Secure Locations for Storing Your Keys to Minimize Misplacement
In today's world, securing our homes and vehicles has become more important than ever. RACV Senior Product Manager for Trades, Nathan Tayeh, advises contacting a qualified locksmith in case of a lockout or urgent-access lock repairs [1].
To bolster security at home and car, it's crucial to store keys securely. This means keeping spare keys and key fobs inside a locked, solid metal safe or box, rather than hiding them outdoors or in obvious spots like under door mats or planters [1][2]. For car key fobs at home, using a sealed metal box or Faraday bag can protect against hacking signals. Always remember to lock your doors and take your keys with you, even for short trips away from home [1][2].
For your car, never leave keys inside, lock all doors, and do not store valuables or documents in the vehicle [2]. At home, improve security by upgrading door and window locks, securing sliding glass doors with bars or pins, installing smart locks that auto-lock and notify you, and never leaving garage doors open or unlocked [1][3][4].
Avoid hiding keys outside the house or in garages and sheds that may be easily accessed by burglars [1][2]. Store ladders and tools securely to prevent them being used to break in [1]. These measures combined reduce the risk of burglary by making it difficult for thieves to find or exploit keys and by strengthening physical access points to your home and vehicle.
The importance of keeping keys away from windows is paramount to prevent them from being seen by opportunistic thieves. The safest place to keep a spare key is to leave it with a trusted neighbour or family member, as recommended by Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch [5].
A key safe - a strong storage box with a keycode - is a popular way of storing a spare key, but it's important to install your key safe in a discreet area that can't be seen from the street [6]. Home security systems like security cameras, alarm systems, and smart-home technology can also help secure your home [7].
Unlocked side and rear doors and windows are the most common entry points for burglars, who only need a few moments to sneak inside and steal key items [8]. The How Safe is My Place app, developed by Neighbourhood Watch and RACV, can help determine the safety of your home from burglary and suggest improvements [9].
During the 2023/24 financial year, RACV Trades organised locksmiths to attend between 240 and 370 jobs every month across Victoria for lockouts and urgent-access lock repairs [10]. The Crime Statistics Agency recorded almost 20,000 burglary or break-and-enter offences at private dwellings in Victoria for the year ending June 2024 [11].
Demand for emergency locksmith services was highest in the Melbourne suburbs of Tarneit, Glen Waverley, Point Cook, Truganina, and Mount Waverley [12]. The stolen items were valued at over $104 million, with jewellery, cash, power tools, computers, phones, and other personal property being the most common [13]. Unusual items such as pets, clothing, furniture, photographic equipment, sporting goods were also stolen [13].
Locksmiths undergo a four-year apprenticeship and gain a Certificate III of Locksmithing. Modern locksmiths use the latest technology to install, maintain, and repair mechanical and electronic security systems. They can also work on electronic access control, CCTV, and alarm systems [14].
It's important to disengage deadlocks when inside to ensure safe escape in case of a fire [15]. Deadlocks are recommended for all external doors and windows [16]. Changing the locks when you buy a home or lose your key outside the home is advisable [1].
In conclusion, taking these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a burglary victim. Always remember, a secure home and car are essential for peace of mind.
References: [1] RACV [2] Victoria Police [3] Neighbourhood Watch [4] Australian Government - Stay Smart Online [5] RACV [6] Neighbourhood Watch [7] Australian Government - Home Security [8] Neighbourhood Watch [9] How Safe is My Place app [10] RACV [11] Crime Statistics Agency [12] RACV [13] Crime Statistics Agency [14] Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia [15] Fire and Rescue NSW [16] Australian Government - Building Code of Australia
Incorporating adequate security measures into one's lifestyle is crucial, especially in the realms of home and vehicle safety. Alongside storing keys securely within a locked safe or box at home, one should also consider protecting car key fobs using Faraday bags to shield against hacking signals. In terms of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden improvements, focusing on enhancing home security by upgrading locks, securing windows, and installing smart locks, can offer a sense of well-being and peace of mind.
