Spare Car Key (Backup)
Car keys are probably near the top of the items that people lose or misplace. As a result, having a spare car key is a necessity rather than a luxury.
However, where should you stow it?
A reputable Locksmith RedHill, Stronghold Locksmiths, recommends using a magnetised lock box to keep your backup key safely hidden and accessible.
There are, however, some other locations worth considering. There are also some places where your second key should never be kept.
Let’s look at the worst and best ways to keep your spare key safe.
Worst Locations
It may surprise you, but some of the most popular locations for hiding your car key are the worst. Here are four places where your backup key should never be hidden:
Your Purse or Wallet
This is by far the worst place to keep your emergency key hidden. If a burglar steals your wallet or purse, they will gain access to your car and your cash, credit cards, and possibly a driver’s licence.
Near the Front Door, a Plant Pot
A plant pot is standard where car thieves look for an extra key, whether you’re hiding your spare key underneath or inside it. Any location near the front door is the wrong place to hide your key. Why? Because this is where thieves look for a key to steal your car or gain access to your home.
Your Automobile
Keeping your emergency key in your car, while convenient, is terrible. This is especially true if you are locked out of your car. A spare key should not be kept in your car because you will need it to get into your vehicle most of the time.
Underneath the Welcome Mat
This is most likely the first place burglars look for a spare key. Thanks to movies, finding spare keys under a welcome mat has become a cliché, so avoid hiding your keys here, or your life will become a real-life movie with a tragic ending.
Best Locations
After you’ve made it through the most challenging part, it’s time to figure out where you should keep your spare key to avoid auto theft. The four best places to keep your extra key are listed below.
Lock Box with Magnets
Having an extra key underneath your car is beneficial when locked out. The trick is to think of a unique location where burglars will not look for your key. First, eliminate all usual hiding spots and consider a location where someone is unlikely to look for a hidden lockbox.
Trusted Person
This person could be a neighbour, a friend, or a member of your family. The added security is a good thing; a burglar will almost always assume the key belongs to someone else, so they won’t try to use it to get into your car. Also, if you lock yourself out of your car, this is a good option because the person who has your spare key can bring it to you.
Safe
It’s always a good idea to keep an extra key safe, and what better place to keep it than a safe or a safety deposit box? Your key will not fall into the hands of a burglar if you keep it locked up. Make a mental note of the combination or the location of the key to your safe; otherwise, you will be unable to access your spare key.
Dog House
Because thieves and dogs are sworn enemies, a burglar is unlikely to look inside or beneath a dog house for a spare key. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the two’s natural enmity. If you needed another reason to believe that dogs are man’s best friend, it is.
The Bottom Line
In an emergency, having a spare car key can be invaluable. As a result, keeping it in a secure location is essential. If you don’t have a spare key, a trip to a professional auto locksmith to get a duplicate might be in order.
Carefully consider where you’ll keep your spare key; it’s best to avoid all common hiding spots. Car burglars are likely to be aware of them, so don’t make it easy for them to rob your vehicle.
Even though it is still a problem today, hiding your spare key may become obsolete soon. Technology is progressing rapidly, and we may soon be able to operate our vehicles without using physical keys.
There are a variety of alternatives, ranging from mobile apps to voice recognition, that could replace traditional keys in the next few decades, obviating the need for a spare car key.
Stronghold Locksmiths are the experts you can trust for help with your car keys. Call 1300205512 to know more!
