New Keys, Same Locks: Why Rekeying is Your Security Shortcut

Lost keys? Bought a house with mystery keys? Take a breath, you don’t have to rip out all your locks! Rekeying is a smarter, smoother way to regain control and secure your home or business.

What is Rekeying?

Think of it as a lock’s makeover. Our locksmith expertly replaces the internal pins, changing the key pattern without replacing the lock itself. Result? Brand new keys that render the old ones useless. No more worries about strangers walking in with forgotten spares!

When Rekeying Rocks:

Lost Keys: Breathe easy and ditch the lock-out drama. Rekeying saves you money and keeps your existing locks.
New Home, New Security: Bought a pre-loved place? Rekeying gives you peace of mind, knowing only your trusted keys unlock your haven.
One Key Convenience: Tired of jangling a keychain? Rekey all your locks to one key for smooth access.

Bonus Perks:

Budget-Friendly: Rekeying costs a fraction of replacing locks, leaving more cash for that dream upgrade.
Time-Saving: No need to uninstall and reinstall locks. A quick rekey and you’re back in control.
Durable Security: If your existing locks are in good shape, rekeying keeps them secure and saves you the hassle of finding replacements.

When to Consider Replacing Locks:

Upgrade Craving: Want high-tech keyless entry or a sleek new lock style? Replacing gives you freedom to choose the perfect fit.
Function Trouble: Is your lock acting cranky? Replacing might be the best solution for long-term reliability.

The Right Choice for You:

Unsure whether to rekey or replace? Pop-A-Lock CSRA can assess your needs and recommend the best option for your budget and security goals. Remember, rekeying isn’t just for homes – businesses can benefit from streamlined key systems and enhanced security too!

So, ditch the stress and unlock peace of mind with rekeying. It’s the smarter, smoother shortcut to securing your space and leaving worries behind.

Car Break-In Prevention Tips

1. Ensure Your Car is Secure: Always lock all doors and roll up windows before leaving your vehicle. Thieves look for easy opportunities, so make it more challenging for them to access your car.

2. Opt for Well-Lit Parking: Choose well-lit parking spaces to discourage break-ins. Avoid dark, secluded areas, and prefer spots under streetlights during nighttime parking.

3. Conceal Valuables: Keep valuable items hidden or stored in the trunk. Use blankets or other covers to obscure any tempting items from plain view.

4. Window Tinting: Apply window tint within legal limits to reduce visibility into your car, making it less enticing for potential thieves.

5. Stereo Security: Remove stereo faceplates and avoid displaying brand decals to make your car stereo less appealing and lower the risk of theft.

6. Say No to Idling: Never leave your car running unattended, even for a brief moment, as it invites opportunistic thieves.

7. Trust Your Instincts: Choose parking areas that feel safe, well-lit, and equipped with security cameras. Avoid secluded spots and rely on your instincts for safer choices.

By diligently following these detailed tips, you significantly decrease the likelihood of falling victim to car break-ins. Stay vigilant, use common sense, and prioritize your safety with these comprehensive measures.

Avoiding Locksmith Scams: A Quick Guide to Trustworthy Choices

Trusting someone from the internet, especially in a pinch, can be nerve-wracking. Locksmith scams are unfortunately common, but being aware of key signs and tips can help you sidestep potential hazards. Whether you’re locked out of your car or facing an emergency at home, here’s how to avoid locksmith scammers and make secure choices.

1. Be Proactive: Do Your Research Beforehand

Check Reviews: When conducting a search for “locksmiths near me,” pay close attention to the reviews. Prioritize locksmiths with a wealth of positive feedback, as this indicates their reliability and quality of service.

Look for a Local Company: Ensure the locksmith services your specific area. Local companies are more likely to provide prompt and personalized service tailored to your needs. Avoid services that cover an entire state, as they may only be a dispatch service and lack the responsiveness of a local locksmith.

Website Details: Look for clear branding and a professional appearance showcasing their brand and providing informative content with information about their services, ensuring transparency.

2. When You Call the Locksmith

Ask for a Cost Estimate: Obtain a detailed cost estimate by directly speaking to a technician. Avoid anybody that will only quote a “Service Call.” Request the quote in writing to avoid surprises. Something as simple as “Can you text that to me?” works.

Check Company Name: Ensure they answer the phone with the company name, not a generic response. A vague answer may indicate unreliability.

Payment Methods: Inquire about payment methods, and be cautious if they insist on cash payments, as this can be a red flag.

3. When the Locksmith Arrives

Identification: A trustworthy locksmith arrives in a marked company vehicle and uniform. Pop A Lock ensures technicians are easily identifiable with branded vehicles and uniforms.

Consistent Cost: The cost should not significantly differ from the quoted estimate. Minor fluctuations may occur, but any significant changes should be approved before work begins.

Conclusion: Don’t Fall Victim to Scams

Choosing a locksmith doesn’t have to be a risky endeavor. By conducting research beforehand and paying attention to key indicators, you can make informed decisions even in stressful situations. Trust your instincts, avoid those who can’t provide clear answers, and prioritize experience and professionalism. Don’t let locksmith scams make you the next victim—stay informed and secure.

Polk County’s Youth Athletics Urgently Needs Your Help to Get to SC. See Below to Donate!

The Auburndale U15 Girls Soccer team NEEDS YOUR DONATIONS. They put in the work and MADE HISTORY by winning the Florida President’s Cup tournament. They have been invited to REPRESENT FLORIDA at the Southern President’s Cup in SC next month and NEED YOUR DONATIONS for training, hotel, and travel to get there.

Support them by donating via their GoFundMe page by clicking the image below!

Pop-A-Lock is proud to support youth soccer in our community.

Rekeying

A Little Bit About “Rekeying”

Every day we field calls from Polk County residents asking if we can “change their locks”. While technically the answer is “Yes, we can put new locks on your residence”, the real answer is “You don’t need new locks. Let us rekey what you have”.

The reason we get these requests are many. They can include:

Protecting the family – if someone has a key to your home that shouldn’t, this neutralizes their key.
Peace of Mind – The customer has a new residence and wants to make sure that unauthorized people do not have a key to the house. Mind you there may not be anybody that actually has a key to the house, but you just don’t know that when you move into a new place. Plenty of people have keys to their neighbors’ houses for perfectly good reasons. What happens, though, when those folks move away?
Convenience – My first house had 3 doors and 5 different keys. That’s just dumb. Putting all of your doors on the same key is sensible, maintains security, and simplifies things.

Rekeying a Lock is the process of recombinating the pins and tumblers to change the physical security profile of the lock so that former keys no longer work and new ones do. Or in Polk-language, we’re changing the locks’ innards.

Inside a standard residential or commercial lock are a series of springs and pins – cylindrical brass objects of varying height that correspond to the hills and valleys of your physical key. By changing the pin sizes, we are effectively making any old keys unusable for your locks. We’ll cut you some new keys that match the new setup and boom – you’re good to go and the bad guys are… well, who knows. But they don’t have keys anymore.

So why rekey the locks instead of replacing the locks?

Again, there are several good reasons to rekey your locks instead of replacing them. Three of the most common include:

Cost – We get it. Money is in short supply. If you need to replaced your door locks, you’re buying all new hardware and you still need to key all the locks to match each other. So you’re paying twice. Why do that when you can save your money and just rekey the lock?
Fit – Let’s face it, all of our houses have their own personality. Doors may sag a little. The door jamb may be off-kilter. Your old lock may have been there forever. Whatever it is, chances are your current lock, assuming it’s in working order, just “fits” your door. A new lock may require modifications to the door or the door frame to accommodate a slightly different form factor of a latch or faceplate. We’re not saying that replacing your lock is a terrible idea and impossible to do – far from it. However if you’re happy with the finish and fit of your hardware and just want a different key to work, why go through the trouble and possible extra expense and work?
Finish – Styles change over time. It used to be that ever lock on every door was a bright brass. That’s not the case anymore. Locks come in more shapes, styles, and colors that ever before. Whether it’s brushed nickel, aged bronze, antique brass, or even – yes, even polished brass, you’ve got choices. You be you, boo.

We’re sure there’s other good reasons to rekey instead of replace – and several good reasons to replace your locks instead of rekey – but these are some of the reasons we run into the most often.

What Else do I Need to Know?

Good question. Probably lots. But trying to stay on the subject of locks, here are a few questions that come up from time to time.

Q: Can all my locks be made to work with the same key?

A: Yes, provided that they use the same key blade. There are a large number of types and styles of keys in use today. For the US, the majority of homes use either a Schlage or a Kwikset key. The easiest way to tell if all of your locks can be put on the same key is by seeing if your key will enter all of your locks. It doesn’t need to turn the lock, just enter the lock. If your key does fit all of your locks, then all of your locks can be put on the same key. If your key doesn’t fit all of the locks, you are in a situation where you need to decide if you want to replace some locks so that everything has the same keyway, or if you’d prefer to simply have multiple keys.

Q: Do you carry push button locks?

A: No. These locks are expensive and come in lots of styles. If you want a push button lock, visit your favorite retailer and get what you want. We’ll be happy to install and program it for you if you’d like us to. A few tips – if you’re replacing a lock, make sure it has the same keyway that you’re replacing. That way everything can be made to match. And yes – get one with a keyway. They sell these locks without a key override. Buying one of these is a bad idea. Should the time come when your lock fails, you forget to replace a battery in a timely manner, or you need another way to enter your residence, you’ll be glad you had a key (or a keyway that a quality locksmith could pick) – otherwise you’d be destroying the lock and replacing it again.

Q: Can you install a deadbolt / lock / etc… on this door?

A: Yes, we can install locks and deadbolts on doors that presently do not have this hardware. Know that this requires some skill and time, and we prefer advance notice so that we can schedule you appropriately.

Q: Can you rekey my sliding glass door?

A: Maybe. Probably not. These doors are manufactured to random specifications by the manufacturer. There’s not a ton of standardization. Consequently, the lock may not be something meant to be rekeyed, it may be a proprietary keyway, or it may just be too much trouble to be cost-effective for us. If rekeying your sliding door is your focus, try to find the manufacturer and reach out to them directly. Chances are they can sell you a lock kit that can be replaced on your door with just a screwdriver.

Benefits of Digital Deadbolts on Your Home

Life is busy. While planning schedules for work, the kids with their after school activities, extended family and so on, don’t forget about how your kids, guests or others will get in the house. If you’re worried about the kids keeping track of the house keys, getting locked out or leaving doors unlocked, consider the benefits of adding a digital deadbolt to your home.

Digital deadbolts can be as simple as programing codes for different users right at the lock, no control panels, or complicated systems to manage. The codes you program will unlock the door 24/7 until you remove the code. These user-friendly locks are great for households with a few regular users when constant code changes aren’t necessary.

For greater control, consider a Wi-Fi enabled deadbolt. You can still issue codes but now you manage the lock with an app on your phone which allows you to not only issue codes but schedule when a code will unlock the door. This is a great feature for a busy household when some people should only have access during certain days or hours, such as a pet sitter or care giver. You can also check to see if the door is locked or not and lock or unlock as needed right from your phone.

Whichever you choose giving out codes instead of keys is one way to make your home more secure. No need to worry about copies of keys getting into the wrong hands or lost or stolen keys. No more lockouts because of lost or forgotten keys!

Call or text Pop A Lock today at 706-303-0001 and we’ll help you identify the lock that’s best for your family and take care of the installation!

The 3 D’s of Home Security

DETER

Deterrence is both the first and best step you can take in securing your home. Effective deterrence may prevent a breach of your home. As a would be intruder encounters more and more resistance, they’re more likely to move on to a less secure option.

All security devices play a role in deterring burglars. But signs bright lighting, landscaping, security cameras, and functional security devices send the message that you’re taking your security seriously.

Despite the importance of deterrents for effective home security, you shouldn’t solely rely on a passive device like a sign to keep intruders at a distance. Instead, it’s better to take a multi-layered approach by incorporating as many d’s of home security as possible to up your deterrence game.

Here are some tips for making your home look uninviting to a burglar:

Install security signs or stickers (preferably backed by a real security system).
Turn on outdoor security lights at night.
Install wireless security cameras that are easy to spot from multiple locations.
Plant thorny bushes in strategic places near windows and unlit portions of your yard to make potential hiding spots and shortcuts uncomfortable.
Add an obnoxious siren to your security system—similar to your morning alarm, more annoying = more effective.

DELAY

Why do delays matter in home security?

Each second matters in a burglary, so the more you can delay an intruder, the more likely they’ll give up or lose the opportunity for a clean getaway. A typical smash-and-grab burglary takes only a few minutes. On a short time scale like that, delays add up.

How to delay

Use strong locks on doors (and actually lock them).
Install a reinforced security door that’s near impossible to kick in.
Install fences, walls, and gates that are difficult to climb over.
Close your garage door and lock your shed when you’re not around.
Put a window security film on your windows to make them harder to smash.

DOCUMENT

Why does documentation matter in home security?

While detection doesn’t tell you when past events occurred, documentation collects helpful information about intruders through timestamps and descriptions.

By connecting sensors to a security system, they can add a timestamp to everything they detect. This is the primary way that all non-camera security devices work within a system—aside from triggering alarms.

Timestamps are excellent for tracking events’ timing, making them useful for filing police reports and insurance claims. But they likely won’t provide enough information to identify burglars.

There’s no better way to gather information in home security than description—it’s the realm of security cameras and shared smart home devices.

Security cameras best represent description because they give you visual evidence of an intruder. Smart home products, like smart locks can also provide information by tracking when specific users access them through unique pin codes.

How to document

Any security camera, smart home device, or security sensor that connects to a security system is capable of generating a simple play-by-play rundown, so you know what happened and where to focus your recovery efforts:

Entry sensors, glass break sensors, and motion sensors can track when, where, and how someone enters your home.
Installing security cameras inside and outside your home can capture useful information to help the police find burglars.
Install a video doorbell to talk with visitors on your porch and scare off porch pirates.
Use a smart lock or security keypad to track when someone enters the home using their personalized pin code.

FINAL WORD

Each of the principles above can contribute to your overall home security. By layering your security with devices and strategies that can deter, delay, and document you’ll have the right mindset for protecting your home.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to improve your home security be sure to check out our home security self-audit and learn more about topics mentioned in this article by visiting

https://budgetblinds.com and https://www.georgiacarolinasecurity.com

PALSavesKids™ Community Program

A Free Community Service from Pop-A-Lock®.

It can happen to anyone. A child dies in a vehicle after being locked inside. This tragedy typically occurs when a parent or caregiver makes a change in their routine. The parent that normally drives the child to their activities has a schedule change, causing the other parent to take over the chauffer responsibility. When someone is not accustomed to handling this responsibility, a lapse in memory can occur. Depending on the weather conditions, a child locked in a vehicle may experience hypothermia or heat stroke.

Pop-A-Lock, founded in 1991 by law enforcement officers, developed a program that rescues children in locked vehicles 24/7 (at participating locations). Since the program began, thousands of children have been rescued from across the U.S. at no charge to families or caregivers. The PAL Saves Kids program focuses on prevention and education—not blame.

Here are some tips to help prevent children from being locked in a vehicle.

Keep your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or diaper bag in the front seat.
Place your purse or briefcase in the backseat causing you to go to the back to retrieve them.
Stay off the phone! Keep your focus on driving to the caregiver.
If you don’t arrive to the caregiver by a certain time, have them call you to find out where you are.
If someone other than yourself is bringing the child to your caregiver, call them at a designated time to ensure delivery.
If you see a child locked in a vehicle unattended, get involved. Call 9-1-1 immediately!

We can all work together to share this valuable information. For more details on how to keep your little ones safe, go to kidsandcars.org.

How to Know if Your Hotel Room is Secure

Traveling is a fun adventure for some, stressful for others. However, the one thing all travelers have in common is wanting their temporary home to feel like a safe space in an unfamiliar place. But how can you know for sure that your hotel room is secure? Pop-A-Lock is here to give you a few helpful tips!

Booking

How should I book? Ensuring your safety while traveling starts when you are booking a hotel. Experts say it is better to book online, thereby avoiding the need to give out sensitive information over the counter where it’s possible it will be overheard by strangers.

How do I keep my information safe? When you do get to the hotel, it may be helpful to be extra cautious even when interacting directly with the concierge. Try writing down your information and handing it to the concierge instead of speaking it out loud. This tip can be especially helpful for solo female travelers as it can deter someone from trying to follow you to your room.

What floor is best to book? You may also want to avoid booking rooms on the ground floor, as they are more vulnerable to break-ins from the outside. It is also best to book rooms between floors two and six; in case of a fire, rescue ladders can typically reach up to the sixth floor of a hotel.

What about hotel amenities? Try to steer clear of rooms near ice/vending machines. These rooms can be more noisy since there will be greater foot traffic in the area, and criminals are known to frequent the dark and secluded corners of these areas. Floors with conference or meeting rooms should also be avoided, since there is an increased number of people who are not staying at the hotel walking around.

The Room

Once you are safely in your hotel room, it is time to do a security sweep of the space. There are a few things you should check, and a few extra precautions you might want to take:

Check hiding places: The first thing you should do when you get into the room is keep the door open while you check every part of the room where someone could be hiding. This includes areas like showers, closets, and behind curtains. Once you are certain that nobody else is in the room with you, close and lock the door.

Safes: There is much discourse about whether the provided safes are reliable places to store important documents, such as passports, flight tickets, and money. Some say that the hotel safes are your best bet for securing your belongings, while others recommend bringing an extra layer of security in the form of a portable safe or portable travel lock. Below you can find links to a few recommended products for this kind of security:

Locks: Check all locks to ensure that each one is working properly. This includes the deadbolt on the hotel room door, the safe, and any lockable cabinets or drawers that you may want to use during your stay.

Doors and windows: Check any door that connects to another room and make sure that it is locked. Check all windows and make sure they are locked. If you want to keep a window open, see if there is any way for someone to get inside the room using that window. If your room has a balcony, can somebody get onto your balcony from the balcony of a neighboring room?

Do’s and Don’ts

After you’ve safely checked in, gotten to your room, and taken a look around, it is crucial to keep in mind that you need to be looking out for your own safety throughout the entire stay. Here’s a list of some do’s and don’ts for your hotel stay:

Do:

Keep a hand on your luggage at all times. When carrying luggage through a hotel lobby, be wary of where it is in relation to you. Try to keep it in front of or next to you, or give it to someone you are with so they can keep an eye on it.

Use doorstops. Placing a doorstop under the door to keep it closed is an important safety step, especially at night.

Make it look as if you are in your room, always. Even when you are not there, making it look like you are can deter intruders from trying to come inside. A few ways to do this include:

Leaving the TV on just loud enough to where it can be heard through the door.
Leave the Do Not Disturb sign on the door (timing is a factor here, since this may interfere with housekeeping)
Leave a light on. This is especially important when you are going out and expecting to be back only after the sun has set.

Know your emergency exit plan. Whether you ask the concierge for a map, or scout out your emergency exit plan for yourself, it is good to know where to go in an unfamiliar setting if there were ever an emergency.

Don’t:

Connect to hotel Wi-Fi without a VPN. Like coffee shops or airport Wi-Fi networks, hotel networks are public, and therefore prone to hackers. If you are planning on connecting to your hotel’s Wi-Fi network, be sure to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Give anyone personal information over the phone. There have been several instances of criminals calling into the hotel and asking to be patched through to a specific room. They will then speak to you and tell you that your card was declined, invalid, or otherwise not charged. They will ask for your card number, effectively stealing that information from you. To avoid this, tell whoever is calling that you will come to the front and speak to them directly.

Prop the door open. Ever. If you are traveling with friends or family and staying in separate rooms, it is not smart to prop or leave doors open for easier access. This can be seen as an open invitation for intruders and burglars to come in and rummage through your belongings. Rather than propping the door open, ask for additional copies of room key cards so everyone you’re with can access each room with ease.

Conclusion

Your safety while traveling is an important factor that can influence your entire trip. Protecting your personal information, checking every part of your hotel room, and keeping belongings and personal data secure are crucial steps to ensuring your peace of mind. Be sure to follow these helpful tips and tricks next time you are on the road or on vacation!

Home Security Audit

Pop-A-Lock Home Security Inspection Checklist

Download PDF Checklist

The purpose of this home security inspection sheet is to identify features in your home which might make your home an easy target for a burglar. Each question on the checklist is answered with a response in the second column to indicate a security weakness or hazard which requires your attention.

A monitored alarm or home automation and security system, with emergency power and wireless backup communications, is a powerful element in home security. Contact a reputable alarm contractor for options.

Quick List: The detailed list below is designed to help guide you and help document physical security issues around your house.

For most homes the ‘shortlist’ of fixes are as follows:

1. Install or modify existing locks to deter picking, bumping, or other bypass methods. If you have never had your locks changed on your domicile, get that done ASAP to avoid unauthorized keys from operating your locks.

2. Install at least 3″ screws to secure the Strike Plates on the frame side of the door. Additional reinforcement in the form of strike boxes, inset pipe section on the frame, and even consider replacing an ‘inswing door’ with an ‘outswing door’ to maximize kick resistance.

3. Install Latch Guards or Full-Length Interlockers to avoid ‘loiding’ or ‘credit carding’ attacks on the lock. The full-length Interlocker also deters bypass attacks that attempt to go around a latch guard.

4. Install motion sensor cameras around the exterior of the home covering all avenues of approach and egress (doors, windows, basement etc). Modern wireless systems can send a notification to your mobile phone that can allow you to see in near-real-time what is occurring. You can also save or share video files to provide to law enforcement quickly.

5. Lock up any tools, ladders, or other items of value so they are not visible around the house and are secured.

6. Set up a key box or keyboard in your house to help organize and secure keys to your home. Avoid anyone being able to take pictures of your keys, as there are online services that allow people to have a key produced from a picture with no proof of authorization.

7. One of the easiest ways to secure your home is to replace conventional locks with an electronic lock that has no cylinder and has been tested to avoid ‘quick entry.’ Many modern locks also offer notification when the locks are opened, temporary codes, and other smartphone-based options to help you control access to your home or rental property.

8. Consult with a glass and window expert on your current windows. Replacing out of date windows can offer physical resistance to breaking, improve the performance of your HVAC system, and potentially improve the value of your home.

9. Join your neighborhood watch group or online equivalent. Communicate with your neighbors and make sure you have each other’s contact information saved into your phone and posted somewhere centrally in the home with other emergency contacts.

10. Contact your local Pop-A-Lock to help you identify the areas of most need for your home security.

Walk-Thru Checklist and Fixes for Common Household Security Issues

A. Front Entrance Recommendations

1. Is the door itself of metal or solid wood construction?
-Replace door with solid wood or metal door

2. Is the door frame strong and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?
-Install heavier duty strike, longer screws, and Latch Guard or full-length Interlocker

3. Are door hinges protected from removal from outside?
-Peened Hinges or Interlocking Hinge Pins

4. Are there windows in the door or within 40 inches of the locks?
-Use a double-sided deadbolt (Where permitted by Code)

5. Are the locks adequate and in good repair?
-Install new locks – Kick and Pick Resistance

6. Are strikes and strike plates adequate and properly installed?
-Use longer screws, adjustments to correct problems

7. If there are no windows in the door, is there a wide-angle viewer or voice intercommunications device?
-Install a door viewer or electronic doorbell.

8. Can the lock mechanism be reached through a mail slot, delivery port, or pet entrance at the doorway?
-Install double-sided deadbolt (Where permitted by code)

9. Is there a screen or storm door with an adequate lock?
-Install heavy-duty storm door with locks

10. Is exterior or front entrance lighted with at least a 40-watt bulb?
-Install sufficient bulb or refer to an electrician
11. Can the front entrance be observed from the street or public areas?
-Move obstructions that limit the ability to see the entry.

12. Does porch or landscaping offer concealment from view from the street or public area?
-Refer to a landscaper to adjust the area to enable visibility

B. Side or Rear Entrance

13. Is the door itself of metal or solid wood construction?
-Replace door with solid wood or metal

14. Is the door frame strong and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?
-Install heavier duty strike, longer screws, and Latch Guard or Full Length Interlocker

15. Are door hinges protected from removal from outside?
-Peened Hinges or Interlocking Hinge Pins

16. Are there windows in the door or within 40 inches of the locks?
-Use a double-sided deadbolt (Where permitted by Code)

17. Are the door locks adequate and in good repair?
>-Install new locks – Pick and Kick Resistance

18. Are the strikes and strike plates adequate and properly installed?
-Use longer screws, adjustments to correct problems

19. Can the lock mechanism be reached from outside through a delivery port or pet entrance?
-Use a double-sided deadbolt (Where permitted by Code)

20. Is the exterior of the doorway lighted by at least a 40-watt bulb?
-Install proper bulb or refer to an electrician

21. Is doorway concealed from the street or neighbor’s view by porch, fence, or landscaping?
-Move obstructions to enable visibility

22. Does the doorway have a screen or storm door with a lock?
-Install heavy-duty storm door with locks

23. If the door is a sliding glass door, is the sliding panel secured from being lifted out of track?
-Tighten the door tracks

24. Is ‘Charley-bar’ or key-operated auxiliary lock used on sliding door?
-Install Charley bar/key lock and tighten hardware

C. Entrances From Garage & Basement

25. Are all entrances to living quarters from garage and basement of metal or solid wood construction?
-Refer to a local door company for door installation

26. Do doors from garage to living quarters have locks adequate for exterior entrance?
>-Install locks on the doorway

27. Does the door from the basement to the living quarters have an adequate lock operated from the living quarter’s side?
-Install locks on the doorway

D. Ground Floor Windows

28. Do all windows have adequate locks in operating condition?
-Install window locks or limiters

29. Do windows have screens or storm windows that lock from inside?
-Refer to a local window company for screen replacement

30. Do any windows open onto areas that may be hazardous or offer a special risk to burglary?
-Identify and Remove Special Hazards

31. Do windows that open to hazardous areas have security screens or grills?
-Refer to a local window company for screen replacement

32. Are exterior areas of windows free from concealing structures or landscaping?
-Refer to a landscaper for clearing obstructions

33. Is exterior adequately lighted at all window areas?
-Install a suitable bulb or refer to an electrician

E. Upper Floor Windows

34. Do any upper floor windows open onto porch or garage roofs, or roofs of adjoining buildings?
-Ensure windows have adequate locks

35 If so, have they been secured as adequately as if they were at ground level?
-Add additional window locks as needed

36. Are trees and taller shrubbery kept trimmed back from upper floor windows?
-Refer to a landscaper for adjustment

37. Are ladders kept outside the house where they are accessible?
-Use a chain/cable and locks to secure ladders in place

F. Basement Doors & Windows

38 Is there a door from outside to the basement?
-Reinforce the doorway with latch guards, Full-Length Interlockers, Upgrade Locks

39 If so, is that door adequately secure for an exterior door?
-Reinforce the doorway with latch guards, Full-Length Interlockers, Upgrade Locks

40. Is the outside basement entrance lighted by exterior light of at least 40 watts?
-Install suitable bulb or refer to an electrician

41. Is outside basement door concealed from street or neighbors?
>-Remove obstructions

42 Are all basement windows adequately secured against the entrance?
-Install locks for basement windows

G. Garage Doors & Windows

43. Is the automobile entrance door to the garage equipped with an adequate locking device?
-Refer to home improvement store for garage door system

44. Is the garage door kept closed and locked at all times?
-Refer to home improvement store for garage door system

45. Are garage door windows secured adequately for ground floor windows?
-Install window locks or limiters

46. Is outside utility entrance to the garage as secure as required for any ground floor
-Reinforce the doorway with latch guards, Full-Length Interlockers, Upgrade Locks

47. Are tools and ladders kept in the garage?
-Secure tools and ladders with locks or cables.

48. Are all garage doors lighted on the outside by at least a 40 watt light?
-Install proper bulb or refer to an electrician

Bottom Line: There is no lock, security system, door, or structure that can be Perfectly Secured. That simply doesn’t exist in the real world.

The objectives are to:

Deter would-be thieves or infiltrators by presenting an unattractive target.

Delay access attempts with well-constructed doors, properly installed locks, and address the most common break-in methodologies.

Document the identity of the perpetrators to provide law enforcement with evidence to help identify perpetrators.

Disclose break-in attempts or even video footage with law enforcement, your neighbors who may also have had break-ins or break-in attempts to help your neighbors and the community at large to be safer and more secure.