Stashing a spare key under the doormat is an invitation to thieves. If you want to hide a spare, you have to identify a spot that a criminal would never think to look. You should call on a locksmith to make several spares, one of which you stash in a secret outdoor location. Here’s a rundown of several smart places to hide a spare key.

Where Should You Stash a Spare Key?

1. In an Empty Birdhouse

Although an interloper may scrounge around for a key near the entrances to your home, it’s unlikely that they would search a birdhouse. Tape the spare to an interior wall. Placing mothballs inside will deter birds from nesting.

2. In the Back Garden

A spare key tucked inside a fake-rock is a known key-hiding gambit. Try a variation of this stratagem instead. Head to the backyard and place your spare under a stone among the greenery where it is very unlikely to be discovered by anyone who doesn’t know exactly where to look. 

3. With a Trusted Neighbor

Of course, there’s an alternative to hiding a key. Have a trusted neighbor hold a spare for you, then no matter how determined someone may be to find a hidden spare, they’ll never lay their hands on it. In exchange, volunteer to have a locksmith make a spare key for your neighbor, and offer to hold onto a spare for them as well. Everyone benefits from this type of mutual arrangement.

The next time you need to use a spare key to enter your home, think of the respected locksmiths at Expert Lock and Key in Columbus, OH. This family-owned and -operated mobile lock service makes spares and changes locks for residential and commercial clients. To schedule an appointment with the locksmith, including an appointment for emergency service, call (614) 329-3899, or learn more about the company by browsing their website.