The Best and Worst Places to Hide a Spare House Key (and What to Do Instead)
Keeping a spare house key nearby feels convenient—until that convenience becomes a security risk. While backup keys can save the day when you're locked out, they can also give a burglar instant access to your home if hidden in an obvious place.
Studies of convicted burglars, including a UNC Charlotte "Residential Burglary" study, show that burglars look for a hidden spare key in over one-third of break-ins. And because most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while homeowners are away, a hidden key can easily become a silent entry point.
Your spare key should never become a burglar's lucky break. Here's how to hide one safely—or eliminate the need for one altogether.
The Worst Places to Hide a Spare House Key
These spots are the first places burglars check. If your key is here, assume a thief will find it.
1. Under Your Welcome Mat
This classic hiding place is so predictable that burglars check it within seconds of approaching your door.
2. Under a Flower Pot by the Front Door
Anything near your entryway is easy for burglars to search discreetly.
Convenient for you = convenient for them.
3. Inside a Poorly Placed Fake Rock
A fake rock only works when it blends into other natural landscaping.
A standalone "rock" placed in the open is an obvious decoy.
4. Inside Your Wallet or Purse
If a thief steals your wallet, they instantly gain:
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Your home address, and
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Your house key
This is one of the most dangerous combinations possible.
The Best Places to Hide a Spare House Key
These locations significantly reduce the chance of a burglar discovering your key.
1. With a Trusted Neighbor
Your neighbors can be your best security allies. Giving a spare key to someone you trust keeps it secure and out of a burglar's reach.
Just make sure the key has no identifying information connecting it to you.
2. In a Magnetized Lock Box Under Your Car
Since most burglaries happen while you're away, hiding a key on your vehicle makes solid sense—if you're gone, so is the key.
Magnetic lockboxes are:
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Hard to spot
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Weather-resistant
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Accessible when you need them
3. Under the Dog House
Burglars avoid dogs at all costs. Hiding a key in a secured pet area or under the dog house can be surprisingly effective.
4. In a Fake Sprinkler Key Holder
Unlike fake rocks, fake sprinkler heads blend naturally with real landscape equipment.
They are inexpensive, discreet, and extremely hard to detect.
The Smartest Option: Eliminate Spare Keys Altogether
Rather than worrying about creative hiding spots, upgrade to smart home door locks. These systems allow you to:
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Lock/unlock your doors from your smartphone
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Assign unique access codes
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Monitor door activity in real time
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Avoid ever hiding or losing keys again
It's safer, more convenient, and ideal for busy Metro Atlanta homeowners.
Ackerman Security offers smart lock automation through our Total Connect home automation system, giving you full control over your doors from anywhere.
Protect Your Atlanta Home With Ackerman Security
At the end of the day, even the most creative key-hiding spot is still a security risk. Smart locks and modern security systems eliminate that risk entirely, giving you peace of mind.
Ackerman Security proudly serves:
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Metro Atlanta homes
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Metro Atlanta businesses
If you're ready to upgrade your security, automate your home, or eliminate spare key worries, contact Ackerman Security today to learn more.
