When you think about home security, the first and most simple line of defense is making sure that your doors are locked. Studies show that 36% of all unlawful home entry can be traced directly to a door that was left open or unlocked. In many cases, simply locking doors will provide a huge barrier toward unlawful entry of your home and increase your peace of mind. In some cases however (6.4% of the time, to be exact), unlawful entry is committed by someone with a key. How can you prevent this from happening? It’s simple: by changing the locks on your home. We’ve compiled a list of the 4 best times to consider changing the locks on your home:
Moving to a New Home
Whether you’re renting or buying, one of the most important things to do when moving into a new home is to have the locks changed. It’s always possible that old keys can be out there and, if they fall into the wrong hands, your safety can be compromised. When you’re renting, make sure that you have the locks changed as soon as the previous tenants move out and that you, your roommate(s) and your landlord are the only ones who have keys to the new locks. If you’re buying, have the locks changed as soon as possible after closing and make sure that you and your family are the only ones with keys to your new home.
Change in Relationship Status
It’s a sad fact of life that relationships don’t always end amicably. Whether you’re experiencing a dating breakup, a divorce or even a falling out with roommates, it’s wise to change locks once anyone who has lived with you moves out. In some cases, people you used to know and trust had keys in case of emergency. If these relationships have gone south, definitely ask for those keys back and definitely change your locks just to be safe.
You Lost Your Keys
We always hold out hope that things we’ve lost will be found and returned to us and everything will be right with the world. When you lose your keys, though, it’s better to be realistic and change the locks on your home as soon as possible. Waiting to see if your keys turn up only increases the likelihood that someone can enter your house without permission using your keys and help themselves to your property.
Your Locks Are Old
Over time, regular use can wear down the locks in your home. Sometimes this means that your locks stick or are harder to lock or unlock. Sometimes it means that they’re easier to tamper with and pick. Regardless of how your locks are aging, it’s best to have them changed once age-related problems present themselves. Once a lock becomes harder to operate, the chances of it not being properly locked as you leave the house increases. On the other hand, if it’s become easy to pick, the danger to your home and possessions is obvious. Once a lock has aged beyond normal operation, it’s a good idea to have it changed as soon as possible.
When it comes time to have the locks in your home changed, you can trust the professionals at Advanced Lock and Security. We have a wide selection of locks, offer 24-hour support and we’re a proud member of the Associated Locksmiths of America, so you can rest easy knowing that certified professional locksmiths are helping to secure your home, possessions and family. Give us a call or stop by today!
This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that changing your locks can be a good idea if you’ve lost your keys. I lost my keys at the gym the other day, and despite hours of searching, I couldn’t find them. I’ll definitely look into having a locksmith change my house’s locks to make sure my home is still secure. Thanks for the great post!