What good is a lock without a key? We’ve all probably experienced at least one lockout in our lives. Lockouts are a nuisance, and they always seem to happen at the worst times. It is important to have at least one spare key you keep outside to prevent you or someone you know from being locked out.
However, you shouldn’t be leaving spare keys lying around carelessly. Without proper caution, you're adding unnecessary security risks to your home. Vector Security wants to ensure your spare keys do not put you or your loved ones at risk.
The Importance of Spare Keys
Accidents happen. We sometimes lose our keys or forget them inside after locking the door. Even the most meticulous people misplace them from time to time, which is why having an extra set of keys is always a great idea.
Spare keys are inexpensive and easy to make for a few dollars. On the other hand, if your only other option is a locksmith, it could cost over $100. Even worse, they could take hours before they can get to your location, leaving you stranded in the meantime.
How to Hide a Key Properly
Spare keys are a lifesaver when you’re locked out. However, it’s important to understand the security risks of leaving spare keys outside.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Let’s get the worst places to keep spare keys out of the way first. The most obvious hiding spot for spare keys is under the doormat. Don’t ever leave them there! In fact, don’t leave your keys anywhere near the entrance of your home. The area by your door is the first place an intruder is going to look for your spare keys.
Other locations you should avoid include:
- Inside the mailbox
- Underneath a potted plant
- Inside a fake rock (these are easy to spot, especially if they don’t match the surrounding rocks)
- Underneath a garden gnome
- Anywhere that’s visible from the street
Additionally, you should avoid putting spare keys in your wallet or purse. It’s easy for keys to fall out when shuffling through items. Worst of all, if you lose your wallet or purse, you will lose your spare keys as well.
What You Should Do
No matter where you hide your spare keys, they should be in a small lockbox with a combination. If somebody suspicious finds the lockbox, they’re unable to grab the house key without the combination.
As for hiding spots, here are some locations that are generally safe:
- Inside the garage (only if it’s accessible if you misplaced your keys)
- Tucked away inside patio furniture
- Underneath a rock or loose brick (just make sure you remember which one!)
- If applicable, in a small crawl space underneath your house or porch
- Inside a doghouse (your dog could also be a deterrent against strangers)
- With a trusted neighbor
The only people who should know the key location and combination are the ones your trust. The fewer, the better. And if you have children, they must understand that they should not reveal the location or combination to any of their friends.
An Alternative to Traditional Locks
Why not ditch keys altogether? Smart locks allow keyless entry. With just a smartphone and an installed app, you can lock and unlock doors from anywhere and at any time.
You can open the door for your children when they get home from school or for your dog sitter, babysitter, guests, etc. With the convenience of smart locks, you don’t have to worry about people snooping around your property looking for spare keys to enter.
With the help of Vector Security, you can make annoying lockouts a thing of the past. For more information about Vector Security and the security solutions we provide, feel free to contact us today.
