Hiding a spare key outside your home can be a convenient solution when you get locked out, need a house sitter, or have someone bringing in mail while you are away. However, where you choose to hide it can make all the difference between added security and vulnerability to a break-in. In this post, we'll explore the 7 best and 7 worst places to hide a spare key to help you make an informed decision.
7 Best Places to Hide a Spare Key
Place #1: Inside a Lockbox
Lockboxes offer the highest level of security for a spare key. Install it near your home and only share the code with trusted individuals.
Place #2: With a Trusted Neighbor
Becoming close to neighbors is important for securing your home. They are a great resource for hiding the spare house key. You can leave the key with them, or have them hide it on their property and share the location with you if they tend to be away a lot.
Place #3: Fake Rock Hidden Among Other Rocks
Using a fake rock can be effective, especially when placed among a group of real rocks or in a landscaped area where it won’t stand out.
Place #4: In a Lockbox Under a Deck or Stairs
This can be a great option, especially if your deck has gaps that make access difficult for someone without knowledge of the key’s location.
Place #5: Inside a Potted Plant (Not the Front Door One)
Place #6: In a Magnetized Lockbox
Take security a step further by hiding the spare key in a magnetized lockbox and placing that onto a discrete metal surface away from the front door.
Place #7: Inside a Bird House
A bird house in your garden or on a tree provides a quirky but effective hiding place, far removed from common search locations like doormats or mailboxes. Keep the house free of birds by placing a mothball in it.
7 Worst Places to Hide a Spare Key
Place #1: Under the Doormat
This is one of the most obvious spots for burglars to check. Never leave your key under the mat right by your door, as it provides no security.
Place #2: Inside the Mailbox
Mailboxes are easy to access and are often among the first places intruders will search. It's simply too obvious and insecure.
Place #3: Under a Flowerpot by the Front Door
Much like the doormat, a flowerpot by the front door is a cliché hiding spot. Anyone with ill intentions will check there first.
Place #4: Above the Door Frame
While it may seem like a high, less conspicuous spot, it’s a classic hiding place that burglars know to check quickly.
Place #5: Under the Garden Gnome
A garden gnome is a popular yet too-obvious choice. It draws attention, which is the last thing you want.
Place #6: In the Fake Rock by the Front Step
Much like the garden gnome, a fake rock can be useful. However, placing it too close to the entryway, like on the front step, defeats the purpose. It’s the first place an intruder will examine.
Place #7: Inside a Grill or Barbecue
While it might seem like an unlikely place, grills are often accessible and can be easily searched. Plus, grease or ashes could damage the key over time.
Finding the right balance between convenience and security is key when hiding a spare house key outside. Stick to discreet, less obvious locations and avoid common traps that intruders know too well. By choosing one of the 7 best spots and avoiding the worst, you can keep your home safer while still having peace of mind in case you get locked out.
