A few years back, one of my service technicians was on a job, re-keying a customer’s home so that everything would work on the same key. The customer had to go to work, so he left his mother at the house. She was a very nice lady.
Some of the cylinders had to be replaced to make it possible. When she was given the keys, she tried them on the front door and they worked fine. Then she asked for the key for the back door. The technician told her it was the same key.
Thinking that it had been a different key before, she proceeded to inform him that it was a different key and always had been. The Technician then explained how the process worked. He explained how and why he had replaced some of the cylinders so that the same key would fit in all of the keyholes. Needless to say, she did not grasp the concept. Once again she asked for the key for the back door. Once again, he tried to explain. Still again, this time a little agitated, she asked for the other key. In a stroke of genius, or maybe wit, the technician handed her two keys on a ring and told her to try them. He did not tell her that the one he had added was, in fact, a blank key. She went to the back door to try the keys and proceeded to insert the blank in the lock first. When, as expected, it did not work, she told him so. He told her to try the other one. She did so. It worked. She was happy. We got paid.
When it becomes apparent that it is time to have your locks changed, you should also consider the convenience of having one key for the whole house. Usually, the extra expense of a few cylinders being replaced (to have compatible keyholes) is well worth it. Having the locks keyed alike does not affect security. You never lose one key, you lose the whole ring. If some unscrupulous person should find them, he will have them all either way. DO NOT EVER attach your name and address to your keys. Real, physical, security does not come from having more keys, only inconvenience. Keep your locks well lubricated and in good working order, and make sure you use them. Having great locks on the door will not prevent illegal entry if they are not locked. Since most burglaries are crimes of convenience, if your door is properly secured, the criminal will most likely go on to the next.
This article was contributed by Jeff Smith, COO of Collier Lock and Security, who you can find at http://www.thehomesecurityspecialists.com/.
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Great tips for new home builders or anyone who’s thinking of remodeling and putting up new doors, locks, etc. Never thought of having the same key for all locks, but it makes perfect sense and would simplify things.
Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.
It’s a masterpiece. I have never thought people can have such ideas and thoughts. You are great.