Editing Keychain (section)

==Use of keychains==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2018}}

=== Advertising & Souvenirs ===
Keychains are one of the most common [[souvenir]] and [[advertising]] items. 

In the 1950s and 1960s, with the improvement of plastic manufacturing techniques, promotional items including keychains became unique. Businesses could place their names and logos on promotional keychains that were three-dimensional for less cost than the standard metal keychains.

Keychains are small and inexpensive enough to become promotional items for larger national companies that might give them out by the millions. For example, with the launch of a new movie or television show, those companies might partner with food companies to provide a character keychain in each box of cereal.

These same qualities also make them cheap and easy to produce for consumers, and these have become popular souvenir and novelty items. Destination souvenir keychains will often bear the name of the destination or be shaped like something people relate to the destination, such as a sandal for a beach, or skis for a mountain. The ease of production has created a wide range of options for consumers and businesses alike. 

[[File:Sandal keychain.jpg|thumb|left|A souvenir [[sandal]] keychain from the Philippines]]

=== Securing keys and other items ===
A keychain can also be a connecting link between a keyring and the [[belt (clothing)|belt]], bag, or other garment. Keychains with an actual chain or string are usually used by personnel whose job demands frequent use of keys, such as a [[security guard]], prison officer, [[janitor]], or [[retail]] store manager. The chain is often retractable, and therefore may be a [[nylon]] rope, instead of an actual metal chain. The chain ensures that the keys remain attached to the individual using them, makes accidental loss less likely, and saves on wear and tear on the [[pocket]]s of the user.

Many keychains also offer other functions that the owner wants easily accessible as well. These can include army knives, bottle openers, nail clippers, pill cases, or pepper spray among many others. An electronic key finder is also a useful item found on many keys that will beep when summoned for quick finding when misplaced.