The holidays are typically a joyous time spent with family and friends. Businesses enjoy seeing an increase in their revenues. It’s a time that is busy and fun, which also means that there are many opportunities for thieves to strike.
That means the holiday season is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your locks, security system, and other safety measures for your home and your business. Here are a few locksmith tips to help you make sure everyone and everything stays safe.
Make sure all of your entry areas are well-lit
It only takes a small shadow to create a large loss. Once you’ve made sure all of your locks are in a good working order, you’ll want to make sure you have adequate lighting at night. It may take 60 seconds for a good thief to break into something, but if given the cover of some shadows, an unskilled thief could take all the time in the world.
Have your exterior deadbolts inspected
Your deadbolts should be able to throw fully into their bolted position without any difficulty. There should not be any catching during the process of locking or unlocking either. If your deadbolts feel a bit sticky or they are not properly securing your exterior door, then it’s time to repair or replace them.
You might even consider an upgrade to a high security electronic lock.
Improve the security of your windows
A double-cylinder lock with key on both sides of your exterior doors when they are close to a window can also deter a thief who tries to break through that way. Even if they should break a window, this type of security lock, when installed, will prevent them from unlocking your deadbolt.
Inspect your sliding doors for gaps
If there is just a finger-width between the sliders and the door, then they can be pried up and off of their track. No matter how good your lock might be, it can stop a door that is completely removed. Consider installing locks for the bottom of your sliding doors and repairing any gaps immediately to prevent this type of threat.
Have a detailed security plan
This might include how to escape a building in an emergency, who outside of your business may be trusted with a spare key, or how you might contact the authorities if you have an aggressive customer. If you have any spare keys that might be “floating” somewhere, the holidays are a good time to secure them or rekey your locks to prevent their use.
Set your alarm every night
You’re probably already in the habit of doing this, but keep setting your alarm when you’re not present during the holiday season. With higher levels of inventory and cash present, an alarm that isn’t working becomes the best friend of a thief.
The holiday season should be a time of celebration. By taking these security steps, you’ll be able to experience more of the joy and less of the trouble that this time of year tends to bring.
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