The phrase ‘police-approved’ gets thrown around. The certification that actually matters is Sold Secure — the testing house that the police actively recommend for retail products. We only fit Sold Secure Silver or Gold rated key safes, plus higher-spec LPS 1175 models for properties needing extra protection.
The cheap £15 ones from the high street? Most can be levered open with a kitchen knife in under 30 seconds. We’ve replaced enough of them after break-ins to refuse to fit them. Insurance won’t pay out on losses where a non-rated safe was used.
Who key safes are for
- Elderly relatives — carers can let themselves in without a fistful of spare keys floating around the family
- Holiday lets & Airbnbs — guests get the code, no lockbox-on-railings horror
- Families with teenagers — nobody locked out, no hidden-under-the-mat moments
- Trades people, cleaners, dog walkers — controlled access, change the code monthly
- Dementia care — combined with a thumb-turn lock fit, transforms care visits
Where we fit it — the bit most installers get wrong
A key safe screwed onto a fence post next to the gate is a free key for any opportunist. We fit them:
- At chest height, never down low or near a window
- Out of street view — round the side, behind a planter, never on the front of the house
- Onto solid brick or concrete, with anti-tamper bolts — never into render or wood
- With the code printed at first install in front of you, then changed before we leave
The fitting process
- Free site visit — Bugsy walks the property, shows 3 sensible spots, you pick
- Quote up front, written. No surprises after.
- Fitted same day if convenient — 60-90 minutes including a cup of tea
- Code set with you — we show how to change it, you practise twice
- Photo of the install on request — share with carers/family who need it
- 5-year guarantee — if anything fails, we’re back, no charge
What it costs
From £120 supplied and fitted for a Sold Secure Silver model on solid brick. Higher-spec LPS 1175 models around £150. No call-out fee, no VAT surprises, written quote before we start.
Common questions
Will my insurance recognise it? Yes — if it’s Sold Secure rated. We always include the certification document so you can attach it to your policy.
Can I change the code after carers leave? Absolutely — that’s the point. We show you how before we leave. Most clients change every 3-6 months, or whenever a carer/cleaner moves on.
What if I lose the code? Call us. We open it without damage and re-set a new code — usually for the call-out fee only.
Areas covered
Southampton, Hythe, Totton, Fawley, Marchwood, Eastleigh, Romsey, Lyndhurst, Lymington, the New Forest, Bournemouth, Christchurch.
Call Bugsy for a free site visit: 07453 327708