Many people will hide a key on the outside of their home either to gain access to their home through the front door or even a back door. Where it may sound like a good idea in the event you lose your keys or you are allowing a friend to hang out at your home, burglars know this. Before they force their way into the home they often look for that emergency key first and often they find it. Texan Lock and Key would like to share some of the worst hiding places which you may want to avoid placing your emergency key in case you choose to have one.
Where Not to Hide a Spare Key
1. Hidden Key Doormat – Due to popular TV shows, it seems the front door key is always hiding under the doormat and many people actually use this spot for their emergency key. However this is the first place most burglars will look. Some people will try to secure the key to the mat or even attempt to hold the mat down. This is just a dead giveaway. The doormat is one place you will want to avoid hiding the keys to your home.
2. Hide a Key Rock – You may have a concave rock or even bought one of those fake rocks that are designed to hold an emergency key. However regardless of how much manufacturers work to disguise them, these fake rocks are a major give away. The idea for using a rock to hide a key has become s common idea. Most burglars or intruders will check under lose rocks for this reason. That’s why it is best to avoid using rocks to hide your key to your home.
3. Key Wallet – Many will keep a key inside their wallet where if their keys get lost most people will have their wallet on them. In the event you lose your wallet instead of your keys, you gave a potential burglar not just the money inside the wallet but with your address and the key to your home. So you’ve not only lost everything inside your wallet but even your home. It is a pain canceling credit cards and getting a new driver’s license, but re-keying your home will just add to the expense of the loss.
4. Hiding a Key in a Flower Pot – Another common place for intruders to look for an emergency key is under flower pots. Even larger flower pots that can be tipped over are often checked especially if the flower pots are near the door or close to the access point. Flower pots are not the best spot for an emergency key since it has become a well known place to hide a key.
5. Key on Top of Door Frame – On top of the door frame, even if the key is wedged in the tightest crack of the door frame, is now regularly inspected by a would be intruder. Some may feel that if it is hard to reach or no one will notice a key wedge in a crack of the door frame. However thanks to home surveillance cameras, recorded evidence shows that door frames are carefully examined for keys by burglars. Door frames are no longer a big secret and are often checked for a key. This is why you shouldn’t consider the door frame a great place to hide a key.
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At this point many will wonder where the best place for an emergency key is. That will depend on your home’s own unique setting and what will present itself as a good hiding place for an emergency key. The best advice is to be original and not place it in a convenient place to access the key. You may want to consider not having an emergency key at all. Yes, it sucks losing our keys but you can always use a locksmith to help you regain access to your home without the fear of an intruder finding your emergency key. Texan Lock and Key want to help make your home a safer place. If you find you’re in need of locksmith services, contact Texan Lock and Key today.
