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.  

​You’ve realised you are locked out (or perhaps you are locked in) what should you do now?  I have been working as a locksmith in Milton Keynes for over 20 years now and have helped thousands of people who have found themselves in this situation.  Perhaps you have lost your keys, left them inside and the door has shut behind you or perhaps the lock has broken or the key has snapped in the lock.  Whatever your reason for finding yourself locked out (or in) our MK locksmiths can help.

​You may be in the fortunate position that you are able to get back into your property without having to contact a locksmith.  Perhaps there is another door or a downstairs window that you could use to access the property or perhaps you have left a spare key with a trusted friend or family member.  If this isn’t the case however, you will need to contact a local locksmith but how do you know which one to choose? 

It is worth spending a little time on this decision as unfortunately there are a lot of “cowboy locksmiths” out there.  These rogue traders will often advertise cheap rates online only to increase their prices once they are on site.  They are all too often unskilled and inexperienced and can often leave your door in a worse state than it was before you contacted them.  Our Milton Keynes locksmiths work closely with Trading Standards and report these unscrupulous traders on a regular basis when we come across them.  So how can you make sure the locksmith you choose is trustworthy and reliable?  Here are three questions that can help you when making that decision:

Is the locksmith approved by Trading Standards?

Trading Standards are the local authority departments that enforce consumer protection legislation in England.  Trading Standards in Milton Keynes operate the Buy with Confidence scheme.  The Buy with Confidence scheme vets and approves local MK companies.  All of our MK locksmiths have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards.  Our customer service is monitored on a regular basis and our locksmiths in MK have had their qualifications, references and insurances checked by a Trading Standards professional.  If you are locked out in Milton Keynes, our trading standards approved MK locksmiths can help.  Call us on:  01908632651

"​Is the locksmith endorsed by a Trusted Traders scheme?

There are a number of trusted trader schemes that claim to help consumers.  The “Which?” brand operate the “Which? Trusted Trader” scheme whereby they assess and endorse local tradesmen and tradeswomen.  All of our local Milton Keynes locksmiths at Errington Locksmiths and Security have been assessed and endorsed by "Which?"  The Which? Trusted Trader" endorsement is a sign of reputation and trust.  If you find yourself in need of a locksmith in Milton Keynes, our Which Trusted Traders approved MK locksmiths can help.  Call us on:  01908632651 

​Is the locksmith experienced?

An experienced locksmith should be able to ask the right questions in order to diagnose your problem and give you a quote over the phone.  Questions an experienced locksmith might ask include:

• Do you have ID to prove that you live in the property?
• Are you locked in or out?
• Are the keys inside?  Do you know where they are?
• Do you have a letterbox fitted on the door?    
• What type of door do you have?  Is it a wooden or UPVC door? 
• What type of lock do you have on the door?  The locksmith may also ask you to send a photo if you are in a position to do so.

All of these questions will help an experienced locksmith diagnose the problem and make decisions regarding which tools will be needed to let you back into your property with the minimum of fuss.  Be wary of a locksmith that gives a price over the phone without asking any of these questions.  It is likely that the price will change on site.  An experienced and professional locksmith will practise non-destructive entry wherever possible.  All of our locksmiths at Errington Locksmiths Milton Keynes are experts at non-destructive entry and will always seek to practise this.  If you are in the unfortunate position of being locked out in MK, please contact out skilled and experienced local Milton Keynes locksmiths on 01908632651

I hope these three questions will help you choose a locksmith if you ever find yourself locked out of your property.  In the meantime if you have any security concerns, please contact one of our MK locksmiths to discuss them

One of the worst things about being a locksmith in Milton Keynes is the fact that I am often called out to assist the victims of a break-in.  I decided to write this blog to offer some practical advice to all those that find themselves in this situation.


Of course, prevention is always better than cure so if you would like a FREE security survey to address any of your current security concerns, please get in touch with our friendly and experienced locksmiths in Milton Keynes who are always happy to help and advise you.  You may also wish to read some of our previous blogs to help you assess your home security:

Cylinder Snapping
The benefits of upgrading your front door
Why you should consider installing or upgrading a burglar alarm

If you find yourself the victim of a break-in, the first thing you should do is call the police and be sure not to touch anything.  The police will want to check the crime scene for any evidence. 

You may have to wait a while for the police to arrive.  During this time write down everything that you can remember such as the time you first noticed the break-in or the time you went to bed if the break-in happened during the night.  You may not think this is important but it is amazing how many details we can forget during a period of stress. 

Take photos of where items have been taken from and how the thieves gained entry to the property.  These photos can help you when you later talk to the police and insurance companies. 

After talking with the police, you will need to file a police report.  You should then contact your insurance company (if you haven’t already done so) who will ask for specific information from the police report. 

If you have noticed that keys have been stolen then locks should be replaced. When replacing your locks, you may want to consider patented locks that can’t be copied.  Your local MK locksmiths can provide you with more information about these. 

Make sure you check to see if any documents have been stolen.  Replacing these can often be one of the most frustrating and time consuming aspects of a break-in.  If your driving licence has been stolen you should report it and organise a replacement.  If your passport has been stolen, you will need to report this immediately also.  Any travel passes and/or tickets should be reported stolen to the issuing travel companies. 

If you notice that a mobile phone has been stolen, you should report the theft to your network provider who may ask for an IMEI number.  If you have a tracking app on any electrical devices, inform the police but don’t follow up any information on your own. 

One of the most frustrating and difficult aspects of a burglary can be cancelling and replacing important documents and electronic devices. In Milton Keynes our locksmiths are supplying and installing safes at an increasing rate and we would be delighted to discuss the various options with you. 

Burglary can have a huge emotional impact and this should not be underestimated.  In the short term, make sure that you get in touch with family and friends so that they can support you.  If you have children, you may find that you are supporting them and forget to look after yourself.  In the longer term, victim support groups can be a great source of comfort and support. 
​
If you require any more information or advice, please contact our friendly, experienced and professional locksmiths in MK today.  

Milton Keynes was built for growth so it’s not surprising that the MK population continues to grow on a daily basis.  As a locksmith working in Milton Keynes, I am often called out by the new owners of a property to assess their security so here is my list of the top ten security issues to consider when moving house in Milton Keynes:

1: Lock Replacement:  When moving into a new property, I would always advise new owners to replace all of the locks in their house.  Our Milton Keynes locksmiths can replace locks quickly and easily and this provides great peace of mind as you never really know who may still have the keys to your property once you have moved in. 

2:  Intruder Alarm Systems:  Many new owners inherit an alarm system and codes.  I would always advise changing the code to your alarm immediately because just as with the keys to your property, can you really be sure just who has had access to the alarm code in the past?  It is also worth checking the age of your existing alarm system.  Our Milton Keynes locksmiths install wireless intruder alarm systems that link to your mobile phone and can control your home security from anywhere in the world.  Read our previous blogs explaining the benefits a smart security system can bring and why you should consider installing or upgrading a burglar alarm. 

3:  CCTV:  If you move into a property with a CCTV system already installed, it may be worth discussing the effectiveness of the existing system with one of our experienced locksmiths in Milton Keynes.  Are the cameras installed in the best positions for example?  Would it be beneficial to install more cameras?  New CCTV systems can link via an app to your mobile phone and help you to manage your home security from anywhere in the world.  CCTV systems can help to safeguard items inside the property but also those left outside too.  Our experienced locksmiths in Milton Keynes would be happy to discuss how CCTV systems could help to protect your property. 

4:  New Doors and Windows:  If you are considering lock replacement for your windows and doors, it may also be worth considering whether your existing windows and doors are in need of replacing.  New windows and doors can enhance not only the security of your property but also the appearance and energy efficiency too.  Our competitively priced locksmiths in Milton Keynes would be happy to provide you with a free security survey in order for you to assess how secure your existing doors and windows are.  See also our previous blog outlining the benefits of upgrading your front door. 

5:  Home Contents Insurance:  I would always advise checking your home insurance to make sure that it still meets the requirements of you and your family.  Extra security features can help to bring the price of a policy down so it is always worth discussing your existing home security with your current insurance providers.  Also check for any stipulations in the policy such as the standard of locks that should be installed.  Our MK locksmiths supply and install a range of British Standard and Insurance approved locks and would be happy to discuss and demonstrate these to you. 

6:  Garages and Outbuildings:  It can be easy just to focus on the new home but remember that garages and outbuildings such as sheds can also be a prime target for thieves.  In Milton Keynes, our fully trained locksmiths can provide a free whole site survey to highlight any weak security areas in your property and advise you on how to address any issues that arise.

7:  Speak to your neighbours:  Your neighbours will be a great source of knowledge about security in the local area.  Have there been any burglaries or thefts?  How have the thieves accessed the properties?  Cylinder snapping is a popular way for thieves to gain access to your home.  See our previous blog explaining cylinder snapping and how to prevent it.  Perhaps there has been a spate of vehicle crime?  This knowledge can help you to decide which areas of security need addressing in your new home.  Our locksmiths in Milton Keynes can advise you on how to tackle your security concerns and beat the burglar. 

8:  Safe Installation:  Moving house may provide an opportunity for you to consider installing a safe.  Safes come in all different shapes and sizes and can be installed by our Milton Keynes locksmiths at a very competitive price.  Remember a safe should be securely fixed to a solid surface.  

9: Try to hide the move:  Unfortunately, unoccupied properties or properties that are preparing for a move can often be targeted by thieves.  Try to leave curtains up until the last minute and make sure that boxes are not in plain view of windows and doors.  I would suggest making security at the new property a priority.  Our MK locksmiths offer a 24hr emergency service so please contact them to book a security survey. 

10:  Enjoy your new home in Milton Keynes:  Milton Keynes is a fantastic place to live!  Enjoy the open spaces (almost two fifths of Milton Keynes is open space) and the shoreline (according to an article published in The Guardian, we have more than the whole island of Jersey).  Also enjoy the countless things available to do in MK such as indoor skiing, skydiving and shopping!   

We really hope you enjoy your new home in Milton Keynes.  If our MK locksmiths can help with any aspect of your home security, please contact us at Errington Locksmiths.