Recall the last time you got locked out of your house, looked up “locksmith sydney”, and got someone to come over to rescue you. Top locksmiths provide round-the-clock services, so probably, about 20 minutes later, you were in. It barely took the locksmith a few minutes to open your door for you. Did that worry you? A burglar could have done that! Probably just as quickly!
Well, you’re not wrong to be worried. Did you know that Australia has the 7th highest rate of burglaries in the world? In a recent survey, over 73% of Australians in NSW agreed that they would install heightened security at home. If you hadn’t given it a thought, you should. Adding extra layers of protection to your property gives you the additional benefit of reduced insurance premiums.
Apart from emergency unlocking at home, here are some concerns you can expect a certified locksmith to address:
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Installation or change or repair of locks:
You probably already understand that there aren’t many locks out there that can keep burglars out (although break-ins have marginally reduced, 4.3% of Australian households have still experienced a break-in or attempted break-in in the last year). Your best bet is to consult a locksmith and find out what security solutions best suit your property. It will minimize the risk of a burglar taking advantage of non-lock-related loopholes (such as easy-to-break windows) to gain access to your property.
Bonus tip: Burglars look for weak links such as inferior or no locks on backdoors, garage doors, and windows. A strong front door lock is of no use if you’ve kept your window open. Additionally, consider installing deadbolts with tamper-proof strike plates.
Gate security:
A secure gate provides a valuable layer of security to your house. It would take a burglar considerably longer to break in. In his eyes, the additional time is not worth the while, and he’ll go away in search of greener pastures. Scientific studies have confirmed that situational factors can make a house more or less tempting to burgle.
Consider installing security cameras. Increasingly, packages are being stolen from outside the house, with 12.5% of people in NSW reporting an incident. Cameras are deterrents, but when they fail to deter crime, they help in identifying the criminal.
Safe installations:
The best-case scenario is where a burglar chooses not to rob your house. However, Over 70% of the break-ins in Australia result in the theft of belongings. So, if in the unfortunate instance that a thief does break in and enter, you should ensure that your vital valuables – documents, jewelry, and the like are out of his reach. A safe is a safe bet. If you are worried that you may forget the combination or lose the keys, you can always call your trusted locksmith to regain access.
Bonus tip: Keep an inventory of all your valuables for reporting and insurance purposes. It helps to note down serial numbers and model names of your electronic goods. Don’t forget valuable tools in the backyard. They show up consistently in stolen goods lists prepared by insurance companies.
Replacement Car Keys
Sure, you’ll look up “locksmith sydney” once more if you’re locked out of your car. But have you considered the cost? Replacement keys cost anywhere from $200 to $250 in Sydney. Locksmiths who have the facilities to cut, supply, and program your key can provide the service to you at significantly cheaper costs than your car dealer. Be sure to conduct a little research before you call someone to unlock your car.
Bonus tip: Burglars are on the prowl for unlocked cars parked on the roads. Not only do they call dibs on your property within the vehicle, but they rummage for your garage remote and spare keys to come back to your house later. Don’t leave an unlocked car outside.
Australians have lost anywhere from $2000 to $4500 per burglary annually, costing $2.4 billion to society. Simple measures to protect your property can save you thousands of dollars and a whole lot of hassle.