Home Security and FAQ

Provincial Locksmith has been in the locksmith business for over 35 years. We’ve served the communities in London and surrounding areas, helping residential, commercial and industrial clients keep their properties safe and their entry access open. Along the way, we’ve collected some general advice on how our customers can keep their homes and business protected.

Home Security Checklist

There are a series of actions that you can do secure your home or business property.

• Exterior doors
• Garage and sliding door security 
• Protecting windows 
• Outdoor security 
• Outdoor valuables and personal property
• Security when you are away from home

FAQ

We’ve encountered common questions and concerns among our customers about the locksmith business. We’ve provided our answers to some of these questions here.

• What should I look for in a locksmith?
• How does my locksmith being insured protect me?
• I’m moving. Do I need to buy all new locks for my new house?
• What should I do if I have had a break in?

Exterior Doors

• Lock all doors at night and every time you leave the house – even if it’s just for a few minutes.
• Make sure your doors are solid wood or metal clad.
• Make sure your doors feature wide-angle peepholes at heights that everyone can use.
• Make sure all entryways have a working, keyed entry lock with a sturdy deadbolt lock.
• Leave spare keys with a trusted neighbor, not under a door mat or planter.
• Reinforce glass panels in or near your doors, so that they cannot be shattered.
• Check the quality of the door frame. The best quality deadbolt can’t stop a break in if the door is bolted into a weak frame.

Garage and sliding door security

• Install a patio bolt or Charlie bar to prevent the door from being shoved aside or lifted off the track.
• Install a deadbolt and a keyed lockset to the door leading from the garage into the house.
• Make sure the overhead garage door has a lock so that you are not relying solely on the automatic door opener for security.
• Lock all garage doors when leaving the house.
• Make sure sliding glass doors have strong, working key locks.
• Install a dowel or a pin to a secure a sliding door to prevent the door from being shoved aside or lifted off the track.
• Lock sliding doors every night and each time you leave the house.

Protecting Windows

• Make sure every window in the house has a working key lock or is securely pinned.
• Always lock windows even when they are opened a few inches for ventilation.

Outdoor Security

• Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed so there is no place for someone to hide.
• Display your house number clearly so police and other emergency vehicles can find the house quickly.
• Eliminate dark areas around your house, garage, or yard where prowlers could hide.
• Make sure every outside door has a bright, working light to illuminate visitors.
• Use flood lights appropriately to ensure effective illumination.
• Keep outdoor lights on the evening, whether someone is at home or not, and install a photocell or motion-sensitive lighting system.

Outdoor Valuables and Personal Property

• Lock gate latches, garage doors and shed doors with high security laminated padlocks.
• Lock gate latches, garage doors and shed doors after every use.
• Store grills, lawn mowers and other valuables in a locked garage or shed. If you must leave them in the open, hide them from view with a tarp and lock them securely to a stationary point.
• Secure every bicycle with a U-bar lock or quality padlock and chain.
• Always lock bikes, even if you leave just for a minute.
• Make sure firearms are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks.
• Inscribe valuable items, such as television, stereos, and computers with identifying numbers approved by local police.
• Make sure your home inventory is up-to-date and includes pictures. Keep a complete copy somewhere secure out of the house.

Security When Away from Home

• Use at least two light timers to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence when you are away from home for an extended period.
• Activate the motion detector or other alarm system (if you have one) when you leave home.
• Suspend mail and newspaper deliveries or make arrangements for a neighbor/friend to pick them up when you go away for an extended period.
• Ask a neighbor to tend to the yard and watch your home when you are away.

What should I look for in a locksmith?

It’s good to start with a locksmith you have heard of or who has been referred to you by a satisfied customer. In addition, always check to make sure the locksmith is a member of the Better Business Bureau and is insured.

How does my locksmith being insured protect me?

Your locksmith should be insured in case property is damaged during a repair or as a result of the locksmith’s work. The insurance would cover your losses or repairs in such an event.

I’m moving. Do I need to buy all new locks for my new house?

When you move into a new residence or place of business, you don’t know how many keys might be floating around from previous owners and tenants; therefore, it is important to ensure the security of your locks. However, you don’t need to replace your all of your locks, which can be very expensive. You can save money by having your locks rekeyed at a fraction of the cost of replacement. You can save even more money if you bring your existing locks into the store. We will rekey them right there, while you wait.

What should I do if I have had a break in?

1. Call 911.
2. Call a locksmith to make arrangements to have locks rekeyed or replaced.
3. Call a glass company to replace for broken or damaged glass from windows or doors.
   

If you think you need a qualified professional locksmith in London and the surrounding area, please call Provincial Locksmith today.