The number of people who are and will be using the cottage is huge for the Cottage on the Edge. They include: my children, eventually their children, my parents, my brother and his family, my wife's family (she has 13 brothers and sisters), and many friends and other relatives.
I can't imagine how I would manage the keys necessary for that army!
For a while I played around in my mind the idea of a key hidden in some secret 'hidey' spot. But that could become a nightmare as well - lost keys, forgetting to put it back, etc...
To the rescue is the new electronic door locks with both a standard key and a keypad. So now I have only four keys, one each for key family members, and yes, one in an ultra secret hidey spot to be used only in emergency. But I now have series of key codes:
- One code for each of myself and my three sons,
- One for the local person I have watching over the cottage, and
- A few general use codes that I give out to people that have a lower volume use of the cottage.
Attributes of a great electronic lock:
- A deadbolt latch that allows direct truning of the tumbler once the key code has been entered
- A lighted key pad (a must in the dark) - one that turns on pressing any key
- A quick lock sequence - where you do not need to enter the code to lock up.
- Allows the programming of multiple key codes (not just a few)
Where do get one? All the big box stores have them: Home Depot, Lowes, Rona, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware to name a few.
;-)
