Is a Keysafe really safe?

MrHappy2
MrHappy2 Community Member Posts: 64 Contributor
in Everyday life

A couple of hours ago i could hear someone trying to gain access to my keysafe located on the wall outside my front door for over 10 mins. I eventually opened my front door and the guy standing there said he was here to do a clean. He asked i was flat number number 9 which i confirmed then he said he was actually here to visit number 17 but decided to come to my flat because i used to be on the books of their agency. He then apologised for bothering me and wandered off down the corridor. I reported the incident to my landlord and the police on their non emergency number 101.

Although i stopped all care visits a long time ago this incident quickly had me pondering on how many former care workers would know my keysafe code number and the answer would be a lot - maybe up to 75. It would only take one bad apple former care worker to share my keysafe access code number with an unscrupulous person and hey presto i get robbed.

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 9,154 Championing

    Keysafe codes can be reset, once you've opened it.

    The instructions are pretty universal across all makes.

    https://doorcontrolsdirect.co.uk/blog/post/129-how-to-change-a-key-safe-code-a-step-by-step-guide

    It's easy I reset Mum's before donating to the charity shop.

  • MrHappy2
    MrHappy2 Community Member Posts: 64 Contributor

    WOW i never knew keysafe's could be reset thank you @Kimi87

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,741 Online Community Team

    That sounds worrying @MrHappy2. Glad Kimi87 could help you find instructions to reset it - it sounds like that's a good idea after today!

  • Jean Eveleigh
    Jean Eveleigh Scope Member Posts: 203 Empowering

    A key-safe can be safe but it depends on a few things such as positioning, mine is hidden from view you have to be told where it is, every time it is opened the lock is reset even I am not given to code only the council social services call center have access to it, it is given out on request then within 24 hours they send someone out to change the password.

  • Rag_793
    Rag_793 Community Member Posts: 824 Empowering

    when I had my key safe fitted, I instantly changed the code over to something that nobody would know apart from Carelink and Emergency Services.

    IMG_3209.jpeg

    if in doubt just install a shed load on the wall and let them guess 🤣 this is a meme off Google.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,353 Online Community Team

    Haha that's a great idea @Rag_793! If they figure out the correct one, they've earned the right to enter 😆

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community Member Posts: 15,549 Championing
    edited October 5

    The best security advice I'd offer is to keep the key safe out of sight. Don't treat is as protection or armour for your key

    My dad used to fit these as part of his job when he was a caretaker at the NHS. He also had to break into old ones, i.e. when there was no-one contactable left who knew the code

    They are as easy to break into as you'd imagine for a small plastic and metal box that costs tens of pounds. A hammer and screwdriver could crack it open easily

    If you have the key safe on display you're essentially signalling to any passer by that your house key is right there, and people who are so inclined will know it can be accessed within a minute

    What they are in reality is basically a bit more secure than "the key is under the plant pot" – in fact if it was between an inconspicuous plant pot and a key safe visible to passers by, the plant pot is in many ways probably preferable!

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