Naples Hurricane Home Security Guide: Shutter Keys, Safes, and Locks
Hurricane Security Starts at Your Front Door
A Locksmith’s Guide to Storm-Ready Homes in Naples
In Naples a hurricane is more than just a severe weather event—they create lasting community memories, family evacuation stories, and far too often, stories of lost valuables, flooded homes, and stressful recoveries.
At “A” Locksmith, we’ve weathered every major storm for over 50 years. We’ve had residents chase down our trucks in the street in need of help. We’ve cracked open “waterproof” safes sold by big-box stores that were flooded beyond repair. We’ve replaced salt-water corroded locks, pried open water-logged doors, dug sand out of doorways so people could get into their homes. We’ve helped thousands of residents shore up their security to be safe again post-hurricane.
This guide isn’t based on theory—it’s built on five decades of firsthand experience helping Naples homeowners before, during, and after the storm. We may not forecast the weather, but when it comes to security—locks, safes, and shutter keys—we know exactly what survives a hurricane and what doesn’t. We’ve seen what fails and what holds strong in the face of Florida’s fiercest storms. Each Naples hurricane has its own personality whether it is catastrophic storm surge, tornados spinning off of the storm, high winds, or torrential rains.
Before the Storm: Secure Smarter
As security experts here’s what we recommend doing now, not the day before landfall:
✅ Duplicate Your Hurricane Shutter Keys
Lost shutter keys are the #1 emergency call we get before a Naples hurricane. If you can’t find yours, we can create a new set even if you’ve lost the original. Find your shutter keys, make a copy for a trusted neighbor, and test them out.
✅ Rekey Your Locks if Needed
If you’ve moved in recently or handed out too many spares, rekeying now ensures only you can get back in after the storm.
✅ Install Coastal-Rated Hardware
Hurricane force winds carry salt—and standard hardware corrodes fast when exposed to saltwater. We carry lifetime finish locks built specifically for coastal homes. Upgrading your hardware can make sure you have access to your home after a storm.
✅ Raise Your Safe Above the Floodline
We’ve opened hundreds of “waterproof” safes after hurricanes… and the contents were ruined. We offer fire- and burglary-rated safes and can install them on custom pedestals or shelves to keep them above potential floodwaters. Store items that could be water damaged in a dry bag inside of your safe. This could be a ziplock, a dry bag for boating, or a waterproof document saver. There are no safes that are truly floodproof, those are a marketing gimmick.
✅ Get a Lock & Door Inspection
If your doors stick in the dry season, they may swell shut if exposed to wind-driven rains or floodwaters. We can tune your locks and align doors to make sure you’re not locked in—or out—after the storm. Our team pried swollen doors open from dawn to dusk after hurricane Ian to get people back into their homes.
✅ Back Up Your Keys & Codes Off-Site
Don’t rely on a single key or saved phone note. If you have a trusted friend or neighbor, give them a spare key to your home, or keep a spare in a weather-rated lockbox.
After the Storm: Regain Control Safely
Once the skies clear, here’s what to check to make sure your home is secure again:
🔧 Inspect Every Exterior Door
Look for signs of swelling, water damage, rusted locks, or doors that won’t open or close properly. It might be time for a new door or lock.
🔧 Don’t Worry About Forcing Open Jammed Doors
We’ve seen many frustrated homeowners after the storm itself struggling to open a door that’s swollen itself shut. If your door is stuck, just give us a call and we can help get it open. We have the tools to get the job done.
🔧 Evaluate Your Safe
If floodwaters reached your safe, it is probably full of sea water. Don’t assume the contents are safe, even if you have a waterproof safe. We can help inspect and open it without destroying the contents inside. If your safe floods (they all do!), don’t wait to get it open. The longer it sits the harder it is to open and the more damage it causes to your items. Insider tip: Have a bucket and a mop ready for the seawater that pours out if you can get it open. When possible we open flooded safes outdoors.
🔧 Lost Keys During the Storm?
Whether it’s your front door or back gate, we can create new keys, rekey your locks, or install emergency hardware to help you feel secure again.
🔧 Locked Out of Your Shutters?
Storm shutter keys go missing often during cleanup and restorations. There’s no need to replace the shutter locks or shutters, we can get you back in quickly and safely and make you a new set of shutter keys.
✅ Is Your Home Ready for a Hurricane?
Security Checklist from “A” Locksmith
Use this checklist as a step-by-step storm prep for your home’s security before a Naples hurricane:
Duplicate all hurricane shutter keys
Rekey locks if keys were lost or shared
Upgrade to lifetime finish door hardware
Install your safe on a pedestal above flood level, use waterproof bags for items
Check alignment and functionality of all exterior doors
Test locks and key copies for your shutters
Back up emergency access (keys, electronic lock codes) off-site or with a neighbor
Add our number to your contacts now, internet often goes down after a storm
Local Advice from a Naples Hurricane Veteran
“As someone born and raised right here in Naples, I’ve been through more hurricanes than I can count. And after every storm, we see the same problems: locks rusted shut, safes that didn’t survive flooding, and people stuck outside of their own homes because they lost the tiny key to their hurricane shutters.
Preparedness isn’t about panic—it’s about giving yourself the tools to bounce back faster. That’s what we’re here for.”
— Andrew, Naples native, former police officer, President of “A” Locksmith
Visit Us Before the Next Storm Hits
We’re here to help you prepare—before the wind picks up.
📍 North Naples Showroom
9051 Tamiami Trail N (Across from Mercato)
📍 City of Naples Showroom
2612 Tamiami Trail N (Just North of Mooring Line Dr)
We’re your neighbors, we’ve all been through this many times, and we’re ready to help you secure your home, protect your valuables, and recover safely after the storm.
Additional Resources for Storm Planning
This list of tips has tips you probably haven’t heard anywhere else because it is from the perspective of a locksmith focused on security, locks, and safes. There are many more action steps our family takes before and after a storm including gathering supplies, trimming trees, and having an evacuation or shelter in place plan. Please sure to check out other trusted resources for a full list of standard hurricane survival and preparation tips. Here are some authoritative sources on keeping your family safe during the storm.
