Spare Keys

Where do keys go when you lose or misplace them? Is it the same place as the missing sock from the dryer? Well, you know that your house or car is secure when even you can't get in. Every now and then we all find ourselves without our keys. That's when you pat yourself on the back for making that spare set. But where to leave it?

For house keys, burglars know all the traditional hiding spots. Under the mat, on a ledge, atop a door frame, or in the planter. Forget them all. You might as well just leave the key in the door.

You have a few choices. You could come up with an incredibly original hiding place, one that no burglar would ever thing of checking - if it's such an obscure spot, just make sure you remember where it is.

There are also some nifty products on the market that are made specifically to hide keys, like hollow rocks that you can put in the garden - though these could be a problem in the winter, when it's buried under snow.

Your best bet is to leave the key with a trusted neighbour, or even leave it somewhere on their property. Even if a burglar stumbled on the key, he wouldn't know what it opened.

Keeping a spare set of car keys on your car isn't the wisest move; once again, burglars know the hiding spots. And leaving the keys inside the car makes no sense at all - if you've lost your keys, how on earth are you going to get inside to get the spare set?

Why not just keep the spare set with you?

Not on your main key ring, the one you're worried about losing, but in a different spot - maybe tucked inside your wallet or purse. Or keep two spares, one on you and one at home.

If you have a car door or an entrance at home that works by punching in a combination, you don't have to worry about keys at all. But you only have yourself to blame if you forget the combination.