You should always feel safe in your home, but if you aren’t taking the right steps to secure your property, it’s only a matter of time before trouble arrives. Below are some of the best tips you will want to keep in mind when it comes to improving your home security. Start by getting in touch with a locksmith in your area.
1. Assess Your Locks and Talk with a Locksmith
How secure are the locks on your home right now? Are they high-quality locks? Are they still in good shape, or have they seen better days? Older locks, busted locks, and low-quality locks are simply not going to keep unwanted visitors out of your home.
You should take the time to speak with a reputable local locksmith and install better locks around the house. You will want to have new locks placed on all of the exterior doors at least. You might want to consider getting a deadbolt for those exterior doors, as well. They can be a nice added level of security for when you are in the home.
When you are speaking with the locksmith, check to see what brands of locks they have available. Always make sure you are getting good, reliable locks. Additionally, check the other services the locksmith offers. Can they help with auto locks? Do they have emergency services in case you get locked out of your home in the middle of the night?
Find a good locksmith now, so you don’t have to rush to find one when you need them later. It will save you time, and it ensures you find a locksmith you can trust.
2. Don’t Leave Spare Keys Around the House
If you are forgetful or you worry that you might lose your keys, you could be tempted to leave one or two hidden outside of your house. Maybe you have a spare key out there in case a friend or family member needs to come over and get inside. While this might seem convenient, it’s a terrible idea.
Thieves and those who seek to cause harm to you, or your family, will surely look for those “hidden” keys that are usually in painfully obvious locations. Putting the key under the mat, above a light, in a fake rock, etc. will not work. Those are the places that the bad guys are going to check.
If you end up locked out of the house without a way inside, call a locksmith that provides emergency services. It’s better than coming home to find all of your expensive belongings gone because you thought you could hide the key beneath part of your garden décor.
3. Be Careful Who Gets Extra Keys
You might want to have one or two extra keys made for your doors. Perhaps you want to give one to a family member to come over and water the plants while you are out of town. Maybe you want to give a key to your teens, so they can get inside after coming home from school or visiting with their friends.
There isn’t a problem giving a key to someone you know and trust, and who will not lose or misplace the key. Just be careful about how many copies of your keys are floating around out there.
4. Re-Key If Your Keys Are Lost
If the keys are lost, even if you have extras around, it’s time to re-key or replace the locks. Why would you want to do this if you still have spare keys you can use? It’s because you don’t know who has the other copies of your keys you misplaced. Maybe you lost them down a drain, but maybe someone stole the keys, so they can have easy access to the place later. The best and safest options will be to talk with a locksmith about re-keying or getting new locks for your home.
5. Good Doors Make a Difference
Having great locks is essential. There is no denying that fact. However, you also have to consider the doors where the locks are placed. A fantastic, high-end lock on a thin, flimsy door will not provide you with the security you need. In addition to having the right locks, make sure you have quality doors that won’t be easily broken.
6. Know Your Neighbours
How well do you know the people who live near you? In today’s world, we don’t really know our neighbours as much as maybe we should. One of the best ways to keep your home and your entire neighbourhood safe is to get to know your neighbours. Everyone can watch out for one another’s homes. It improves safety and helps to build a nice sense of community.
7. Remember to Lock the Door
Even though you might feel that you live in a safe neighbourhood, there are still dangers to your property. Whenever you leave the house, make sure everything is locked up tight. This includes the doors and the windows. Get into the habit now. Additionally, it is a good idea to have the doors locked when you are home, too. While home invasions might not be a problem where you live, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.
With the tips above, and ensuring you have quality locks installed by a great local locksmith, you can help increase your home’s security. A little bit of precaution can go a long way.
