At best, home lockouts are inconvenient and at worst, they can be outright dangerous. As you go about your busy life, it’s easy to lock your keys inside your home or misplace your keys. Unfortunately, it is also not uncommon to have your keys stolen or to have to deal with broken locks on occasion. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent the all too common problem of a home lockout.

Make it a Habit to Check for House Keys

It’s a great idea to make it a habit to check for your house keys every time you leave your residence. It is helpful to stack the chore of checking for your keys with another task you maintain when you leave, such as putting on your shoes. Over time, these two behaviors will become associated and second nature. You will feel more secure and better protected every time you leave your home.

Inspect House Keys & Door Locks for Signs of Wear

If you live in an older house, reflect on the timing of the last lock change. Worn, rusty and/or overused keys and locks can begin to become more difficult to manage with age and use. This can lead to broken keys and damaged locks. It is recommended to change your locks every 10 years, and more often if you have a lot of family members coming and going on a daily basis or rent your home to guests etc.

Keep a Spare Key Handy or Use a Keyholder

While it is not a smart idea to keep a key under the welcome mat or other areas where they might be easily discovered, it is helpful to keep a spare key handy such as in your car glovebox, in your handbag or wallet, with a highly trusted neighbor or family member who lives nearby, or in a key holder. Discreet key holders come in many different shapes and sizes, such as resembling a sprinkler head or camera device, which makes them ideal for stashing away a key with little worry about discovery.

Interior Locks Should Not Be Used on Exterior Doors

In some areas of your home, such as patios and sun rooms, you may be tempted to install or maintain easy-to-use interior knobs and locks. However, when interior locks are installed on exterior doors it presents a security risks for your home. Lock systems with deadlocks are a smarter choice for exterior and exterior-facing doors as they help to improve the overall security of your home and keep vulnerable spaces to a minimum.

Choose Smart Locks & Keyless Entry

If you struggle to keep track of your house keys, choosing a smart lock with digital entry or other keyless entry doorknobs and locks can eliminate the problem entirely. Keyless entry makes it possible to use a set passcode to lock and unlock your doors. You can create passcodes for different family members and trusted guests, along with a master code that you can use to override as needed. Smart locks with digital entry and keyless entry eliminates the need for physical keys.

Keep a Lock Trusted Locksmith on Speed Dial

Whether lockouts are commonplace or a rare occurrence, keeping a trusted local locksmith on speed dial can help you feel more secure in case of lock and key emergencies. It should be noted that professional locksmiths are not only helpful in a lockout situation or after a break-in happens. You can request the services of a locksmith to improve the general safety of your home by replacing keys and locks as well as performing security inspections and audits. Ensure your peace of mind by finding your professional locksmith go-to before you need it!

Professional Locksmith Services in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California

At First Lock & Security Technologies, we have decades of experience assisting local residents, business owners and managers. No matter your locksmith needs, we are available to help with prevention as well as provide solutions in case of emergencies. Give us a call to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help with lock replacement, key duplication, keyless entry options and much more!