Hiding Spare Keys: The Best and Worst Places

When you hide your spare key in an obvious place, you make it easier for burglars to access your home. People who misplace their keys often tend to leave spare keys behind to avoid lockouts, but you must choose less-common hiding areas to minimize the security risks. Read to discover the worst and best places for hidden spare keys and how to avoid spare keys altogether.

Worst Hiding Places

If you conceal keys under doormats, you may as well not hide them at all since burglars check this area first. People often leave keys under mats to let other house members or guests in the house, but don't do it.

Under a flower pot is another go-to hiding place for homeowners, but this area is just as bad as leaving your key under the mat. Keep your spare key away from the front door and avoid the porch lights, doorframes, ledges, trim, and window sills. Burglars also ransack mailboxes, so don't stash your key in yours.

Attaching a magnetic key holder to something near the entry door is also risky, as thieves check for areas where magnetic holders stick. Lastly, don't place a fake rock with your key in the front porch area as it sticks out among the real stuff. You can try your luck with a synthetic rock that looks like the real ones in your garden, but burglars will likely sniff out the fake one.

Creative Hiding Places

Distance is your friend when you hide a spare key and you want to choose areas far from your entry door. The following are good places to keep your spares.

With Neighbors

Ask a trusted neighbor if they will hold on to your spare key for safety. In addition to being safe, this method is convenient because the neighbor can check on your home in case of emergencies like water leaks when you are away. However, limit the number of people who know where you keep your spare keys.

In a Fake Sprinkler

Consider a fake sprinkler to hold your spare key if your landscaping has grass and bushes. The sprinklers mimic real sprinklers and feature a spacious compartment to hide several keys. You don't have to remove the sprinkler from the ground, as you can simply remove the lid and take your key.

Inside Trees

If your property has trees, look for those with holes that can fit your spare keys. You can also cut a section of bark from a tree, stash your key, and replace the bark. Other homeowners nail their keys to a tree but use rust-resistant paint to protect the key from the elements.

In Wind Chimes

Wind chimes make perfect hiding places, as the noise they make deters burglars. Most wind chimes have holes that you can place keys inside of. The natural chiming will alert you or your neighbors if someone attempts to retrieve the keys.

Alternatives to Spare Keys

Tracking residential keys is a hassle, and you are never certain who has copies of your keys. Leaving spare keys outside is also unsafe since burglars get more sophisticated by the day. When thieves want to access your home, they check multiple areas around your home for a spare key.

Keyless entry systems are the ideal solutions to reduce your security risk because they don't require a key. You can use a smart lock, which integrates with other smart home systems, or an electronic lock that requires a code, password, or fingerprint to control your entry door. 

With a smart lock, you grant and restrict access from your phone, which is convenient to let kids or deliveries into the house. Electronic locks only require periodic code changes to protect your home.

The first places a burglar checks for a spare key are under the mat or flower pot. So, look for non-obvious hiding places around your property to hide your keys, such as inside trees or wind chimes. However, the best way to reduce your home's security risk is to go keyless, and our security experts at Dixie Safe & Lock Service Inc. are ready to help. Contact us today for quality lock upgrades.