Has your home been recently broken into? It sucks, I know! For a random stranger to gain easy access into your home and mess it up, pick up your valuables, and leave you with nothing but a huge cleaning job to do. It’s annoying as hell. But what if I told you there are some mistakes on your part that could have caused it? Maybe once upon a time, you forgot your key with the wrong individual. It’s tough to keep track of these things in your head. That’s why this article discusses instances when you must change your locks, especially to ensure your home stays secure.
Changing your locks is actually more important than we think it should be. Especially for those moments when you aren’t 100% sure about the person who has access to your keys. Here are 8 instances when you must change your locks.
1. Moving to a new house: You’ve just moved into a new neighbourhood, and it is very important not to settle in quietly and depend on the old locks. You don’t know who the last occupants gave access to the keys to. For you to be very certain of your security, you should change all the locks. One of the instances when you must change your locks is when you move into a new home. You don’t want to come back home after a night out and find your house cleaned out by a bad neighbour who had the keys to your house.
2. Break-ins: Supposing there was a successful break-in, you need to change your locks. In instances when you must change your locks, if the burglar succeeded the first time on the same kind of locks, there’s no doubt another burglar will do it again. Only easier this time.
3. Change of roommate or tenant: If your old roommate or tenant has left, you should change your locks. You can’t be too sure the key they handed over to you is all the copies they have. In such instances when you must change your locks, it’s important to ensure you still have full control over the access to your property.
4. Divorce: Divorce is a very emotionally unsettling thing to happen to a couple. And it is true divorce changes people. The person you once loved may mean to cause you harm because they feel hurt. Change your locks if your ex has moved out. It’s a way to ensure your house is totally under your control. In instances when you must change your locks, it’s crucial for your peace of mind and security. So you can sleep with both eyes closed and not smothered in the middle of the night by a scorned ex-lover.
5. Worn out locks: Locks don’t last forever and their strength isn’t infinite. What a lock is now is quite different from what it was when it was new. There are instances when you must change your locks, as it’s important to do so periodically to avoid undermining your home security.
6. Loss of key: If you lose your key, it may be found by a person who sees negative possibilities. And possibly, more copies made and distributed to other people who see negative possibilities. This is one of the instances when you must change your locks to ensure your home remains secure. Change your locks and disappoint them when they come in the middle of the night, trying to steal your home theatre.
7. House remodeling: During house remodeling, you gave your keys to the contractor who also passed them to their employees. You cannot vouch for the personalities of those employees, which brings us to instances when you must change your locks. To keep your home security at top level, it’s best to change your locks after such situations.
8. Change of employees: If you had housemaids, gardeners, and security men who had access to your keys and are no longer working for you, you should change your locks. There are several instances when you must change your locks, especially if former employees had access to your home or property. The whole point of home security is to keep your property safe. This can be achieved by making sure access is in the hands you trust: your hands.
When you need a locksmith to give you the best service in changing locks, rekeying, and duplicating keys in Glendale, Scottsdale, and Phoenix, call Alcatraz locksmiths. If you need a car key locksmith, we’ve got your back. Lock and key drop-off location:
602-677-5045
17627 N 4th Str
Phoenix, AZ 85022
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key instances when you must change your locks?
There are several instances when you must change your locks, including moving into a new house, after a break-in, when you lose your keys, or when you experience a change in roommates or tenants. Other situations include divorce, worn-out locks, house remodeling, or when former employees had access to your keys.
Why should I change my locks when moving to a new home?
One of the most important instances when you must change your locks is when moving into a new home. You don’t know who the previous occupants gave copies of the keys to, so to ensure your home’s security, it’s best to change all locks as soon as you settle in.
How do I know when I must change my locks after a break-in?
If your home has been broken into, it’s crucial to change your locks immediately. The burglar may have had access to your locks previously, and they could return. Changing your locks ensures that no one else can exploit the same vulnerability.
Are there specific instances when you must change your locks after losing a key?
Yes, losing a key is a major security risk, and it’s one of the top instances when you must change your locks. If someone finds your key, they might make copies and potentially access your home. Changing your locks quickly minimizes this risk.
When should I change my locks after a roommate or tenant moves out?
When a roommate or tenant leaves, it’s important to change your locks. Even if they return the keys, they might have made copies. This is one of the instances when you must change your locks to ensure you have full control over access to your home.