Top ten tips for when you're locked out

Locked out of house, business or car?

We all know that being locked out can be a stressful time for anyone which is why we have put together the following tips for when you do find yourself locked of your house, business or car.

1. Stay calm! The worst thing you can do is panic and stress yourself out when you’re locked out.
 
2. Where are the keys? Do you leave a spare key with a neighbour or relative? By leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbour or family member you will be saving yourself from being locked out of your home if you did loose or misplace your set of keys. It is still recommended that you contact a local locksmith to change your locks as you don’t know who may have picked up the set you have lost or misplaced.
 
3. Do not fiddle with the lock. This may cause damage to the lock making it more difficult for it to be opened.  
 
4. Don’t call your local emergency services, call an emergency locksmith instead! It was reported in 2012 that fire-fighters in London were being called out nearly every hour (approximately 20 a day) to rescue people who were either locked out of their home or car which is estimated to cost taxpayers more than 5 million pounds. (BBC News) 
 
5. Call a local locksmith. When calling a local locksmith always make sure that you are calling a credible and trustworthy accredited locksmith. All credible locksmiths will carry ID on them so make sure you always ask to see it before you invite them to gain entry to your home!
 
6. Check that any local locksmith coming to your home is DBS checked (formally CRB checked). Any locksmith who has been DBS checked will be more than happy to inform you that they have been.
 
7. Make sure any locks you do have changed by an emergency locksmith are to a British Standard. This is important especially in terms of meeting the requirements set by your Home Insurance Provider.
 
8. Don’t shout about it on any type of social media. It may be tempting to share your latest lockout #fail but remember anyone can see it and shows that you and your property are potentially vulnerable!
 
9. If you have lost or misplaced a set of keys make sure you replace all of the locks that relate to the keys you have lost. This could be your garage lock or a shed. Also make sure you notify anyone who you had a spare key for i.e. a neighbour or work that you have lost or misplaced them so that they can get their locks changed.
 
10. Do not try to cut costs by breaking into your own home! You may cause harm to yourself or damage to your property by doing so.  

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Beach Hut Security

Keep your beach hut safe with our beach hut security advice and tips!

Beach huts have been part of the history of the British Seaside since Victorian times. In more recent times they have become increasingly popular with more and more Brits choosing to staycation over going abroad.

It is estimated there are around 20,000 beach huts in the UK. Beach huts are prominent at the majority of seaside resorts in the UK; including Bournemouth, Poole, Mudeford Spit, West Bexington, Lowestoft, Southwold, Walton-on-the-Naze, Abersoch, Langland Bay, Rotherslade, Rustington, St Helens, Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Brighton and Mersea Island. Beach huts are also used in other countries such as South Africa, France and Australia.

 

Beach hut security tips and advice...

• Look after your beach hut - If your beach hut looks like it is not being used it is far more likely to suffer from criminal damage or antisocial behaviour. For the sake of you and your neighbours local councils ask that you keep your beach hut tidy and in good repair. According to Canterbury Police poorly maintained beach huts are more likely to attract even more damage which may include vandalism to neighbouring beach huts.

• Keep an eye on your beach hut - Make sure to check your beach hut regularly during both the summer and winter months. If you’re not around ask a neighbouring beach hut owner to keep an eye on yours. If you see anything suspicious report it immediately to your local Police Force as early detection and warning may assist them in identifying offenders.

• Never leave any valuables in your beach hut overnight - The majority of beach huts are not secure enough to leave any resalable property in. Remember to remove any combustibles that are an obvious fire hazard.    

• Make sure your beach hut is secure as it possibly can be and pay particular attention to the windows and doors - A door which can be easily opened will attract unwanted attention from a potential intruder.

• Fit a battery powered alarm - Many security alarms rely on a main electricity supply and a telephone line to be effective therefore these types of alarms would not be appropriate for a beach hut. It is possible to have a battery powered alarm fitted to your shed; these devices rely on putting an intruder off because of the noise and can attract attention from passersby. 

 

Watch Keytek™’s Security Tips videos for more information on security for sheds, outbuildings and beach huts... 

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Beach Security Tips

Keep your valuables safe on the beach!

 

Whether you are sunning yourself on the beach in the UK or abroad it is important to make sure your belongings are secure!

Thefts at beaches, often referred to as ‘beach blanket thefts’ or ‘blanket thefts’, usually increase during the summer holidays where people are more likely to leave their wallets, mobile phones, cameras or other valuables on the beach while they take a dip in the sea. The majority of people will hide valuables under a towel which they may presume is secure but unfortunately within minutes of leaving their valuables they are often gone. 

One of the most obvious solutions to prevent beach thefts is to go to the beach with at least one other person so that someone can keep an eye on any valuables whilst the other is enjoying the sea. Although this is a logical solution it is not always the most practical or fun ways to ensure your valuables are secure.

Beach security tips and advice...

• Take only what you need to take! If you don’t need to take your phone or wallet then don’t take them. The fewer valuables the less you will have to worry that they are secure.

• Plan ahead. Pack a security product that has been designed for the beach... There are a number of products that have been developed to prevent beach thefts.

They include the following products:

Tan Safe – This has been developed to work as a ‘stealth safe’ as it looks like an ordinary bottle of suntan lotion but secretly it holds valuables such as mobile phones, credit cards, keys and cash. This product also has a watertight seal that will protect it from being damaged by water or sand.

Beach Vault – An entrepreneur has recently invented a unique locker that can screw into the sand and holds valuables such as purses, mobile phones, small tablets and money. The gadget is closed by a waterproof lid. Although an innovative idea there is nothing to stop a thief from taking the whole thing.

Portable Compact Safe – Sentry have designed a portable compact safe that is ideal for use on the beach or by the pool as it can be attached to a lounger or parasol via a security cable.

• All gadgets should be protected against any possible damage from water or sand. You can do this by putting your valuables in a waterproof wallet.

• You don’t need to spend money on security products for the beach, you can use items found around the house such as nappies, a deodorant stick (do not use any type of deodorant can) and Pringle pots to make your own ‘beach safe’. Let’s just face it no one is going to go through a nappy that could be dirty to look for valuables. YouTube channel ‘NoClueHowTo’ demonstrates how a deodorant bottle can be used to keep your valuables safe at the beach.

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