Double keyed locks on exterior doors

Every so often, we encounter a hidden safety hazard that many homeowners might not think about - double keyed deadbolt locks.  These locks require a key on the exterior and interior of the home.  Many times, these keyed deadbolt locks are installed on the interior side to enhance security so that the window or sidelight in the door cannot simply be broken and the interior lock opened by hand.  While enhanced security may have been achieved, this was at the detriment of safety to the occupants who now must have possession of the key to exit the door in an emergency.

​We often see homeowners leave the key inside the lock or nearby on a key hook; however, the key can be unknowingly removed by a member of the family or the key may not be readily located on a nearby hook by children or guests trying to escape during an emergency.  For these reasons, we recommend the double keyed locks be replaced and modifications to the door be made to eliminate the need for the double keyed lock (i.e. removal of windows adjacent to the lock, security bars over the windows, etc).

It is worth noting that updates to building codes nationwide now ban the practice of using double keyed locks in new construction.

Excerpt from the Ohio Residential Building Code