When to Replace Locks

If there has been a break-in, this would be a good time to replace your locks. Even if you have not personally experienced a break-in, but you know of others in your neighborhood who have, this is still a good time to consider having old and worn locks replaced by our locksmiths at Complete Lock and Key in Downers Grove, IL. Can you remember the last time you replaced your locks? If you can’t then now be a good time to have a security audit performed to determine if your locks could hold up against an intrusion. 

Here are some other reasons why you might need to have your locks replaced  

• Break-ins – Again, if you have ever received a break-in, it goes without saying that you should have the locks changed. If you think that your home is safe just because someone has already done so, think again. They might just figure that your home is an easy target and return for more. Instead of taking unnecessary chances with your home security, have the locks changed right away.  
• Stolen Keys – If your house keys have been stolen or you have lost them, you could be putting yourself and your loved ones in harm’s way. This is because someone could use your keys to gain access into your home when you least expect it. It’s rather easy to lose your keys but finding them is not as easy. Don’t drive yourself crazy looking for your keys. Instead, why not just call a locksmith to have your locks replaced. This is sure to give you peace-of-mind and enable you to sleep soundly at night.  
• Broken/Worn Out Locks – When you move into a home that has its original locks, it might be necessary to replace the locks. There may even be some locks that are not working that you are not even familiar with. If you have old, rusty locks, they will not work as effectively as newer locks. Why not rely on a locksmith to have a security audit performed. This will reveal whether or not you have locks that need to be replaced. When you have trouble opening your doors or if you see visible signs of wear and tear, have your locks changed immediately.  
• Move In/Move Out – If you are the owner of a rental property then you know better than anyone just how important it is to replace locks every now and then. When you have an old tenant moving out and a new one moving in, this is a good time to replace the lock. This is practical if you are not using a lockbox. It not only protects you against liability if someone breaks in and steals something or harms the tenant but it protects the tenant. If this is important to you then you are likely already replacing the locks whenever a new tenant is about to move in.  
• Move Outs – If you have recently gone through a divorce or you have a roommate that has moved out, this would also be a good time to have the locks replaced. Regardless of whether your trust the person or not, you can’t trust everyone that they come in contact with. Perhaps the roommate innocently gave a key to someone else to pick up something they left behind. What if the person has sticky fingers and they begin taking things that do not belong to you or them? Avoid this possibility by simply having the locks replaced. If you are going through a divorce then it is also in your best interest to change the locks. Emotions can eventually get in the way and this could lead to actions being taken that you would never expect. Protect yourself by having the locks of your home replaced whenever anyone moves out.  

Avoid Break-ins

While you may not be able to prevent a break-in, you can certainly try. One way that many in Downers Grove try to avoid a break-in is by having a keyless lock installed. A keypad is installed and then a code is keyed into the keypad to unlock the lock. A thief is hard pressed to try to compromise this type of lock. In most case, they won’t even attempt to do so.  

A keyless lock is also a good idea because the code can be changed very quickly and easily. If you have contractors working in your home and their services are no longer needed, you can easily change the code so that they no longer have access inside. You can program your keypad to accept a specific code for a limited time. This means that you are able to create temporary codes that can be changed at any time. A keyless lock is a practical and affordable way to protect yourself. The code should only be given out to those who you want to have it, those whom you trust. The last thing you would want is for a lot of different people to have the code. 

When you have several family members in your household then you can even provide a different code for each person. However, if you only have one code then make sure any time you change it that you notify everyone in the household of the change. Therefore, if you have decided to replace any exterior locks, we suggest that you replace them with keyless locks. 

There are certain precautions that should be taken to protect your home. If you have never experienced a break-in before, count yourself fortunate. However, don’t assume that this is something that could never happen to you just because it hasn’t happened. We want you to remain safe and that is why we are offering such valuable information. While we would love to have your business, we would prefer to keep you safe. Therefore, if this means losing your business, it is well worth it to us. It is up to every individual to take the necessary safety precautions by replacing locks when needed. 

Article Source: When to Replace Locks