Key Safe Recommendations

[Steff]

The presence of a key safe is an invitation to any burglar. And unless this key safe fulfils the same or higher safety standards as the gun cabinet it would just be as if you had the key hanging openly on the wall. This is what I meant when I said it would be illegal. So either get key safe with a high rating or hide it just as you would hide the key itself.
In the case of an event it is a matter of judgment by the police and the insurance. I can hardly imagine that either of them would rate a simple tin box in the hallway to be an appropriate storage place for a key to a gun cabinet.

 

[DK.260]

Again, totally agree with much of what is said. The issue with commercial off the shelf products is the actual standard which they are independently tested….most aren’t.
The police support the secure by design, which is a police sponsored scheme and not one which I personally would automatically be drawn towards.
If you want properly tested products (not just keysafes) I would try looking at the NPSA catalogue of security equipment (for high end commercial kit) and the BRE red book live (keysafes in part 4 sect 4) These provide a proper independently assessed delay time so if needed you can layer up your home security .
They are pricey but it’s the cost of testing which unfortunately drives the cost up.

 

[Len the dog]

I bought 10 key safes and dotted them about the house and workshop, each one contains a piece of paper with a clue as to the location of the next one, a bit like The Crystal Maze if you like.
What the burglars don’t know is that the key to the cabinet is in my pocket but by the time they get to the last one they have probably had enough and decide to do next door instead.

 

[Dave_424]

The presence of a key safe is an invitation to any burglar. And unless this key safe fulfils the same or higher safety standards as the gun cabinet it would just be as if you had the key hanging openly on the wall. This is what I meant when I said it would be illegal. So either get key safe with a high rating or hide it just as you would hide the key itself.
In the case of an event it is a matter of judgment by the police and the insurance. I can hardly imagine that either of them would rate a simple tin box in the hallway to be an appropriate storage place for a key to a gun cabinet.

The factor that you're using to support your view is the key's location.

An impenetrable key safe bolted to the wall of your entrance hallway in plain sight would be a far worse method than a key hanging on a nail in an out of view and hard to reach (if a burglar was raiding the house) place.

The fact of the matter is that the majority of people hide their keys in a drawer or cupboard out in the open air, with no other security for the keys. This is widely known by the police and therefore if no further instructions are given as to specific key security requirements, it is deemed acceptable in the eyes of the law.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

The issue you have with hiding your keys is when the local bag head breaks in and ransaks your draws and stumbles upon the keys. Which is possible depending where you live.

I keep my keys in a safe place but contained within a key safe. We use these at work to forfill legal obligations and have them on properties in some right crappy places. You aren't getting in inlets your tooled up.

 

[Merlyn]

Bit of common sense needed here I think. Use a good key box and hide the box. Surely better than just hiding the keys.

 

[User00036]

Amazon product ASIN B0C2PPBBGP

 

[Dalua]

I suspect that you want to use it for a gun safe. This will only be legal if the key safe has the minimum rating required for the safe that your gun are stored in.

I'm not sure that can be true, since as far as I'm aware there's no requirement in law or guidance to keep the keys in a safe of any kind?

 

[Stalker62]

I'm not sure that can be true, since as far as I'm aware there's no requirement in law or guidance to keep the keys in a safe of any kind?

It isn't and there isn't.

 

[bogtrotter]

We use master lock key safes at work for access, you would have to use an angle grinder to get into one they are that tough.

I use one for my keys.

I belive the the law states "as far as reasonably practical" so a key safe forfills that role.

If they want in they will get it.

How many chance burglers walk around with angle grinders and portable gas axes? A gun safe won't hold up to a sustained planned attack.

90% of burglary is by chance and people taking an opertunity a key safe stops that

Yes mine.is also a Master lock very secure just as difficult to.get into as the gun cabinet maybe more so.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Yes mine.is also a Master lock very secure just as difficult to.get into as the gun cabinet maybe more so.

I've pinned a picture from screwfix above if anyone's interested. Really simple to use.

Main thing is you can't break into them with your hands or by kicking like some of the others. You would have to be really tooled up to get into them. Front panel is 5mm stainless from memory

 

[Dalua]

One of these, perhaps?

Chubb Manifoi c/ml MkIV With Instructions And Change Key | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chubb Manifoi c/ml MkIV With Instructions And Change Key at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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It looks solid enough?

 

[Steff]

I'm not sure that can be true, since as far as I'm aware there's no requirement in law or guidance to keep the keys in a safe of any kind?

Please see my post #21.

 

[JTO]

Something out of sight like a flush-fitting floor safe under the carpet.
I have a small safe that a thief would probably be able to just about carry. There is nothing in it!

 

[Dalua]

Please see my post #21.

I think I pre-supposed a circumstance where the choice of both the key-safe together and (very importantly) its location, was already informed by the general duty of the certificate-holder to take reasonable precautions to keep the controlled items out of unauthorised hands - meaning that any such key-safe would be an adjunct to a reasonable degree of concealment, rather than a replacement for it.

 

[enfieldspares]

Drill a cavity in the top on an internal standard full height door (that will take the spare keys) and put them in that. Maybe a door to a space where the door is usually shut such as a lavatory or other small room or space. Pack it with bits of cardboard to fill in any voids. Glue paper over top and paint the thing with the paint you used to paint the door.

 

[Dave_424]

While I don't expect anyone would be stupid enough to describe their own key security details on an open forum, it's probably not that wise to start suggesting places or methods of security as it will just give potential thieves more ideas if they were to browse here.

Each of us know how important the security of our guns are, and are more than capable of deciding on a key security method that satisfies the current guidelines.

 

[Donkey Basher]

One of these, perhaps?

Chubb Manifoi c/ml MkIV With Instructions And Change Key | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chubb Manifoi c/ml MkIV With Instructions And Change Key at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It looks solid enough?

I acquired a 4 wheel version of one of these but without the combination - I’ve never managed to pick the lock despite using all the tricks & tips from various films & tv shows where they use a stethoscope!!

 

[Dunwaters]

 

[hogey]

Seeing as you can hide the keys in a drawer or under the bed I don't think there is any rating applicable.

I've got a similar key safe to the one shown above for a spare door key and has served me well. It'd be easier to break a window and get in than try and get the safe open or off the wall then come through the front door.

Yes I have similar.Ammo safe has my gun safe keys locked inside .Keys for Ammo safe inside small combination key safe .FEO quite happy at last renewall