I think this latest blog is an important one to share, not to scare or alarm you, but to highlight some burglary statistics that will hopefully change your mindset when it comes to the security of your property. According to review42.com a burglary happens every 106 seconds? Do the maths, and that’s 34 burglaries committed every hour and 816 in a day! As alarming as that may sound, sadly it’s true. Burglaries are the most common crime committed in the UK, and most take place during the day between midday and 4pm, often with someone inside the house. Everyone knows someone who has been burgled, and most people probably think it won’t happen to them. Well, it can, even to you. Thankfully, taking the right security precautions at the right time can help you enormously. Look out for the signs Afternoons are a prime time for break-in’s because most people are away at their day jobs, or on the school run etc, leaving their homes empty and vulnerable. Despite the image we have in our heads about burglars wearing black and white striped tops with a large sack to carry away stolen goods – just like Burglar Bill - the reality is burglars are one step ahead and avoid attracting attention to themselves. They do their research well beforehand to identify any opportunities, such as periods when homes are empty, and break into your home when there’s a high chance of no one being there. Furthermore, it’s very likely for them to get unwanted attention if they’re hanging around your property at night. During the day they can go unnoticed and protest their innocence about appearing to be lost. Often a plausible excuse. With more people working from home these days, the likelihood of someone being at home when a burglary takes place has increased. Sadly, when burglars encounter someone at home they resort to physical and mental violence, which is likely to have lasting effects, aside from the trauma of your valuables being stolen. I n and out within 10 minutes Burglaries are reported to take less than 10 minutes as they want to get the job done as swiftly and discreetly as possible, which is why they tend to act very quickly without you knowing they were at your home. If you have no security and safety precautions in place, a professional burglar might be on his way back with all your precious belongings before you even get the chance to call the police. So, how do they manage to break in in the first place? The truth is by items lying around outside your property like ladders, garden tools and furniture. The solution is to not leave such equipment for burglars to use and to lock up garages and sheds that might contain such tools, trim large trees, and take care of any such blind spots. The most common entry point is through your door, and a lot of the time burglars don’t have to ‘break-in’, as they are carelessly left open, and the burglar just walks in. Windows are also at risk so remember to lock all your doors and windows properly when leaving your property. Other useful facts to know include, young people being more vulnerable as they are deemed to be more careless when it comes to security, the summer months tend to be a more popular time for burglaries due empty properties as people are away for longer periods and windows tend to be left open more, and finally in the modern world we live in today, burglars are after your data. Therefore, password protect computers and laptops, shred anything confidential lying around and lock away valuable information such as passports, birth certificates and bank statements. What’s the solution? You’ve worked too hard to own your property to have someone break into your house and steal it from you. Here’s a few safety measures to help you prevent a burglary taking place: • Keeping the doors and windows always closed and locked with sturdy locks that don’t break easily. Get any faulty locks replaced by a local locksmith if you’re concerned. • Leaving the lights on indefinitely might do you more harm than good, which is why it is best to use timers to make your house look occupied – even when it is not. • Do not post about your travel plans or daily schedule on social media. Burglars look out for such information and use it to break into your property. Check your privacy settings on your social media while you are at it as well. • Cut large trees and bushes that might be good hiding or climbing spots for burglars. • Always keep your sheds and garages locked. • Most importantly, consider investing in a good security system. Summary We all know Ring doorbells and security alarms are a useful deterrent these days and will help a burglar lose interest if they see a basic security system in place. Any good locksmith will offer advice if they see security is being compromised. At RLM Locksmiths we are always happy to visit your property to give you some helpful advice around safety and security as this is all part of the service!

Sadly, all locks have a shelf life and at some stage they will need replacing. Whether it’s your home, business premises, garden shed or an outside office building. A properly functioning door is the first line of defence against burglars or opportunists. Replacing locks are far from people’s minds, whether you’ve purchased a new home or lived in your home for decades, well-functioning locks should be a high priority. Locks that become damaged or are getting stiff and hard to use is the time you need to start paying your locks some attention. What can you do to keep one step ahead and resolve these issues? Here’s 5 top tips to look out for: 1. Moving into a new house We understand it’s exciting moving into a new property but before you pop the cork on your champagne bottle, make sure you change your entry door locks. Keys are in circulation well after you’ve stepped through the front door, so don’t compromise your safety and security by overlooking a fairly inexpensive task. You’ve invested a lot of money into your new home so don’t get carried away with setting up the Wi-Fi or planning your décor ideas. When you are safe and secure, these niceties can start to take place. Calling out a local locksmith on the day you are moving is a great way to ensure your home, family and valuables are protected. 2. Wear and tear Locks are the most well-used mechanical hardware we use each day in our homes or business premises. Even if they are old but in good working order, it’s worth upgrading to more modern locks as security systems and regulations change over time. Modern locks are more burglar proof and offer greater protection for your home. Because of their constant use, locks are subjected to more wear, making them more likely to break down over time. If they look old and are not functioning as well, now is the time to replace them. A standard lock with proper care and maintenance could see you through several years but as wear and wear takes hold, the risk of them failing increases. 3. A rise in local burglaries You may have heard there has been a one-off or a spate of recent burglaries in your area. Opportunists will always take their chances, so it’s imperative you get your locks changed to prevent you falling victim. If, however you do fall victim, it may be that the burglar used brutal force to enter your home or premises and the likelihood is that the door or locking mechanism has been damaged, making it highly likely that the door won’t shut or lock properly. However, if the burglar entered your property by picking the lock or using a badly hidden key, its certain that your locks are not secure enough and criminals are likely to target you again. Replacing the lock will solve both these issues. Sadly, there is no guarantee to stop a burglary, but different locks come with different security features, making your home more secure and less vulnerable. Whilst burglars may try their luck a second time thinking they will enter the property again, for this reason it’s vital you change your locks immediately after a burglary takes place. Check your locks to see if they are 3 Star rated or have the British Standard Kite Mark on them. If not, think about getting them upgraded. 4. Damaged locks due to incorrect use It’s common for a lock to become damaged due to incorrect use. This can happen for a number of reasons, including incorrect installation, age, and misalignment. Maybe you’ve jiggled your key around over the years just to gain entry, or you’ve forced the door and lock when it shouldn’t need to be forced. It can even happen when you’ve had extra keys cut, which may have been badly cut, therefore causing damage inside the lock. This can have an effect on turning the key, resulting in the door not locking or unlocking correctly. This is where an emergency local locksmith needs to be called out to gain access into your property. To save this happening, be proactive and investigate replacing your locks before you risk a complete lock-out. 5. Manufacturer or malfunction errors Locks are designed to be used again and again and are tested to last. However just a slight misalignment can cause excess pressure on handles and locking mechanisms, which cause breakages and cracks in the internal parts of your lock. This can expose manufacturer weaknesses and cause your lock to malfunction leaving you either locked in or out. These issues can arise when your doors or locks were originally badly installed or can occur over time through misuse or when excess force has been repeatedly used to close a door. A misalignment now, that is only causing slight tension on the bolt, can lead to a much more serious issue when winter arrives and the door swells. For more helpful information, visit https://www.rlmlocksmiths.co.uk/

Over the years, I’ve learnt from experience that doing your homework is key. No matter what situation you find yourself in. When it comes to needing a locksmith, there are a number of scenarios that I see play out quite often. Firstly, the most popular is the one where you walk out the door and forget your keys. Others include you leaving your keys at work or for some reason the door just simply won’t open. We’ve all been there, so please don’t think you’re alone. You instantly panic and do a quick Google search and find what you think is a local locksmith, but this is not always the case and can be a costly mistake. Websites can appear to show a local company, making you think they are near your property, when in fact you’re going through to a central switchboard which can be located anywhere from Brighton-Bristol, and beyond. They give you the impression they will arrive quickly, but with the distance needed to travel, this can leave you left stranded outside your property for longer than necessary. All adding to the stress of the situation. Call centres often sub out work without necessarily performing full checks on their locksmiths or knowing how good a job they’ll do. This is where you can expect unnecessary high charges to cover the call centre costs and the long distance a locksmith has travelled. To avoid making a costly call in your hour of need, I suggest you do some research ahead of time on a genuinely local locksmith. Check out reviews and more importantly check they are local. Even a new locksmith, if they are good to their word, will have received some positive reviews. This research can be conducted via their Google business profile and their Facebook page so you can see for yourself what previous customers have to say about them. Put in a call to them to have a chat if it makes you feel reassured. I certainly wouldn’t take offence to this approach at all. In fact, I’d commend you for it! And my advice would be to find more than one locksmith if you can so you have a backup should the one you really want not be available when you need them. Ideally, word of mouth is the best place to start. If a locksmith is recommended, you’re more likely to use them as your friends or family have been pleased with their work. This way you avoid the costly call centre scenario. When you’ve decided on which locksmith you like and trust, store their number in your phone. List as “Locksmith” and not the business name as in an emergency it’s easier to go straight to the locksmith listing in your phone. You never know when you’re going to need them, but when you do, you know you can make that call and trust they are going to turn up quickly. Always ask for quotes ahead so there are no hidden surprises when the job is complete. A good locksmith will always be able to give you a quote or at least a guide as to the what the cost will be. Any genuine locksmith will discuss pricing with you before any work is carried out as the costs involved can sometimes differ and maybe higher than originally quoted. This gives you the option to proceed with the work required or not. Locksmiths are not only available for when you’ve locked yourself out. They can help with faulty doors and locks too, so this is the time you need to get that phone number stored in your phone before there is a problem. A faulty lock can cost you time and money, especially if you are on your way to work or if the faulty lock is located on your business premises. Alarmingly, there is no regulation around the licensing of locksmiths, which means anyone can trade/advertise as a locksmith irrespective of competence, background or motive. Another reason to do your homework and use someone you trust. The more checks you can do on your local locksmith the better. This may include finding out if they are listed with any local business guild or if they’ve received any accreditations. The more reassurance you have, the better. From my experience, locksmiths can quickly become your local heroes. Follow my three top tips: do your homework; store a local locksmiths number; and pre-empt the worst happening – to avoid any unnecessary stress or delays. RLM Locksmiths: Office: 01737 881580 Mobile: 07837 917621

RLM Locksmiths announces new KEY TAG service aimed to reunite owners with their lost keys

As we get closer to Christmas and some well-deserved time off work, we tend to think of Christmas parties, mince pies, wrapping presents, Christmas movies and decorating the house (inside and out). What we don’t stop to think about is how secure our homes are. Unfortunately, each year we see an increase in home burglaries during the festive season, especially on the lead up to Christmas Day. During the weeks before Christmas we all tend to have all the presents stored (hopefully wrapped) ready for thew 25th December. This makes home burglary an attractive target for thieve to target. Lots of high end, expensive items ready for the taking. What can you do to try and keep your home safe for the holidays? We spoke with Dan Reynolds, Director of RLM Locksmiths to get some top tips about what you can do to make your home safer. One of the first things to think about is the wonderful festive lighting outside our homes. Consider how you’re feeding those electric cables into your property. Are you leaving a window slightly open and insecure? We recommend considering an alternative (getting an external plug socket installed), or at the very least double check the entry points are as secure as possible if being unattended. At a time when many of us are hoping to get away and visit family and friends over the Christmas period it’s important to leave your home secure while you are away. If you have a trusted neighbour, get them to check on your house each day, removing any post, switching lights on and off and closing curtains at night-time, all of which give the impression that someone is home. Get someone to put the bins away on rubbish day. Bins left in the road is a tell-tale sign that the homeowner is away. If you have recently moved house, it’s vital that you change your locks. A staggering 58% of people don’t change their locks when they move. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of moving into your new home, especially at Christmas time, when there is so much else to think about. It’s possible that a number of people might still have keys to your property. As soon as you can, instruct a local locksmith to change all your locks. You’ve invested a considerable sum of money into your new property, so you owe it to yourself to make it safe and secure. The better the lock the harder it will be for anyone to break in. Spending a few extra pounds on your security will serve you well down the line. After the excitement of Christmas Day, it’s easy to forget that the empty boxes left outside (xbox, playstation or Iphone) is a nice big advert to any burglars what nice new things you have in your home. Make sure boxes are not on display when rubbish is put outside. Same applies to posting on social media, be cautions of any posts that show your lovely new gifts, especially if your social media is visible to everyone. A little bit of attention towards your home security will ensure that you are less likely to be a target this Christmas, and remember to always check all doors and window before you go out to walk off that Christmas turkey.

Being a locksmith means no day is the same, or night come to think of it! Providing a 24-hour emergency service means people need never panic about locking themselves out as help is always on the way. Dan Reynolds, Director of RLM Locksmiths, gives us a useful insight into his world as a local locksmith covering Surrey and Sussex. What makes a good locksmith? Planning your day is hard as you never know when you might get an emergency call. However, it does provide flexibility around my family and creates a great work/life balance. As a family man and people person, I find these are two really important attributes as a locksmith. It shows commitment and care and enables me to quickly build trust with my customers. After all, you are inviting me into your property to change your locks, so trust is an important factor from the customer’s side. However, there is something quite exciting not knowing how your day is going to start and finish. One thing I do know is that sorting paperwork and business development will feature somewhere. I dedicate time each day to keep on top of this and continually strive to think of new ways I can promote myself and to show the range of work a locksmith can undertake; window mechanisms, door adjustments and door/lock servicing, in addition to getting the lock open when you are locked out. Cutting edge technology on the move A new service I’ve just invested in is a mobile key cutting service. As it’s mobile, I can visit customers at home or their place of work to get keys cut at a time convenient for them. Plus is gives them the advantage of trying out their new key in real time to check everything works to their satisfaction. Keeping social Social media is key for the growth of my business, and this requires a lot of my time to keep this updated. I try and post photos of the type of work completed for my customers so that it showcases the range of work I do. This can often prompt people to get in touch if they have a similar problem. Customer service at its best Then I get a call! This may be right on my doorstep or up to ten miles away – I cover Surrey and Sussex - so I’m always prepared for whatever situation and location I’m heading to. I find out ahead of my visit what the exact problem is so I can take the appropriate locks and materials. New and repeat customers are always amazed at the speed I sort out their locks and get them back into their property. During my visits I offer free advice in case I notice something glaringly obvious that may improve their home security. All part of the service. It’s worth highlighting that people aren’t paying for my time spent at their house, but my experience and time I spend practising and learning about locks when it comes to opening them and fixing the problem. To me a customer isn’t just a job; they’re a life-long customer, so my standard of customer service is really important to me. Hence why always receive 5-star Google and Facebook reviews. Not a 9-5 job I return home from my call out and get prepared in case another call is imminent. It’s not unusual to get a call at 2am so late nights just aren’t an option! In fact, even on Christmas Day last year I was called out at 12.30am to a family who couldn’t access their property due to a faulty lock. Similarly, this year started off with a local hotel getting in touch to open a faulty fire door. The door was fixed at 1am and I managed to reassure staff that they could get their guests out in an emergency situation. Aside from preparing quotes and sending out customer invoices, the life of a local locksmith keeps me busy, especially as the business continues to grow and expand. No job is the same, no day is the same, but the rewards of helping people in an emergency situation is exactly why I chose to work in this profession.

Your wallet isn’t just a convenient place to store money and your driver’s license. It is also filled with credit cards, debit cards, family photos, and other important information. Before you lose your wallet and face the difficulty of replacing the items, you may want to take these steps. Take a proactive approach to protecting your wallet: 1. Make a list of everything in your wallet. By creating a list, it will be easier to replace the missing items if something happens to your wallet. • It’s important to write down everything, even the pet photos, so you’ll know what you might want to replace later. • Consider making more than one copy of the list. Keep a printed version in a safe place and a digital version saved in the cloud (or on a portable hard drive). The list will need to be easily accessed, so keeping an extra copy at home will help you too. 2. Write down account numbers and phone numbers. Credit cards and debit cards often have free phone numbers on the back that can help you. But if these numbers are in your missing wallet, they aren’t much help. • By writing down the phone numbers and account numbers, it will be much easier and quicker to prevent fraudulent charges and order replacement cards. • Even better, make copies of all of your cards. If you have access to a copy machine, you may want to make copies of all of the cards in your wallet. 3. Never keep your NATIONAL INSURANCE CARD in your wallet. It’s safer to leave your National Insurance Card at home. Thieves can use this information to steal your identity and wreak havoc with your financial life for a long time. • Unless you’re going to a meeting or appointment that requires you to bring a National Insurance Card, it’s not necessary to carry it in your wallet. You can leave it in a safe place and have one less thing to worry about. • By reducing the amount of personal information you carry in your wallet, you’ll make it more difficult for thieves to steal your identity. 4. Make copies of your pictures. The pictures in your wallet can be just as valuable as the cards and money. The memories and messages they represent are difficult to replace. 5. Avoid attaching your keys to your wallet. Keep your keys separate from your wallet. If one gets lost, at least the other one will be safe. This will make replacing everything a simpler process. 6. Keep your PIN numbers and passwords out of your wallet. From your email account to your social media profiles, you have multiple passwords to remember. Although it’s not easy to memorise or keep track of all the passwords you need, you don’t want to carry them in your wallet. Keep them in a separate, safe place. • If your wallet disappears, and your PIN numbers or passwords are in there, thieves will have easy access to your accounts. • Also, by leaving your PIN number within easy access to thieves, your bank might not even cover the fraudulent charges that were made with PIN numbers. You may not be able to stop every instance of your wallet getting lost or stolen. However, you can be prepared for the possibility and take steps to reduce the negative impact if it happens.

What if you’re a business with staff waiting to get in to start their working day? Potentially hours could be lost and your productivity instantly goes on hold. Your paying staff for waiting around while you find a locksmith.

Finding a locksmith is relatively easy in an emergency, you do a quick Google search and voila you find a contact number and company. But are they always local to you and are they any good? In this blog I have outlined some thing to think about and how to find a good local locksmith that you can trust. Don’t just Google and pick the first locksmith you find. Make sure the company is listed in more than one place, and check out their social media pages, reviews and recommendations. Be very cautious of cheap prices, as you’ll end up paying a lot more in the long run, with hidden costs you won’t be told about over the phone. Check their ID on arrival and make sure this includes a photo. Call the company if you need further reassurance. Watch out for national call centres who just sub out the work. Make sure you ask the person on the phone if they are the locksmith that will be attending. Consider they could be travelling over an hour away which can all add to the stress if you’re locked out. Speed is of the essence. Most locksmiths enter into this profession because they are interested in providing a service that helps people in an emergency situation. It brings great rewards and provides the perfect opportunity to capture feedback. I’m always interested to hear if my customers have found me through my social media channels or my website. By having this info, I can then work out where my marketing budget needs more focus. I pride myself on providing a quick-turnaround service, which is both affordable and informative. By storing a local locksmiths number in your mobile for future emergencies is something I strongly recommend you do so you are never caught out.