3 Reasons to Change Your Door Locks
The thought of changing locks can strike terror in the hearts of homeowners. It feels like hassle even thinking about the process of protecting your home. If you’re on the fence, here are three reasons to change the locks you currently have and reduce a little anxiety in your life.
After a break-in or attempted break-in.
It may seem obvious, but changing your locks is important to make sure that another break-in doesn’t occur. 51% of houses that have experienced a burglary will receive a second break within a month of the first. If a burglar has already entered your home, they know the layout of the house and have familiarity with your locking systems. Additionally, insurance companies will pay claims within six weeks of a break in, and the most expensive items are replaced first. Upgrading your main points of entry should be the first priority, as 34% of break ins occur through the front door and 23% occur through the back door. Make sure to secure your major entry points and replace locks quickly after any break in or attempted break in.
A second, just as important reason to change your locks after a break-in is emotional recovery. Dealing with trauma from a break-in can be difficult, especially if you or loved one was in the home during the break-in. The process of feeling comfortable in your living space again takes time, but replacing or upgrading your locks is a good first step to emotionally move forward to feeling safe again.
Changing your locks after a break in may seem obvious, but it’s a necessary step, so don’t hesitate. At the very least, you’ll secure a little peace of mind.
After losing your keys.
Losing your keys can be a hassle. Putting the stress of replacing your keys aside, lost keys can force the rekeying of your locks, or better yet, completely replacing your locks. Rekeying your locks with a locksmith can cost anywhere from $70-$150. Still, rekeying doesn’t mean that the lock itself will be brand new and functioning properly. After a break in, it might be time to replace the locking mechanism as a whole and invest the few extra dollars that you may have otherwise spent on an expensive rekeying.
Additionally, it may be worth looking into investing that money into a brand new lock with a keypad lock that requires no keys to open so that replacing your “keys" in the future is as easy as changing a PIN. This replacement would save you the hassle of calling a locksmith and/or handing out new keys.
You haven’t changed your locks in a while.
It can be easy to forget the last time you changed your locks. Locksmiths recommend that you replace your locks every 5-7 years for many reasons. Locks wear down from use. Bolts become less effective. If you’ve rekeyed frequently or have so many keys in rotation that you’re not sure who has keys and who doesn’t, then it may be time to just change the locks. A healthy assessment of your security system every few years can prevent any unseen holes in protection. If you can’t remember the last time you changed your locks, it might be a good time to take a look at options.
While there can be many reasons to change locks, these three simple suggestions can save you a huge headache in the future. Don’t put it off. Now is as good a time as ever to consider your locks and home security.
