Part of responsible home ownership is knowing how to keep your property and the people who live there safe. One of the most common mistakes people make in regard to home security is hiding keys outside the front entrance. Consider why you shouldn’t leave a key under the doormat or anywhere else outside.
The biggest reason this is a security nightmare for your family is that every thief knows to check under the doormat for a spare key. They’ll also check other common places where people hide keys, including:
The whole point of hiding keys is to be able to let yourself into your home, but not strangers. When everyone knows the hiding spot, it’s not really safe anymore.
Hiding your keys outside is also one of the easiest ways to lose them. You might forget where you put a key, or it could get swept away during a torrential rainstorm. If a strong enough wind comes along, a key could get knocked off the door frame or blown away with your doormat.
Another reason why you shouldn’t leave a key under the doormat is that it’ll get stepped on a lot. If you have a concrete or stone patio, your key could get scratched and warped over time, not to mention the mark it might leave if it starts to rust.
If you still want to leave your spare key somewhere outside the home, there are better solutions than putting it outside on your porch. Give a key to a trusted neighbor, friend, or local family member. Alternatively, you could also buy a lockbox, like the kind realtors use, and leave it secured on your porch. Your keys won’t be hidden, but no thief will be able to get them.
At The Personalized Doormats Company, we want you and your family to be safe in your home, which is why we don’t recommend hiding keys under doormats. Without keys to worry about, you’ll have the freedom to choose from any of our custom doormats for your home. We offer beautiful monogrammed mats, natural fiber doormats, and even personalized photo mats.
