Keys on Show

Thumb turnYesterday, I got to called to a house where the customers had accidently shut themselves out of their house. A nice easy job, I thought. Most nightlatches (often referred to as ‘Yale’ type locks) are simple to bypass. As I arrived, I got a bit more excited. The lock was a kite marked BSI 3621 variety, meaning I was in for more of a challenge and probably late for the next job of the day.

But the challenge was not to be. The door had a convenient window and less than an arm’s distance away, hanging on hooks, were all the customer’s keys. Flexible metal rod through the letter box and less than a minute later, the door was open. No special tools. On any given day, a burglar could have done the same thing and entered the house, or as is becoming more common, got the displayed car keys, and easily taken the car.

Car theft is growing in the UK with most cars now being stolen direct from the driveway or with signal cloning. The thieves know we keep our keys near the front door, so having them in plain view is just an open invitation to have your car stolen.

Most of us put front door keys and car keys together, so you need to leave your bunch near the front door in case of fire. But you can put them in a wall mounted cupboard with a door, or even a key safe. Some key safes now come protected from signal cloning.

While we are talking about signal cloning, Faraday pouches are a great way to protect your keys while you are out and about. These are signal protecting pouches for your keys.

If you wish to know more about any of the above, please get in touch via my contacts page.

Thanks for reading.

National Home Security Month

This coming October is the second National Home Security Month sponsored By Yale, one of the biggest lock manufacturers in the UK. The aim of the campaign is to highlight areas where people can improve their home security. There is nothing to do with sales – just good honest advice and a look at what the future holds for home security, including the evolution of the “Smart Home” and some of the latest security gadgets. Anyone interested can go to www.homesecuritymonth.com throughout October to find out any information required. They will supply more information each week throughout the month. Domestic burglaries increase by 20% during the darker months, so this is the perfect time to make sure your home is as safe as it can be.

I hear time and again that if the burglar wants to get in, they will – but the burglar wants to get in quickly and quietly and if your home makes it difficult for them and next door makes it easy, he’s going to go next door! It really is that simple. Apart from conforming to insurance standards, it’s a bit like actually being ‘The Joneses’ and making sure you are way ahead of your neighbours!

Of course, you don’t have to wait until October to get unbiased, honest advice about your home security. I am happy to come and check your home for you and make relevant suggestions with a promise of no selling. If your home is secure, I will gladly congratulate you. If it’s not, I’ll tell its weaknesses and show you the products that can make it better and how. I will then leave you to carry out the work either by yourself, a friend or me if you want to. Even if you think your property is up to scratch, it will cost you nothing more than maybe a cup of tea to have it looked at. I have now been working in and around Holt for five years and while I would never say “I’ve seen it all,” I have seen a surprising amount of locks that are just not fit for purpose, so if you do have me stop by and I do tell you your lock is not adequate, don’t feel bad, it’s an easy mistake!

Alternatively, you can send a question about National Home Security Month or any other lock/security related issues through my contacts page on the website www.ac-locksmiths-norfolk.com  Thanks for reading.