This is a guest post…
Keeping a house key, and even a car key with it, outdoors is ideal. You never know when you might lose that set of keys. The reason that it’s ideal to keep keys outside is that they will be easily accessible.
There are also dozens of places outdoors that a set of keys can be hidden. It is best to keep them inside a waterproof container or plastic bag. This helps to protect them from the elements to prevent rusting.
If you have children that get home from school before you leave work, having a hidden key is a smart idea. Kids often leave keys at school. If they cannot gain access to the inside of the home, it is a safety concern.
In a Water Feature
Many water features have natural looking elements such as rocks and moss. There are key hiding devices that are made to look like a natural rock or moss covered item. This is the ideal location to hide a key outside of your home.
No one would be the wiser if the faux rock matches the others in a water feature. As long as everyone in the family, plus one emergency contact knows which rock it is, you are safe. When neighbors or emergency contacts move, it is best to relocate that rock.
Other water feature possibilities to hide a key in:
- In a floating artificial flower
- On the underside of a fountain
- In a piece of driftwood
- Along the back of a planter
Under a Bench
Under a bench or any outdoor seating element is a great hiding place. The key should be taped using electrical tape so that a sticky residue does not prevent it from working in the keyhole. This will also make it less conspicuous to a potential intruder.
The key should not be placed near the edges. It should be in a random location that either requires a person to actually look for it or for the piece of furniture to be moved. The smoother you can tape the key onto the furniture, the harder it will be to notice.
Behind a Garden Mirror
Garden mirrors are fun elements to add to the space. They can add to the design but are often used for water reflection purposes. Behind the mirror is another option to hide a set of keys.
The mirror should be placed at a height that children can reach it easily. It should also be easily accessible so that climbing to the location is not dangerous. The idea is to make the key easy to get to without it being an obvious location.
On top of an Outdoor Clock
Not only is an outdoor clock a good design feature, it is a good hiding place too. Consider placing a magnet on the key ring and attaching that to the top of the clock. Most people will not even think to look there for a key.
Outdoor clocks do not have to be placed up high. Some can be mounted against the home. The ideal placement is in the rear of the home. It would look out of place if it were on the front of a home.
In a Garden Statue
Many garden statues are constructed with key hiding compartments near the bottom. If you plan to use this option, place more than one statue in your outdoor space. This will make it hard for potential intruders to decide which may hold a key.
It is also best to select the statue that is the farthest from the door. Intruders will look close to the door first. It is not a bad idea to hide two sets of keys, including one near the rear of the home. An odd placement such as the middle of a vegetable garden is a good deterrent.
Under a Planter
Whether you use a window planter or standalone option, this is another great hiding spot. The trouble of moving it is often enough to deter an intruder. The key should not be placed near the edge. It should be in the middle.
This will require the item to be completely lifted or turned on its side to find a hidden key. Some planters will have a box built in that can look like a drainage option. No one will know the wiser. It is one of the safest options to consider for hiding a key.
Inside the Mailbox
Regardless if your mailbox is at the end of a driveway or attached to the house, it is a hiding spot. Rounded mailboxes are idea. Keys can easily be taped to the arch using electrical tape. With this option, a single key should be used.
Single keys are less bulky and will not be noticed at a standing angle. Even the mail carrier is unlikely to notice the key being there.
As you can see, there are a variety of options for safely hiding a key using outdoor décor items. Should your hidden key disappear, you can always contact a locksmith for assistance. If you would like to read more about how a locksmith can help get you inside your home, click here.
Keep in mind that only a select few people should know the hidden key’s location. You should also change this location frequently. Leaving it in one spot may allow an intruder to find it and come back when you least expect it.
