Is Your Home Secure?

If you live in Hampshire, Berkshire or Surrey, you are lucky to be living in one of the lowest crime rate areas in the UK, communities where burglaries are thankfully well-below the national average. However, don’t become too complacent. Check your lock mechanisms now and again, and take a few precautions to give you peace of mind and help to keep your home secure at all times.

Check all doors and windows are locked when leaving the home – this may sound obvious, but it 1 in 5 burglaries don’t involve any force, so it doesn’t matter how good your locks are if they are not used.

All access doors should be treated to a good locking system, such as an automatic deadlock or a mortice deadlock. If a mortice lock is a bit over budget, mortice bolts are a cheaper alternative and are suitable for back doors or patio doors. The door and frame should also be strong and in a decent condition.

One-third of burglars enter through a window. If you have key locks on your windows, ensure the locks are visible as they will act as a deterrent. Casement locks are available for both wooden and metal-framed windows, and secure the window with a key-operated lock. Fanlight locks use a metal bolt to secure the arm that opens and closes the window.

Do you have a key hidden in the garden? Do you have a secret access point in case you get locked out, such as through a window that has a dodgy lock? Leave a spare set of keys with a trusty neighbour or friend instead – it’s much more secure.

Keep a close eye on your keys – keys are an effective, but far from perfect, security instrument. Keys are not personal security devices; they can be used by anyone – owner or thief. In the house, keep them out of sight, otherwise if you do have a break-in, you may be giving them access to other locked areas of the house, or even your car!

Stuart Rock is your local Checkatrade Approved Locksmith. Stuart is offering a FREE security check to all new customers. Call NOW on 01252 416821 and find out if your home is as secure as it can be.

By Stuart Rock - Rocks Locks Locksmith Services in Blackwater, near Camberley Surrey