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Why you should change locks on your house
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Have you recently had concerns about the security of your house, but don’t have the funds for replacement locks?
A common misconception to house owners is that to change locks on their house, the only option is replacement locks. However, you don’t have to replace the whole lock to maintain confidence that your house is secure, simply rekey your lock cylinders.
Changing locks may seem like a large and expensive task but actually, for a knowledgeable locksmith, it is quite fast and efficient. Changing lock barrels is significantly cheaper than replacing locks as you can reuse the lock handle etc. We simply just take apart the lock, adjust and rearrange parts inside ensuring the old keys will no longer work and therefore be able to unlock the door. A new set of keys are then cut to work with the reconfigured lock on the inside.
Why you should change locks
There are several reasons why you would want to change your locks. We commonly have people contact us when they have their keys lost or stolen. Lost keys may be able to be tracked back to your property, leading to you feeling that your house and family are not secure and safe. We recommend changing locks in this situation to stop any intruders being able to possibly gain access into your property.
Moving into a new house
Moving into a new house maybe another scenario why you might consider changing your lock barrels. You can never be 100% sure that previous owners and tenants have returned all the keys. Builders and subcontractors from a newly built house might be a factor as well. More commonly then not builders and subcontractors would have at some point in time, required keys into your house to perform tasks. Changing the locks will eliminate them from gaining entry later.
Unfortunately, there are also sometimes family break downs in play, with upsetting circumstances. Sometimes a broken family may have some issues where you no longer want to have a family member to have access to your house for whatever reason. Rekeying your locks will eliminate this person being able to access the property with old keys they may still have, ensuring the safety of your family.
Replacing garage remote
Don’t stress about a garage remote in the wrong hands either. A garage remote and motors can be easily reprogrammed. You can eliminate remotes that may be in the hands of someone you wish not to have access. We reprogram the motor to no longer recognise any remotes, then re-introduce the remotes possessed by the homeowner, meaning any old garage remotes that use to work that haven’t been reprogramed will no longer be able to open the garage door.
Got questions about your locks? Let us help you
Security Surveys – Don’t be caught out when you least expect it
Mistakes That Compromise Your Home Security
Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments
The fact is that criminals are getting more creative in identifying houses that have weak links in their home security not only by what they can see by driving by your home, but also by what you do online, what you talk about out and about and key signs that someone is about to go on holidays or works away from home, and your every day patterns.
Alarm systems, sensor lights, good security screens and not leaving your spare keys in obvious places are all simple steps to upgrading your home security. This all has to be taken into consideration in relation to your neighbourhood, whether you live in a cul de sac or a busy street.
What are the easiest steps you can take to improve your home security?
Sensor lights; solar powered is ideal or hard wired by an electrician.
Security screens without the keys left in them and a security guard on your screen door so the fly screen can not be cut for easy access. Also look at improving the security on the ground floor windows of your home if they do not already have bars on them. Although at a recent security event we were told how some crims cut the bars off to gain access to the home, so it is a networked security solution that is definitely required.
An external/internal alarm/cctv system that allows you to turn on the sensors in the part of the home you are not in, controlled through your smart device; tablet or phone.
Digital Door locks; with custom codes for trades people, visiting extended family members, the kids, with an app notification to your phone which also allows the ability to revoke access anytime.
If you have spare keys for visitors or tradies, consider a Key Safe - link to blog post here.
ALWAYS LOCK YOUR GARAGE; no matter what, lock it. Opportunity = risk.
For security solutions when you are travelling please consider these suggestions;
holiday security tips
The biggest things to remember is, don't leave things on the front deck or with the windows open (curtains/blinds open) so that opportunists can't easily identify if your home is a worthwhile risk.
If you have some concerns with your home security, we would love to nut out some solutions that are custom to your lifestyle and location.
Call Nathan and the team at Toowoomba Locksmith, we have an inside view of what is going on in Toowoomba, night and day in regards to security.
