How Often Do People Forget Their Keys?

We’ve all been there — standing outside the front door, patting every pocket, peering through the window, and slowly realising: you’ve forgotten your keys. But just how common is this everyday mishap? And why does it seem to happen more often when we’re in a rush?

A Surprisingly Common Mistake

According to surveys from locksmith associations and insurance companies in the UK, around 30% of people admit to locking themselves out at least once a year, with a smaller but still significant number experiencing it multiple times. For shared households, such as flatmates or families with teenagers, the frequency is even higher.

On average, people forget or misplace their keys once every 3 to 6 months, depending on lifestyle, routines, and age.

Why Do We Forget Our Keys?

The reasons are more psychological than forgetfulness alone:

• Disrupted routine: When your usual rhythm is thrown off — like rushing to a meeting, leaving early, or juggling bags — your brain may skip over autopilot tasks like picking up your keys.

• Multitasking: Trying to do too many things at once can cause you to walk out the door without a vital item.

• Assumptions: In shared homes, people often assume someone else has the keys or the door will remain unlocked.

In short, it’s not a memory problem — it’s a momentary lapse in attention.

The Real Costs of Forgetting

Besides the obvious inconvenience, forgetting your keys can have real consequences:

• Emergency locksmith call-outs, which can cost anywhere from $60 to over $150 depending on the time and lock type.

• Missed appointments or work delays.

• Stress and anxiety, especially if it happens late at night or during bad weather.

Some tenants even end up damaging doors or windows trying to gain entry without proper tools.

Ways to Prevent Getting Locked Out

If you're tired of standing in the rain or phoning a locksmith at midnight, here are some smart strategies:

• Key trays or hooks by the door – make it a habit to place keys in the same spot every time.

• Spare key with a trusted neighbour or friend – still one of the safest low-tech solutions.

• Digital locks or smart keypads – modern keyless entry systems are growing in popularity, especially for forgetful households.

• Keychain trackers – devices like Tile or Apple AirTag can help you locate keys before it's too late.

• Checklists or routines – a simple “wallet, phone, keys” check before leaving can make all the difference.