Three Times You Should Change Your Home's Locks
The locks in your home are the first and last line of defense against intruders. They are an important part not only for your home and family's safety and security, but also for your mental state. Knowing that your home is secure and well protected against potential break-ins can help reduce your stress levels and let you sleep soundly at night. However, there are some situations that call for you to have your existing set of locks replaced or updated to keep your home secure from intruders. Understanding three of the most common reasons why you should get in touch with a locksmith to tend to your home's locks can help you evaluate your home's locks and security measures.
Moving In
The first time that you should seriously consider replacing your locks is the first day that you move into your new home. While the existing locks may be perfectly functional, unless they are brand-new, you simply do not know how many copies of your key may be floating around. Fortunately, you can usually have a locksmith simply rekey your lock so that older keys no longer work instead of replacing the lock mechanism entirely, which is a simpler and less expensive process.
Losing Your Keys
In a similar vein to the above point, you should have the locks in your home rekeyed or replaced as soon as you misplace an existing set. While it is more likely than not that your lost keys were simply thrown out or are lying somewhere far from home with no indication of what they unlock, it's always best to be safe and have your keys replaced anyway to ensure that no one who stumbles across your keys is able to gain access to your home. Again, rekeying is usually more than enough to protect your property.
Break-Ins
Finally, the last and most obvious reason that you should definitely replace the locks in your home is if you have experienced a break-in or burglary. In this case, simply rekeying the locks is usually not enough: if your existing locks were forced open or picked through, you likely need to install even more intense security measures to prevent further break-ins. Changing existing locks, or even installing additional locks and security measures like deadbolts, a security system and window locks, can help discourage potential burglars from entering your home in the future.
For more information, contact a local locksmith service.