​A couple of months ago, I fitted an Ultion Diamond Rated TS007 Security Euro Cylinder for a customer in Milton Keynes who was looking to upgrade her home security.  There had been a couple of break-ins in the village and my customer was concerned that her current level of security might not offer her an adequate level of protection.  The criminals had been carrying out cylinder-snapping as a means of gaining entry to properties.  This is a popular method for thieves but luckily there are steps you can take to protect your property and these are outlined in another of my blog posts – How to prevent cylinder snapping.    
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The cylinder I fitted foiled an attempted break-in at the property and my customer was of course, very pleased with her decision to upgrade her security but then sadly she had a fall within her home and the fire brigade had to make a welfare call and gain access to the property.  Despite their best efforts, the cylinder proved just too tough for them and they had to move to another door and remove a panel in order to gain access.

Fortunately, my customer is now fully recovered and sent me some photos of the cylinder after the fire brigade had done their very best to open it.  She just could not believe that not only did it beat the burglars but also beat the fire brigade too!  It led me to pose the question – can a property ever be too secure?  What do you think?

If you have any concerns regarding your home security or would like a FREE security survey to discuss the options available, please contact us at Errington Locksmiths in Milton Keynes.  

This year I have seen a rise in the number of customers in Milton Keynes contacting me to discuss the benefits of installing a safe in their properties.  There have always been conflicting views as to whether or not installing a safe in a property is a good idea.  Some argue that a safe simply shows a burglar where valuables are stored, others argue that a safe prevents a burglar from accessing those valuables.  I would ALWAYS recommend installing a safe in a property provided that the safe has been specified and installed by a qualified and professional locksmith.  It is also worth noting that a safe will not only protect against theft but a fireproof safe will also protect your most valuable belongings from fire.  Safes have cash, valuable and fire ratings.  As a guide, the higher the rating, the more secure the safe tends to be.  Our locksmiths in Milton Keynes have over 20 years of experience specifying and installing safes for customers in MK.  We would be happy to discuss all of the options available with you.

So you have decided that you wish to install a safe, what next?    

One of the first things to consider is the SIZE of the safe you will need.  We tend to think that we would use a safe to store the obvious items such as cash, jewellery, passports and other important documents but I often remind customers about the valuable electronic items they have in their home and the even more valuable personal information that these items may store.  It is worth making a list of all the items you would like to store in the safe and their measurements.  This list can also help you to decide on the cash, valuable and fire rating of the safe you require.  Our Milton Keynes locksmiths can talk you through the various sizes, ratings and prices of the safes available so that you can make an informed choice.  

Now you have decided on the size of the safe, what next? 

The next thing to consider is how you would like to OPERATE the safe.  Here you should consider what works best for you and any other users.  Safes can be operated in a number of ways:

Key Operated Safes:  These safes are opened with a key and can be particularly good for users who are likely to forget a code!  In my experience as a Milton Keynes locksmith, this can happen a lot.  The obvious drawback with these safes is that keys can be lost!  Again, in my experience working as a locksmith in Milton Keynes, this can also happen a lot!   

Combination Safes:  These are the more traditional safes (often seen in the movies) that have a traditional locking method and require the user to remember a code.  Digital safes have now replaced the combination safe but obviously don’t look as good on the big screen.  

Digital Safes:  These are the most popular type of safe that I specify and install.  They are very secure and reliable.  They are operated with a code but many also have a key override system for any occasions where a code is forgotten.  

Biometric Fingerprint Safes:  These safes make use of the most advanced technology in security and are opened by recognising your fingerprint.  Many also have a keypad operation system for added security. 

So you have decided on the size of your safe and how you want it to operate, the next consideration should be where to INSTALL the safe. 

The safe should be installed in the most secure part of the property.  Safes can be hidden in floors or walls but the most important consideration should be how securely the safe is fitted.  Ideally the safe should be bolted to a concrete floor and/or an external wall.  A site survey by one of our qualified and experienced Milton Keynes locksmiths can help to determine the best place for your safe to be installed.

In my opinion a safe that has been professionally specified and installed is a valuable addition to your home security.  If you would like to book a FREE site survey to discuss the available options, please contact one of our friendly, experienced and competitively priced locksmiths in MK.  Our MK locksmiths are approved by Which, Age UK and Milton Keynes Trading Standards.