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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

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Christmas Home Security Tips – The Best Tips Which Will Keep Your Home Safe This Christmas

Christmas time is always a joyful and festive period for all members of the family. December is also a busy month, so you may spend more time away from home than the rest of the year.

No matter what, you should keep your home safe with our Christmas home security tips. Whether you’re visiting friends and family, shopping or going to different parties, it’s important to consider your home security.

To make sure nothing gets in the way of enjoying Christmas, consider these tips to make sure your home and valuables are safe.

1. Out of Sight, out of Mind

Burglars are aware that near Christmas, people will have a lot of presents in their home, especially more expensive items.

If your Christmas tree is visible from the outside, then we recommend placing the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve rather than before.

Home Security at Christmas - Keep presents out of sight

2. Give the Impression Someone is Home

Christmas is that time of the year when people are visiting each other and so they leave their house empty for longer than usual.

Because of this, you want to give the impression you’re actually home to deter any potential burglars.

You can use timers for your lights so they will turn on from time to time and appear as if you’re home.  Moreover, to block the view from the outside, you should also close your curtains or blinds.

3. Be Careful What You Post on Social Media

If you’ll be going away for a while, then we recommend not posting about it on Social Media or disclose the amount of time your house will be empty.

If you do decide to post about it, make sure your profile is private and only people you personally know will be able to see your post.

4. Don’t Run External Lights Through the Window

Even though external lights can make your house look amazing, you should avoid using them because the little crack can compromise the integrity of the window.

Use outdoor lights which require an outside outlet instead.

5. Double Check Your Locks and Windows

Even if you leave your home for just a few hours, double check your windows and doors to make sure they are properly locked.

Even though you’ll be in a hurry to get somewhere, it’s more important to keep your home safe than to arrive on time.

At the same time, we recommend checking your locks thoroughly because you will be able to spot if they work properly or if you need to upgrade them to more advanced ones.

Double check your home security this Christmas

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas! Keep Your Home Safe

Christmas may be a good time to consider upgrading your home security system. Having more than just quality locks can give you peace of mind, especially during a period when burglaries tend to occur more often, like the winter months.

We recommend considering a CCTV security camera such as the smart range one from Yale. Burglars are put off most of the time by CCTV cameras and so you will decrease the risk of breaking in if they are visible on your property.

If you want to keep your home safe by installing a smart security range, give us a call today at 0800 0612 677.

Updated : December 2018

How Can Elder People Proof Their Home Against Theft

Home is where older adults should feel the safest.

However, because many seniors live alone, have weakened physical functions and are less likely to be in touch with the latest security innovations, they can become easy targets in the eyes of criminals.

If you have an ageing loved one who may be vulnerable, read this article to find out which are some of the best ways older people can proof their home against theft. 

Never Underestimate The Importance of Basic Home Security Protection

According to statistics released by police.uk, properties with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled compared to those that have them.

proof their home against theft

Here are a few simple best practices that can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping a seniors’ house safe from burglary.

  • Keeping doors and windows secured at all times. Burglars look for open or unlocked windows and doors to quickly gain access into a home, so this is one of the first security weaknesses homeowners should address.
  • Solid doors for entrances that lead into the house. In 72% of cases, a burglar will enter through a door, which makes solid wood or metal doors a smart investment. Also, with lock snapping becoming more common over recent years, having an anti-snap lock that can withstand this type of criminal attempts installed will increase the security level.
  • Installing a door viewer or peephole means seniors can easily find out who is on the other side of the door without having to answer it. It’s an old-school solution that works!
  • Reinforced windows. Any windows that are on the ground floor of your property, or within easy reach should be adequately secured. Placing plexiglass or security film on the inside provides an amplified level of security.
  • Good outside lighting. A poorly-lit home at night is like a beacon to burglars. Things like pathway and accent lights, string lights, wall lighting, and motion-activated lights will not only help seniors proof their home against theft but also improve the overall aesthetic look of the property. Lights on timers are particularly useful for those times when homeowners go on holiday or to visit their relatives.
  • Inside lighting. Something as simple as leaving a light on at night will deter burglars from wanting to break in into a well-lit home.
  • Keeping valuables away from the view of ground floor windows. Seniors should use drapes, curtains or blinds to stop prying people from trying to look inside and proof their home against theft.

When put into action, these simple security measures discourage burglars from targeting a home.

We encourage you to share this information with your ageing loved ones to help them be less vulnerable to burglary and protect themselves and their valuables.

proof their home against theft

Installing a CCTV System can Help Seniors Proof their Home against Theft

CCTV cameras not only allow you to monitor a home but they are also highly effective when it comes to keeping burglars at bay – letting them know that a property is well protected.

Here are some of the other notable benefits of installing a professional CCTV on the property of an ageing loved one:

  • As a caretaker, you can keep an eye on the property via a dedicated app on your smartphone, tablet or PC,  no matter where you are.
  • The infrared LED night vision guarantees that a property is protected 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Need help with the installation process?

Our trained locksmiths can supply and install the latest Yale Smart Security cameras so that you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that your ageing parents or friends are safe and can enjoy their retirement years.

 

 

 

 

The Unpickable Lock – Is It a Myth Or a Reality?

Lockpicking has been around since the first locks were invented, which was thousands of years ago. Since then, people have been searching and inventing door locks immune to lockpicking that would keep their homes secure against intruders.

In the history of locks, there was a period of approximately 70 years when the unpickable lock truly existed.

We’re going to talk about that period and also about some interesting security facts you should know about door locks while trying to give a definite answer to the question from the title.

Let’s start by going back to the 1850s.

How Perfect Security Was Lost in 1851

Joseph Bramah was an English inventor and a locksmith. Even though he’s best known for inventing the hydraulic press, Bramah also designed a lock that was vastly superior to all others in the world at that time.

He received a patent for it in 1784 and during the same year, he also started his own company called Bramah Locks.

Joseph Bramah was so confident that the lock he designed was resistant to lockpicking and tempering with that he started a challenge.

The description of the challenge was displayed onto the window of his London shopfront and here’s what it said:

The artist who can make an instrument that will pick or open this lock shall receive 200 guineas the moment it is produced.

200 Guineas would be the equivalent to £20,000 today. 

Many people tried to temper with Bramah’s unpickable lock but nobody succeeded until 1851.

In 1851, London hosted the first international exhibition of manufactured products which was called The Great Exhibition.

During the exhibition, Alfred Charles Hobbs, an American locksmith, managed to open the lock designed by Joseph Bramah.

Hobbs worked on the lock for approximately 51 hours over the course of 14 days.

In a way, this was the end of an era where unpickable locks truly existed.

In The Search for The Unpickable Lock

The conclusion is that there aren’t locks that can’t be picked, only locks that haven’t been picked yet.

These are usually unique and rare. Rarity is one of those features that makes a lock harder – if not impossible – to be picked.

Burglars don’t usually try picking door locks that are unique because they don’t have access to them and so they don’t have the necessary knowledge to temper with them.

unpickable lock

Our advice is to pick a door lock designed by a trusted company, such as Yale. We’ve partnered with them to bring you the best security products you can use for your home.

The door lock is one of the main ways to protect your home but you shouldn’t rely exclusively on it. You could pair a smart lock for example with a trusted alarm security system.

We’re all looking for perfection when it comes to door locks but the reality is that we should all focus on improving our home security on all areas. That way, we will minimise the risk of becoming a target for burglars.

We hope this article helped you understand some more facts about locks.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 0800 0612 677 if you ever need our help or advice. We’re available 24/7, Monday to Sunday.

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

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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.