The Master Locksmiths Association advises new home owners to spring into action

AHEAD of the typical spring peak in UK house sales, the Master Locksmiths Association – the leading trade association for the locksmithing profession – issues new advice to home buyers to take five critical steps to ensure the safety and security of their new home.

Dr Steffan George, development director of the Master Locksmiths Association says: “Your new property may be one of the most expensive assets you will ever own, which makes securing it vital. Unfortunately a lot of people don’t carry out thorough security checks or change their locks when they move into a new home which can have devastating consequences. Whether you’re a homeowner or landlord, ensuring your property is safe and secure can not only add value to your property, but can save money and heart-ache in the long term.”

Here, Dr Steffan George lays out the five critical steps to securing your new home:

1. Change the locks.

Previous residents, their friends and family, or even tradesmen may still have keys to your new home. The MLA strongly advises you contact a local approved locksmith to install new locks. A patented lock system may be particularly beneficial for landlords, as they prevent keys being copied without proof of ownership thus restricting the number of people with access to your property.

2. Carry out a security assessment.

Ensuring you have the correct locks on windows and doors will not only to keep your property safe, it’s vital for meeting your specified insurance requirements too. Many MLA approved locksmiths will complete a security assessment free of charge – so you have no excuse!

3. Invest in deterrents if your new property is without them.

Dusk to dawn external lights, functioning alarm systems, fake TVs and timed lighting are all effective means of deterring would-be thieves from breaking into your property. They’re also vital if you’re not planning on moving in straight away – you don’t want a burglar to realise your home is unoccupied.

4. Make sure the exterior of your property is well maintained.

Overgrown hedges, holes or damage to any fences and gates could be seen as opportunities to gain access to your home, or a red flag to burglars that the rest of your property may be easy to access.

5. Finally, as tempting as it may be, don’t cut costs when it comes to security.

Moving into a new property is an expensive time for all new home buyers however, having lower-quality security can result in further expense in the long term. Always ensure you buy high quality security products – we would recommend items that have been independently tested and approved andby a certification body such as Sold Secure, supplied and installed by an MLA Approved Locksmith.

To find a locksmith in your area visit the MLA website at locksmiths.co.uk and to review a list of independently tested and approved security products visit the Sold Secure website at soldsecure.com Security guidelines for domestic properties can also be downloaded free of charge from the MLA’s website.