How to Safely Hide Your House Keys Outside

While fashioning a DIY solution to hiding house keys, such as gluing a rock onto a pill bottle, can be creative and effective, it's important to consider safety and practicality. This article explores various safe and innovative methods to hide your house keys outside, ensuring they remain secure while being accessible to trusted individuals.

DIY Key Hiding Methods: Rock and Pill Bottle

One DIY method involves combining a rock and a pill bottle. Begin by selecting a rock that you like and gluing it to the top of a pill bottle. Next, create a small hole in one of your planters and insert the pill bottle, securing it in the dirt. This method ensures the rock blends seamlessly with the landscaping and allows you to place the key wherever you like.

Other Ingenious Tricks

Another popular trick is using a sprinkler head. If your situation allows, embedding a key in a sprinkler head provides a unique and largely hidden location. When not in use, the sprinkler head blends in with the garden and is less obvious to prying eyes.

Embedding Keys in Plant Material

A safer and less obvious method is embedding a key in plant material. Choose an obscure location in your backyard, preferably within a densely foliaged bush or shrub. Screw a hook into the trunk, fence, or wall, and hang the key on it. This method ensures the key is hidden in the bush's dense foliage, making it less likely for anyone to notice.

Avoiding Obvious Hiding Spots

When hiding keys outside, it's crucial to avoid obvious locations such as:

Under the doormat Under a flowerpot Inside or under a rock or fake rock

These spots are the first places a burglar or unauthorized person will look. Instead, consider creative alternatives like using a small magnet to hide a key on the backside of a gutter downspout or discretely placing a key in the dirt under a real or fake flowerpot.

Safe Key Storage for Trusted Individuals

If you need to provide access to a hidden key for neighbors or friends, follow these steps:

Select a well-concealed location. In your backyard, choose a spot in a densely foliaged area or among foliage in a secret location. Securing the key on a hook in the trunk or wall of a densely foliated area is a good idea. Make sure the key is not easily accessible but still visible to those who should find it. Consider using a key hide box or rock with a key slot, such as those magnetized and suitable for attaching to a car bumper or hidden in the garden.

Additional Recommendations

For those with unique situations, such as having a pet alligator, consider creative key storage methods. For example, place a key in a locket on a chain and hang it around the alligator's neck. This method is highly unlikely to be accessed by others.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your house keys are both secure and accessible when needed. Whether through DIY solutions, innovative gadgets, or clever placement, maintaining the security of your keys is crucial for the safety of your home.