Most people never think about spare keys until the moment they need one. You are standing on the porch, the door is locked, and your keys are on the kitchen counter.
Good planning for spare keys Kansas City homeowners can rely on starts with a simple count. So how many should you have? The short answer: one key per person who lives in the home, plus two spares kept in two different safe places. The longer answer depends on your household, your routine, and how you store them.
The Simple Rule for Spare Keys
A good starting point for most homes:
- One key for each adult who lives in the home.
- One key for each teen old enough to come home alone.
- One spare with a trusted person outside your home, such as a neighbor or nearby family member.
- One backup spare stored securely, such as in a locked key box or safe.
For a family of two adults and one teen, that means five keys in total. That may sound like a lot. But each key has a clear owner and a clear purpose, which is what keeps it secure.
Rule of thumb: Every key should have a name attached to it. If you cannot say who has a key, it is time to rekey.
Why Spare Keys Matter More Than You Think
A spare key is not just about convenience. It saves money, time, and stress.
Lockouts happen far more than people expect. In a Schlage survey of St. Louis homeowners, lockouts turned out to be routine:
“Over the past 12 months, a quarter of those polled have been locked out at least once.” Schlage homeowner survey, conducted by Russell Research
Some had been locked out five or more times. Without a spare, a lockout means waiting for help. With a well-placed spare, it means a short walk next door.
Where Should You Keep Spare Keys?
Where you store a spare matters as much as having one. A key in the wrong spot can do more harm than good.
Comparing Common Spare Key Spots
Storage Spot | Convenience | Security | Our Take |
Under the doormat | High | Very low | Avoid. It is the first place burglars check |
Fake rock or flowerpot | High | Low | Avoid. Most are easy to spot |
Above the door frame | High | Very low | Avoid. Common and easy to find |
Trusted neighbor | Medium | High | A great choice |
Nearby family member | Medium | High | A great choice |
Coded lockbox | High | Medium to high | Good if well hidden and high quality |
Locked safe inside the home | Low for lockouts | High | Good for backup keys |
Car glove box | Medium | Low | Avoid. A car break-in also gives away your home |
Smart lock code | High | High | Excellent, with no physical key needed |
1. Spots to Avoid
Burglars know every classic hiding spot. Doormats, planters, porch lights, and fake rocks are the first places they look.
According to FBI data, more than a third of burglaries in 2019 involved no forced entry at all. An unlocked door or a found key leaves no damage and few clues.
2. Safer Spots to Use
- A trusted neighbor: Pick someone you have known for a while who is often home.
- Family nearby: Great if they live within a short drive.
- A quality lockbox: Choose a heavy-duty model, mount it out of sight, and change the code now and then.
- Your workplace: A locked desk drawer can work if you live close by.
How Many Keys Is Too Many?
More keys are not always better. Every extra key is one more chance for a key to end up in the wrong hands.
Watch for these warning signs:
- You cannot remember who has a copy.
- Past roommates, exes, or contractors may still have keys.
- You moved in and never changed the locks.
- Keys are loose in drawers with no labels.
If any of these sound familiar, rekeying is the fix. It changes the pins inside your locks, so every old key stops working. Our lock rekeying service gives you a fresh start without buying new locks.
Spare Keys for Different Kinds of Households
1. Families With Kids
Kids lose keys. It happens. Give older children their own key on a bright keychain, and keep extra copies at home. Teach them never to put their address on the keychain.
2. Seniors and Caregivers
A trusted caregiver or relative should have a key in case of a fall or emergency. A coded lockbox can also let emergency responders in quickly if needed.
3. Renters
Check your lease before making copies. Many landlords want to know who has keys. Ask for permission, and return every copy when you move out.
4. Homeowners With Short-Term Guests
If you host family, pet sitters, or house cleaners, a smart lock with temporary codes beats handing out physical keys. Codes can be turned off when the visit ends.
When to Make New Spare Keys
Keep your spares current. Make new copies when:
- You move into a new home, after rekeying.
- A key gets bent, cracked, or worn.
- A key sticks or turns roughly in the lock.
- Someone new joins the household.
- You change or rekey any lock.
A worn key can also wear down the lock over time. Copy from the original key whenever you can. A copy of a copy loses accuracy each time and may stop working when you need it most.
Do Not Forget Other Keys
Your front door is not the only lock that matters. Make sure you have spares for:
- Back doors and garage entry doors
- Mailboxes
- Sheds and gates
- Padlocks on storage units
- Window locks and sliding door bars
Label each key with a color-coded cap, not your address. If a key ring is lost, nobody can tell which home it opens.
Smart Locks: The Keyless Spare
Many homeowners who want fewer spare keys Kansas City wide are moving to smart locks. You can open the door with a code, phone, or fingerprint. No hidden key needed.
Smart locks also help you:
- Create temporary codes for guests or contractors.
- See when someone comes and goes.
- Lock the door from anywhere.
A smart lock still needs a strong deadbolt and a backup key. Batteries can die, so keep one physical spare in a safe place.
How My Key Guy Can Help
My Key Guy is a locally owned, licensed, and insured locksmith. We cut spare keys Kansas City families use every day, and we help you build a plan that fits your home. Our key duplication service covers house, mailbox, padlock, and many car keys.
When you need spare keys Kansas City homeowners can count on, we deliver:
- Precise cuts that work smoothly the first time
- Cuts from your original key for better accuracy
- Honest advice on rekeying and storage
- Clear pricing before any work begins
Key Takeaways
- Lockouts are common: In a 2011 Schlage survey of 511 St. Louis-area homeowners, a quarter had been locked out at least once in the past 12 months.
- Hidden keys get forgotten: In that survey, 20% of people who hid a spare key forgot where they put it.
- Most people have spares: About 80% of Americans have at least one set of spare keys, and 46% keep them inside the home.
- Not all burglaries involve force: In 2019, 37.8% of U.S. burglaries were unlawful entries without force.
- Homes are the main target: Residential properties made up 62.8% of all burglaries in 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many spare house keys should I have?
Most homes do well with one key per adult, one for each teen, and two spares. Keep one spare with a trusted person and one in a secure spot.
Where is the safest place to hide a spare key?
The safest spare is not hidden outside at all. Leave it with a trusted neighbor or family member, or use a quality lockbox placed out of sight.
Is it safe to hide a key under the doormat?
No. The doormat is one of the first places a burglar checks. A break-in with a found key also leaves no sign of forced entry.
Should I rekey my locks if I lost a spare key?
Yes, if the lost key could be tied to your address. Rekeying makes the lost key useless and costs less than new locks.
Can I copy a key that says "Do Not Duplicate"?
The stamp is a request, not a law. Many locksmiths will ask for proof that you own or manage the property before copying it.
How often should I replace spare keys?
Replace a spare when it looks worn, bent, or starts to stick. Most keys last years, but heavy daily use wears them out faster.
Do smart locks need a spare key?
Most smart locks have a backup keyway, and you should keep at least one physical spare. Dead batteries or a glitch can still lock you out.
Where can I get spare keys from Kansas City locksmiths cut accurately?
A licensed local locksmith gives you accurate cuts and honest advice. My Key Guy copies keys from your original and can also rekey your locks if needed.
Final Thoughts: Plan Your Spares Before You Need Them
The right number of spare keys is simple: one per person, plus two well-placed backups. Keep them with people you trust, not under a flowerpot. And if you lose track of who has a copy, rekey and start fresh.
Planning ahead costs little. A lockout, or a key in the wrong hands, costs far more. For spare keys Kansas City homeowners can rely on, My Key Guy is ready to help. If you are already locked out, our home lockout team is available 24/7.
Ready to get your spares sorted? Call (913) 270-0703, email mykeyguykc@gmail.com, or request a free estimate today.
