Key Safe?

twopenny

I'd like to put a key safe outside my door because previously neighbours knew where my key  was hidden but a new member of family moved in next door that I don't trust.

It's unlikely to be jemmied off the wall here. 

But although easy to buy I don't know if there are good ones or poor ones.
Is there anything special I should look for? Anything to avoid?

Any info you have would be welcome.
A search bought up some ridiculous information 🤔

Brie

Someone on here somewhere mentioned that you should get one that is approved by the police.  Don't think we ever have and have never had a problem.  No one has tried to jimmy it off the wall or to get in to it.  If someone is that desperate to get in they can just break a window.  

elsien

There are Police accredited ones out there, but mine isn’t. If you put it out of the way so it’s not easily visible that  probably helps. Mine is in my front porch, which I don’t keep locked, below the window line. 

I would probably suggest getting one slightly bigger than you think you need because I had the one that age UK were recommending A few years ago, and I  struggled to get it to close with my two keys in it. 

flaneurs_lobster

Brie said:

Someone on here somewhere mentioned that you should get one that is approved by the police.  Don't think we ever have and have never had a problem.  No one has tried to jimmy it off the wall or to get in to it.  If someone is that desperate to get in they can just break a window.  

Further to what @Brie says, that other thread has an anxious OP because their house was burgled after the key safe was jemmied and they were unsure about their insurance policy's coverage.

Maybe have a word with your insurers?

born_again

Could also try local council. As they often supply & fit them where people have carers visiting.

elsien

This is the one that age UK in my part of the world were recommending.
it was certainly sturdy but my mother managed to break the mechanism trying to get two keys in although the pictures show they should fit.
https://personalalarms.ageco.co.uk/pages/key-safe

Brie

born_again said:

Could also try local council. As they often supply & fit them where people have carers visiting.

Be careful if you are in a council property and ask them to fit a key safe.  I know someone who had a standard key safe installed (cost to DIY under £20) and was charged more than £150 for the council to do the work.

twopenny

Thanks that gives me something to go by 🙂

The measurements is something I didn't think of an I know one other thing I bought wouldn't take the current key.
This is why I need reminding 😊

Location is interesting thought too. 

It might be useful to drop into the new police station. After a burglary they sent operation Bumblebee I think it was, to put special locks on windows and a door. Slim chance they may do that.
But I'm getting an ex marine 😉 in to finish jobs I can't do myself till I've had an op so I could add that to the list.

greyteam1959

Just be aware that some of the cheaper ones are very small inside and may only take one key. 
I have the one below and it actually lights up so that you can see the combination lock in the dark. 
https://www.toolstation.com/master-lock-weather-resistant-combination-key-safe/p78048

elsien

if you have any independent hardware places near you they can be good for being able to have a look at the different options. 

Grumpy_chap

flaneurs_lobster said:

Further to what @Brie says, that other thread has an anxious OP because their house was burgled after the key safe was jemmied and they were unsure about their insurance policy's coverage.

It is this thread here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6647559/home-insurance-and-lock-boxes/p1

My Mum has this one:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/master-lock-water-resistant-combination-5-key-safe/77908?
Gaining forced entry to that key safe is quite hard to do (we know as the keys moved in the box jamming the mechanism) and even if the whole thing was forced off the wall, it would still be necessary to gain entry to the actual box.