It's convenient to keep a spare house key in case you lose your regular keys. But is your spare key's hiding place too convenient? Convenient enough for a burglar to easily find it?
We implore you don't sacrifice security for convenience.
The last thing you want is a burglar to find the spare and have an easy entryway into your home—especially if you forgot to set your security system that day.
Here are the worst and best places to hide your spare house keys.
Worst places to hide a spare house key
1) Under your welcome mat
You might as well be welcoming a burglar into your home because this is the first place they'll look.
2) Under a flower pot near the front door
This hiding spot is convenient for you— and for a burglar.
3) Inside a poorly placed fake rock
That fake rock isn't fooling anyone if it's just sitting in a garden and there are no other rocks around.
4) Your wallet
If someone steals your wallet, they have your home's address (since it's on your driver's license) and the spare key to get inside your home. This is a burglar's dream come true.
Best places to hide a spare house key
1) With a neighbor you trust
We believe that your neighbors are your best allies against burglars. So give a trusted neighbor your spare key. If anyone finds the key, they'll just assume it's the neighbor's, not yours. Just make sure there's no information on the key that would identify it with you.
This is the most secure place to hide a key, but also the least convenient (unless they neighbor hides they key somewhere safe outside where you can find it).
2) In a magnetized lock box under your car
Most burglaries occur from 10 a.m to 3 p.m—when you're not home.
So it makes sense to hide your key in a car magnet key case under your car. Because when you're not home, neither is your car—or the spare key.
3) Under the dog house
You know what burglars hate? Dogs. Especially loud ones. They don't want to go near them. So that means they're not going to go near the dog house either. Hide the key under the dog house to keep it safe.
4) Fake sprinkler key holder
Move over fake rock, here comes the fake sprinkler key holder. This fake sprinkler head is indistinguishable from a real one and blends in nicely. Obviously, this is only for homeowners who have sprinkler systems.
How to never need a spare key ever again
Instead of fumbling with where to hide spare keys, upgrade to home automation door locks instead. These locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely from your smartphone, laptop, or other web-enabled device.
This helps not only if you lose your keys but also if you forget to lock your doors when you leave home. In other words, you get peace of mind.
Ackerman Security offers lock automation as a part of our Total Connect home automation system.
Ackerman Security Systems provides home security systems and services to metro Atlanta and metro Washington, DC as well as business security systems and services to companies all over the United States.