New and modern locks should be your first line of defense against break-ins into your house. Locks play a very important role of keeping your belongings and family safe.
There is no point of compromising your security as well as that of your family because of old or broken locks. Just like any other maintenance job, replacing the old locks in your home should be done routinely. There are various signs that indicate your locks need to be replaced.
There are many occasions when it is important to consider changing old locks and thanks to Chandler Locksmith Pros, here are a few.
When you’re moving into a new house
Consider changing the door locks when moving into a new home and have new keys. Chances are that the previous owners will have keys to your doors. It’s better to take precautions and replace all the locks with new ones.
When you lose your keys or they are stolen
You can drop your keys anywhere. Of course when this happens, you don’t have to take anything to chances. The first thing you should do is replace the locks on your home immediately. Even if you find the keys afterwards, it’s possible that they could have been duplicated.
When your house is broken into
The first thing to consider once your house has been broken into is replacing the old locks. This is true especially when there was forceful break-in into your house which might have interfered with the mechanics of the locks. Damaged locks compromise your security a great deal and render the locks prone to mechanical failure. Therefore, it’s advisable to assume that your keys might have fallen into the wrong hands and consider replacing all your old locks to avoid security risks.
When the locks are worn out
Locks wear out especially when they have been used for a long period of time. Worn out locks pose a serious security risk as far as home security is concerned given that they are easier to pick and break. Moreover, you will find that over time it may become difficult to lock and unlock your door using the key. Locks with visible signs of wear and tear should be replaced immediately to avoid inconvenient malfunction.
When you have a new roommate
If you rent space in your house to another person, it’s a good idea to replace your locks whenever a new tenant moves in. This will guarantee you security and protection from unwanted people who may still have a copy key to the old locks. Even if your latest tenant returned in their keys, it’s possible that they may have made a backup copy.
When you are experiencing a break-up or divorce
If you are going through divorce, changing your door locks should be the first thing to do. Breakups are hard. You cannot trust the other person given that possessions are a major area of contention in cases of separation. The other person can sneak in and break into your home. Take immediate caution and change your locks. Remember, the same case can apply to roommates and friends too.
If you had given out your keys to repairmen and not had the keys returned , or had them returned later than you expected, change your locks.
You leave the keys with your children
Children may not take proper care of keys when in their hands. They can lose the keys leading to them being duplicated. Therefore, if you usually leave the keys with your kids, consider replacing the locks frequently.
You gave someone your keys to check on your house while away
In some instances you may leave your keys with a person you trust but someone else gets hold of the keys and makes a copy. When this happens, you should consider changing your old locks to be on the safe side.
Generally, it’s a good idea to change your locks every few years , even if you haven’t experienced the above-mentioned situations. Locks can become obsolete especially in the current world where security technology is fast-evolving. So keep up with the changes so as to protect your home and possessions.
Your safety and that of your family should always come first. If you feel that the safety of your home is threatened, consider making changes right away, starting with replacing your locks. In order to get top-notch locksmith services, consider hiring a professional locksmith.