Your holiday time home security check list

Before you sail off or fly overseas for your well-earned summer holidays, it’s a good idea to take steps to secure your home, so that you have peace of mind and the relaxing holiday you deserve. These days, it’s important that you check the locks on all your doors, especially if you have UPVC, composite, or aluminium doors in your property.

It’s hard to believe, but almost 90% of UK homes still have doors that contain euro cylinders.  This makes them vulnerable because forced lock entries as still the most preferred method of entry for burglars. Doors like UPVC and some composite and aluminium doors feature these euro cylinders. The method a thief uses, known as lock snapping, simply means breaking the cylinder so that he can manipulate the lock. Even multi locks are operated by this weak and vulnerable euro cylinder that thieves find so easy to snap. If your home is fitted with any of these types of door, then your home security is at risk from lock snapping, so this is the first thing you need to check on your list.

Lock snapping is the reason why the Master Locksmiths Association advises everyone to remove the euro cylinders from all of their doors and to replace them by fitting new anti-snap cylinders and locks that prevent snapping. To minimise this security risk to your home, the solution is simple; employ the services of a professional locksmith like who also supply the new diamond approved anti snap locks you need for your doors, before you go on holiday.

Of course, you could fit your new locks yourself, but for insurance purposes, that’s not the best idea. A good locksmith will make sure you have the correct type of anti-snap lock, and size, and they only take 10 minutes to fit one!

Your holiday time home security checklist should also include fitting timers to lamps and perhaps even a radio to play at certain times when you’re away. Keep curtains open and remember to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries. Royal Mail has a service called Keepsafe which can keep your mail for up to two months for you. It’s worth fitting a letter box cage to prevent unwanted hands from reaching your latches. Finally, lock up outside gates, sheds and garages to prevent thieves getting their hands on tools and ladders.

To find out more about having anti-snap locks fitted in your home, please visit the Anti-Snap Locks website. 

Common UPVC Lock Problems

Due to the relatively low cost and simple installation of UPVC double glazed windows and doors, they have become a standard item for most homes in the West Midlands and throughout the UK. However, over time UPVC locks are likely to show signs of wear and tear and may not work properly, or in some cases, not at all.

Whilst replacement UPVC parts are easy to find, it is always advisable to contact a locksmith to repair or replace locks, to make sure they are fitted properly to provide the optimum level of security. By attempting to fix a problem yourself, you could risk causing further damage and incur extra repair costs that could have been avoided. In most cases, a locksmith can restore UPVC locks to full working order with minimum fuss.

There are a number of problems that commonly occur with UPVC doors and windows:

• Misalignment:
  One of the most common problems related to UPVC doors is misalignment of the door and frame, which results in it being difficult to shut the door and lock it properly. The main causes of misalignment are usually door panels or glass that aren’t packed properly, or in some cases, wear and tear on the hinges. In most cases, locksmith repair services can fix a misalignment problem relatively quickly, however, in some cases, worn out hinges may require replacing
• Damaged and misshapen doors:
  If excessive force has been applied to a door, for example, in an attempt at burglary or vandalism, the door can be bowed, resulting in a multipoint lock being hard to open and close. If you find that your door will not lock properly due to such damage, you should call a locksmith to review the damages and decide on how best to fix them.
• Multipoint lock failure:
  If you can’t turn your key to open or lock a door, or if you are unable to remove the key after locking or unlocking, it is likely that your multipoint lock has failed. Further signs of multipoint failure are if it is difficult to lift or engage the multipoint, or if your door handles droop slightly. In all of these situations, the multipoint must be removed, and a replacement fitted. It is always recommended to ask a professional locksmith to fit a new multipoint lock.

Are my locks up to British Standard?

As UPVC locks have been around for a long time, unless you have had your locks and multipoint system fitted recently, within the last 4 years or so by a reputable locksmith, there is a good chance that your door and window locks don’t supply a sufficient level of security to comply with your insurance requirements. If your UPVC locks are outdated, you should contact a locksmith to fit new British Standard locks.

If you are based in Sutton Coldfield or the West Midlands area and are in need of locksmith repair services, you can call Chubb Locksmiths on 0121 353 3644.

How Lock Changing Can Secure Your Home

Locks are a part of many of our belongings, whether it’s your garage door, your home or office. A lock can reassure you of safety, but sometimes situations can occur which are out of our control, like break-ins or the misplacement of keys.  However, before you send yourself into a panic, it’s worth seeing a locksmith to find out how they can help you.

Emergency lock changing services by a locksmith are there to help you at a time which could cause much stress.  Losing your keys or having them stolen, will result in you not being able to lock something that personally belongs to you.  So that your things are no longer at risk, a locksmith will be able to help quickly and efficiently. For example, if your home has unfortunately been broken into, a locksmith could repair the lock in no time, to make you feel safe again in your house.  They can also replace window and door locks offering the highest security.

Other locks can also be purchased for:

·         Cable locks

·         Combination locks

·         Digital and electronic locks

·         Garage security locks

·         Cash boxes

·         Coded door locks

To prevent you from misplacing your keys or having them stolen, you can try the following tips:

·         Keep your keys away from your front door

·         Don’t keep all your keys together

·         Put the keys in the same place everyday

·         Make sure strangers don’t see where you put the keys if you open the door to one

Taking these small steps can help to reduce the risk of losing your keys.  Feeling safe and secure in your home with an efficient lock in place will give you peace of mind.  If you do lose your keys, calling expert locksmiths will help to resolve your problem, so you can carry on with your day to day duties.  They will be skilled and experienced in being able to provide and personally fit your new locks, ensuring that you feel safe and your belongings are well protected. 

Chubb Locksmiths provide a range of services, including emergency locksmith services. For more information, you can give them a call on 0121 353 3644.