Changing your home's locks is a precaution which you should take if you find yourself in certain situations. Here are two examples of situations which call for this action.

Your partner or flatmate is moving out

Ending a relationship with a partner can be a very difficult experience. Break-ups aren't always amicable, and most involve a great deal of arguing and emotional turmoil. As such, if you have recently split with your boyfriend or girlfriend and they have a key to your home, it's sensible to have the locks to your property changed by a locksmith. This is particularly important if your partnership did not end on a positive note.

Whilst this might seem a bit extreme, it really is best to err on the side of caution in these type of situations, as when emotions are running high, people can sometimes behave unpredictably. If you don't want to run the risk of your ex-partner entering your home when you're not around and potentially damaging or taking your personal possessions, then you should contact your local locksmith as soon as possible.

This advice should also be applied to situations in which a flatmate has decided to move out. Even if your former flatmate seems to be a very honest person and there are no hard feelings regarding their departure, their old key could easily be obtained by someone less trustworthy and then used to burglarise your property. Again, whilst this might seem like an unlikely scenario, it is better to be overly cautious than to put yourself through the stress of a break-in.

There has been a rise in criminal activity in your area

Burglaries can occur in any neighbourhood—even ones with seemingly low crime rates. This is why it is important to keep an eye on the local news reports for indications of an increase in criminal activity in your area. If there have been a number of break-ins in the neighbourhood and you're concerned that your current locks would not withstand the efforts of a determined burglar, then it might be wise to have the locks changed. This is a particularly important step to take if your existing locks are quite old and are showing signs of deterioration.

In this situation, it's a good idea to ask your locksmith for their recommendations regarding what lock you should replace your current one with. They will take into consideration factors such as the strength of your doorframe, your budget and the ease with which you wish to enter and exit your home (for example, two deadbolts and a sliding chain might make your house very secure, but they could also be a time-consuming nuisance for you to open and shut on a daily basis).

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