If you fall or face a medical crisis at home, seconds matter. Setting up secure emergency access ahead of time ensures first responders can reach you quickly without damaging your property or losing precious time.
Essential Pre-Emergency Steps
To ensure dispatchers and emergency crews know how to reach you, take these two steps ahead of time:
First, call your local fire protection district’s non-emergency administrative line and ask if they maintain a local file, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) notes, or a registry for door codes, lockbox locations, or medical notes. Policies vary by district, so you always need to verify directly with them if they will keep your code or file on record.
Second, register with Smart911: Go online and create a free, secure safety profile at Smart911.com. This service is nationwide, but you need to check if your local dispatch uses the system. You can list your address, gate or door codes, exact lockbox locations, and critical medical details. When you or someone else calls 911 from a registered phone, your profile automatically appears on the dispatcher’s screen so they can instantly brief the firefighters rushing to your home.
The KnoxBox
A KnoxBox is the safest, most trusted method for emergency home access because it is part of a public safety system used nationwide. Only your local fire department carries the high-security master key required to open it. It is a heavy-duty, tamper-resistant steel box that holds a spare house key and is mounted securely to your exterior wall near the front door. Residential models start around $227, before installation costs.
To purchase a KnoxBox, you cannot buy an official municipal model off a general retail shelf like Home Depot. Instead, begin by contacting your local fire district so the lock core matches their department’s master key. Or, visit www.knoxbox.com and use the ‘Start Here’ tool to search for your local department.
Once you are ready to install, know that it requires drilling into exterior brick, concrete, or wood siding to mount securely. Once mounted, you’ll then contact your local fire department’s non-emergency dispatch line again to send a firefighter out to inspect it and lock your house key inside; do not try to lock your house key inside yourself.
Alternative Lockbox Options
If your local fire department maintains a registry for door codes, here are three ways to secure a spare house key. Remember, firefighters do not carry master codes or keys for these consumer boxes.
First, a note on electronic and WiFi-enabled smart locks, including garage codes: While electronic keypads or Wi-Fi-connected smart locks are convenient for daily use, they are not reliable during major emergencies. This is because electronic keypads (on your front door handle or garage) can fail or lose power due to power outages and dead batteries when you need them most. WiFi-enabled systems are vulnerable during internet outages.
Purely Mechanical Push-Button Locks
These heavy-duty locks do not require batteries or electricity because they have simple push-button codes and use an internal mechanical spring system. This means they will never fail due to dead batteries or power grid outages. Models include the Dormakaba Simplex Series and start at around $150 without installation. They are widely available online through hardware suppliers, but installation often requires precise door drilling and alignment because of the heavy-duty mechanical housing. Hiring a local locksmith is usually your best bet.
Electronic Keypad Locks
These locks feature touchscreens or physical buttons powered by internal batteries (usually 4 AA batteries) that drive a motorized deadbolt, operating entirely locally without needing an internet or Wi-Fi connection. Models include the Schlage Camelot/Century Keypad Deadbolt, Yale Assure Lock 2, or Kwikset SmartCode 261 and generally cost between $60 to $250.
These keypad locks are widely available at any big-box home improvement retailer (Home Depot, Lowe’s) or online. Installation is generally a straightforward DIY project that uses existing door holes and a screwdriver. These can be a great option, but only if you are sure to check the batteries once a year.
Realtor-Style Key Hiders
These small, portable key safes use simple push-button or dial combinations and are commonly hung on doorknobs or railings by realtors and contractors to store a spare house key. If your local fire department maintains a registry for door codes, this is the most affordable and easy-to-use option, starting around $25. Models include Master Lock (such as the Master Lock 5400D push-button box), Kidde AccessPoint, or Supra. They are widely available at any hardware store or big-box retailer and installation requires zero tools—you simply hang it over a doorknob, fence, or railing like a padlock.
Be Proactive
Taking a few minutes to set up your emergency access plan today gives you—and the people who care about you—peace of mind. Start by checking with your local fire protection district to see what options they support, pick the access method that best fits your home and budget, and register your details. It’s always wise to be prepared.
Melinda Waldron, Exit Elegantly, Melinda@ExitElegantly.com
