Two Lock Security Issues You Must Resolve Before Moving Into Your New Home
Posted on: 30 April 2016
Buying a home is an exciting event, and you'll likely want to move in the moment you get the keys. Before you start arranging the furniture in your new living room, though, here are two lock security issues you must address to secure your home.
Change the Locks
It should go without saying that the first thing you need to do is change all the locks on the interior and exterior doors, but surprisingly many people don't think about this when moving into a new home. However, you should have a locksmith change out the locks as soon as possible for a couple of reasons.
First, keys to your home could be floating all over town. The previous owner's friends, family members, ex-roommates or spouse, and service workers may have keys to your home. You don't know anything about these people or the status of their relationships to the previous homeowner, so it's best to remove their ability to access your home by invalidating those keys with a lock change.
Second, changing the locks provides a great opportunity to update them to something newer. Lock technology changes, and the current locks on the door may be obsolete and easily penetrable. If the house is a couple of decades old, the locks may be worn out or broken. Take the opportunity to install better locks that will keep intruders out.
Check the Deadbolts
The second thing you should do is check the deadbolts to ensure they were installed correctly. Deadbolts are one of the best locks you can put on your door. To provide protection against potential burglars, however, the lock must be fully engaged. Unfortunately, sometimes deadbolts are not installed correctly. Either the hole is too short to allow the lock bar to extend all the way inside or the wrong-sized screws were used in the security plate, among other issues.
Have the locksmith check that your deadbolts are installed the right way and make any necessary adjustments if there is a problem. Additionally, if you have windows near your doors, make sure the deadbolts are double cylinder locks that can only be secured on both sides using a key. A deadbolt with a knob-turn lock is fairly useless on doors with or near windows, because a burglar can simply knock out a window pane, reach in, and disengage the deadbolt.
For more tips on securing your new home before you move in or to have your locks changed, contact a local locksmith such as The Lock Shop.
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