Walkford Locksmith

Home Security Comprised By Low Grade Key Safes

Key safes are becoming a common place accessory, especially for home help environments where 24 hour access by different services is required. However, low security key safes need to be secured properly, as otherwise they can offer an attractive prospect to opportunists and burglars. The first step is positioning key safes in locations which are accessible, but are difficult to get tools to reach. Otherwise, a burglar may be able to simply use a hacksaw or crowbar to get inside your safe. The C500 police approved key safe provides a strong solution. The safe is as tough to break into as a front door – though it needs to be installed into concrete in order to get accreditation. Key safes are often attached into powdery mortar, and this leaves them ready to be pulled away with ease. Make sure that any key safe is installed securely into sound brick or concrete with sufficient length screws and sound anchoring.

LockRite Locksmiths Walkford are experienced in the supply of quality key safes and providing practical advice on the use and installation of these devices. When correctly installed, they can prove secure and reliable for many home help applications in addition to rented properties for key handover.

Give LockRite Locksmiths Walkford a call on 01202 057312.

(Example of a C500 digital key safe - Image © Aldridge Security)

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Bad Key Copies Causing Costly Lock Failures

Flat owners are frequently calling locksmiths to gain entry where euro cylinders are breaking. This is either locking owners out or, in cases where locks are keyed on the inside, trapping occupants inside. The latter scenario can be particularly hazardous for flat owners, especially if they are above ground floor with only a single means of exit. The common cause of these situations is the usage of undersized or non original key copies: they can turn the cylinders but not the unlocking cam, which can mis-align the lock and leave it unusable. Tenants, landlords and flat owners should make sure that any key copies are original copies, correctly sized and work perfectly in the lock without the need to lift, pull or push the key to make it work. You should turn to LockRite Walkford for your key copies. We offer the Evva EPS on a restricted profile; this eliminates potential issues with bad key copies and improves the security of locks to make sure unauthorised copies don’t end up in the wrong hands. Make sure to give us a call on 01202 057312.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

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 Walkford

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 01202 057312 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 Walkford

Why You Should Choose LockRite When Looking For a Locksmith in Walkford

There are several good reasons why you should consider choosing LockRite when looking for a locksmith in Walkford.

• All our locksmiths are DBS (CRB) checked which means they do not have a hidden criminal past.
• The price quoted is the price you pay. We do not artificially inflate prices on the doorstep like some unscrupulous locksmith companies.
• LockRite is a national and trusted brand but all our locksmiths are self employed individuals who live within, or close to, your area.  By choosing LockRite you are choosing to support local business, keeping money within your local economy.
• If it is an emergency we can usually be on our way to you immediately and we will show up (unlike some companies who say they will but don't, wasting your time).

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Get Your Locks Serviced before They Fail!

It has been a great summer but avoid costly repairs and get your locks serviced before they get jammed or fail … The extreme weather variations this year from the icy winter and snow through to the glorious summer heatwave has caused many problems with all types of doors and windows. UPVC frames contracted in the winter and expanded in the summer, many have drifted out of alignment with bolts and rollers rubbing and hinges sagging. These doors urgently need re-aligning before the mechanisms fatigue and break or worse they fail when the door is locked with costly effort to open and repair. Get Alan from Lockrite to survey problem doors and provide practical service, alignment and repair. Workmanship is guaranteed providing the reassurance your doors will offer trouble free operation through future seasonal extremes.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Garage Thefts on the Increase

Garage thefts were highly common last year with opportunists regularly climbing over garden walls and seeking unlocked garages or doors with easy access. Don’t be a victim this year in the lead up to Christmas. Get your garage door security upgraded in line with your house. Side doors can be fitted with 5 lever mortice locks providing solid reliable insurance approved locking. Up and over doors can be fitted with secondary bolt locks or ground anchored bull bars to prevent forced entry. Alan from Lockrite can provide a free inspection and provide economic practical solutions to secure your stores, garages and outbuildings. Your insurance company will be pleased to hear and may even lower your premium, leaving more money to fill the garage with more unwanted gifts! Just call 01202 057312 to book your free, no obligation inspection.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Recent Thefts From Residential Garages

A recent spate of thefts in the Littledown area has seen prized positions stolen from residential garages. Make sure your garage is not the next to be burgled with secondary security fitted for Garage doors, especially when you’re away on holiday. Ground secured bars supplied and installed for just £99.00 all inclusive of locks, labour and VAT. Call your local Walkford Locksmith now on 01202 057312

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

uPVC Door Mechanisms

Often, the weakest link in UPVC door mechanisms are the Lock cylinders themselves. Multipoint locks may have numerous hooks, multiple bolts and many rollers but if the key cylinder can be easily compromised then the door is vulnerable to break-in. Get Alan from Lockrite locksmiths to check your lock cylinder meets expectations to prevent opportunists from bumping, snapping or picking your locks and let your insurers know you have the right locks in place which may help reduce your premiums. Call now on 01202 057312

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Heat Wave Causing Problems With UPVC Door Mechanisms

The heat wave is proving problematic with UPVC door mechanisms and hinges where doors are slipping out of alignment and causing damaging stress to locking mechanisms. Alan at Lockrite has been repairing and aligning all makes and models of UPVC lock mechanisms to ensure your locks wont jam or fail and avoid costly replacement. Get LockRite Walkford to re-align your door through hinge adjustment, reposition misplaced keeps and align latch settings for problem free UPVC door operation and improved weather seal.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Keeping Residents In and Intruders Out

Alan from Lockrite quotes ‘ I am being increasingly asked by care homes to find innovative ways of keeping residents in and intruders out. This week we fitted the Borg 6100, a Mechanical and Keyless UPVC Handle Combination, to a prominent care home in Bournemouth. Allowing the care home managers to let visitors in through the use of a simple 5 button keypad on the inside of the door and a split spindle arrangement for locking handle on the outside. Special UPVC lock adaptations allow the lock to be overridden by key in emergency or if code is lost’. Care Home Manager explained the benefits: ‘this system provides reliable access control without having to carry different keys about or issuing them to staff and we can relax in the knowledge that our residents are safe and won’t go wandering off – an excellent solution, thankyou.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Tips For Choosing a Locksmith in Walkford

There are many factors to consider when choosing a locksmith in Walkford.  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 Walkford 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 01202 057312 now for a free, no obligation quote.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

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 Walkford

Give Yourself Some Peace Of Mind With Home Security Systems

Be sure your expensive belongings are not visible from the home's exterior. Large windows let in a lot of light, but they also allow outsiders to see inside your living space. If your windows face a street, be sure they're always covered and have your valuables safe. Never let a stranger inside. Be wary of those who come to your door selling products, asking for help, or telling sob stories. There are people that just want to go into your home to see if you've got a type of home security system, and if they see that you don't, they'll return when you're not home. Keep your car in your garage. Having the car in the garage will prevent it from getting broken into or stolen. Additionally, if your car is put away, burglars will not be able to tell whether or not you are home. Do not keep the code on a electronic garage door opener. The code that comes with the unit is the same for every unit sold. This means a thief can just pick up a garage door opener for your model of garage door and open it right up if you haven't changed the code.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Home Security Advice & Tips

What does safety mean to you? It should mean knowing all you can about home security. It is important to ensure your valuables and loved ones are safe when in your residence. 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 behaviour, 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 Keep your windows locked. It seems like an obvious step to take, however many people simply forget to check the locks on their windows. Thieves are always looking for the easiest way into a home, and doors and windows are among the first entrance points they check. This includes screened windows too, as screens can pop off quite easily. If you let any service or delivery people into your home, make sure you check your window locks. Unscrupulous workers will sometimes use a legitimate job to "case" a home, leaving a back window unlocked for easy entry when they return later. Do a quick check after anyone you don't know well has had access. Your home is your castle, but it will be nothing more than a pit of despair if you don't protect it and what resides inside. This article has given you the knowledge you need, but it is up to you to implement it. Start today and rest well tonight, tomorrow and into the future.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

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

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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.

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Home Security in Autumn

As autumn approaches and the temperatures start to drop the nights start closing in.  Unfortunately darker evenings mean more opportunities for burglars so it's essential to look at your home security and make sure it's up to the job.  Anti snap locks, deadbolts and window locks will help to prevent most opportunist thieves and security lighting will deter intruders. If you are unsure how secure your home is, call your local LockRite Walkford locksmith today on 01202 057312 to arrange a home security survey.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford

Home Security in the Summer Months

As summer approaches and the days get warmer it is natural to leave windows open and doors ajar to keep homes cooler.  Unfortunately this can be an open invitation to the "sneak-in" opportunist burglar who will take advantage of open doors and windows and make off with small, expensive items such as mobile phones and laptops, or even a set of house keys to return later when the house is empty or everyone is asleep. If a burglary takes place without any visible signs of forced entry it can invalidate insurance claims, so it is important to remain security conscious in the summer.  One way to help prevent "sneak-in" burglaries is to install door security chains and window restrictors.  This allows doors and windows to be left open slightly while offering enough security to deter an opportunist thief. Call your local Walkford locksmith on 01202 057312 today to discuss your home security needs.

Posted By : LockRite Locksmiths Walkford