Many make this mistake with their front door, it can reserve a bad surprise.
Many of us have this reflex when we get home. For many, it’s even a safe habit. Some find it reassuring and even think that this will prevent any attempted break -in. In reality, this belief is completely false and this practice can have unfortunate consequences, both in terms of security and practicality. This ugly habit to forget is to leave the keys in the lock after closing our front door.
An experienced burglar can easily handle the key from the outside using a powerful magnet, a wire or specialized tools to turn it without difficulty. In other words, leaving the key in the lock does not offer any additional protection in the event of an attempted burglary. On the contrary, leaving the key in the door could confront you with unpleasant situations, see dangerous, point to locksmiths.
First problem, in the case of an armored door lock or a secure lock, leaving the key in the lock can ultimately damage the mechanism by forcing certain parts. The life of your lock will be assigned. One of the most frequent inconveniences when you leave its keys on the inner lock is also the risk … to find yourself blocked outside! If the door slams by accident and if it has a safety cylinder preventing the insertion of another key from the outside, you may be forced to call a locksmith. And it can be expensive, especially if the intervention takes place in the evening or a holiday …
But the real problem is not only the risk of staying locked up outside. In an emergency, this habit could even be dangerous. If one of your loved ones, who has a copy of the keys, must enter quickly (for example due to an emergency, a fire or to help you), he will not be able to open the door. In many cases (this does not concern all locks), the key inside will prevent the insertion of another key from the outside. In situations where every second counts, this distraction could make all the difference. Likewise, if your child comes late, he could find himself locked up outside and he will have no choice but to wake up.
To avoid these risks, it is preferable never to leave the key in the lock, neither at night nor during the day. But beware, be sure not to put your keychain in a storage space next to the door, this could be tempting for thieves, who could even steal your car keys.
Another solution is to install a lock with a disengageable cylinder. This type of lock allows you to open the door with another key, even if a key is already inserted inside. This can be very useful in the event of a slammed door. You can also opt for a connected lock. With an electronic model, no need for a physical key, which avoids any dangerous oblivion or handling.