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Moving House This Spring? Why Changing Your Locks Should Be a Priority
Are you moving home this spring? If so, you’re not alone. This season is arguably the UK’s most popular time to move house. According to
What do Burglars look for?
Understanding how a burglar’s mind works is essential for safeguarding your home against potential break-ins. Considering what they most commonly look for gives the opportunity
Recent Posts
Moving House This Spring? Why Changing Your Locks Should Be a Priority
Are you moving home this spring? If so, you’re not alone. This season is arguably the UK’s most popular time to move house. According to Rightmove, “the spring months are typically the busiest period of the year for the housing market”. Demand naturally peaks as families prepare for summer transitions.
Yet amid all the packing and paperwork, one key task is often overlooked: changing the locks.
It doesn’t matter if you’re moving into a preowned home or a newly built property. Replacing your locks should be a top priority. Why? This guide explains why it matters and how to secure your new home from day one.
Why Changing Your Locks Matters
The keys are new to you. However, when you purchase a home, knowing how many duplicates are already in circulation is impossible. It’s not just previous owners you have to worry about. Spare keys may have been handed out to neighbours, cleaners, pet sitters, and even tradespeople. The issue: not all of them get returned. Even if you trust the seller, they might not be aware of every key floating around.
New-build homes are not victims of this situation, right? Wrong. The risk is no less significant. Developers often grant access to a range of contractors, including electricians, plumbers, and decorators. Unless you’re handed a fresh set of locks upon completion of the build, there’s no way to confirm who might still have access to your property.
The risk isn’t only about unwanted visitors. Many insurers require evidence of forced entry to validate a burglary claim, so unauthorised access with a key could mean your home insurance claim is denied if it’s proven that you didn’t take reasonable precautions in changing the locks. Additionally, many insurers expect homeowners to have locks that meet British Standards.
All these points are why we recommend changing your locks as soon as you move in – ideally on day one. This isn’t just the front and back doors, either. It also includes keys for sheds, gates, garages, and even post boxes. By upgrading to anti-snap and British Standard compliant locks, you improve both security and your peace of mind.
After all, a new home should be a fresh start, not a potential security risk.
Additional Security Tips When Moving
You now know the importance of changing your locks. However, there are additional steps to take to prevent bigger issues from cropping up later. Yes, moving house is a hectic time, but the following tips help protect your new home from day one.
- Don’t leave keys in obvious spots: New locks are still vulnerable if you leave spare keys in obvious spots. Think doormats, plant pots, and bins. These spots are the first places a potential intruder will check. Instead, consider using a secure key safe or leaving a spare with a family member or trusted neighbour.
- Check all windows and outbuildings: Make sure all windows – especially those on the ground floor – have working locks. This is the same case for garages, sheds, and gates. When left unsecured, you can be providing easy access to tools and valuables.
- Upgrade to British Standard or anti-snap locks: It’s imperative that, when taking the steps to change your locks, you do it right. That’s where it’s important to use high-security locks that meet British Standards. Anti-snap locks can also provide an extra layer of protection against potential burglars.
- Review your home insurance requirements: It’s wise to check your policy for any lock standards that must be met. Remember: not using compliant locks could affect your ability to claim in the event of a break-in.
- Choose a professional locksmith: Avoid DIY solutions and unaccredited installers. Instead, use a professional locksmith who is DBS checked and possesses accreditations and a wealth of positive reviews. Aside from completing the installation effectively, a good locksmith will advise you on the right locks to use.
How LockRite Locksmiths Can Help
At LockRite, we make securing your new home simple, fast, and stress-free. Our nationwide DBS-checked locksmith team is professionally trained and available – even on moving day. Whether you’ve just moved into a new build or a Victorian house, we can upgrade your locks quickly. Many of our locksmiths possess over a decade of experience and understand the urgency of moving home security.
We supply and install the best locks for your needs, to not just boost your home’s protection, but also meet insurance requirements where required. As for our quality, don’t only take our word for it. With thousands of verified five-star reviews on Trustpilot, Reviews.io, and Google Business, LockRite is a name you can trust when it matters most.
Your new home deserves a fresh start with the right security in place. With LockRite, you can enjoy peace of mind from day one.
Recent New Home Jobs Completed by LockRite
Location: Epsom, Surrey
Epsom Locksmith: Morne
Our customer had just purchased a three-bed property and was concerned about who might have old keys. We replaced two outdated Euro cylinders with new British Standard models to enhance their front and back door security.
Location: Andover
Andover Locksmith: Kevin
We replaced multiple locks for a customer moving into a new home. The job included an ERA high-security night latch, two British Standard 5-lever sash locks, three Euro cylinders, two rim cylinders, and a cam lock for the post box.
Location: Chigwell, Essex
Chigwell Locksmith: Chad
For a customer who had just moved in, we installed four new anti-snap Euro cylinders, a BS 5-lever mortice deadbolt, and a Yale Kitemarked rim cylinder to bring their home security up to modern standards.
Final Thoughts
In the grand scheme of purchasing a new home, changing your locks is a small step. However, don’t underestimate how vital a step it is to take. It’s an easy way to take control of your security and protect your belongings and those in your home. With so many unknowns – like who may still have a spare key – it simply isn’t worth the risk.
Don’t rely on outdated locks or attempt a DIY fix. Instead, choose a professional, trusted locksmith to do the job right. At LockRite, we’re here to help start this new chapter with confidence and peace of mind.
What do Burglars look for?
Understanding how a burglar’s mind works is essential for safeguarding your home against potential break-ins. Considering what they most commonly look for gives the opportunity to take proactive measures to strengthen your home’s security. With that in mind, we have put together a helpful list of key factors to consider when thinking about what burglars look for in a home.
Open Doors and Windows
One of the most basic yet overlooked aspects of your home’s security is ensuring all windows and doors are shut. While most people remember to lock their doors, many forget to close their windows, particularly those on upper floors. Perhaps the reason people don’t see windows as a big security risk is that it appears much less convenient for a burglar to climb through a window than to walk through a door. However, burglars see open windows as easy access points, regardless of whether they’re on the ground or upper floor.
Always double check that any entry points to your property are secure when leaving the house or going to bed.
Visible Valuables
Any valuables that can be seen through your windows might tempt a burglar to break into your home. To minimise the risk of burglars stealing your possessions, be aware of any valuables that are visible from the outside. The more valuables burglars can see through your windows, the more likely they are to target your home.
While it’s important to ensure your valuables aren’t visible from outside your home, it’s equally important to keep them out of sight within your home. This will greatly reduce the chances of your valuables being stolen in the event of a burglary.
It’s important to keep valuable items out of reach from intruders. Items such as jewellery, watches, money, electronics and sensitive documents should be kept in a safe and secure place. Consider more obscure or less obvious hiding spots that only you know of for your important documents and valuables. Often, people will place sensitive documents in well known and predictable locations such as an office drawer or a bedroom cabinet. Burglars will check these known areas first, so keep your valuables in less predictable locations to reduce the chances of theft.
Keeping your valuables out of sight will make your home a less attractive target.
Overgrown Landscape
When it comes to home security, garden maintenance should always be taken into consideration. Burglars will commonly look for areas around a property that will allow them to remain hidden while scoping out a property or breaking in.
Overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs provide easy cover for burglars, allowing them to approach your property undetected, without being seen by your neighbours. Perhaps it’s time to consider trimming those high hedges in your garden. Reduce the amount of hiding spots around your property through regular garden maintenance. Pay particular attention around your windows and doors to make your property a tougher challenge for burglars.
Vulnerable Dark Spots
Without adequate lighting outside of your home, you give burglars the advantage and opportunity to hide within dark spots where they can easily move around without being spotted.
The darker it is, the harder it is for a burglar to be seen. Installing ample lighting to illuminate your property’s exterior will act as a strong deterrent. Don’t forget about lighting your pathways, side or back doors, porch and garage.
Flood lights, security lights and motion sensor lights are all good examples of adequate lighting for your property during the night. Choose the lighting that is right for you and your home, whether that’s wall lights, stake lights or post lights. Both solar and wired lights are available depending on your preference.
Posts on Social Media
Sharing your life on social media can cause a few hurdles when it comes to your home’s security. Posting about a holiday or a trip away can unintentionally notify a burglar when you’re not going to be home, providing an opportunistic time for them to plan a break-in.
To stay safe, avoid sharing details about your whereabouts on social media until you return home.
Surveillance cameras around your property
Having a security surveillance system in place will allow you to monitor who approaches your property. Intruders are likely to check if you have security cameras around your property. If you don’t have any CCTV installed, they can exploit that vulnerability and your chances of a break in will increase. Burglars tend to avoid properties with surveillance due to the risk of being recorded.
Consider installing CCTV around your property to effectively monitor your home and discourage intruders. Another benefit to having CCTV is that you can use the footage as evidence if a burglary occurs.
Knowing what burglars commonly look for can be extremely useful, helping to secure your property and prevent the chance of a break in. Understanding the mind-set of a burglar allows you to implement security measures to deter intruders from breaking in. The hope is with enough precautions taken, the threat of burglary becomes minimal, allowing for peace of mind.
Looking to improve your security and protect against burglary? Our locksmiths can carry out a security survey of your property to ensure your locks and doors are secure, as well as identify any weak spots that intruders can exploit. Call us on 0800 0612 677 or click here to find your local locksmith today.
Halloween Home Security Tips
Dark, spooky nights are drawing in. Stay safe this Halloween with essential home security tips.
The dark, gloomy nights approach as we get closer to Halloween. As the nights grow longer, it’s important to make sure your home stays secure. From excited trick-or-treaters to mischievous pranks, Halloween can bring fun as well as potential security risks.
Updated for Halloween 2024: This post has been updated in October 2024 with the latest tips to help you protect your home this spooky season.
Read on to make sure your home is protected this Halloween and keep intruders and unwanted spirits at bay.
Are You Ready for the Clock Change – and Is Your Home Security?
The clocks will go back by 1 hour on the 27/10 (the last Sunday of October), marking the end of daylight saving time. With the earlier sunset, Halloween trick or treaters dressed in spooky costumes will be taking to the streets sooner, and so could opportunistic burglars who want to take advantage of the darkness.
So, while you’re getting ready for Halloween, decorating your porch with carved pumpkins and hanging cobwebs, make sure your home security is just as ready for Halloween.
Halloween Looks for 2024
This Halloween, expect to see costumes inspired by iconic characters from some of 2024’s most popular movies and TV shows. Trick or treaters will be dressed to impress for Halloween, but is your home just as prepared?
With films like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Joker: Folie à Deux and Deadpool & Wolverine hitting the big screen this year, costumes inspired by these will be everywhere. Look out for Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz, Shrunken Head Bob, Joker, Harley Quinn, Deadpool, Lady Deadpool, Wolverine, and more.
Popular TV shows like Fallout and the highly anticipated season 4 of The Boys are sure to inspire looks like The Ghoul and Homelander roaming the streets this year.
Of course, Halloween wouldn’t be complete without horror fan favourites lurking around – Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Voorhees. These characters are experts at finding ways in, but with upgraded home security, you can make sure your property stays secure from any real intruders.
While Halloween is a night of fun, it’s important to be mindful of your home security, as the darker evenings offer more opportunities for unwelcome visitors.
Home Security and Burglary Statistics
ONS figures show there were 271,449 recorded burglary offences in the year ending December 2023. This marks a slight decrease compared to the previous year, and suggests that more people are prioritising home security measures to keep the ghouls away.
According to Crimestoppers, the Office of National Statistics recently said it’s widely accepted that improvements to home security have been an important factor in the reduction seen in domestic burglary. This highlights the importance of improving your home’s security – not just as a general precaution, but as a proven way to reduce the risk of burglary year round, and not just for Halloween. By making simple improvements, you can decrease the likelihood of your property being a target for burglary.
With this in mind, we have put together some actionable Halloween home security tips to keep your home secure in October 2024 and beyond.
Lock up, day and night!
Keep potential intruders away this Halloween by making sure your home is securely locked, especially when you’re out. It’s simple, but it’s the first step to improving the security of your home, and is often overlooked, so take a moment to double-check your locks.
Heading out to a Halloween party? Before you go, be sure to lock up and secure your home. You don’t want to come back to find an unexpected “guest” like Ghostface waiting in your living room!
Burglars will take advantage of unlocked doors and open windows, and combined with it getting darker much earlier, it only makes it more convenient for them to enter your home undetected.
A quick check of your doors and locks can help ensure that your night stays fun and your property remains secure.
Use Indoor Smart Lights and Timers
Using timers for your indoor lights is an effective way to improve home security during the Halloween season when the darker nights creep in. When you’re out for the evening trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party, timed lighting can create the illusion that someone is home, which can help deter potential intruders.
In The Purge (2013), where lighting played a crucial role in signalling that a home was occupied and secured, keeping your house well-lit can make a huge difference in discouraging unwanted visitors. Set your timers to turn lights on and off in different rooms at different times, mimicking the natural activity of your household. This random pattern is more convincing than leaving one light on all night, making your home appear occupied. Place them in important areas that can be seen from outside, like your living room, kitchen, or hallway, where light would normally be visible.
If you have a smart home system, like Hive, that uses smart plugs or smart light bulbs, you can control your indoor lights remotely, adding even more flexibility to your home’s security setup. Adjusting the lights on the go will make it even harder for anyone to predict whether someone is inside.
Light Up the Darkness with Scary Decorations
Carving some spooky pumpkins for Halloween? Take the opportunity to add LED lighting inside and place it by your front door or on the porch for an added layer of illumination.
Use well-lit Halloween figures like skeletons or ghosts near pathways or dark corners of your garden. Bright decorations could help deter anyone trying to sneak by.
Add motion-sensor Halloween decorations that activate sound effects or lights when someone walks past. These could startle would-be intruders and alert you to activity around your home.
What better way to make intruders intimidated and expose anyone lurking in the shadows with petrifying decorations that light up the darkness.
Add Outdoor Lighting
While indoor lighting can create the illusion of activity inside your home, outdoor lighting is just as crucial for deterring intruders.
Outdoor lighting can give burglars the impression that people are home, making it less likely that they will try breaking into your property this Halloween. Motion sensor lights can be particularly effective as they surprise intruders when approaching your property, instantly illuminating the area and signalling your awareness of their presence.
Create a Tricky Landscape
Consider strategically placing prickly plants and bushes near your windows. Thorny plants can act as a natural barrier to deter potential intruders and the moment they get hit with a prick, you’ll be alerted by the telltale signs of their presence.
Another way to spot intruders on your property is to add gravel around walkways, beneath windows or near entry points. The sound created acts as a natural alarm system, discouraging potential intruders from approaching your home. Much like in the films “A Quiet Place”, where the smallest sound can alert deadly creatures, gravel can serve as your own defence and subtle warning system. The crunch of footsteps on gravel will give you an immediate heads-up, making it difficult for anyone to approach silently, helping to keep your home safe during Halloween or any time of year.
It’s also worth noting in regards to landscape the importance of trimming your front hedges. Crimestoppers did a poll which showed that ⅔ of people surveyed faced an increased risk of burglary due to high hedges.
Security Cameras
Catch all the spooky activity around your home this Halloween by installing 24/7 security. CCTV acts as a powerful deterrent for burglars, warning any intruders that your home is under constant watch. Potential burglars will be spooked with a sophisticated security system in place.
Intruders, much like Ghostface, prefer to target less secure properties. Even a simple camera can be enough to prevent unwanted break-ins.
Video doorbells are useful for knowing exactly who is at your door when they ring the bell. Especially handy if masked visitors arrive at your doorstep this Halloween, they come equipped with a camera and a microphone. You can see who’s there before you speak to the person and decide whether to open the door, minimising the risk of distraction burglary without leaving your sofa.
This Halloween, don’t just look out for ghosts and ghouls, protect your property from thieves with a high quality security system.
Consider installing a 24/7 surveillance system like our Yale Smart Home CCTV.
Keep your valuables locked away
This Halloween, the only people who should be taking goodies for free are the kids trick or treating – not burglars! Don’t leave expensive jewellery, electronics, or other valuables lying around. Keep any cash, sensitive documents and high-value possessions locked away so intruders don’t get enticed to try and steal it. Ideally, you want it to be so secure that not even those sneaky, spectral spirits can get to your valuables. Consider using a safe or lockable drawer to keep these items well protected.
Halloween is a night where the mischievous thrive, and for many homeowners, it can be quite worrying to think about all the things that could happen. It’s important to focus on what you can control vs what you can’t. While you may not be able to control what other people decide to do on that hallowed night of fun and danger, you can control your own home security. If you’re looking to update your security, contact your local locksmith today.
Sources:
Office for National Statistics: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingdecember2023#theft-robbery-and-criminal-damage
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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.
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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.
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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.
