While burglaries had declined in 2018, their number increased in 2019. Most burglaries take place in the summer, while homeowners are enjoying their vacation. More than half of the burglars have passed through the front door, and many of them are able to break through the security systems. In the face of this growing insecurity, it is essential that you pay attention to the resistance of your locks, whether you are planning to go on vacation or not. How to ensure the resistance of your locks? How do you know when it's time to replace them? What type of lock to choose according to your door? Discover our advice to strengthen your security.

Are your locks strong enough?

To ensure that your locks provide the best possible security for you, there are several criteria you need to consider.

The number of anchor points of the lock

The number of anchor points or the number of closing points is an essential criterion conditioning the resistance of a lock. The more points there are, the more security your door is. Conventional single point locks thus have lower resistance to burglary compared to multi-point locks. Since locking points play an important role in a home's security, you should think about investing in a multi-point lock and hiring a professional locksmith to take care of its installation.

Presence of wear that can be repaired by a locksmith

Over time, your lock may malfunction. She can refuse to lock and the key can be blocked. The solution in this case is to be repaired by a locksmith to prevent burglars from taking advantage of it. Indeed, although it seems hard to believe, some burglars do not no need to force the door since it is not even locked. Be aware that older locks are easier to force and break, which is why it is advisable to replace your locks as soon as you notice that you are having difficulty opening or closing the door.

Most locksmiths offer a service of help emergency 24 hours a day all year round. So don't hesitate to call as soon as you notice the problem, regardless of the day and time. Your safety is at stake! Your locksmith will give you a quote after receiving your call. Once you have validated it, the professional will come to your home as soon as possible to help you out. Depending on the case, he can oil the lock to improve its operation. He can also reclassify the lock, which involves a change of keys.

The quality of the door

You should know that there is no point in having a resistant lock if the door itself is not solid. In order to save money, many homeowners install an interior door as a front door. These hollow core doors are usually made of a thin wood with an empty center. They are made for privacy, not for your safety. You can install the most reliable locks in the world on a hollow door, it won't do you any good if a child can break it. It is therefore advisable to replace all exterior hollow core doors with armored or solid wood doors. These will be much more resistant to break-in attempts.

In which cases should you think about replacing your lock?

Besides the number of closing points and the presence of wear, there are many situations in which you should definitely consider call a locksmith to replace your lock.

A recent burglary

If you've been the victim of a recent break-in, whether it was successful or not, now is the time to replace the door locks in your home. In some cases, burglars end up damage the locks when they attempt to enter the accommodation by force. In other cases, they make you realize that the locking mechanism you put in place is unreliable. This is one of the clearest signs that you need to get your locks replaced.

Lost or stolen keys

If your keys are lost or stolen, it is essential to replace your door locks. Lost or stolen keys automatically reduce the security level of your home, as your keys can be in the hands of malicious people. When you lose your keys or they have been stolen, you should never take it lightly. It is advisable to contact a trusted locksmith and ask him to replace your locks as soon as possible.

The locks are old

Some owners don't change their locks for years. This can be explained by the fact that the locks did not fail them and continue to function well for all this time. This is a common mistake that can have serious consequences. If you haven't changed your locks for a very long time, this is a clear sign that you need to replace them, regardless of their condition and quality. Replacing them with newer models is also a way for you to ensure that your locks will be able to resist to all the modern methods that a burglar uses to force them.

What type of lock to choose?

Regardless of the type of door to be protected, choose a lock that meets the A2P standard. It is your guarantee to invest in a reliable and resistant lock. Insurers also require the installation of this type of lock, failing which you will not be reimbursed in the event of a burglary.

There are three categories of A2P locks:

• A2P * with a break-in resistance level between 5 and 10 min;
• A2P ** with a resistance level between 10 and 15 min;
• A2P *** having a burglary resistance level of more than 15 min.

Note that the higher the resistance rate, the higher the price of the lock will be. There are several types of locks you can choose from depending on your budget and the level of security you are looking for.

• The handle lock can be installed on all types of doors. On the other hand, it is not very solid and is suitable for interior doors.
• The overlay lock is easy to install. It is ideal for garage doors and garden gates.
• The faired lock is stronger than the overlay lock, it is with a safe completely concealing the linkage equipment. It requires a large location.
• The mortise lock offers optimum security since it is fitted into the door.