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Rekeying the locks in our house to match a new lock (which is actually a fun DIY task), and I was thinking about how many copies to get made.
The keys that came with the lock have a code stamped on them that tells you which pins to use -- this makes rekeying the other locks to match easy, but then I wonder if it's not a great idea to carry those everyday. Anyone who has a chance to borrow for a minute or glance at any of our keys could note the code and get a new key made from it.
It seems a little safer to stash the originals away and only carry copies without the code on them -- yes, someone can still take an imprint or something, but that at least takes a bit more work and access. I have to get copies made anyway, so it's basically an additional $3 for 2 more copies.
Depends on how you treat your keys. My wife has one with the codes, but it shares the ring with only a car key, which lives in her hand-bag when away from hoe (keyless car thingy). Work keys are on a different setup ~ the only time the house key is visible, is when it's in her hand for use to get in/out of the house.
Mine is the same, 1 car and 1 house key, no others. They live in my left front pocket when not in use (normal car key ignition), so who's going to see it?
We've both made a conscious effort to minimize the junk we haul around with us, and that doesn't seem to be normal. Most pople I see have every key they've ever had in their entire life, all on one massive ball of keys. But even then, a code on One of them? Take a lot of luck that someone would be in the right place at the right time with the right knowledge and intent. Stupidly easy to guard against though, so why add the risk...
Most pople I see have every key they've ever had in their entire life, all on one massive ball of keys. But even then, a code on One of them? Take a lot of luck that someone would be in the right place at the right time with the right knowledge and intent. Stupidly easy to guard against though, so why add the risk...
My dad went beyond this. He had multiple key sets he'd hand out to visiting kids of course, but he wasn't satisfied with only giving them the keys they might realistically need. I used to think if he ever fell off a dock he'd sink right to the bottom because of all the keys he insisted on carrying around. If all of us had the bad luck to stand on the same dock at the same time we'd collapse it and ALL head to the bottom.
Overly paranoid. No one ever sees my house key. We have four vehicles, so car keys are separate from the house keyring. So the house keyring never leaves my possession. A more plausible scenario for those who have all their keys on one keyring is for a criminal to have access to your house key while your car is being serviced. You don't even need the code. Gauges that allow you to determine pin size are readily available. I have one for Schlage and Kwikset, which account for most of the locksets out there. A lot of the off-brand cheapies have keys that are patterned after those two. So don't overthink this one. When all else fails, criminals will just break and enter. And don't be surprised if an app that uses the camera function to decode pin size isn't already available. If there isn't one yet, there will be one at some point.
Can't tell you the last time we used them. Normally we drive in, put up the garage door, and drive in. Should the power go out, we would have the key available in the car to let ourselves in.
Now, the fail safe is that the house is alarmed, so anyone stealing a car, getting the key and letting themselves in would be in for a hellacious welcome.
Don't overthink it. Anyone wanting in will be in in a flash; key or no key; alarm or no alarm.
I prefer a key pad lock, yes it uses keys but we never take them . We use the keypad to enter the house , this saves on carrying more keys.
I've been using those for years. Never a single problem with them. I have a deadbolt version on the front door and a passage lock version for the door leading in from the garage. Definitely the way to go. Also makes it easy for guests and domestic staff. Everyone gets their own code and it's erased when they no longer need access.
I have a keypad entry on all exterior doors of my house, so I just punch in the number and don't need to carry a house key.
My car has push button ignition, but I do need to carry the key fob.
I agree with Ted Bear's post above - - if somebody wants to get into your house, chances are they'll just break a window and go right on in. They usually don't take the time to mess around with keys.
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