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How to Hide a Spare Key for Your Home

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

There is a right way and a wrong way to hide a spare key for your home. A key that is easy for you or your kids to find is also easy for a burglar to find. To keep your home secure and your family safe, you need a great hiding place.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • a combination key box
  • some creativity
  • a trustworthy neighbor
  1. Step 1

    Avoid the obvious: under the doormat, on top of the door frame, under a fake rock or in the mailbox. Experienced burglars know where to check for spare keys. If you’ve seen someone do it in a movie or seen a friend do it, don’t do it yourself.

  2. Step 2

    Get a key holder that doesn’t look like a key holder. The fake dog turd is cute but sadly, very predictable (don’t think a burglar won’t go rummaging through Fido’s business). Someone could recognize a key holder disguised as a lawn ornament from an advertisement and know exactly where to look.

  3. Step 3

    Buy a key box with a combination lock. That way you won’t even have to hide it. Shop around for a secure key box that can be opened without a key, but can’t be opened by someone who has no business getting in.

  4. Step 4

    Put a key in your garage. Set up your garage to be opened only by the remote control or a keypad. You can also get magnetic key holders to place on the track of your garage door opener.

  5. Step 5

    One of the safest options is to give your spare key to a neighbor you can trust and simply knock on their door the next time you lock yourself out.

  6. Step 6

    Be completely original in your hiding place. If you must hide a key on your own property, put it somewhere inconvenient (nowhere near your door) and possibly outrageous ... use your imagination!

Tips & Warnings
  • Have your locks changed every now and then, especially when you first move in. The previous tenant may have given a key to an unscrupulous acquaintance years ago.
  • If you want to play mind games with a potential burglar, you could plant fake keys around your property. He might find them, get frustrated and leave your house alone.
  • Don’t write your name on the key you give to your neighbor, just in case it falls into the wrong hands.
  • If you lose a spare key, change your locks immediately.
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