Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?
Crawling through a dog door is a rite of passage, right? I’ve had my fair share of “creative” entries—once used a garden trowel to pop a window screen (not my proudest moment). I love the idea of an awning, though. It’s practical and adds a bit of curb appeal. I do lean toward keyless for convenience, but I always recommend a backup key in a spot only you’d think to look. And honestly, a well-designed entryway can make those lockout moments a little less miserable... at least you’ll have a nice view while you wait for help.
Locked myself out of my 1920s place last winter—no dog door, and I’m not about to risk those old leaded windows for a shortcut. I keep a backup key with a neighbor I trust. Keyless is tempting, but I worry about batteries dying at the worst time... Sometimes old-school solutions just work better.
Keyless is tempting, but I worry about batteries dying at the worst time...
Honestly, I get that concern. If you ever do go keyless, here’s a trick: most models have a hidden backup key slot, and you can swap batteries from the outside with a 9V in a pinch. Old-school keys are solid, but tech’s got some clever failsafes now.
I hear you on the battery thing—it’s a legit worry. But honestly, I’ve installed a bunch of these smart locks lately, and most folks never actually get locked out because of dead batteries. The 9V trick is real handy, and those backup keys are usually tucked away pretty well. I used to be all about the old-school deadbolt, but after seeing how much easier life gets (especially with kids or groceries), I’m kinda sold. Still, nothing’s perfect... but tech’s catching up fast.
I get what you’re saying—those backup options do make a difference. I’m curious, though: have you ever had a tenant call you in a panic because the tech glitched out, not just the battery dying? I’ve had one or two cases where the lock froze up after an update, and that made me wonder if these things are really ready for prime time across multiple properties. Still, the convenience is hard to beat, especially when juggling showings or turnovers. Ever stash a backup key somewhere super creative... just in case tech lets you down?
