Changing the locks on your house is something that not everyone thinks about doing, however it is a very important thing to keep in mind and should be done regularly for security purposes. Here are some top reasons why changing the locks on your home is an important security measure.
If you lose your house keys, you will want to change the locks. Depending on where you lose the keys, there may be nobody around who knows where those keys go to, but you dont want to take the risk. Even if your keys are returned, you can never be sure that the person who found them didnt make copies first, and if they returned the keys to you then there is a good chance they do know what the keys go to.
If you move into a new home, you will want new locks for that as well, especially if it was owned by someone before you bought it. You never know who those people were, or whom they gave spare keys to. You dont even know how long its been since they changed the locks. They could still have spare keys out there somewhere to unlock their old home.
If you give your key to your neighbors to check on the house while youre away, you will want to change the locks when you get back, especially if you dont particularly know the neighbors very well. A copy of the key may have been lost or have fallen into the wrong hands when the neighbors had company over.
This rule also applies to giving keys to service people or repairmen if you dont get your keys back.
If you have children that have a spare key to let themselves in after school, be sure to change the locks more frequently, as kids are bound to lose their keys more easily.
If you are going through a separation or divorce, you will want to change the locks. You never know what your spouse will want to come in and take as theirs, especially if they are upset with you for the breakup. Even if you think you can trust the person, emotions make people do things they usually would not consider.
If you have roommates, change the locks when they leave. You never know who they gave a spare key to or if they still have a key on them that they will lose after they move out.
If your locks are old or difficult to open, it is time to get them replaced. You may find one day that they have stopped working and you are locked out, or they may break and make it easy for other people to get into your home without a key.
Another reason to change the locks is if youve had a break in or attempted break in.
Even if none of these cases apply to you, it is still a good idea to get your locks changed every few years, as you really can never be sure that nobody else has somehow acquired a copy of your key.
