Where do you hide your spare keys? If you said under your front mat, it’s time to make a change.
More than 230,000 houses get broken-into every year in Australia. If your key is in an obvious hiding place, you’re making your home an easy target.
Fake Decor
Fake rocks are one of the most common hiding places for your spare set of keys. Many retailers sell rocks with hidden key compartments. Clever thieves know what differentiates fake rocks from real ones and can pick the fake one out fast.
Fake sprinklers, on the other hand, are a great, less obvious option. They look just like real sprinklers, except instead of watering your lawn, their sole purpose is to hide your key.
A fake faucet head is another great spot to stick your spare. You can even install a decoy outdoor socket cover and hide it inside. No thief has the time to be rummaging around your property in search of the elusive hidden key.
Key Lock Box
Key lock boxes are another way to ensure you won’t ever get locked out. The boxes attach onto door handles or walls and require a passcode to open. Most thieves won’t waste time trying to break the code.
Lockboxes come in many different sizes and forms. Some newer models even utilize Bluetooth technology and connect to your phone.
Magnetic Box
Chris from ASGuard Locksmith recommends a magnetic box. “A magnetic key holding box can hide one or two keys in a very discreet manner. Many magnet boxes are designed to be hidden on your vehicle. You can install it behind the bumper or license plate for easy access when you lock yourself out. ”
Flower Pot
Thieves aren’t going to be hunting through your flower garden to find a spare key. That’s why hiding one in a flower pot is a great idea.
To avoid getting dirty every time you lock yourself out, put the key in a medicine bottle. Use a hot glue gun to stick a pinecone on top and then bury the bottle. You will only then need to pull up on the pinecone to reveal your key.
Bird House
A decoy birdhouse is a foolproof place to hide your spare. Nail the key to the inside and hang up as you would a normal birdhouse. Screen off the entrance to the house to ensure no birds can get inside.
The Neighbors
Are you blessed with great neighbors? If so, enlist their help to hold onto your spare keys.
You can even coordinate with them to hide your key in their yard and theirs in yours. If thieves do happen upon the spare, it won’t open the door they’re hoping it will.
Where to Hide Keys for Greater Security
Twenty-percent of Australian homes hit by burglars have been burgled more than once. Don’t let yourself become a statistic. Now that you know where to hide keys, it’s time to start hiding.
Now you can enjoy the Christmas holidays without worrying about getting locked out. You’ll always know where your keys are and how to find them.
