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Home & Business Security Tips

Practical, actionable security advice from Vancouver's trusted locksmiths. Protect your home, business, and family with these expert recommendations.

20+Expert Tips
Home& Business
30+Years Experience
LocalVancouver Experts
For Homeowners

Home Security Tips

  • Install Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts on all exterior doors. Builder-grade locks offer minimal protection. A quality deadbolt with a one-inch throw bolt and hardened steel construction is your first line of defense against forced entry.
  • Reinforce door frames with 3-inch screws. Most door frames are secured with short screws that only reach the door jamb. Replacing them with 3-inch screws anchors the strike plate into the wall stud, dramatically improving kick-in resistance for a few dollars in hardware.
  • Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal bar or wooden dowel in the track to prevent the door from being forced open. Consider adding a secondary lock at the top of the sliding panel. Floor bolts offer an additional layer of security that is difficult to bypass from outside.
  • Rekey locks whenever you move. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the previous owner's or tenant's keys exist. Rekeying is affordable and gives you a clean slate. This applies to houses, condos, and rental units.
  • Use motion-sensor lighting at all entry points. Well-lit properties are far less attractive to intruders. Install motion-activated lights above the front door, back door, garage, and any lane-facing areas. LED fixtures are energy-efficient and last for years.
  • Never hide spare keys outside. Under mats, inside fake rocks, on top of door frames, and inside mailboxes are all spots that intruders check. Use a coded lockbox mounted in a discreet location, or give a spare to a trusted neighbour.
  • Secure your garage door. Garages are often the weakest point of home security. Use a quality deadbolt on the door between your garage and house. If you have an automatic opener, disable the emergency release when you are away for extended periods.
  • Add window locks to ground-floor windows. Standard window latches can often be forced. Pin locks or keyed window locks provide a much higher level of security, especially for windows that are not visible from the street.
  • Consider a restricted key system. Restricted keys cannot be duplicated at regular key-cutting kiosks. Only an authorized locksmith with your permission can make copies. This is ideal for families, rental properties, and anyone who wants complete control over key distribution.
  • Get a professional security assessment. A licensed locksmith can walk through your property and identify vulnerabilities you might overlook. Small changes like longer strike plate screws, hinge pins, and door reinforcement kits can significantly improve your overall security posture.
For Business Owners

Business Security Tips

Implement a Master Key System

A properly designed master key system gives management access to all areas while limiting individual employees to only the spaces they need. This reduces the number of keys in circulation and simplifies access management as staff changes occur.

Use Commercial-Grade Hardware

Commercial doors experience far more daily use than residential ones. Grade 1 commercial locks are built to withstand heavy traffic and resist forced entry. Investing in proper commercial hardware prevents costly repairs and replacements from premature wear.

Rekey When Employees Leave

Every time a key-holding employee departs, you should rekey the affected locks or update access codes. Former employees retaining access to your premises is a significant and entirely preventable security risk. Make rekeying part of your offboarding process.

Secure Back-of-House Entry Points

Rear doors, loading docks, and service entrances are common intrusion points because they receive less attention. Ensure these doors have commercial deadbolts, panic bars with alarm integration, and adequate lighting. Check closures and hinges regularly.

Install Access Control Systems

Electronic access control lets you track who enters and exits your building, set time-based access schedules, and instantly revoke credentials. Modern systems range from simple keypad locks to full card-reader setups with cloud-based management dashboards.

Protect Your Safe and Cash Handling

If your business handles cash, invest in a commercial-rated safe bolted to the floor. Limit the number of employees who know the combination. Change the combination regularly, especially after any staff turnover. A drop safe allows employees to deposit cash without accessing the main compartment.

Schedule Regular Security Audits

Have a locksmith inspect your locks, doors, and access points at least annually. Hardware wears down, doors shift, and security needs evolve as your business grows. An annual audit catches problems before they become vulnerabilities.

Secure Filing Cabinets and Server Rooms

Sensitive client data, financial records, and IT infrastructure need physical protection beyond your perimeter doors. Keyed filing cabinets and dedicated locks on server room doors with restricted key access ensure that critical assets are protected even if someone gains entry to the building.

Year-Round Protection

Seasonal Security Tips

Security needs change throughout the year. Here is how to stay protected during key seasonal periods.

Vacation & Travel Security

Before leaving for a trip, double-check that all doors and windows are locked. Use timers on interior lights to simulate occupancy. Ask a trusted neighbour to collect packages and flyers. Avoid posting travel plans on social media until you return. Consider a smart lock that lets you verify your door is locked remotely.

Winter Preparedness

Vancouver's wet winters can cause lock mechanisms to corrode and door frames to swell. Apply a graphite-based lubricant to exterior locks before the rainy season. Check weather stripping around doors to ensure proper closure. If your deadbolt is harder to turn in cold weather, it may need servicing before it fails at the worst moment.

Holiday Season Awareness

The holiday season sees an uptick in property crime due to increased package deliveries, visible gifts, and homes left empty during family visits. Avoid leaving boxes from expensive purchases visible at the curb. Ensure all exterior lights are working. If you are away, have someone check on your home regularly.

Emergency Response

What to Do After a Break-In

If your home or business has been broken into, follow these steps to secure your property and begin recovery.

  1. Do not enter the property. If you arrive and notice signs of a break-in such as a forced door, broken window, or items out of place, do not go inside. The intruder may still be present. Move to a safe location and call 911 immediately.
  2. Contact the police and file a report. Wait for officers to arrive and clear the property before entering. File a police report and document the reference number. You will need this for insurance claims and follow-up investigations.
  3. Document everything before touching anything. Take photos and videos of all damage, displaced items, and entry points. Insurance companies require documentation. Try not to move or clean anything until the police have completed their initial assessment.
  4. Call a locksmith to secure all entry points. Any locks that were forced or compromised need to be replaced immediately. Even locks that appear undamaged should be rekeyed, as the intruder may have obtained keys during the break-in. Call 604-734-7233 for emergency lock replacement.
  5. Contact your insurance company. Report the break-in as soon as possible. Provide the police report number, your photos and video documentation, and a list of stolen or damaged items with estimated values.
  6. Upgrade your security. A break-in is a clear signal that your existing security was insufficient. Work with a locksmith to assess all entry points and install upgraded hardware. Consider high-security deadbolts, reinforced strike plates, window locks, and motion-sensor lighting.
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