Yes, having a spare key on hand is more beneficial than you might think. Here are a few reasons why you should consider having one made, and how a professional locksmith can help.

1. Emergency Situations

First, there is the most obvious reason. Whether you’re running late for an important meeting or rushing a loved one to the hospital, realizing you’ve misplaced your car key in an urgent situation is not good. In moments like this, having a spare key readily accessible can save your day. You can always look for your regular key after you’ve addressed the situation. From locking your keys inside the car to losing them completely and being stranded while you’re away from home, a spare key or professional locksmith can help you in extenuating circumstances.

2. Avoiding Lockouts

Locking your keys in your car can needlessly create very real problems. Not only is it frustrating, but it can cause a major inconvenience as well. This is especially true if you’re in a remote area or dealing with unfavorable weather conditions. However, having a spare key tucked away safely lets you regain access to your vehicle even when you’ve locked the keys inside. Without a spare key in this instance, you’ll need to shell out for emergency services and potentially wait a while until help arrives.

3. Peace of Mind

Knowing that you have a spare key handy in case of an emergency adds a layer of calm to your otherwise busy day. You can gain a sense of security and peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling with family members you feel obligated to protect (like children and the elderly). You likely have a backup plan at home in case of a fire, right? The same concept applies to key-related emergencies, as spare keys alleviate unnecessary stress and worry. It’s a simple precaution, but one that can make a world of difference as you deal with unforeseen circumstances while on the road.

4. Cost Savings

A spare key is a small expense in the grand scheme of things. Still, some are hesitant to make this investment, or view it as unnecessary. But it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential costs associated with losing or damaging your primary keys. As technology improves, modern car keys (especially programmable keys or fobs) are getting more expensive to replace, which can dwarf the cost of a spare key. It’s also possible replacing your main keys will involve specialized equipment and programming, which will up the cost as well. 

5. Convenient Sharing

If you want to loan a car to a family member or trusted friend, it takes more trust if you only have one set of car keys on hand. With a spare key readily available, it’s easier and more convenient to loan out your spare key, whether for carpooling, running errands or a short trip. Having multiple keys also means you don’t have to worry as much about handovers or scheduling conflicts, giving you extra flexibility and accessibility. 

6. Preventing Wear and Tear

One overlooked reason is the fact that your key wears down over time. So the more you use your regular key, the higher the likelihood will be of that key breaking or malfunctioning. A spare key can help here if you rotate between your spare and regular keys from time to time, maximizing the lifespan of both. Distributing the usage more evenly will go a long way to maintaining the functionality of your car’s locking system.

7. Preparedness

Last, but not least, spare keys can help you respond to certain situations faster and easier. With events like natural disasters or local emergencies, time is of the essence and a spare key will help you quickly evacuate or access supplies stored in your vehicle. Whether a storm is approaching and you can’t find your primary keys or you want to go straight to where you know your spare key is stored, just having the option means that you are ready to respond swiftly to unforeseen emergencies.

These are just a few reasons you might need a spare key for your car. However, instead of heading to the dealership or closest kiosk to get one made, we recommend going with a professional partner you can trust, like A-1 Locksmith. Contact us today or visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations to get your spare key made, view options or ask any questions you may have.

While fake rocks were once a foolproof way to trick burglars and hide spare keys around your residence, criminals are getting smarter these days. Your home security strategy should be revisited to see if it’s up to 2021 standards. Here are some smarter ways to keep that spare key accessible, yet out of sight.

1. Disguised Key Holder

The problem with fake rocks is that criminals know to look for them and will keep an eye out for any stone that seems unnatural. Some have better designs than others, but you might want to consider an innovative or non-traditional disguised key holder instead. Examples include drain caps, fake electrical outlets, pots with hidden compartments, lockboxes and more. There are more options available today than you might think.

2. With a Friend, Family Member or Neighbor

If you don’t trust these key holders (or you have particularly clever thieves in your area), a friend, family member or neighbor might be a better option for your spare key. As long as you trust the individual (and that they’ll store it properly), you can have peace of mind knowing someone close by has access to your home should you or your family ever need it.

3. In An Unexpected Location

If you don’t have anyone you trust and don’t want to spend money on a disguised key holder, finding a strategic on-property hiding spot is another option. There are lots of nooks, crannies and little-known hiding places if you look hard enough. Examples include the backyard tree, a flower garden, buried in a bottle and in your car’s license plate. As long as you’re the only one who knows where it is, no one else will find it easily.

4. Don’t Use One!

Finally, you may want to consider keyless entry to your home. With this option, you don’t even have to have a spare key if you don’t want to (though key overrides are available). Additional features of keyless locks include smartphone/bluetooth compatibility, the ability to lock or unlock remotely and the option to give temporary access to someone and change your codes. 

If you’re interested in more home security-related advice, give us a call today or stop by any of our area A-1 Locksmith Security and Safes locations.