you trust and whom you have faith won’t misplace your key as this could cause some issues with your home security.
What Should I Do with My Spare Keys?
Many people who make use of keys fear that spare keys make their homes, cars, and offices more vulnerable. This is simply because it increases the chance of someone gaining access to your key because there is now more than one key. This is a valid fear to have, but it is important that you always keep your safe key safe and in trustworthy hands. Here are some of the ways you can accomplish that to your spare key:
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Don’t Advertise That You Have a Spare Key
Advertising that you have a spare key to your house to people that may have bad intentions makes you vulnerable to theft and unauthorised people gaining access. You should only share this information with the people that will also be using your spare key.
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Hide Your Spare Keys
Never leave your spare keys outside your home (the plant pot or under the door mat for example), these are the first places a burglar will look and it can invalidate your home insurance if the intruder uses a key to enter your home.
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Who Should Have My Spare Key?
Your spare key should be left with someone that you can trust, as you are granting them access to your home even when you are not in. Your best options for who you should give a spare key too would be a family member or friend who is local to you, and potentially a neighbour that you trust so that if you are locked out.
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Keep a List
Make sure that you keep a list of all the spare keys you have made and know who has access to each of these spare keys. This makes it easier to track down in case anything goes wrong or if you want to get rid of a spare key.
Conclusion
Making use of a spare key is one of the best ways to minimise wasting time and money. Spare keys provide owners with an overall peace of mind, added convenience, and the realisation that they will not be stuck in a lockout for long if they ever find themselves in one.
Kim Freeman
Kim is Keytek’s longest-serving security blogger, with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in the security industry. Over the past 9 years, she has built trusted relationships with locksmiths and security professionals across the UK, giving her exclusive insight into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in home security.
From traditional burglary prevention methods to cutting-edge smart home solutions, Kim covers it all. As part of her role, she regularly reviews the newest home security gadgets on the market—including smart doorbells, security cameras, and more—bringing readers honest, practical advice on how to protect their homes.
Kim’s passion for security was sparked during her time at the University of Chester, where she learned first-hand how vulnerable student housing can be to break-ins. That early experience inspired a lifelong interest in home protection, eventually leading her to join the team at Keytek.
Today, Kim combines her deep industry knowledge with a love for writing to deliver helpful, accessible content for homeowners across the UK. You can read all of her expert advice and top security tips at Keytek.co.uk, where she shares everything from seasonal safety guides to reviews of the best security products on the market.
