Home Security Spotlight

 Keys

Replace Your Locks & Keys

There is little point in improving the security of your home if you are not sure who possesses a set of keys. Unless you have control over the keys you cannot ensure the safety and security of your property. If you have not changed all the locks and keys since you moved into your home you have no idea of the number or type of people who have possessed, or may still possess keys to your property. This could be the previous owners or anyone connected with the previous owners.

Keys may have been given by previous owners, or you, to relatives, friends, cleaners, tradesmen, neighbours, estate agents etc. It is almost certain some will have been forgotten about and will be in existance somewhere, maybe even with a tag showing the address they come from.

Even if duplicate keys you have lent to others have been returned you cannot be sure that some dishonest person has not made another copy. Sets of keys left lying around your house could have been taken by visitors and copied. All keys should be kept out of sight and out of reach. If you are not sure about the location of all the keys that have ever been made for your locks replace your locks at once.

Tips For Managing Your Keys

• Never leave your keys unattended and on open view anywhere where they may be taken or copied.
  

• Do not leave a key outside under the doormat, under a stone or in a jar - burglars know all the usual places householders leave keys for emergency use.
  

• Do not label your key with your house address - use your mobile 'phone number.
  
  
• Always know how many keys you have had cut for each lock and keep the number of keys you have had
  made to a minimum. Keep a record of who has which keys.
  
  
• Don't issue a key to someone unless it is really nescessary. Try to arrange for them to be let in by someone else rather than lending a key and giving them unsupervised acces to your home.
  
  
• Never allow strangers to have access to your keys.
  
  
• Make sure everyone takes care to keep their keys safe - keep track of all keys.
  
  
• If you lose a key, change the lock.
  
  
• Do not leave keys where they can be fished out through the letter box by a criminal using a cane with a hook.
  
  
• If you have lent a key to a cleaner, lodger etc. change the lock when they move on.
  
  

• Never loan keys to builders or other workmen.
  
  
• If you rent out houses (buy-to-let) make sure you change all the locks when the old tenants move out and the new ones move in. Take extra care if you rent to students or other sharers.