If you have a spare key hidden outside your house, you might want to get rid of it.
While door locks are designed to keep people out, a surprising amount of Americans compromise that security by leaving a key to their locked doors somewhere outside of their residence. For example, one study found that over 20% of Americans admitted to leaving a key outside of their home—a move that significantly compromises their security.
Some may see this and think, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Now, a video has gone viral showing the unfortunate answer.
Where Shouldn’t You Hide Your Keys?
In a video with over 45 million views, TikTok user Meli (@ohheymeli) reposts a frightening clip she found on Reddit.
The video shows a woman carrying a knife walking up the stairs of an apartment complex. Spotting a key lockbox, she attempts unsuccessfully to open it. After this failure, she looks under the doormats of both visible doors, presumably in search of a key, before running up the stairs off-camera.
“Friendly reminder to lock your doors,” Meli writes in the text overlaying the video.
What Happened Here?
After this video went viral, TikTok user @keycool posted her own video in which she claims that she was the person who originally captured the clip back in 2023.
The TikToker says that she cleans and manages Airbnbs in Nashville, Tennessee. Consequently, she observes a lot of bizarre behavior on Ring cameras.
“People coming home drunk, not knowing which door’s theirs, trying to open up doors and just, you know,” she details, “but that one was the main video that, like, really shocked me.”
Part of the reason the video was so shocking is that, according to @keycool, this was a gated community, leading the TikToker to believe that the woman was staying on the property.
In response, she says that residents promptly called the police—though she’s not sure what happened after that.
“That just gives me more clarification to never leave your key underneath the mat,” she says. “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.”
Where Should You Store A Key?
Experts strongly advise against keeping a key under your mat. According to them, this is nearly equivalent to not locking your house at all.
While this may be obvious, something that’s less obvious is the real advice that many experts rely on: you shouldn’t have a spare key outside of your house at all.
The exterior of a house generally has only a few true hiding spots within relative proximity to the door. Experienced burglars are well aware of these spots. While you may think you’re original by hiding your key in a potted plant or under a garden statue, a thief knows the usual places to look and can find such keys with ease.
If one must keep a key outside of their home, it’s recommended to select an unconventional hiding spot that’s far from the entry. For example, one can hide the key to their front door underneath bricks behind their garage.
Alternatively, instead of leaving the key outside your house, you can leave your key with a trusted friend or neighbor. While this makes the key less accessible in a pinch, it also prevents the key from falling into the hands of a malicious actor.
@ohheymeli with the original audio #fyp #ringdoorbell #creepy we found the owner to the reddit video @Keycool follow her!
The Internet Reacts
This video terrified viewers. Some, such as TikTok user Veah (@thevaehhalexys), recorded their own reactions to the clip; in Veah’s case, her reaction garnered over 4.9 million views.
“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 states. “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.”
“And that’s why I really hate when I go to people’s houses and a door be unlocked all the time, or they be putting stuff under their welcome mat,” she continues. “Baby, there would be crazy people out there. Y’all need to stop, for real.”
Commenters under all these videos shared in Veah’s terror.
“I know its a super old video but god, the fear factor. she looks so wild,” wrote a user. “The almost-dancing up the stairs to the second floor… Shivers. So happy everyone was okay and she didn’t get in.”
“And i would be immediately in a new apartment in a new city in a new state that same night,” declared another.
We’ve reached out to @keycool via TikTok comment and Instagram direct message, to Meli via email, and to Veah via TikTok and Instagram direct message.