Monday 29 December 2014

New year, new home security resolutions!

It’s time to be more security conscious...

 

As part of your New Year’s resolutions for 2015 it may be worth thinking about being more security conscious when it comes to your home.

Set a New Year's resolution to be more home security conscious in 2015!Your belongings may mean a lot to you but to an intruder they’re just a way of making quick and easy cash. A burglar can strike at any time day or night but most burglaries can be prevented by taking steps to ensure your home is secure. 

Most burglars are opportunists and in 3 out of 10 burglaries access is gained through an open door or window, burglars love it when you make their job easier for them! The following steps will make it harder for them and in turn more likely that they will avoid your property. 

When considering how you may want to upgrade the security of your home it is always a good idea to think like a potential intruder. The majority of intruders will look for the best opportunity to break into a property, some will even scope out a property prior to breaking in. Therefore it is important to think about how you can ensure that your property appears as if it is occupied at all times and that there isn’t anywhere external to your home anyone could hide i.e. high hedges or bins. 

Which advises that you ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is it obvious when you're on holiday or away from the home? For example, are your curtains always shut or is there lots of unopened post?
  • Are windows and doors left open, even if they're not easily accessible?
  • Do your windows and doors have visible locks?
  • How well lit is the outside of your home?
  • Is there a spare key that’s easily visible, or easy to find, such as underneath the plant pot or above the ledge on the door?
  • Are the lights off all the time, making it look like you're away?
  • Do you have high walls or hedges, which could give burglars protection from being seen?
  • Is accessing your house noisy for a burglar? For example, is there gravel on the driveway?
  • Are there any ladders lying around that a burglar could use to gain entry?
  • What equipment do you keep in your shed and garage? What is its value and can it be used to help someone break in?
  • How secure is the shed or garage? Is it always kept locked with high-quality padlocks and security locks?

Additional Security Measures

 

How many of us actually use additional security in our homes? According to figures by Which only 38% of Which members had extra locks fitted to their doors and 32% use a door chain. 

As well as having an extra lock or door chain fitted it is also advisable you have the following fitted to your door:

  • Spy-hole – Keep out any unwanted visitors! A spy-hole offers 180 degrees of vision allowing you to identify callers before opening the door.
  • Hinge Bolts –Mortice fitted hinge bolts are designed primarily for outward opening hinged wooden doors. These offer added protection against forcing the door hinges and are automatically engaged when the door is closed.
  • Mortice Bolts – These are suitable for side and back doors as well as French doors. These are fitted to the top and bottom of the door and the bolts are not visible from the outside.
  • Letterbox guard/cage – These can be fitted to prevent ‘key fishing’ i.e. a burglar using props such as a coat hanger or fishing rod to hook keys on the inside of the door (Aviva).

Other additional security measures you may want to consider...

  • Security lights - Lights with sensors in the garden and front of your property will help to deter a burglar as they are more confident when working in the dark.
  • Key Safe - A Key Safe is a secure box where you can safely and securely store your keys without having to hide them or to rely on a neighbour or family member to look after them. 
  • Leave a light on a timer when you are not at home as it will look like the home is occupied. Other products on the market such as ‘Fake TValso act as a good deterrent as these products make it look like someone is watching TV.
  • Upgrade the locks on any garages or sheds and if there is a window, fit a curtain to ensure a burglar cannot see what is inside.

When having any additional security fitted to your home it is always a good idea to call a local locksmith. A local locksmith will be able to do a home security and home insurance compliance check on your home and they will be more than happy to upgrade your home security for your peace of mind in 2015.

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Tip 12 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Call a local locksmith to book in a home security and insurance compliance check!


Tip 12 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Call a local locksmith to book in a home security and insurance compliance check, they will be more than happy to upgrade the security of your home for your peace of mind over the Christmas period.


Monday 22 December 2014

Tip 11 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Check the locks on any gates or sheds and upgrade/replace if necessary. 


Tip 11 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Make sure anything that can be used by a burglar to gain entry to your property i.e. garden tools is safely locked away.

As part of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s ‘The Top Five Operation Guardian Tips’ they recommend securing your garden by shutting and locking any gates and making sure you lock away any garden tools as these can be used by burglars to break in.

For more information on the security of ‘your garden and outside the home’ see Hertfordshire Constabulary’s advice here.

In 2012 the Guardian even reported that thefts in garden furniture and accessories had soared as the value of what we buy for the garden has increased, a survey by Confused.com showed that the average value of a British garden’s contents was £825, this included garden tools, lawnmowers, patio furniture and barbecues.  All of these items are easy pickings for an opportunistic burglar, so lock them away!

Friday 19 December 2014

Tip 10 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Use a UV pen to mark any valuables so if the worse does happen it may help to make recovery easier.


Tip 10 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Many Police Forces and Home Insurance Providers will advise marking any valuables especially those that are more mobile i.e. a laptop or tablet. 

A burglary infographic from Tesco Compare showed that the top 5 most stolen items included...

  • Mobile Phones (6%)

  • Jewellery and Watches (11%)

  • Cameras and MP3 Players (13%)

  • Laptops (15%)

  • Money (17%)

Marking your valuables will usually deter thieves from stealing them as an item that is clearly marked will be more difficult for a thief to sell and will often reduce the items value (Devon and Cornwall police). It also helps to increase the chance of your property being identified if the worse did happen and it was either lost or stolen.

Norfolk Constabulary recommends the following ways to effectively mark your property:

  • Electronic marking – Use property register website Immobilise to electronically register your valuables details. This helps Police Forces across the UK to identify the owner of any lost or stolen items.

  • UV pen marking – Use a UV pen (invisible to the naked eye) to mark your valuables ideally write your postcode, house number or house name. Usually stickers are supplied with any UV pens which indicate that the valuables are marked; these can deter a burglar from stealing your property in the first place.

  • Photography – Taking detailed photos of your valuables will help to prove they are yours if they are stolen.

  • Permanent Marker Pen/Paint – This is recommended for marking large items such as machinery, garden equipment and tools.

  • Postcode Stencil – This is literally a stencil of your postcode, which is applied with paste and etches your details onto your valuables.

  • DNA Technology - There are several products available that use DNA technology to mark valuables. They contain microdots with unique reference numbers that are linked to your home. These are detected with a UV light and the information is then obtained from the microdots.

  • Inventories – Inventory all of your valuable items either by listing them, taking photographs or videos.

Thursday 18 December 2014

Tip 9 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Light it up!


Tip 9 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Lights with sensors in the garden and at the front of your property will help to deter a burglar as they are more confident when working in the dark.

As the nights draw darker, during the winter months it is really worth considering installing motion detector lights externally to your home.

Considering that the majority of burglaries take place during the night, (56% of recorded burglaries happen at night according to Tesco Compare), it is definitely a good idea to have security lights fitted to your property as these can help to deter a burglar from breaking into your home, as they are less likely to feel confident breaking into a property that is well-lit. The majority of Police Forces will advise this as an additional security measure, “consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to help deter burglars” (ThamesValley Police). ThamesValley Police also advise “using pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and spiky plants in garden beds”.   

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Tip 8 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Keep out any unwanted guests!


Tip 8 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

It is always a good idea to have a spy hole or door chain fitted to your front door especially in the holiday season where you are more likely to receive more visitors to your home.

When evaluating the security of your home it is important to consider that you may need additional security such as a spy hole or door chain, which will not only improve the security of your home by allowing you to keep out unwanted guests but will also add to your peace of mind. The Metropolitan Police advises that a spy hole and door chain or even a limiter should be fitted for added safety and security as “these will enable you to deal with callers to your front door whilst retaining a level of security.” 


Tuesday 16 December 2014

Tip 7 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Store all sets of keys away from the front door! 


Tip 7 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Whatever time of year it is, it’s never a good idea to leave your keys anywhere near your front door. A letterbox cage or guard can be fitted; burglars will often use the letterbox to retrieve keys stored inside the house.

When thinking about the security of your home, it is always a good idea to think like a burglar!

Look for any potential security risks that may be used to the advantage of a burglar i.e. spare keys under the mat. In a recent survey by Keytek™ it was found that over 20% of Britons were still leaving spare keys hidden in an unsecure location such as under a plant pot in the garden.

Many will advise against this, including the Charity Age UK who advise on their website not to leave spare keys in “obvious places such as under a flower pot or doormat or hanging inside the letterbox”. For a relatively small cost it is advisable to have a Key Safe fitted in a hidden location on the outside of your home by a local locksmith.  A Key Safe is a secure box where you can safely and securely store your keys without having to hide them or to rely on a neighbour or family member to look after them. 

It is also advised that you don’t store any keys or ID documents near to a door or window that is accessible externally to minimise the risk of what is sometimes referred to as ‘fishing’. Insurance provider Aviva explains that “thieves will use props such as coat hangers and fishing rods to hook keys”. Key ‘fishing’ can be minimised not only by storing your keys away from any doors or windows but also by having a letterbox cage/guard fitted to your door by a locksmith. Letterbox brushes can be fitted to avoid a burglar seeing where your keys are stored. 


Monday 15 December 2014

Tip 6 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Don’t share your holiday plans!


Tip 6 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

 

Don’t discuss any holiday plans on any type of open forum i.e. Facebook. I’m sure you have all heard the horror stories where over a thousand people turned up to a party that had been made public on Facebook, it would be like that but a party for... burglars!

According to online etiquette blog ‘Netmanners’ social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter are accessible by anyone although you are letting your ‘friends’ know what you are up to there is always the underlying issue that anyone can access your information and find out what you are up to i.e. burglars.

An interactive Facebook App was developed in 2011 to highlight the dangers of posting too much personal information on the internet called ‘Take This Lollipop’. The short horror film takes personal information from your profile through the use of your pictures and messages and shows a ‘Facebook stalker’ typing on a computer with your personal information appearing on his screen and then eventually he uses Google maps to pinpoint your position then he is seen driving to your location, therefore demonstrating to you the dangers of sharing personal information on the internet. 


Friday 12 December 2014

Tip 5 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Window shopping for burglars!


Tip 5 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

Remember the Grinch who stole Christmas... never ever leave any presents or valuables where they can be seen by a burglar i.e. in view of a window.

The majority of home insurance providers will advise that you keep any valuables out of sight. According to Aviva you should be aware of any ‘top pickings’ for burglars; “consoles, games and DVDs make up 62% of belongings stolen”, “other favourites include cameras, computers, mobile phones, MP3 players and jewellery” (Aviva). 

Christmas presents and valuables can be safely stored away in a lockable cupboard or drawer.


Thursday 11 December 2014

Tip 4 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Join your local Neighbourhood Watch! 


Tip 4 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths

As part of our home security advice we recommend that you either join or start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. 

The Neighbourhood Watch works to bring neighbours together who want to look out for each other, creating strong, friendly, active communities where crime and antisocial behaviour are less likely to happen.

To find your local Neighbourhood Watch, or for information on how to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/

Alternatively if you don’t have a Neighbourhood Watch in your area and are going away for Christmas, inform a trusted neighbour that you are doing so, so they can keep an eye on your property.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Tip 3 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Going away during the Christmas Holidays?


Tip 3 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas by Keytek Locksmiths

If you are going to be away for a long period of time ask Royal Mail to hold your mail - they will do this for up to 2 months. 

The Royal Mail operates a Keepsafe™ service during the Holidays. This service literally consists of the Royal Mail holding onto any parcel and letters whilst you're away for up to 66 days and will deliver them to your home once you have returned.

The service is supported by The Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee as it reduces the risk of identity fraud when you are on Holiday as the service ensures that you do not leave any obvious clues to your absence such as a mountain of letters piled up on your doormat (Royal Mail).


Tuesday 9 December 2014

Tip 2 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

If you’re going to be away from your home for a long period of time leave a light on or on a timer. Leaving a television or radio on is also a good alternative to leaving the lights on.

 

Tip 2 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas by Keytek Locksmiths

As the Holidays approach the majority of us will be frequently out of the house for longer periods of time whether that is due to attending an office party or just simply doing the Christmas shopping. In order to deter a burglar from breaking into your home it is regularly advised that if you are planning on returning when it is most likely to be dark, “lighting up your home is a useful deterrent of burglary” (Metropolitan Police). 


Monday 8 December 2014

The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas Infographic

‘Tis the season to be security conscious!


As the nights draw darker and colder, it is important to evaluate the security of your home and take measures to ensure your home isn’t an easy burglary target. During the winter period your home can be seen to be more vulnerable by an intruder, especially in the lead up to Christmas when you are more than likely to have unopened items of high value.

In the lead up to Christmas each day we will be posting a home security tip to help you stay secure over the Christmas period. As part of this we have put together an infographic...

Click on the infographic to enlarge it.


Share this Infographic On Your Site



Tip 1 of The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas...

Don’t give a burglar a leg up!


Tip 1 of the 12 home security tips of Christmas

Store all bins and ladders away from your property. These could be used by an intruder to gain access to a 1st floor window.

The majority of leading home insurance providers will recommend that it is always a good idea to lock up anything that can be used by a burglar to gain entry to a first floor window or climb over a fence i.e. wheelie bins and ladders. 

Home insurance provider Saga advise that all ladders should be securely locked away in a garage or shed. If you are using a garage or shed with windows to store anything that can be used by a burglar to gain entry it is also good to have curtains fitted to stop anyone from seeing in!    


Friday 5 December 2014

The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas

‘Tis the season to be home security conscious!


The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas from Keytek Locksmiths


In the lead up to Christmas each day we will be posting a home security tip, so look out for our ‘The 12 Home Security Tips of Christmas’.

As the nights draw darker and colder, it is important to evaluate the security of your home and take measures to ensure your home isn’t an easy burglary target. During the winter period your home can be seen to be more vulnerable by an intruder, especially in the lead up to Christmas when you are more than likely to have unopened items of high value.

Although the risk of burglary does differ according to the type of property and level of security that is already in place it is worth taking the necessary precautions in order to best protect yourself and your home from a break-in.  

Each of the home security tips we share in the lead up to Christmas will help you to make sure your home is best protected during the Holiday period! 

In the meantime watch our home security video with tips and advice from our local locksmiths...



Thursday 4 December 2014

Locksmith jobs and careers with Keytek


Keytek™ is one of the largest National Locksmiths in the UK providing both domestic and commercial locksmith services for over 15 years. This has enabled us to achieve priority positioning in major directories, which has resulted in more work for our Engineers over that of our competitors.

Over the years we have built up an extensive Engineer Network across the UK and we are able to provide Engineers with many benefits including all the help and support they need from technical issues through to processing paperwork, in the form of our in-house technical department (all engineers have access to 24 hour technical advice) and dedicated Engineer Liaison Team who are able to offer guidance on customer service and company procedures.     

Other benefits of working for Keytek™ include:
  • 24 hour technical advice
  • Dedicated Engineer phone line
  • Group trade discount
  • Simple paperwork procedure
  • Working hours and time off tailored to suit your needs.
  • Keytek™ will replace any parts you have used onsite.
  • Working with specialists in locksmith services.
  • Our commitment to quality... 
  • - ISO 9001:2008 accredited
    - Investor In People
    - Safe Contractor approved
    - CHAS accredited Contractor

For more information about Keytek™ and our locksmith job opportunities please visit www.keytek.co.uk/about/locksmith-careers/ or if you are interested in working for us please call 01202 711 195


Monday 1 December 2014

Locksmith Training with Keytek

Whether you’re looking to make a career change or brushing up on your locksmithing skills, the Keytek Locksmith Training Academy offers a variety of courses to suit your training level... 
A student taking part in a locksmith training course.

Training to be a locksmith can lead to a long and rewarding career. However, with many individuals and private companies to choose from, all marketing their services for consideration, collectively offering a huge range of courses, finding the correct locksmith training provider ‘for you’ can be a challenge in any situation, within any industry.


Identifying the correct training facility and course is absolutely vital and the first step to gaining success in your chosen career as a professional locksmith. Before choosing the type of training that best suits your needs, you should think about what are your actual requirements to meet your own personal objectives.

Ask yourself the following questions when reviewing various training facilities and courses...

  • Have you considered the full range of locksmith training available, such as professional bodies and standards, individual or group training, gaining experience in related skills or relevant work experience?
  • Have you considered the different levels at which locksmith training can be gained?
  • Do you need foundation skills training and is there the possibility to gain further specific skills later on to enhance your knowledge?
  • Have you identified your own training needs to reach your personal goals and aspirations?

The best training provision can often be provided by those organisations who actually operate day to day within the industry in which you are looking to enter or progress.

The Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy


Since 2010 we have been operating a Locksmith Training Academy in Poole, Dorset to help set the standards for the locksmithing industry and provide support for our nationwide customer base.
Head Trainer Craig teaching a locksmith training course

Over this time the Academy has grown significantly - becoming a preferred supplier with the CTP in September 2010, being given approved centre status in February 2012 enabling us to offer an NCFE level 3 Accreditation and then furthering this by being approved in January 2013 to offer an NCFE level 4 Accreditation. To date many students have passed our various courses to meet the high working standards that are pinnacle to help improve the current standards within the industry and are vital to its longevity.       

The ongoing goal and commitment of the Academy is to offer those wishing to join the industry a gateway to a career as a professional locksmith through it’s courses and experience. All courses run by the Academy are taught by highly experienced and respected industry experts. The Academy is also the only training provider in the Country that is able to provide a Level 4 Accreditation through it’s 5 and 8 day courses.

If you have any questions regarding the courses provided by the Keytek™ Locksmith Training Academy or would like to be sent an information pack, please call the Academy Team on 01202 711 195 or find out more about the locksmith courses we run by visiting www.locksmiths-training.co.uk
 
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Find out more about Locksmith Training with Keytek