Nothing in life can prepare you for the tragedy of being unable to enter your home, office, or car. Being locked out and not knowing what to do is a recipe for disaster, especially when people know they are a door away from something important. Whether you just want to rest in the living room, get some work done, or get along with your day, that one door will prevent you from doing any of these. When people encounter these unfortunate situations, the only solution is to call a locksmith.
Emergency locksmiths are the heroes you never thought you needed. They play a significant role in installing, repairing, and monitoring locks, keys, safes, access systems, etc. Although they are mostly known for quick wits during emergency lockouts, their portfolios extend to various locksmithing concerns and scenarios. Knowing when and why you need to call a locksmith will get you closer to addressing safety threats and ensuring the quality of your keys and locks.
10 Reasons Why You Need To Call a Locksmith
1. Getting Locked Out of Your Home
Getting locked out is one of the most common reasons to call a locksmith. Unfortunately, you forgot to bring your keys when you went and talked to your neighbor outside. Or, you grabbed a quick snack at the local convenience store and only realised on the way back home. Unfortunately, the only option is to call a residential locksmith if there are no alternative plans.
Professional locksmiths will ask for $50 to $200 per lock. The price varies depending on what type of lock it is. Locksmiths also provide other services such as re-keying, replacing locks, and duplicating keys to make sure you never get locked out again.
2. Moving Into Your New Home
Congratulations! You’ve just moved into your new, humble abode. Emotions might be a little high, but you must remain calm and be responsible. Moving into a new home doesn’t necessarily ensure your safety. There are copies of your keys and you don’t know who has them. It could be the realtor, contractor, or maybe the head of construction—all of them have possessed a key at some point.
Once you’re all moved in, have your locks rekeyed or replaced. This locksmith service guarantees that the homeowner has sole access to their property—avoiding unauthorised access to the house.
3. Lost Your Keys
The bane of everyone’s existence: losing keys. Losing possession of your keys is quite the predicament. It poses a real security threat and must be settled quickly because who knows who has your keys? In times of distress, emergency locksmiths offer the production of new keys, making way for rekeying or replacing your locks. This ensures that only individuals granted keys can enter your home.
4. After a Break-In or Attempted Breach
Unfortunately, someone just broke into your home. Following the intrusion by an unauthorised person, it is essential to call a locksmith and have your locks changed to avoid this happening again. To prevent a possible re-entry by the intruder, stay calm and look for a locksmith who can identify the security breach, replace the lock, and suggest other preventive measures.
5. Damaged or Weak Locks
Though this can be a DIY project, leaning on the pros will save you time and damage. Over time, locks are prone to internal and external damage. This could lead to a build-up of malfunctions until it fails. Before it gets to that extent, call a locksmith to inspect it immediately and have it repaired to maintain solid security.
6. Upgrade Security Systems
Gone are the days of padlocks and heavy-duty keys, technology has advanced and has made it possible for home and business owners to upgrade their security systems. Upgrading security systems is especially great for businesses, needing a commercial locksmith. The technology ranges from surveillance cameras to smart locks and keyless entry. The future is here, you just have to call your local locksmith.
7. Locked Out from Safes
Just like with keys, you can also forget what a safe’s password is. In times of a malfunctioning or unopenable safe, don’t panic. Commercial locksmiths will help you regain access to your safe and reset the password without breaking it.
8. Locked Out of Your Car
Since we’re on the topic of lockouts, getting locked out of your car would be the lowlight of the day. Leaving your keys inside the car or the key fob not working—these instances can ruin and halt your day in a single snap. Luckily, automotive locksmiths are here to get you back on the road.
Their services include reprogramming key fobs and unlocking car doors without scratching the car. However, prioritise your safety when it’s late at night and you’re in an unfamiliar area. Call a locksmith from a considerably safe and public place.
9. In Need of Repairs and Maintenance
After getting all these new locks and tech for your home and business, call a locksmith for repairs and maintenance a few times a year. This way, you preserve your locks as they are vulnerable to adjustment and damage. These maintenance routines ensure that your locks are still in tip-top condition. Locksmiths can do this by simply conducting the inspection, lubricating necessary parts, and managing adjustments.
Staying on top of your equipment and investing in repair services will preserve your defenses against potential breaches. Minor locksmith issues can quickly escalate to bigger ones, so help yourself maintain the locks to avoid emergencies in the long run. Knowing your locks are still safe and reliable lifts some load off a home or business owner’s chest.
10. Ask for Security Advice and Potential Upgrade
Last but not least, locksmiths can provide useful and necessary security advice. Locksmiths are already known for their hard labor, but people must also recognise that these professionals are masters of their crafts. They can provide home and business owners with security advice and recommend a plan to strengthen the security of the property.
Locksmiths can assess your current locks, suggesting some upgrades or replacements along the way. This way, you are identifying the weaknesses of your property—leaving you with the chance to upgrade your security measures.