Over 20% of Americans hide spare keys outside their homes, but this viral video shows why that’s a terrible idea

If you keep a spare key under a flower pot or doormat, you need to remove it right now. A scary viral video shows exactly why this is such a big security risk. Many people think leaving a key outside is fine. Door locks are meant to keep us safe, but a lot of Americans hurt that security by hiding a key somewhere easy to find. 

According to Bro Bible, one study found that over 20% of Americans admitted to leaving a key outside their home. If you’ve ever wondered what could go wrong, this shocking clip has more than 45 million views and shows the answer.

The video was found and reposted by a content creator named Meli on TikTok. It shows a woman holding what looks like a knife walking up the stairs of an apartment building. She first finds a key lockbox and tries to open it but fails. Then she quickly checks under the doormats of two nearby doors before running up the stairs and out of view.

This incident proves why hiding keys outside is extremely dangerous

The woman who recorded the footage, a TikTok user named @keycool, later posted her own video to explain what happened. She manages and cleans short-term rentals in Nashville, Tennessee. She sees a lot of strange things on security cameras, from drunk guests trying to open wrong doors to other weird behavior. But this video really stood out.

“That one was the main video that, like, really shocked me,” she said. The incident was extra disturbing because the building was in a gated community, which made the manager think the woman was staying on the property. Residents called the police after seeing the clip, though the manager wasn’t sure what happened after that.

This should be a serious warning for everyone. “That just gives me more clarification to never leave your key underneath the mat,” the manager warned. “Never walk in and just leave your door cracked or unlocked. Always lock your door behind you. Always be aware of your surroundings and just watch your back, because that probably could have ended a lot differently if somebody would have had their door unlocked.”

People online were terrified by the footage. Another user named Veah recorded her reaction on TikTok to the clip and was clearly horrified. “I know me personally, if I would have woke up in the middle of the night and see that on my m——- Ring cam, … I would have moved out,” Veah said. 

“I don’t know what the h—-who the h—-that was, but she would have had to get put down. … I would have put her down my d—- self.” This viral moment joins other shocking videos that have gone viral recently, including how Little Caesars makes their sauce.

You might think hiding the key in a potted plant or under a garden gnome is smart, but a thief knows exactly where to look and can find those keys in seconds. The best solution is to avoid hiding the key outside completely. 

Instead, leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor or friend. Yes, that makes the key harder to get when you need it, but that small problem is worth it if it stops someone from easily walking into your house. Just like how one woman ordered missing ingredients to solve her problem creatively, sometimes the less convenient solution is the smarter choice for your safety.