Home security expert warns: Leaving your key in the door at night is a huge mistake

“Leaving the key turned in the lock before going to bed doesn’t add security. In fact, it can make things worse,” warns Samuel Prieto, a home security expert with Netpol, a Spanish company that offers training courses related to public safety. Prieto emphasizes that turning the key from the inside does not provide extra protection.

On a recent episode of the podcast “El panda inversor,” Prieto explained that this habit creates a false sense of safety. “When the key is left inside, someone outside can use a strong neodymium magnet to turn it and open the door without breaking anything,” he said. In other words, homeowners may be unintentionally making it easier for burglars."

Risks go beyond theft

The danger isn’t limited to break-ins. Prieto points out that leaving the key in the door can block emergency responders or family members during a crisis. “I once had to unlock a house where a woman had fallen, and her children couldn’t get in because the key was still turned inside,” he recalls.

Why locksmiths warn against it

Locksmiths strongly recommend against leaving keys in locks at night. Prieto points out that the practice is so common that even police officers have sometimes suggested it to burglary victims, but he warns this is a serious mistake. In several European countries, single-cylinder locks that jam if the key is turned inside are actually banned.

Better ways to protect your home

For safer alternatives, Prieto recommends installing double-cylinder or priority locks that allow a door to open from the outside even if a key is turned inside. He also suggests modern solutions such as smart locks with PIN codes, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition. Additional security measures like extra deadbolts and surveillance cameras can further protect your home.

Prieto’s warning reminds homeowners to take security seriously. The key takeaway: locking your door is smart, but leaving the key in the lock while you sleep may make a burglary easier.

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