Home Safety – Locks

One of the simplest ways to keep your home safe is to have locks…and to use them! A good lock and deadbolt set and locks on your windows will deter someone who is tempted by easy targets. Someone who decides to try a doorknob to see if it is open or will hop through a window that isn’t secured won’t be strolling through your front door if you use your locks. Notice that I said a good lock and deadbolt system. A flimsy lock that can be popped by a credit card, or as one enterprising young man once demonstrated on the door to my classroom, a 3 ring binder, is almost as bad as no lock at all.

If you are buying a house, you’ll want to change the locks or have them rekeyed. You should do this even if the locks are really nice and sturdy, because you have no idea who has keys to your home. Do you really want the neighbor, a wayward relative of the old homeowner, a house sitter and the general contractor who did repairs on the home before the old owner put it up for sale to be able to open your door?

You’ll also want to avoid hiding keys outside in case you are locked out. No matter how clever your hiding place is, there’s a very clever potential burglar or very curious youngster out there who can find it. If you have to have a key somewhere for emergencies, try wearing it on a necklace you put on as soon as you get up in the morning or leaving it with someone you can absolutely trust.

Do you have any tips for lock safety?

Photo: SXC