If you lock yourself out of the house or lose a key, hiding a spare can help you avoid the inconvenience of having to call a locksmith. But, while stowing a backup is smart, you should avoid obvious spots where potential burglars may look first. To help you keep your home safe, here are five of the worst spare key hiding spots to avoid—and the better alternatives to consider.

5 Bad Spots to Hide a Spare Key

1. Beneath a Flower Pot

Flower pots near the front porch are among the first places that people will look for keys. For a more discrete location, consider hiding the key behind a loose brick that only you know about. Another option would be to hide the spare behind vinyl siding.

2. Under a Welcome Mat

Doormats are the most common hiding spots for keys, making them an easy target to anyone trying to break into your home. And, since welcome mats get moved around a lot, it’s easy for anything underneath to get lost. For a more secure spot, consider screwing the key behind your car’s license plate. That way, it will be out-of-reach and always stay close by when you leave the house.

3. Inside the Mail Box

If your mailbox is unlocked, there’s no security in hiding your spares inside of it. There’s also a risk that the key may get knocked loose or misplaced every time you get mail. That’s why locksmiths recommend using a coded lockbox that’s placed somewhere around your home. These boxes will only open with the correct code, which you can change as needed.

4. Under a Rock

Rocks—especially fake, decorative ones—do not blend in as well with the environment as you may think. To avoid drawing attention to burglars, consider taping the key under a pathway stone.

5. Close to the Door

When home invaders are planning a break-in, they will scour all spots close to the front door. Even if you choose a smart hiding place, there’s a good chance it will be discovered by a mildly curious burglar. Instead, select a spot that’s at least 10 feet away from the property—such as by nailing the key to a tree.

 

Apart from adopting smart key-hiding strategies, you can upgrade your home security with the help of Ability Lock & Key. Serving both commercial and residential clients in the Piedmont-Triad area, this mobile locksmith has the tools and resources to help protect your entryways. For example, they can install new locks or deadbolts if your current system is damaged. Or, if you’ve lost a key and are worried about who may have it, these professionals can rekey all your home locks. To learn more about their advanced capabilities, visit this Winston-Salem, NC, locksmith online. For convenient care, call (336) 407-1586.