Christmas is a happy and exciting time for many of us but we mustn’t forget that this time of year can also be a busy and exciting time for thieves! Below I have listed ten tips to help you keep you and your home secure this Christmas:
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1. Be wary of how much information you share on social media - this includes holiday plans and details of your Christmas shopping.  It may also be worth checking your insurance policy as keeping your holiday details off of social media may be a condition of your insurance. 
2. If you are going away over the Christmas period, consider asking family or friends to check your home regularly.  Just picking up the post, opening curtains and switching lights on and off can deter a would-be burglar from targeting your home.
3. Timer switches for lights and electrical appliances can also deter would-be thieves and new smart systems can be linked to your mobile phone and controlled remotely.  This gives you more freedom and choice as to when you switch your lights and electrical appliances on and off. 
4. Alarms are still a big deterrent to thieves and will be particularly effective if your neighbours know you are away and are keeping an eye on your home for you.  New wireless systems can be installed quickly with the minimum of fuss.  There is also the option to link your alarm to your mobile phone so you can arm and disarm it remotely from wherever you are.  Your mobile phone can also alert you if your alarm has been activated, providing you with the opportunity to contact the police immediately.   
5. Make sure you lock all doors and windows at night or if you are away from the house.  It may be worth considering an upgrade to door and window locks especially if your locks are beginning to show signs of wear and tear.  I would definitely advise upgrading to anti-snap cylinders where possible as unfortunately cylinder snapping remains a popular method for thieves looking to break in to a house. 
6. Don’t forget about your garage, shed or and/or outbuildings.  Highly valuable and useful items for thieves are typically stored in these areas and they should therefore be as secure as possible.  Consider upgrading your locks and/or padlocks or connecting these areas to your existing or new alarm system. 
7. CCTV also acts as a deterrent to thieves as they do not want to be seen or heard.  New CCTV systems can be installed quickly, relatively cheaply and with the minimum of fuss.  Once again, these can also be linked to your mobile phone so you can keep an eye on your property remotely from wherever you are. 
8. Consider installing a safe and make sure it is securely fixed to a solid surface to store your valuables in.  Safes come in all shapes and sizes and can be fitted in a variety of places so think about what you would like to store in your new safe before making a decision.  Safes that customers can store electrical equipment, such as laptops in, are becoming more and more popular due to the amount of personal information that these electronic devices hold.  
9. Lighting can also deter thieves who do not want to be seen so consider installing sensor lights to those parts of your property that may be most vulnerable. 
10. Don’t overlook your boundaries.  Advice from the Metropolitan Police states that side and rear boundaries should be high to restrict access and front boundaries should be low to remove hiding places.  It is sometimes worth having a walk around your property with security in mind.  This can help to focus your thoughts on those areas that require your immediate attention. 

Our experienced MK locksmiths at Errington Locksmiths are happy to offer free, impartial advice on all aspects of your security all year round so please contact us with any of your concerns or call to book your FREE security survey: 01908 632651

We offer a full range of locksmith services in MK and the surrounding area.  Feel free to get in touch to address any of your security concerns.  

They say first impressions count and your front door is the first thing that each visitor to your home sees.  It is also there to welcome you home, each and every time you return to your house.  What impression do you think your front door creates?  Does it look a little tired and in need of some TLC?  Perhaps it doesn't quite fit with the recent home improvements you have made.  A simple solution may be a lick of paint and/or a door furniture upgrade and our friendly, knowledgeable and skilled MK locksmiths at Errington Locksmiths will be very happy to discuss this option with you. 

There can also however be many benefits to replacing your old door with a new one:

Safety:  Older doors can often be victims of wear and tear which means that locks and hinges may be easier to break open. Nearly 70% of burglaries involve forced entry through a front or back door so it is important to make sure that these doors are as secure as they can possibly be.  Doors supplied and fitted by Errington Locksmiths have many more security features than older style doors tend to have including nickel coated, solid brass hook locks that slide into steel keeps, running the length of the door’s frame.  The double glazing in our new doors also tends to be part of the door itself meaning it can’t be unclipped.   

Energy Efficiency:  All new doors supplied and fitted by our skilled MK locksmiths come with an energy efficiency rating and are much more energy efficient than older style doors.  This means far less heat will be lost through a new door compared with an older door.  This can help to reduce energy costs and ensure that your home feels warm and cosy during the winter months. 

Kerb Appeal:  An attractive new door can drastically improve the look of your home from both the inside and the outside.  In fact, this simple upgrade could increase the value of your home.  Doors supplied and fitted by MK based Errington Locksmiths come in a variety of designs, styles and colours so you can choose the perfect match for your home and family.     
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Our locksmiths can fit a new door within a day with the minimum of fuss so if you are looking to upgrade your door furniture, your door security or if you are considering replacing your front door altogether, please contact us at Errington Locksmiths to discuss your requirements. 

We also offer an extensive range of locksmith services in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area including a 24HR emergency service in MK.   

With the onset of the darker evenings, I am often asked for advice on the best way to secure a home.  When considering this question, it can be useful to consider the different elements of the home:

Gardens:

One of the first things to do could be to check your garden boundary and look for any weaknesses, such as broken fences.  If you are particularly green fingered, you may wish to consider "defensive planting," your local garden centre should be able to give you some good advice regarding the types of plants that can be planted for this purpose.  People often ask me about the effectiveness of barbed wire or carpet gripper as a deterrent to intruders.  I NEVER recommend the use of these kinds of materials as there are legal implications and there are more effective alternatives available.  

Check garden gates too.  Make sure they are fitted with either a hasp and staple or rim lock.  It is possible to have all locks at your property keyed alike so you don't need to worry about carrying extra keys.  

Sheds and garages can be easy targets for thieves.  Sheds should be locked with a closed-shackle padlock and security screws should be fitted on hinges. Your garage security can be upgraded in a number of ways: 

• Additional bolts can be fitted to the top or bottom corners of an up and over garage door.
• A T Bar type lock can be secured to the ground externally 
•  If your garage gives access to your house, it is also worth considering fitting additional locks to the top and bottom of the adjoining door.  

Garages and sheds can also be protected with an intruder alarm.  Most modern alarms are now wireless and can be fitted with the minimum of fuss.

Doors and Windows:

Make sure that all doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Wooden doors should be fitted with a mortice deadlock or nightlatch that meets BS3621.  uPVC doors should have at least three locking points with hook or deadbolts and be fitted with an anti snap TS007 euro profile cylinder with a minimum one star rating.  Sliding patio doors should be fitted with an anti-lift device and additional locking bolts.  French doors should be fitted with locking bolts on the fixed leaf.  

All ground floor and accessible windows should be fitted with key lockable window locks or handles.  

Lighting:

Lighting can also help to secure your home.  Consider internal timer switches for lamps when you are away from your property for an extended period of time and protect vulnerable external parts of the property with motion activated security lights.  

Alarms:

A good quality alarm system can be an invaluable addition to your home security.  An external sign written bell box is a visible deterrent and many modern alarm systems are wireless which means they are less intrusive when installing and can be easily extended to outbuildings such as sheds and garages.  An intruder alarm system can also be programmed to notify you via your mobile phone upon activation.  


Errington Locksmiths based in Milton Keynes have over 18 years experience in the security industry and our friendly, efficient, uniformed, police checked MK locksmiths would be happy to discuss all the available options with you.  We offer a FREE security survey so if you would like to check how secure your home is please contact us. 

We also offer a 24HR emergency service in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.  

For many households the garage is used to store a variety of items.  I have recently had a bit of a "sort out" in my own garage, during which I was reminded just how valuable some of the items in my garage were.  Paddling pools and sledges aside, garages are often used to store bikes and tools, both of which are attractive items to would be thieves.  

Some garage doors, particularly the up and over type have proven to be very insecure and relatively easy to force open by criminals.  Sometimes would be thieves only have to apply bodily pressure to force the door open, at other times they may use a small bar or similar implement to prise open the locking point. It is therefore advisable to fit additional security to these doors but what are the options?

• Bolts or hasp and staple with padlocks to the top or bottom corners of the door.  These can be fitted either externally or internally.
• A T Bar type lock secured to the ground externally 

• Stand alone alarms can also be used in garages.  Most modern alarms are now wireless and as a result can be fitted very quickly with minimum fuss.  A CCTV system is another option.  Modern CCTV systems record in HD and can be controlled via your smartphone.    

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• If your garage gives access to your house, it is also worth considering fitting additional locks to the top and bottom of the adjoining door.  

Milton Keynes based Errington Locksmiths have over 18 years experience in the security industry and our friendly, efficient, uniformed, police checked MK locksmiths would be happy to discuss all the available options with you.  We offer a FREE security survey so if you would like to check how secure your garage is please contact us.