Keep Your House Key Safely Hidden By Using These "Key" Locations
Many homeowners keep a house key tucked somewhere outside their residence as a backup plan in the event of losing their key and subsequently being locked out of the home. It's never a bad idea to have a key safely stashed away — especially if you're the type of person who frequently misplaces his or her keys. Stay away from the conventional hiding spots, though, or you'll risk a potential break-in if someone identifies your not-so-secret location. Instead, think of these lesser-known hiding spots for stashing your house key for an emergency.
Inside The End Of The Siding
Depending on the style of the exterior of your home, it can often be possible to stash a key behind the siding. Siding is open on the ends and protected by a cap piece that runs vertically. In some locations, this cap will be a little loose — especially in older homes. If you can move the cap out of the way, it will expose the open end of the siding — and a variety of small ledges that are perfectly suited for a key. Tape the key inside the siding at a specific height, such as the height of your waist, and slide the vertical cap back into place.
Taped Beneath A Pet's Bowl
Whether you have a doghouse in your yard or simply provide a water bowl for a canine that spends time outdoors, taping a key to the bottom of the bowl is a logical choice. Many burglars will automatically avoid homes that have signs of dogs, especially if the pet is of a sizable size and could inflict a nasty bite. Even if your dog is small, it's highly unlikely that anyone prowling the yard would take the time to inspect beneath the water bowl.
Under A Neighbor's Doormat
Stashing your house key under your front doormat is never a good idea — it's a conventional location that the average person will always look if he or she is wishing to break into your home. You can flip this idea around, however, by partnering with a neighbor. Place your house key under his or her doormat and vice versa. In the event that a burglar is prowling the area and finds the key, he or she will quickly get discouraged because the key won't provide entry; the burglar might suspect the locks have been changed and the key is old.
For more information on lock and key security, contact a company like Redmond Lock & Key.