How to Increase the Security of Your House with the Help of a Locksmith
Why a Locksmith Is Your Best Home Security Adviser
Most people think of a locksmith as someone you call when locked out. In reality, a qualified locksmith is one of the most knowledgeable professionals you can consult when it comes to protecting your home. They understand how burglars operate, which locks and systems provide genuine resistance, and how to identify weak points in a property that might not be obvious to the untrained eye.
Here is how a professional locksmith can help you strengthen your home’s security from the ground up.
Start with a Security Assessment
Before making any changes, it helps to understand what you are working with. A locksmith can carry out a thorough assessment of your property, examining:
- All external doors and their locking systems
- Ground-floor and accessible windows
- Side gates and outbuildings
- Any existing alarm or CCTV systems
This assessment identifies specific vulnerabilities and allows you to prioritise improvements based on your budget and the level of risk at your particular property.
Reinforce Your Doors and Locks
The majority of successful residential burglaries involve forced entry through a door. Strengthening your doors is therefore the most impactful single investment in home security.
A locksmith can help you:
- Upgrade to anti-snap cylinders - the most common attack on uPVC doors is cylinder snapping. A BS TS007-rated anti-snap cylinder stops this technique cold.
- Install deadbolts on wooden doors - a BS 3621-rated deadbolt makes kick-in and lever attacks far more difficult
- Fit door reinforcement hardware - heavy-duty strike plates, hinge bolts, and door bars significantly increase the force required to defeat a door
- Replace hollow or weak doors - advise on upgrading to solid-core or composite doors where the existing door is the weak point
For professional lock upgrades and replacements, see our lock change service.
Upgrade to High-Security Locks
Standard residential locks provide basic protection. High-security locks, by contrast, are engineered to resist the most common attack methods:
- Anti-pick pin configurations that resist manipulation
- Anti-drill hardened steel inserts that destroy drill bits
- Anti-bump designs that resist bump key attacks
- Patented key systems that prevent unauthorised duplication
These locks cost more than standard alternatives but provide a qualitatively different level of security - particularly valuable for main entry points.
Address Window Security
Ground-floor windows are the entry point of choice for a significant proportion of residential burglars. A locksmith can fit:
- Window locks and sash jammers on all accessible windows
- Laminated or security-rated glass on vulnerable panes
- Security film as a cost-effective upgrade to existing glazing
Install a Home Security System
A locksmith can advise on alarm systems, motion sensors, and perimeter detection that complement your physical security hardware. Modern systems can be monitored professionally or self-monitored via smartphone, and many integrate with smart locks and cameras.
A visible alarm box on the exterior of a property is a proven deterrent - most burglars will move on rather than risk the attention.
Use Security Cameras
CCTV serves two purposes: deterrence and evidence. A camera covering your front door, rear access, and side gate makes your property a significantly less attractive target and provides footage if an incident does occur.
Key considerations when selecting cameras:
- Resolution - 1080p or higher for reliable identification quality
- Night vision - essential for UK conditions
- Wide-angle lens - maximises coverage with fewer cameras
- Remote access - view footage via smartphone from anywhere
Additional Security Measures
- Motion-activated exterior lighting - inexpensive and effective, particularly for rear access points
- Secure your garage and outbuildings - these are often overlooked but provide easy access to tools that can be used to attack the main property
- Consider a key safe - a quality key safe with a combination code eliminates the risk of a lockout without compromising security
Keep Your Security Up to Date
Security is not a one-time project. Locks wear out, technology improves, and the tactics used by burglars evolve. Schedule a professional check of your locks and systems every few years, particularly after a change of occupants, a break-in in the area, or any incident at your own property.
Our residential locksmith service covers the full range of home security improvements, from individual lock changes to comprehensive security upgrades.