| Are you worried about getting locked out of your | | | | Change the locks when moving in and after any |
| home, but wary of keeping a key outside for | | | | security breach. If your purse has recently been |
| fear that a burglar might find it? This fear is | | | | stolen with your keys inside, it's time to change |
| probably well-placed; nearly all burglars will | | | | the locks. The same goes for after a roommate |
| automatically look under doormats and flower | | | | moves out if you're not sure that all copies of the |
| pots to find the hidden key. If this realization has | | | | key have been returned. Changing the locks when |
| made you wonder what you can do to minimize | | | | you move in might seem like overkill, but you |
| the home security threat posed by spare keys, | | | | never know how many copies of the key the |
| you are not alone. Here are a few tips about | | | | previous owner gave out. This may seem like a |
| using hide a keys and other house key safety | | | | lot of work to go through, but it's a lot better |
| tips: | | | | than a burglar, a previous homeowner, or an |
| Do: | | | | angry ex-roommate breaking into your home |
| Select a realistic hide-a-key. If you need to leave | | | | using an old key. |
| a key in an accessible place, but don't want to | | | | Don't: |
| just leave it out in the open, you do have options. | | | | Put your keys under the mat or a flower pot, or |
| The right style of Hide a Key can ensure that | | | | hang them in plain view inside your home. If you |
| you'll never be locked out again, but also keeps | | | | do this, you might as well just leave the door |
| burglars from using the key to gain entry into | | | | unlocked when you leave, because anyone who |
| your home. | | | | wants access will have it. |
| Place it in a believable location. A solitary rock | | | | Carry identification on your keyring. If you lose |
| sitting on your front porch will immediately look | | | | your house key, but it has no identifying |
| like a hide-a-key. Sitting off to the side of the | | | | information, anyone who finds it won't know |
| porch, nestled among a group of similar rocks, no | | | | which door it opens. If you lose your key and it's |
| one will look twice. Many families do opt for fake | | | | identified with your address, anyone who finds it |
| rocks; these are great as long as they look | | | | can break into your home. |
| realistic next to your home. Other choices, such | | | | Give keys to maintenance and delivery people, or |
| as a wall thermometer, sprinkler head, or paint | | | | anyone else you don't know well. You don't know |
| can, may look even more believable depending on | | | | if they will rob you while you're gone, or make a |
| your home. | | | | copy of the key to use later. If they must be let |
| Limit the number of key copies. It might make | | | | inside while you're not there, leave the key with a |
| sense to you that keys should be kept in many | | | | trusted neighbor who will keep an eye on them. |
| locations on your property, or that you should | | | | As many as half of all burglaries take place |
| give them to all your friends and relatives, but it's | | | | without forced entry, meaning the burglar uses a |
| too easy to lose track of them this way. Do you | | | | key to get inside or a door or window has been |
| know where every copy of your house key is at | | | | left unlocked. Far too many homeowners forget |
| this second? If not, consider changing the locks to | | | | to consider the security of their house key when |
| make your home more secure. | | | | making plans to protect the safety of their family. |