St-Albans Locksmiths

How To Protect Your Valuables For Free

Getting burgled can be an incredibly emotionally distressing experience, especially when valuable or sentimental belongings are lost.  Immobilise is a free online service, fully supported by the police (via the Secured by Design initiative), in association with the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR).  Subscribers can register their valuables with the database and add photos, descriptions etc. so that in the case of their property being stolen and then found by Police, it can easily be returned to them. With almost 30,000,000 items registered it is the world’s largest free property register and is used by all 43 Police forces in the UK.  It can also help greatly with insurance claims and crime reports as you have a way to show exactly what was taken and the preventative measures you had in place. You can register for free with the Immobilise service at www.immobilise.com.  

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Thieves Targeting Houses With Locksmith Stickers

Thieves are using stickers advertising a fictitious local locksmith company to mark homes which are an 'easy target'. The criminals carry out a preliminary reconnaissance on the area and mark houses which are deemed as having poor security measures in place. They later return to break into the houses which have already been marked as targets. The authorities are advising residents to remove the stickers immediately if they see any on their doors or windows. Is your home secure?  Call us today on 01727 225666 to arrange a security check on your premises. You can read more about this story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24994148

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Tips For Choosing a Locksmith in St-Albans

There are many factors to consider when choosing a locksmith in St-Albans.  Our checklist below should help you when making a decision.

• Check the locksmith is DBS (CRB) checked.  This will reveal whether they have a hidden criminal past.  You need someone you can trust working with your home security, so if they do not have a clean DBS (CRB) check walk away.
• Check the price quoted is what you will pay.  Many locksmiths will quote one price on the phone only to bump the price up dramatically once the work has been undertaken.  Make sure you know what you will be paying before work commences and sign something agreeing to the charges.
• Make sure you are happy with what the locksmith says regarding your home security and don't be pressurised into an expensive upsell.  Not all locks are equal, and some cheaper locks do not provide adequate security for home insurance purposes so make sure if you're having new locks installed they are right for you.
• Always use a trusted locksmith with a decent reputation and accountability.  There are many rogue traders who just want to rip customers off.  Check their websites for testimonials and guarantees.  If anything looks or feels dodgy, walk away and find another locksmith.
• Call their advertised number and see how long it takes them to answer.  If calls are left ringing with no answer or diverts to voicemail numerous times it could indicate they will be difficult to get hold of if there is a problem with their work.  Use a locksmith who answers their phone!

Hopefully this checklist will help you to choose the best St-Albans locksmith for your needs. All LockRite locksmiths are DBS (CRB) checked and will always confirm the price you will pay before commencing any work. Call 01727 225666 now for a free, no obligation quote.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Home Security Tips for Homeowners in St-Albans

Your home should always look like it is occupied. Invest in timers to automatically turn on and off any electronics at various times. This will give your home the appearance of someone being there. This will help to deter burglars. While an alarm system or other security measures can make your home much safer, you must be sure that your security wiring isn't exposed. Intruders can get around security systems and into a home by cutting the wires. Make it hard for intruders and bury the wires or hide them inside your walls, if possible. Keep the outside areas of your home well lit. Burglars seek darkness so that they can stay hidden. Install some outside lights so you can see everything outside. This includes doorways and porches, the garage, and windows on ground floors which may invite intruders.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Van Drivers At Risk Of Theft

Many of Britain’s van drivers could be putting themselves at risk of theft without the correct  level of insurance cover according to a survey by a leading insurance comparison website. Approximately 65% of van owners surveyed, which included many small businesses, said they used their vans to transport tools, goods or equipment and over half of those surveyed said they left items in their vehicles overnight. Approximately 10% of those surveyed also admitted to selecting the 'social only' insurance level to reduce insurance costs which would not be adequate for a business/commercial insurance claim. Van drivers put their vehicles at risk of theft

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Simple Suggestions For Maximizing Your Home's Security

Many homeowners are unsure of what is necessary in home security. It can be easy to over do it as well as not have enough security measures in place. Use the tips below and create a home security plan that will work for you. Locksmith If you are moving into a new home, the first thing you should do to make your home more secure is to change the locks. You do not have to change the actual locks, a locksmith can re-key the locks to make them inaccessible with any of the previous keys. To avoid being accidentally locked out of their own home, some people like to hide a key to their house in various outside places, such as under a flower pot, under the welcome mat or inside a fake rock in their landscaping. If you are guilty of this behavior, stop immediately! Numerous home invasions occur because the intruder searched for a hidden key and found it. It will be less costly to call a locksmith than it is to replace your stolen valuables. Locks You should change the locks to your new home as soon as you buy it. Even if the owner tells you that you have all of the keys, there may be a chance this is not true. You don't want to take the chance that some unknown person will have access to your home. Change your locks whenever you undergo a major life change. Whether it is moving into a new home or a former relationship moving out, you should always be aware of who has a copy of the keys to your home. You should also change your locks anytime you lose your keys. Effectively securing your home will make a big difference in the way you feel when at home and when leaving it empty. You now have the information that you need to make it happen. The above tips are just a starting point for you, so take them and get to work on your home security plan today.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Identifying Different Types of Door Lock

When calling a locksmith it is important to know what type of lock needs fixing or replacing.  Use our visual guide below to identify your particular lock type. Wood Door uPVC Door Aluminium Door

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

25% Of All Vehicle Thefts Now Involve The Use Of A Key

The latest UK crime statistics show an alarming rise in vehicle thefts involving the use of a key with 25 percent of all stolen vehicles now being taken with the original key or a cloned copy. It is important to lock your car, even when kept in a garage, and ensure your car keys are kept out of sight from the opportunist thief as a car which is stolen with the use of a key is unlikely to be covered in the event of an insurance claim.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Beware of short fitting screws

Almost every time I got called out to a burglary, the suspects had forced entry to the front door via "kick the door in".

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Check Burglary Statistics in St-Albans

Home security is always worth considering, and even more so if you happen to live in an area which is prone to crime.  The website www.police.uk has an online, interactive map which shows you crime and burglary levels in your area.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Would you risk all your possessions for the sake of a few pounds?

Do you know who else might have a key to your property?  If you are renting or have bought a property and never had your locks changed then a complete stranger may have a key to your home.  Also, if your house is entered without forced entry it is very unlikely an insurance company will pay out in the event of a claim. You can prevent this often overlooked scenario from ever occurring by simply getting your locks changed. Call now for a quote.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Renewing Your Insurance

When renewing your insurance it pays to read the small print detailing the type of locks that the insurer requires and approves. If the locks you have are not approved, this may invalidate any claim due to forced entry into your property.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Prolong The Life Of UPVC Doors

I would always recommend having your UPVC doors realigned and adjusted by a skilled trades person. If your doors start to stick or catch on the frame, this adjustment will prolong the life of the lock and help limit the chance of future problems.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans

Home Security Tips - Garden Sheds

Thefts from gardens and garden sheds, this has always been a problem, but with a few simple steps like putting a secure lock on your shed or garden store and back gate. Also putting your gardening tools/equipment, bicycles etc away and out of sight when they are not being used will also help to deter to oppotunist thief.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths St-Albans