2. Rethink the Hiding Spot for Your Spare Key

Under the welcome mat, inside the fake plastic rock, and resting on the top ledge of the doorframe—these are not clever hiding spots. These are the exact locations a burglar will check first. If a criminal watches your home and sees you retrieve a key from a predictable location, they will simply return when you leave.

Instead of hiding a physical key on your property, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor, a nearby adult child, or a close friend. If you absolutely must keep a key on the premises, avoid the immediate vicinity of the front door. Burying a small lockbox in the backyard or hiding a key inside a heavy, difficult-to-move planter far from the entryway forces a potential thief to search openly, increasing their risk of being seen by neighbors.