Lock in Your Safety!

Getting the keys to your new home is exciting. But it should also remind you to take the most basic safety precautions and think  Safety First when using your new home.

It’s time to change the locks!

When people buy homes, there’s a tendency to think “Big Picture” on home improvements. Flooring, painting, and furniture are common “just-moved-in” purchases, as are cable television and utility packages. Nevertheless, it would be best if you took a quick minute to change the locks.

Lock in Safety – A small price to pay

But the most crucial move-in purchase is for your safety, and it may also be the least expensive — rekey your locks and install deadbolts for your doors.

Every home has at least one, sometimes up to a dozen, keyed entry points. Until you change those locks, you cannot tell how many people may access your home.

Those keys will still gain entry into your home until you change the locks. So, for your safety, your first act as a homeowner should be to replace all your home’s keyed entries with new locks and deadbolts.

10 Reasons to Change

Here are ten reasons why changing the locks on your house when you move into a new home is important to ensure your safety, Security, and peace of mind. 

1. Previous Occupants: copies of the old keys could be anywhere, including:
   • previous owners, renters
   • neighbors & friends
   • contractors
   • parents, brothers, and sisters
   • real estate agents
   • home cleaning service
   • dog walkers and pet sitters
     – and no telling who else!
2.  Prevent Unauthorized Access: only you and authorized people can access your new home.
3. Unknown Duplicate Keys: Duplicate keys might still be floating around. You have no way of knowing.
4. Enhanced Security: upgrade to modern, high-security locks for better protection against picking, bumping, and other unauthorized entry techniques.
5. Peace of Mind: a sense of Security that your home is safe from potential intruders.
6. Personalization: customize your home security to fit your preferences.
7. Lost Keys: If the previous occupants lost a key that fell into the wrong hands, that could be a problem.
8. Unknown History: start fresh with new locks.
9. Changing the locks symbolizes the start of your legal home ownership and creates a clear break between past and present owners.
10. Insurance: Some insurance policies require that the locks be changed. Failure to do so could affect your coverage.

Remember that changing locks is just one part of securing your new home. It would be best to consider other security measures, such as window locks, alarm systems, outdoor lighting, and reinforcing entry points.

Safety Locks to Choose From

Locks and deadbolts come in various designs, finishes, and price points. A basic single-cylinder, keyed deadbolt can cost less than $20. A powerful digital-entry keyless system sells for $200-plus. There is a bevy of models at prices in between, too.

Regardless of which lock system you choose, don’t procrastinate! Ideally, you should change your locks on the same day of purchase or as soon as closing and funding are available.

Hardware stores carry a variety of deadbolt locks; many can be installed with a screwdriver. For complicated installations, talk to a locksmith.

Now is the perfect time to decide if you want a security system. Read reviews before you choose, such as those monitored by others, a Ring Doorbell, or a similar product that you can keep an eye on your house from your cell phone or other more advanced safety systems.

The Bottom Line

It’s a simple step to lock in your safety on day one! Don’t let the excitement of the day cloud the immediate need to protect your family from uninvited visitors who may have a key to your castle. Change the locks immediately.

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