Key safes allow your family members, home carers and the emergency services to quickly enter your home, which particularly helps older people living alone to stay independent.
This key safe box guide explains how safe they really are, where to install them and what families should consider.
Page contents
At a glance
- Key safes can be a safe and practical solution for older people living at home, as long as they are high-quality, securely installed, and used correctly.
- They enable quick access in emergencies.
- The safety of this item depends on choosing police-approved models, installing them discreetly in solid brickwork and managing access codes responsibly.
- They are most effective when used in combination with professional home carers.
What is a key safe?
A key safe is a small, lockable box usually fixed to an external wall, that stores a house key.
Access is granted via a code, allowing only the people you trust, such as home carers, family members, or emergency services to enter your home without needing a spare key.
These devices can give you and your family peace of mind as long as it is secure, correctly installed and used appropriately.
They are effective, especially when used with home care, if you are an older person:
- Lives alone.
- Is at risk of falls or medical emergencies.
- Has memory difficulties, such as dementia.
- Receives regular care visits.
Are key safes safe?
Yes they are safe, if the right type of key safe is used and installed correctly.
The safety of this device depends on three main factors:
1. Quality of key safe
High quality key safes are:
- Police-approved. Secured by Design (SBD) is the official UK Police initiative supporting products that prevent crime, and these key safes meet its stringent criteria.
- LPS 1175 Certification: Tested against forced entry. Products are physically tested to withstand attacks using specific tools (from simple cutters to power tools) for set durations, simulating real-world threats. This is awidely recognized UK standard for intruder-resistant building components and security products. It is issued by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). This rating signifies high resistance to physical attack, matching the security of a building’s main door.
- Made from reinforced steel.
- Resistant to weather and tampering.
Cheaper models may look similar but often offer very little protection for you.
2. Correct installation
Even the best key safe is vulnerable, if it is:
- Installed in a visible location.
- Fixed into weak brick or mortar.
- Poorly secured with incorrect fixings.
3. Safe code management
Security risks increase if:
- The code is shared too widely.
- Codes are never changed.
- Predictable codes are used (e.g. 1234 or birthdays).
If you change your key safe code regularly, tell only a few trusted people the code and avoid using easy-to-guess code numbers.
Who should know the code?
Only trusted individuals such as close family members and professional carers. You should change the code regularly.
Is a key safe better than giving carers spare keys?
In most cases, yes. Key safes ensure that if you lose your key, you can quickly update the code to control access to your home.
Do emergency services use them?
Yes. Many emergency responders are trained to look for this product to gain fast access to your home during an emergency.
Can burglars break into key safes?
Low-quality or poorly installed products can be vulnerable to burglars. Approved models installed discreetly are far more secure.
Where should I install it?
Best places to install
It should be:
- Out of direct sight from the street.
- Close enough to the door for carers to access easily.
- Installed at a reachable height (usually chest height).
- Fixed into solid brickwork, not render or timber.
Common recommended locations include:
- Around the side of the property.
- Inside a porch.
- Behind a low wall or discreet corner.
Bad places to install
Avoid installing a key safe:
- Directly next to the front door.
- In obvious or well-lit areas.
- On flimsy walls or wooden frames.
- Anywhere it can be easily tampered with.
Benefits for older people
A key safe can be a valuable safety tool for older people but only when chosen carefully, installed correctly and used responsibly.
Key safes offer several advantages, especially when combined with professional home care support:
- Emergency access if someone falls or becomes unwell.
- No need to answer the door for every care visit.
- Reduced stress for older people who struggle with keys.
- Reassurance for families who live at a distance.
- Reliable access for professional carers, even if routines change.
This is why many regulated care providers, including those listed on homecare.co.uk, routinely use key safes as part of safe home care arrangements.
How much does a key safe cost?
They can vary widely in price depending on quality. For example, if you get a budget device, it can cost around £20-£40 for basic boxes. Police-approved high quality key safes cost from £70-190.
Can I get free key safes for the elderly?
Yes, you can potentially get a key safe for an elderly person for free or at reduced cost in the UK.
Some councils provide them as part of home assessment equipment for older people who need help accessing their home or receiving care.
If you have an adult social care assessment and the assessment reveals this product is necessary for you, a key safe may be supplied and fitted for you at no charge or with a small contribution.
You can contact your local council and ask about home safety equipment.
Is it safe for older people living alone?
Yes, when high-quality key safes are installed correctly and used alongside professional care support.
However, this device is not a replacement for care.
If you or your relative are an older person:
- With dementia or memory loss.
- Or are at risk of falls.
- Or need help with medication or mobility.
- Or feel anxious or unsafe alone.
Then a key safe should be part of a care plan involving professional home carers.
Choosing the right support for older people at home
Such products work best when paired with reliable, professional home care.
Combined with professional home care, key safes can help older people stay safe, independent, and supported in their own homes for longer.
Using a home care provider, particularly one reviewed and regulated, ensures key safes are used responsibly, codes are managed securely and access is limited to trained care professionals.
If you are supporting an older relative and want to:
- Compare regulated care providers.
- Read genuine reviews from other families.
- Find local home care services you can trust.
You can explore home care providers in your local area on homecare.co.uk, where services are reviewed by families and regulated by care regulators.
FAQs
Can I get free key safes for the elderly?
Yes, you can potentially get a key safe for an elderly person for free or at reduced cost in the UK, but it depends on who you ask and what services you’re using. Some councils provide key safes as part of home assessment equipment for older people who need help accessing their home or receiving care.
If an elderly person has an adult social care assessment from the local council and it is deemed necessary, a key safe may be supplied and fitted at no charge or with a small contribution.
How much is a key safe?
Key safes vary widely in price depending on quality, from budget models around £20-£40 for basic key safe boxes to police-approved high quality key safes costing from £70-190.
Can burglars break into key safes?
Low-quality or poorly installed key safes can be vulnerable. Approved models installed discreetly are far more secure.
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