Your home is your private space. It can be tempting and convenient to give your key to someone who may occasionally need access, but you should choose wisely. The locksmith and bike repair professionals at Jim’s Bike & Key Shop in Columbia, MO, provide expert lock installation and key cutting, as well as bike assembly and repair. They want you and your belongings to stay safe, and suggest giving out your key to as few people as possible. Here’s who they suggest.

Locksmith Recommends 4 People Who Can Have a Key to Your Home

1. Immediate Family

A parent, grandparent, sibling, or other close adult family member you trust should have a key to your home in the event of an emergency. If you have tweens or teens who are sometimes alone in the house, having a family member close by with a key will offer peace of mind. It’s also a good idea for the elderly or people with a medical condition to offer a key to a family member who can check on them if necessary.

2. Childcare Professional

Your babysitter or nanny will probably need to get in and out of your house during the day when they are caring for your child. You’ve probably already made sure they’ve been vetted before hiring them, so this is already a trusted individual.

3. House or Pet Sitter

If you’re planning a vacation, you’ll need to provide a key at least temporarily to a house or pet sitter. If your sitter isn’t a close friend or family member, use a reputable agency that does background checks on its employees. You can have a key stamped with “do not duplicate,” but that does not guarantee the keyholder won’t find a locksmith who will make a copy anyway.

4. House Cleaner

Unless you can arrange to be home when your house is being cleaned, you’ll need to provide a key to your house cleaner. Again, choose a house cleaner you know, or one who is from an agency that vets and background-checks its staff. Consider locking up jewelry and cash. If your house cleaner quits unexpectedly without returning the key, you should have a locksmith re-key your home.

If you need duplicate keys or a reliable locksmith, call Jim’s Bike & Key Shop at (573) 442-7011 or send a message online. You can trust their licensed, bonded, and certified team to provide the expert advice and service you deserve.