Where Should You Hide a Spare House Key? Best and Worst Places | Home Security Tips

The fake rock. The top of the door frame. The back pocket in your wallet. While these spots are very convenient to hide a spare house key, places like these are actually terrible ideas!

Burglars are smart – so your security systems and spare key hiding spots need to be smarter. “Typical” hiding spots like these are one of the first places burglars will check, and often stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re keeping a spare key in any of the “Worst Places” listed below – it’s time to move them to a new, safer hiding place!

The 4 Worst Places to Hide a Spare House Key:

1. UNDER YOUR WELCOME MAT

You might as well be welcoming a burglar into your home because this is the first place they’ll look. Not to mention if you get a package delivered, the delivery driver might reveal your hiding spot just by moving the mat! This hiding spot is a major security risk.

2. UNDER A FLOWER POT NEAR THE FRONT DOOR

Again, one of the most used hiding spots for spare keys. While it’s a convenient place for you to find your spare key – it’s also convenient for a burglar to find it, too. It’s always a good idea to hide your spare key far away from the door, making it harder for a would-be burglar to find a way in.

3. INSIDE A POORLY PLACED FAKE ROCK

A fake rock won’t fool anyone if it’s just sitting in your garden or under a bush with are no other rocks around. If you do choose to use this popular hiding method, make sure it’s disguised by its surroundings. Place other similarly sized and colored rocks nearby, or even incorporate it into your landscaping design to help your spare key’s hiding spot fully blend in.

4. YOUR WALLET

If someone steals your wallet, they have your home’s address (since it’s on your driver’s license) and the spare key to get inside your home. This is a burglar’s dream come true. Yes, it’s the one of the most convenient places to store a spare key, but safety always comes before convenience. You take your wallet everywhere – the odds that you could lose it or someone could steal it is much higher than if you simply hid your spare house key in one of the recommended, safe spots below.  

The Four Best Places to Hide a Spare House Key

1. WITH A NEIGHBOR YOU TRUST

We believe that your neighbors are your best allies against burglars, so if available to you, give a trusted neighbor your spare key. Think of someone who you’d trust to watch your house for a week, entering it while you’re gone to water your plants and such. If you can trust them with that, then they’ll likely be a good choice for hiding your spare key. If a burglar finds the key in its hiding place, they’ll just assume it’s your neighbor’s - not yours! Just make sure there’s no information on the key that would identify it with you, and that it’s hidden in a place that you both can access when needed.

2. IN A MAGNETIZED LOCK BOX UNDER YOUR CAR

Most burglaries occur from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., when most homes are empty. So it makes sense to hide your key in a car magnet key case under your car because when you’re not home, neither is the spare key! However, before choosing this option, consider your unique circumstances. Do you often have family members that are coming/leaving the home when the car is not around? If so, lockouts may occur when you’re not able to come to the rescue. It might be better to hide the magnetized box in another spot around your home, such as under a drainpipe end.

3. UNDER THE DOG HOUSE

You know what burglars hate? Dogs. Especially loud ones. They don’t want to go near them, so that means they’re not going to go near the dog house either. Hide the key under the dog house to keep it safe. Just make sure Fido can’t get to it!

4. FAKE SPRINKLER KEY HOLDER

Move over fake rock, here comes the fake sprinkler key holder. This fake sprinkler head is indistinguishable from a real one and blends in naturally. This option is great for homeowners who don’t have a rockscape that a fake rock key holder would blend in to.

Need a spare key copy or looking to install electronic lock systems? Get in touch with us!