Almost every homeowner has thought about where to hide a spare key. It feels like cheap insurance: if you ever get locked out, help is waiting under a rock by the porch. The problem is that burglars have thought about it too, and they check the same handful of spots every time. If you live in Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, or anywhere else in Northwest Indiana, it pays to be smarter about your backup plan than the person trying to get in without your permission.
The Worst Places to Hide a Spare Key
Under the doormat, above the door frame, beneath the flowerpot, inside a plastic rock that looks nothing like the gravel around it — these hiding spots are so common they barely count as hiding. Anyone who has spent thirty seconds thinking about breaking into a house knows to check them first, and it takes even less time to do it.
The mailbox, the grill on the back patio, and the wheel well of a parked car are just as predictable. A hidden key in an obvious spot does not just fail to protect you; it hands an intruder a way in that leaves no sign of forced entry, which can also complicate an insurance claim.
Better Ways to Hide a Spare Key
If you want a key on the property, use a wall-mounted lockbox with a combination, the same kind real estate agents use. Bolt it somewhere out of sight — the side of a shed, behind the garage — and you get the convenience of a spare without the gamble. A quality lockbox also stands up to the freeze-thaw swings and lake-effect winters we get near Lake Michigan far better than a plastic fake rock ever will.
Another option is skipping the hiding spot entirely: leave a copy with a trusted neighbor, a nearby family member, or a friend who is usually home. A key in someone’s kitchen drawer in Griffith is far safer than one taped under your porch railing in Glen Park.
Consider Going Keyless Instead
Keypad deadbolts and smart locks solve the spare key problem by removing the key altogether. You can give family members their own codes, create a temporary code for a dog sitter or contractor, and delete codes the moment they are no longer needed. For rental properties around NW Indiana, that flexibility is hard to beat.
Already Locked Out? Here’s What to Do
If you are reading this from the front step, do not try to force a window or credit-card the door — both usually end in damage that costs more to fix than a professional entry. A licensed locksmith can get you back inside quickly without harming the lock or the door frame.
Whether you need a lockout resolved today or want help setting up a smarter backup plan, Jacob’s Lock and Key is here for you. We serve Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Crown Point, Griffith, Dyer, Munster, Schererville, Hobart, Portage, Saint John, Whiting, Lake Station, and Chesterton, seven days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM. Call (219) 342-5595 and talk to Jacob directly.
Last updated: 07/22/2026