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So... I locked myself out of my house this morning - went down the street to neighbor friends' house (he was working online and a Zoom call) - hung out there for a couple hrs. - had called a locksmith but they didn't have anyone available right then - could send someone by 5 pm! Anyway, neighbor friend finishes the work stuff a couple hrs. later, questions me about any doors, windows might be open, etc. - I have a screened back porch, locked (key lock) - but the door from there to my house was unlocked (I smoke outside on the porch) - he was able to open the screen door! A basic screen door isn't all that (well, not at all - secure.
Learned the hard way to give some trusted neighbors a spare key! (had done this previously but they had all moved/passed away)
Main doors should be locked while screen or storm door locks are virtually useless.
One of our neighbors has a key for emergency use, if need be and I also have a lock box on our property out of site with a spare key.
Why not be be prepared and always have a back-up! Push button lockset, either mechanical or electronic, definitely have their place. They could easily allow a family member or neighbor to access your house if need be. This is especially important for those who have pets, IMO.
I would never think a screen door, even locked, provides any security for my house. It's pretty easy to cut the screen or even push it out and unlock the door.
I could do it in the time it took me to post this.
I don't depend on a neighbor keeping a key for me. That key won't help me if I get locked out while they are away. We keep one hidden in our backyard inside a lock box. Our backyard is very dark at night so someone would need a good flashlight and considerable time and luck to find it. They'd be better off breaking a window and waiting for the police when the alarm goes off.
I don't depend on a neighbor keeping a key for me. That key won't help me if I get locked out while they are away. We keep one hidden in our backyard inside a lock box. Our backyard is very dark at night so someone would need a good flashlight and considerable time and luck to find it. They'd be better off breaking a window and waiting for the police when the alarm goes off.
Yes, I don't depend on a neighbor either... what if they aren't home. I have one of those "pretend rock" hiders that I have stored someplace outside. It looks like a rock.
I also made copies and have them at my workplace and in my car so if those are available I can use those as well.
I would never think a screen door would provide any protection.
Learned the hard way to give some trusted neighbors a spare key! (had done this previously but they had all moved/passed away)
What if the neighbors are away the one time you need the spare key? I have a key hidden outside the house, in a reasonably accessible area. If you have a deck or similar area, there are a bunch of places to hide a key.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roselvr
If you have an attached garage, get a garage door opener. They now open with an app on your cell or a button in your car. I have both just in case.
Unless the power is out at the house or the battery is dead in the remote. That's why I have a physical key hidden.
So... I locked myself out of my house this morning
Learned the hard way to give some trusted neighbors a spare key! (had done this previously but they had all moved/passed away)
I won't tell you where I hide my spare key but it isn't hard to get to even in bad weather.
Neighbors aren't always home.
If you have an attached garage, get a garage door opener. They now open with an app on your cell or a button in your car. I have both just in case.
That's all well & good but what if the door from the garage to the house is locked like mine always is.
I keep a spare key for that door hidden in the garage as I got locked out so many times. Even when I open the door from the inside the bottom lock stays locked.
I had a medical emergency about 18 months ago and it was difficult for my son and EMT to get into my house as I have really good locks on all my doors. I have a screened front & back lanai but I don't lock them as I just had the screen replaced. There is nothing worthwhile for anybody to steal other than patio furniture and plants.
My trusted neighbor now has a key to my front door deadbolt.
What if the neighbors are away the one time you need the spare key? I have a key hidden outside the house, in a reasonably accessible area. If you have a deck or similar area, there are a bunch of places to hide a key.
Unless the power is out at the house or the battery is dead in the remote. That's why I have a physical key hidden.
Our power rarely goes out and when it has, I've been inside where you can still open it.
I don't have the garage remote, my hub has it in his 2005 F150. I have a 2015 Mazda CX5 that my hub synced the button on my rear view mirror to open the garage door. I also have the app on my cell phone. Hub has a cell phone app too.
I haven't used a house key since the garage door opener was installed. My house keys are in my purse with the 2nd garage door key.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiluvr1228
That's all well & good but what if the door from the garage to the house is locked like mine always is.
I keep a spare key for that door hidden in the garage as I got locked out so many times. Even when I open the door from the inside the bottom lock stays locked.
I had a medical emergency about 18 months ago and it was difficult for my son and EMT to get into my house as I have really good locks on all my doors. I have a screened front & back lanai but I don't lock them as I just had the screen replaced. There is nothing worthwhile for anybody to steal other than patio furniture and plants.
My trusted neighbor now has a key to my front door deadbolt.
We don't lock the door into the garage
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- went down the street to neighbor friends' house (he was working online and a Zoom call) - hung out there for a couple hrs. - had called a locksmith but they didn't have anyone available right then - could send someone by 5 pm! Anyway, neighbor friend finishes the work stuff a couple hrs. later, questions me about any doors, windows might be open, etc. - I have a screened back porch, locked (key lock) - but the door from there to my house was unlocked (I smoke outside on the porch) - he was able to open the screen door! A basic screen door isn't all that (well, not at all 
- secure.
