We all want to feel safe in our homes so knowing that our property is secure matters. It is common knowledge that most burglars enter through the front door so installing high security locks on exterior doors is always the best option. However, sometimes even this isn’t enough. There are some common situations where a local locksmith would still recommend changing the locks.
1. You move house
Even if the people you buy your house from seem like the loveliest, most honest people in the world, take care! You don’t know how many spare keys they have lent to less lovely people over the years. Keys to your new home may well have found their way into more dodgy hands.
2. Lots of people need regular access to your home
If you have a larger family or a family with teenagers, you may be used to having several sets of keys in circulation. You may also be used to dealing with lost/misplaced keys. In this situation, it could be a good idea to think about switching over to a smart keyless system. With this setup, a mobile phone or fob can be used to unlock your doors. If these are stolen or misplaced, the code on the keyless system can be easily changed without having to call a locksmith.
3. After a break in
A break-in is very traumatic for many people. In addition, there is always the fear that the intruders may return at a later date. Even if entry was through a window or open door and the lock has not been damaged, there is no guarantee that keys have not been copied. This can be a good time to upgrade your locks to extra high security ones. It is also worth considering extra home security measures such as installing a home alarm system.
4. A lock is becoming difficult to turn
Locks suffer from wear and tear. A lock that is sometimes difficult to turn is usually an early warning sign of a problem. If you do nothing, things will only get worse. You then risk either being locked out of your property unexpectedly or having to stay home unexpectedly because you are unable to lock/unlock the door. Either way, you will be forced to take action immediately. As well as being inconvenient, this can often be more costly in the long run.
5. Your door is protected by a euro cylinder that is not “anti snap”
Euro cylinders are commonly found on uPVC and composite doors and many are still fitted with the old style, standard ones. Unfortunately, due to their design, standard euro cylinders are very easy to break or ‘snap’. In fact, lock snapping has become an extremely common way for intruders to break into a home. If you think that your door contains this type of lock, we recommend you get it replaced as soon as possible. Luckily, this is usually relatively inexpensive to do.
6. You have had work done in your home
It is sometimes convenient to leave a set of keys with ‘the builders’ when you are having work done to your home. Whilst most contractors and tradesmen are undoubtedly scrupulously honest, keys can sometimes fall into the wrong hands. Changing a lock can be a small price to pay for peace of mind.
If you have any worries about your locks, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. KLS Locks is a trusted and highly rated locksmith based in Orpington but covering the whole of Kent and South London. Barry Fitzgerald, the owner, is a personal member of the Master Locksmiths Association (The MLA) and is ideally placed to provide advice on changing/replacing your locks.
