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Why does a locksmith cost so much?

Locksmiths play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of our homes and businesses. However, when we need their services, we can find

Recent Posts

Top Reasons Why Investing in a Keyless Door Lock Is a Smart Decision

The increased concern for home security is one of the leading motivations behind homeowners’ willingness to invest in smart home systems, so it’s no surprise the popularity of smart locks is growing.

A smart lock is a device typically operated through a smartphone or web app by using communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.  This makes it a keyless door lock.

If you want to learn more about the main benefits of keyless living in your everyday life, then make sure to keep on reading.

Freedom to Secure Your Home Without the Need to Carry Keys

Tired of having to clutch to your keys every time you go for a walk? Having to carry your keys everywhere you go, even if you’re just taking a short trip to the store around the corner can get quite annoying and frustrating.

Not to mention the trouble if you have to go through if you or someone in your family happens to misplace the keys.

Smart locks are devised to operate using smartphones, laptops or other mobile devices. So the most obvious advantage of a keyless door lock is that it doesn’t require a physical key to be operated.

keyless door lock

This means you’ll have one less thing on your mind you need to worry about on a day-to-day basis. It’s a seemingly small lifestyle change, but it does produce a difference when it comes to making life more comfortable and more convenient.

Multiple Options to Lock and Unlock Your Door

Unlike traditional locks which can only be operated by inserting the correct key into the locking mechanism, a keyless door lock offers various alternatives.  Yale’s keyfree smart lock, for instance, allows users to lock and unlock their doors by using:

  • the dedicated Yale Security app
  • the dedicated key fob, which is a wireless remote control device very similar to those car clickers used to lock and unlock the vehicle
  • by punching in a unique access code on the numeric keypad which comes with the lock.

Having these options helps users adapt their security solutions to their individual needs and lifestyle peculiarities.

keyless door lock

Allows You to Grant Remote Access

A keyless door lock allows you to remotely extend virtual “keys” to grant temporary access into your home.

Therefore, you’ll be able to let friends and family stopping by unexpectedly in without having to leave work or disrupt your daily schedule to give them a pair of spare keys.

A keyless lock is also great for admitting cleaners, caregivers or family members who have forgotten their access codes. That’s because it allows you to remotely set a PIN code especially for them. The code will expire after a given period of time, so the access you grant is temporary.

What’s more, you’ll be able to keep track of who opens your door, irrespective of your location, which will give you an enhanced level of control.

No matter how you choose to take advantage of this feature, the fact that it provides increased flexibility without compromising safety makes smart locks a smart investment.

A Smart Lock Isn’t Just a Keyless Door Lock

After reading this article, you now know that by investing in a keyless lock, you are actually investing in security, comfort and flexibility.

However, the best way to explore the full array of benefits and the difference it could make in your life is to invest in a keyless system yourself. Regardless of the type of door you have, there is a right smart lock for you.

What’s more, you won’t have to worry about the installation process, as our professional locksmiths can take care of this aspect for you in a time-efficient and professional manner.

Call 0800 0612 677 for a free, no-obligation quote.

4 Home Security Best Practices for Starting the New Year Right

Save money, spend more time with loved ones, get a promotion at work; these are all goals many people set out for themselves every time a new year comes around. But as homeowners, it’s essential to not only set goals for yourself, but for your home, as well.

With safety being of great importance, why not strive to make your home more secure this year?

In the spirit of new beginnings, here are four home security best practices to consider employing in 2018 for a better-protected house.

home security

1. Upgrade Your Locks

One of the most vulnerable points of entry is that of exterior doors, with burglars gaining entry through a door around 70% of the time.

So it only makes sense to ensure that your locks, a potential point of weakness in your door security system, are as difficult to compromise as possible.

Euro Cylinders, which are usually found in uPVC doors and are operated by a key, tend to be among the most vulnerable types of locks out there because they are more exposed to lock-snapping.

Deadbolt locks are generally considered to be a good fit for residential doors, but these too are operated exclusively by inserting the right key into the mechanism. This could be a drawback in an emergency type of situation in which the key goes missing.

Regardless of the type of lock you choose, our advice is to avoid cheap materials and use British Standard Approved locks. Also, it’s best to invest in reliable, trustworthy brands.

Not sure what types of locks you have? In this case, you can use this visual guide to help you accurately identify the current type of lock fitted on your door.

home security

And in case your locks are in need of an upgrade, make sure to contact us right away. Our locksmiths can successfully install or replace a wide array of locks including:

2. Improve Garage Security

The garage is often an overlooked area of the house. However, its security should be a priority – especially if the garage allows access to other parts of your home.

That’s because once a burglar breaks into your garage, they can go inside your home without drawing too much attention. What’s more, the garage may hold tools which a thief can use to gain access.

Here are a few useful tips which should help you prevent garage break-ins:

  • Have a garage door sensor installed which allows you to be remotely notified whenever your garage door gets opened.
  • Install motion activated lights to draw attention to activity taking place near your garage door.

3. Invest in Smart Home Security

If you’ve been pondering the thought of adding smart technology as a high-tech home security barrier, then maybe this is the year when you finally do it.

We recommend starting out with a basic: a keyless smart lock from a trusted brand which can be operated with the tap of a button.

Among the benefits of adding this smart security feature to your door is the fact you have multiple options for locking and unlocking your door:

  • through a dedicated Yale Security app
  • through a dedicated key fob
  • by typing in a unique code.

This allows you to secure your home without the need to carry keys. Also, you can grant remote access, as well as monitor who’s coming and going.

To learn more about the benefits and find the best smart lock to fit your door, check out this resource. 

4. Get Better Acquainted with Your Neighbours

Not all home security solutions need to be in the form of a device to be effective.

Something as simple as forming a good relationship with your neighbours can help you gain peace of mind and feel more confident about the safety of your home – especially when you are away on holiday.

home security

It’s important to have people in the community whom you can trust to pick up your mail, check up on your house and make sure the landscaping doesn’t make it seem like your home has been abandoned.

In Closing

Improving the security of your home is definitely an investment, but it pays off to know your family and your belongings are better safeguarded against theft.

For more useful articles related to home safety, make sure to stay up-to-date with the articles in our blog section. You can also follow us on Twitter to find out whenever we post a new article.

2018 Resolutions – 6 Tips on How to Protect Your Property

The start of the year is usually a time of reviewing, making plans and wishes for a better future.

You may have laid grand plans for making smart investments, travelling or purchasing life-enhancing belongings.

But did you also think about security-related resolutions – to protect your property, for instance?

Giving a second thought to preventing home security threats should be something you do at least once a year.

You could start with the tips and tricks we selected in this article. Then, you can choose those which best fit the needs of your household so 2018 will not only be a better year, but a safer one, as well.

1. Start with a Different Mindset

In order to fix what’s broken, you first have to spot the security pain points your house might present.

An effective approach here is to put yourself in the shoes of the burglar and examine your property the way an intruder would. Here’s how to do it:

  • Choose your favourite method of note-taking.
  • Choose the best possible vantage point your location allows. This will let you look at your property from a passer-by perspective.
  • Notice whether invaders can see through the blinds or curtains.
  • Try to examine all access doors (especially if they’re made of wood and haven’t been replaced in a while); this examination should be done by a professional locksmith if you want to ensure the maximum degree of security in your house.

protect your property

2. Cover up the Wiring

In the eventuality the burglar manages to break into your home, you need to make sure you’ve ensured backup security measures.

One simple trick would be covering up the wiring of home surveillance devices so that the intruder isn’t able to find a way of cutting off your home security system. 

3. Spare Key(s)? Think It Through

It’s a quite common practice to leave a spare key under the rug for someone trusted to get inside your home while you’re away.

If you’re doing this, it’s best if you consider an alternative solution like keyless door locks. They include a feature allowing you to send a one-time password whenever you grant someone trusted access to your home. 

4. New Year, New Landscaping

You can also protect your property by rethinking your landscaping plan.

Try to spot whether there are any trees, large bushes or plants which could obstruct the view.

5. Invest in New Doors to Protect Your Property

As far as home security is concerned, ensuring solid access doors is still among the safest actions one could take.

The top tip to keep in mind is you should look for doors made out of solid material, which also present little space between the frame and the door. This way, burglars won’t be able to sneak any object which could facilitate a forceful entry in there.

protect your property

6. Don’t Grant Burglars Any Window of Opportunity

And that includes windows, as well.

If your house has lower-floor windows, it’s a smart move to get impact-resistant glass or apply additional window locks.

And last but not least, call for expert advice if you’re not sure about how to proceed. We’re always at your service, trying to help you protect your property and be a step ahead of any incident.

Locksmith Services

Lock Outs Service

If you’re locked out, we can get you back in! We’re experts at picking locks and gaining entry.

Lock Changes and Repair Service

We change, repair and fit a wide variety of locks, including : Mortice Locks & Euro Cylinders.

Smart Locks Services

Our expert locksmiths can supply and fit the latest digital smart locks. Including the Yale Linus.

CCTV Installation Service

Our trained locksmiths can supply and fit the latest High definition CCTV to your home or business premises.

Alarm Installation Service

Our locksmiths can professionally install the full range of Yale smart alarms.

Window Boarding Service

Our locksmiths can provide boarding services to secure your home or commercial premises.

Security Surveys Service

We offer a full security survey service. Do you really know how secure your home or property is?

Key Cutting Services

We can cut extra keys for your home or office. Our locksmiths carry a range of key blanks.

Smart Security Installed

Our experts can install a range of smart security products, including smart locks, CCTV and alarms.
Yale Linus Smart Lock

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 L1 Lock Installed

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 Installed

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 Smart Alarm Siren

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 Smart CCTV Installed

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.