LockRite Locksmiths Blog
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LockRite Featured in The Guardian on the UK’s Heatwave Door Problem
LockRite were recently approached by The Guardian for an article looking at the sharp rise in doors sticking, warping and refusing to lock properly during
How to Spot Rogue Locksmiths and Avoid Locksmith Scams
When it comes to protecting your home, it’s important to use a reputable locksmith you can trust. Unfortunately, locksmith scams have become increasingly common across
Recent Posts
LockRite Featured in The Guardian on the UK’s Heatwave Door Problem
LockRite were recently approached by The Guardian for an article looking at the sharp rise in doors sticking, warping and refusing to lock properly during the UK’s hot weather.
The Guardian spoke with LockRite locksmith Alan Hickman, who has covered Bournemouth and the surrounding areas with LockRite for 14 years.
Alan described a recent run of jobs involving swollen uPVC and composite doors that won’t lock, as well as patio doors affected by the heat. Speaking to the Guardian, he explained:
“We’re getting what feels like double the amount of calls a day because customers’ doors just aren’t able to open, or they can’t close them at the end of a hot day until they’ve cooled down again.”
Alan Hickman
Extreme summer temperatures cause materials like uPVC, composite, and timber to expand, sometimes just enough to throw a well-fitted door out of alignment.
If you’ve noticed your own door sticking, dragging, or refusing to lock properly in the hot weather, we explain why it happens and what to do about it in our guide to Common Door Lock Problems.
We’ve also covered the wider home security risks a heatwave can bring, including how a door that won’t lock properly is as much a security issue as it is an inconvenience, in our Heatwave Home Security page.
We’re proud to have LockRite’s experience recognised in a national news story and to see one of our locksmiths contributing his first-hand knowledge of the problems affecting homeowners across the UK.
Read Alan’s full interview in The Guardian here: Why dodgy doors are the latest casualty of the UK heatwaves
Tunbridge Wells Locksmith Achieves Trading Standards Checked Approval
Choosing a locksmith is often something people only think about when they urgently need help. If it’s for a lockout, a broken lock, or a home security concern, customers need the reassurance that they are dealing with a genuine, trustworthy locksmith.
We’re pleased to share that our Locksmith in Tunbridge Wells, Mike, is now officially recognised as Kent Trading Standards Checked, giving customers across Kent, added confidence when choosing a local locksmith.
What Does “Trading Standards Checked” Mean?
Kent Trading Standards Checked is a scheme designed to help residents find businesses in the local area that meet recognised standards of honesty, reliability, and customer care.
To achieve Trading Standards approval, a locksmith must go through a verification process that typically includes:
- Identity and business checks
- Verification of trading history
- Commitment to fair and transparent pricing
- Agreement to operate in line with consumer protection standards
The aim is simple of course. To help local people avoid rogue traders and choose services they can trust.
Why This Matters for Local Customers
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in rogue locksmiths across Kent and the rest of the UK. Customers are searching for locksmiths online in urgent situations, which can make it really difficult for them to tell the difference between genuine local businesses and misleading listings. Typically they are clicking on the first results they see on Google.
Some websites are now built using automated or AI-generated content, often displaying artificially created images that do not represent real locksmiths. In some cases, this can be obvious, when faces are missing features or inconsistencies are visible, but improvements in AI mean it’s getting harder to spot. Review scores are also sometimes shown without clear evidence of where those reviews originate or whether they have been independently verified.
For customers, this can create confusion at the very moment they need a reliable service.
Schemes such as Kent Trading Standards Checked exist to provide reassurance to customers. Businesses must demonstrate that they are genuine, accountable, and operating in line with recognised consumer protection standards, offering an additional layer of confidence beyond what can be presented on a website alone.
When you need a locksmith, you are often inviting someone into your home or business during a situation that’s likely to be stressful. Independent verification by a third party provides reassurance that the company has been assessed by a recognised local authority.
For customers in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas, this means:
- Confidence that you are dealing with a vetted local professional
- Clear and honest communication about work required
- A focus on customer safety and security
- A commitment to professional standards
Supporting Customers Across Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells is one of the key areas that Mike serves, providing help with everyday locksmith needs like emergency lockouts, lock repairs, lock replacements, and home security upgrades.
The goal has always been to offer a reliable and responsive service backed by transparent advice. Achieving Kent Trading Standards Checked status reflects that ongoing commitment to serving the community responsibly.
If you would like to learn more about Mike’s locksmith service, you can visit his Tunbridge Wells locksmith page to see how he can help homeowners and businesses across the area.
Need Advice or Assistance in Tunbridge Wells?
If you need a locksmith in Tunbridge Wells or anywhere across Kent, feel free to get in touch with Mike. Whether it’s an urgent situation or a planned security upgrade, help is available when you need it.
Back-to-School Home Security: 5 Smart Ways to Lock Down Your Home as Summer Ends
The school run has begun again. Households are returning to their regular routines. With so much going on, it’s easy to overlook home security.
Yet as autumn arrives, this becomes prime time for burglars. Aviva reported that 2023 saw a 34% increase in claims for theft via forcible entry between September and October, and a 10% increase between October and November. Empty houses during school hours. Darker evenings creeping in. The chaos of busy mornings. They all create opportunities for intruders.
That’s why it is essential that your security efforts are in top condition as summer comes to an end.
Ready to ensure your locks, doors, and security systems are prepared? Below, we have outlined five practical ways to keep your home secure during the back-to-school season. From lock integrity inspections to upgrading to smart solutions, these tips will help you protect what matters most.
1. Check Your Locks After Summer Wear and Tear
This year’s (2025) record-breaking summer heat, with four heat waves and the highest temperature recorded at 35.8C, gave parents plenty of ways to keep kids entertained on their summer holidays, but the conditions proved tough on property, gardens and water supplies. 8.5 million UK households were affected by hosepipe bans, as efforts were made to save water. The high temperatures and humidity put pressure on locks and door mechanisms too. Add in constant use, and kids rushing in and out, slamming doors behind them, and the wear and tear accelerates.
Take a few minutes to test every entry point in your home. Answer these questions:
- Does the key turn smoothly in the lock or does it stick?
- Do handles operate easily or do they feel loose?
- Are windows closing tightly and locking securely?
Even minor stiffness or difficulty in locking a door can be an early sign of a failing mechanism. That could leave your home vulnerable to break-ins.
When you address these small issues now, you can save them from developing into bigger headaches later. Whether you spot a rusted lock or find your key is difficult to turn in the lock, these are signs to call a professional locksmith. By repairing or upgrading your locks quickly, your home remains secure before the school year is in full swing.
2. Go Keyless with a Smart Lock for Busy Families
Hectic. That’s usually the word that comes to mind with back-to-school mornings. Bags to pack, shoes to find, packed lunches to prepare. In the mad rush, it’s not uncommon for keys to get lost or for children to lock themselves out.
That’s why smart locks supply an ideal solution for busy families.
A keyless system, such as the Yale Conexis L2 smart lock, allows you to unlock your front door using a smartphone, key card, or even a fob. This means no more misplaced keys. No more panicked calls when the kids arrive home before you. Additionally, smart locks allow you to set flexible access for different family members. As an example, a teenager could be given their own code, which can be monitored and changed if needed.
It’s not only about convenience. Smart locks also enhance security. Many models incorporate tamper alerts and activity logs. That means you know exactly who has accessed your home and when they accessed it. Some locks can even be integrated with wider home security systems, giving you complete peace of mind while you’re at work or on the school run.
3. Secure Your Home During Empty School Hours
When school starts, most homes stand empty for long stretches of the day. These are prime opportunities for burglars as they know confrontations will be minimal. As a result, securing your property during those unattended hours is crucial.
Start with the basics: make sure all windows and doors are properly shut and locked before you leave. Teach children the importance of locking up, even if they’re only home for a short while. Avoid leaving spare keys under mats, in or under plant pots, or in any other obvious hiding spots that would-be intruders will check, instead, consider handing them to a reliable relative or neighbour for safe keeping.
Next, consider investing in additional deterrents. CCTV or video doorbells such as Ring deliver both visibility and peace of mind, letting you check in on your home remotely. Upgrading to anti-snap locks can also make it much harder for burglars to force entry.
After the summer holidays, when children have been using their tech more often at home, it’s easy for their devices to be left lying around. Opportunistic burglars might choose to break in based on what they can see at a glance, so make a habit of keeping tablets, laptops, and other valuables out of sight from windows.
Simple, yes, but these steps are effective. They make your home less attractive to opportunistic intruders while everyone is out for the day.
4. Prepare for Autumn’s Darker Evenings
As summer fades, daylight hours get shorter. Criminals prefer cover, and that’s exactly what they gain with longer evenings. According to ONS statistics, 60% of burglaries occur between 6pm and 6am.
A few preventative measures can significantly reduce the risks. Start outdoors by trimming back hedges, bushes, and trees that could conceal intruders. Well-lit garden paths and driveways are recommended. Motion-activated security lights are an affordable, effective method to deter unwanted visitors.
Don’t overlook your outbuildings, including garages, sheds, garden offices, or summerhouses. These can all contain expensive tools, belongings and equipment, yet are sometimes left poorly secured. Install motion activated lighting near your outbuildings, along with monitoring their doors and windows to ensure they are in good condition. Investing in a suitable lock, padlock or alarm system for your outdoor buildings and storage can help to prevent opportunistic theft.
5. Know When to Call LockRite’s Accredited Locksmiths
Regular home checks are essential. However, sometimes those DIY fixes aren’t enough. Certain problems require a professional eye to keep your home secure. Are your keys becoming harder to turn? Locks jamming? Are doors not closing properly? These are early warning signs not to ignore. Similarly, if you’ve lost keys or recently moved into a new property, replacing locks is the safest course of action.
LockRite’s network of professional, accredited locksmiths across the UK can assist with everything from repairing worn lock mechanisms to fitting advanced security solutions like anti-snap locks and smart systems. All our locksmiths are DBS-checked and can offer fast, reliable service when you need it most.
Knowing when to call in the experts means your home is secure, yes, but that’s not all. It also futureproofs your property against potential risks. Ultimately, it’s about eliminating those worries. Do this, and you can focus on family life and the new school year ahead with added confidence.
Search for your local locksmith or call 0800 0612 677 to speak with our team.
Post Categories
Locksmith Services
If you’re locked out, we can get you back in! We’re experts at picking locks and gaining entry.
We change, repair and fit a wide variety of locks, including : Mortice Locks & Euro Cylinders.
Our expert locksmiths can supply and fit the latest digital smart locks. Including the Yale Linus.
Our trained locksmiths can supply and fit the latest High definition CCTV to your home or business premises.
Our locksmiths can provide boarding services to secure your home or commercial premises.
We offer a full security survey service. Do you really know how secure your home or property is?
We can cut extra keys for your home or office. Our locksmiths carry a range of key blanks.
Smart Security Installed
Yale Linus
Smart Lock
The Yale Linus door lock. A keyless lock, designed to secure and simplify your life. Lock and unlock your door, no matter where you are.
Yale Conexis
Smart Lock
The smart door lock that puts you fully in control. The Yale Conexis gives you the freedom to secure your home without the need for a key.
Yale Keyless
Connected Smart Lock
The Keyless Lock allows you complete control over how you lock your home. Unlock with a PIN, key card, key tag, remote fob or your phone.
Yale Sync Alarm
The Yale Linus door lock. A keyless lock, designed to secure and simplify your life. Lock and unlock your door, no matter where you are.
Yale CCTV
The smart door lock that puts you fully in control. The Yale Conexis gives you the freedom to secure your home without the need for a key.
