| Have you lived in your home for quite some time, | | | | who has since moved away? These locks should |
| had an ever-changing base of trusted friends, and | | | | be changed if anyone has ever possessed a copy |
| given a copied key of your home to someone? If | | | | of your keys. Burglars are very intelligent and |
| you're not sure who may or may not hold access | | | | sneaky, and though they may not be the trusted |
| to your front door, it may be time to reassess | | | | party with the key, they may be close enough to |
| your home's security level. | | | | gain access and make their own copy. |
| Changing the locks to all entrances of your home | | | | Cleaning companies frequently require access to |
| may be a good idea if you fit any of the criteria | | | | your home when you are not home, and this |
| named above, and this is a relatively inexpensive | | | | may also pose a security risk. Always inquire on |
| measure to increasing your security. If you have | | | | the company's background check policy for all |
| recently purchased your home, changing locks is a | | | | employees. If an employee is found to breach a |
| must, especially if the prior owner or tenant was | | | | customer's security in any way, a reputable |
| foreclosed upon or ordered to leave. Ill wills lead | | | | company will notify you in order to take the |
| to many break-ins that would be prevented with | | | | proper precautionary steps. When switching the |
| a changed lock and set of new keys. | | | | companies or discontinuing service, always change |
| If you are a renter, make sure you are aware of | | | | your locks and security codes. |
| your property management's policies on giving out | | | | A simple online search will lend many ideas to |
| copies of keys. Any change in maintenance | | | | inexpensively increase the security of your home. |
| employees should be followed by your request | | | | Owners of home security systems may also |
| for a change of locks. Residents are usually not | | | | contact their company directly to inquire of |
| aware of the circumstances of a crew member | | | | additional measures which should be taken. If you |
| leaving their employment there, or whether keys | | | | believe your home's security has been breached in |
| were ever returned to the management office | | | | any way, inform your security system provider |
| without new copies being made. | | | | and the proper authorities. |
| Those homeowners who have a garage or | | | | If you live alone, or are frequently away from |
| security system alarm touch pad should | | | | home, installing a home security system is a must. |
| frequently change the code. Many households | | | | Those who employ the services of cleaning and |
| frequently give out the codes to enter their | | | | maintenance companies to upkeep their homes |
| homes without considering it may ever be used | | | | while away face special security issues. Remote |
| against them. It makes no sense to install a | | | | applications allow you to access your system |
| system of any kind, and then simply hand out the | | | | when away from home, and provide 24/7 |
| code to family and neighbors. | | | | protection against break-ins, fire and dangerous |
| Have you ever given a key to a trusted neighbor | | | | carbon monoxide levels. |