It is common for both parents to work these days resulting in circumstances that may leave your school age kids in a situation where they’ll need to get into your home on their own. Entrusting your children and teenagers with a house key is a big decision, and you may be on the fence about giving them their own copy. Today, First Lock & Security Technologies will review some helpful considerations to help you decide whether to give your kids their own set of keys, or continue using a spare key hidden outside your house as their primary method of home entry when you are not home.
Ability for Child to Handle Responsibility of House Key
Trustworthiness and maturity-level can vary greatly among children and teenagers. Kids may be more prone to absent-minded and often make mistakes an adult wouldn’t, even into their later teenage years. You know your kids best, so your first consideration is based on their demonstrated abilities to handle responsibility and to remember important security measures. Some important questions to ask yourself include “Are your children prone to losing important items?” and “Can they remember to discreetly put a spare key back in its hidden place right after they use it?” Depending on your answers, you may need to consider taking precautions to minimize the chance of losing their house key as well as practicing with your child on how to properly use and put back a spare key.
Does Your Kid Use a House Key Every Day?
One of the other biggest considerations that will influence your decision whether or not to create a duplicate key for your children is whether they come home to an empty house every week day or if someone is usually home to let them in. Daily or regular access of a spare key is a security risk, as intruders often scope homes for several days before a break-in, looking for clues about where a spare key is hidden. Your child coming home at the same time every day and getting the spare key out of its hiding place can be a real safety risk. Your spare key should only be used for occasional or unforeseen circumstances.
Is a Keyless Entry Lock a Good Idea?
We live in modern times where a physical key is no longer needed for home access. Depending on your situation, you may have the opportunity to consider having your child use a keypad or unlock the door remotely via smart-home technology, rather than use a duplicated or spare key to gain entry into your house. There are plenty of solutions available and your choice will likely depend on what other smart-home technology you already have installed as well as your budget and other factors.
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From key duplication to smart lock installation, First Lock & Security Technologies has your residential locksmith needs covered. Call us to learn more about our home locksmith services today!
