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Leaving a key in the front door lock overnight is a big mistake. Many people do it
Why is it a bad idea to leave a key in the lock overnight?
Many people leave keys in the door lock overnight. They do it out of convenience or because they think it gives them a bit more confidence.
However, that is a big mistake. It is not safe to leave keys at the back of the door, and if you are among those people, you might want to reconsider your security habits.
It is very risky because thieves expect this and will either steal these keys using the popular “fishing” technique, or they will use the lock to more easily open the door.
Thieves’ tricks
When stealing, thieves use everyday items. For example, the hooks from a wire hanger to grab keys through the mail slot or another gap in the front door.
This makes removing the key very easy, especially if it’s hanging on a keyring. It only takes a bit of practice and skill.
To prevent this, we recommend removing keys from doors and windows and storing them in a place where they are not visible (or are visible through the mail slot).
Frequently Asked Questions
You might say: well, but there is no mail slot in my door. No groove through which a piece of wire could be threaded.
So can I safely leave keys in the door lock overnight? Unfortunately, neither.
Because thieves can always pry the lock.
And if the key is in the lock, will it be easier to open the door? Why?
Most door lock mechanisms are unfortunately designed so that inserting the correct key into the lock lifts the latches on both sides, to prevent opening with the wrong key.
This is not true for all doors, but for most models on the market. If these locks “unlock” by inserting the key on the other side, opening the doors with the front lock will be difficult even for an inexperienced thief.
Therefore, in no case leave the key in the lock overnight. It is better to hang it somewhere nearby.
