Losing the key to your property could happen at any time. Whether you misplace it while at work, drop it while out shopping, or break it on the keyring, it’s essential that you have a spare so you don’t find yourself locked out. But where do you keep this spare key so that its in a place convenient to you, but not for potential burglars?
At Rockhopper Locks, we are expert locksmiths offering a range of locksmith services throughout Farnborough, Farnham, and many other areas, and we have some of the best tips available to help you store your spare key. Our team has put together this guide just for you, so keep reading for more information.
Where Not to Hide a Spare Key
Before we delve into some of the best places to store a spare key, it’s important to cover some of the most common hiding places and why they are unsafe choices. These options include:
Under a Door Mat: One of the first places a burglar will look for a spare key will be under an outdoor door mat. While it may offer convenience for you to simply reach beneath and grab it if you need to gain entry, it’s one of the most common hiding places for spare keys and even novice burglars know it.
Inside a Plant Pot: Similar to door mats, an outdoor plant pot is a very common place to hide spare keys. Whether concealed by foliage or buried in soil, there is no defence against would-be burglars who will often dig through or even break outdoor plant pots to locate a spare key to a property.
Hidden Beneath a Fake Rock: While it is possible to make fake rocks work for key storage, it’s important to make sure they aren’t out of place. Is it the only rock in the garden? Is it a different colour to the rest of the rocks you have? These indicators are clear to burglars and make spare keys extremely easy to locate.
In summary, at Rockhopper Locks we wouldn’t recommend leaving keys to your property outdoors, but especially in places that burglars are clued into checking. With that in mind, let us take you through our recommendations for storing your spare keys.
Leave it With a Neighbour
If you have a good relationship with your neighbours, consider asking them to hold onto a spare key for you. This approach offers a convenient and secure solution for those times when you might lock yourself out. By just knocking on their door or sending a quick text, you can easily access your spare key. Moreover, entrusting your key with a trusted neighbour ensures it is kept indoors, significantly reducing the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, this arrangement fosters a sense of community and mutual support, reinforcing the bond between neighbours and enhancing overall neighbourhood security.
Hidden in Your Car
If you have a car that you use frequently, hiding a spare key to your home inside is an excellent option. Rarely will you find yourself without access to your car, so if you find yourself stranded outside your property, you won’t have to go far or wait around for a locksmith to be able to gain entry. However, it’s important to make sure this key is concealed and isn’t visible through the windows. We recommend storing it within the glove box, under one of the seats, or in the boot of the car.
Inside a Secure Lockbox
Both houses and apartments typically offer outdoor space suitable for installing a lockbox, which provides a secure and robust means of storing spare keys. These lockboxes are engineered to withstand damage and adverse weather conditions, ensuring the safety of the keys inside. They require either a key or a personalised code to access, adding an extra layer of security. The increasing trend of homeowners utilising lockboxes for key storage is a testament to their reliability and effectiveness.
For more information, contact Rockhopper Locks today!
If you would like to know more about keeping your spare keys safe but convenient for you to access, or to arrange our locksmith services for yourself, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rockhopper Locks! We offer 24/7 emergency call outs and cover a range of locations, including Camberley, Aldershot, and Alton to name a few, so we can help you whether you need us in the middle of the night, or on an afternoon after work!
Our blog is full of useful information created by our team just for you, including How to Keep Your Home Safe Against Burglars and Reasons To Change The Locks on a New Home.