Did you make this dangerous mistake?

You did if you haven’t had the locks on your doors rekeyed.

This is important, even with brand new construction. Let me share a few of my thoughts and tell you why I feel this is true.

First, I was called to replace a set of lost keys in a brand new subdivision. To do this, I took the lock apart and noticed it had been master keyed by the contractor as a convenience for his company while building in the subdivision. There is a way to achieve this convenience that’s legitimate and protects the new homeowner.

It’s accomplished with little ball bearings that fall out of the bottom of the lock the very first time the homeowner’s key is used. When this happens, the contractors key no longer works and the homeowner knows where every key is when they get them from the builder. It’s called Construction Master keying.

This isn’t what was done. What was done was a permanent master key like you’d find in an office building. That means the builder key would work forever unless it was repined and the master wafers were removed. This is a trend I'm seeing in more and more subdivisions.

Real life, Not a sales pitch.

Now, let me tell a true story about the dangers of not doing this. I had a friend that bought a brand new house. He had the locks changed and all was okay there.

About five years after he’d moved in, he was home alone, on his way to bed so the lights were out. No cars were in the driveway. He heard someone trying his doorknob at each door. He was concerned enough to call the police who arrived and caught someone in my friends bushes. It turned out to have been a subcontractor of the builder that had kept the master key we used when the development was built.

These people are probably strangers to you.

How many subcontractors, service people, realtors, electricians, plumbers, carper layers, painters, etc. have had that key pass through their hands? I’ve noticed this trend in keying new construction to be more and more common. It’s worth your family’s security to have the locks redone, or at least checked.


Okay, so your house was previously owned. Think about this.

Now I'll offer another observation I’ve made over the years. You can probably self-validate this scenario.

Let me ask you to think back at the time you closed on your home. How many keys were you given at closing? I was give three as far as I can remember. I was thinking about this the other day.

Right now, today – I have a key to my house, my wife has a key, each of my four adult children have keys, my parents have a key, my wife’s parents have a key. I loaned a key to my neighbor once to bring the mail in. I don’t remember if I ever got that back. So far I’ve counted maybe eleven keys floating out there. If I sold my home, what do you think would be the chances I’d gather every key up and turn them over at closing? Would you? Do you think the previous owners of you home did?

Let me tell one more short story.

I had a customer purchase a new town home and they were sitting in the front room unpacking boxes when the front door swung open and a couple of strangers walked in. It turns out they were friends of the previous owners and knew where they hid the key over the door. They didn’t know their friends had moved, so they just walked in like they’d done so many times before. This is what I call a mystery key. There may be keys to your home whose existence is a mystery, but you can protect yourself. You get my point. Always have your home rekeyed before you move your stuff in. It’s safety: it’s common sense.

Call Thomas Lock & Key, (801) 668-KEYS (5397) | http://www.thomaslockandkey.com

The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith

If you've ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be . Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can't deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the national consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What's more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and over charge you.

When "Local" Is Really Long-Distance

Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the phone book or on the Web using a local telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you're actually connected to a call center in another city. What's more, there's no lockshop at the address listed.

You may be quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The locksmith may also accept only cash.

Some who claim to be "local locksmith" companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job.

Tips for Picking a Locksmith

What's the best way to pick a reputable locksmith? Consider researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you're looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.

But if you're dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really don't have much time for thorough research.

Regardless of whether your are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate locksmith.

In emergency situations:

If you're locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company. You can also buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of preapproved companies to perform services like unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline, and towing.

Call family or friends for recommendations.

If you find a locksmith in the phone book, on the internet, or thorough directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they're local. But the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. You can verify addresses through websites that allow you to match phone numbers with street addresses. Some legitimate locksmiths companies may not include a street address in their listing either because they operate a "mobile" business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a locksmith who doesn't list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it's a "mobile" business, you will understand they have no store front.

Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you don't want to go with the first locksmith you call.

If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like "locksmith services", rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.

Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of "lock-outs" (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.

Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there's a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.

If the price the locksmith provides when he arrives doesn't jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.

Never sign a blank form authorizing work.

Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damages during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it's important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover you losses.

When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card, and where applicable, a locksmith license. Nine states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company's name, and whether the locksmith's vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.

Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you're the property owner before doing any work.

Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company's name.

In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you're told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. AN experienced, legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.

After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.

In situations where you have more time, check out locksmiths with your state Attorney General (www.naag.org), local consumer protection agency (www.consumeraction.gov), and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file. (You can get the phone numbers for these organizations in your phone book, through directory assistance, or through web directories.) This is true whether you need a locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire someone to work for you on a continuing basis. You must be able to trust your locksmith. You don't want to give access to the locks for your home, car or place of business to just anyone.

In Case There's a Next Time

Once you've found a reputable locksmith, keep the company's name and contact information in you wallet and address book at home or at work. You may want to program this information into your home and cell phones. This can save you time and trouble the next time you need these services.

Why a Deadbolt?

The simple answer is "Better Home Security!"

Most doors inherently have about a 1/8th to 1/4 inch gap between the door edge and the doorjamb. If the space were any less than this it would be too tight to open and swing shut. The latch from from the doorknob typically extends from the door edge about 1/2 inch. If there's a 1/4 inch gap, that only leaves 1/4 inch of the latch to hold the door closed or to secure it when it's locked.

Now open your door and press on the doorknob latch with your finger. You'll see that it's spring-loaded and easily pushes in. This allows the door to latch when it's swung shut without turning the doorknob. This is also why, if the knob isn't installed exactly right, a LARGE majority can be opened with a simple credit card type of piece of plastic. Also, sometimes it's possible to use a pry tool between the jamb and the door edge to open enough of a gap to just pop this latch open and gain entry.

A deadbolt latch typically has a one -inch throw. That means that when the latch is extended, it protrudes from the edge of the door about an inch. With a 1/4 inch gap, it will enter the jamb about 3/4 of an inch. Three time the penetration into the jamb than the doorknob latch.

Now with the door open, extend the deadbolt latch out and push on it with your finger. You'll see that it's ridged. It can't be pushed in without retracting it with the key or the thumb turn on the inside. This prevents an attack with a stiff piece of plastic.

A deadbolt should be a must on all outside doors to provide greater security and safety for you home and family. Thomas Lock & Key will match your other door hardware and re-pin the deadbolt to match your other keys. We will install your new deadbolt on either wood or metal doors. Dial (801) 668-KEYS (5397)