Did you know that, according to the ONS, a burglary happens in England and Wales approximately every two minutes? In 2025 police had reports of 229,223 burglaries from residential and non-residential properties. While it was a 12% drop on the previous year, it is still a big problem. Sadly, people make three big home security mistakes that can leave them vulnerable. We want to have a closer look here, then you can trust us if you need help from an emergency locksmith in Chigwell.

Lock changes

When you moved into your current home, did you change the locks? If not, your property may have been vulnerable ever since. While the previous occupants may have been honest and reliable, you can’t be too careful. It could have been someone now just waiting for a good opportunity to get in and take what they want. Or they may have given keys to third parties who are untrustworthy.

The best thing to do is get new locks when you move in. This is the only way to be 100% sure you know about every copy of the keys. It’s a relatively easy job too. You may be able to do it yourself, or can call a professional locksmith if you prefer. It’s also a good time to upgrade if the locks are old.

Windows

It’s a struggle in the UK to keep many buildings cool, especially during a heatwave. Opening the windows is a good idea, even if it doesn’t seem to do much sometimes. However, you need to be careful. It’s never a good idea to leave windows open when you’re not monitoring them. It provides an opportunity for someone to climb in. Be cautious and close them, especially when you won’t be home, or put them on the locks to leave them open a crack.

Where do you leave your keys?

As the top emergency locksmith in Chigwell, our goal is to ensure people have reliable locks in good working order. However, even then you could still be the victim of a burglary if you make a significant mistake. The most important thing is to never leave your keys visible and easily accessible. Thieves can try various things to steal keys and unlock your door, including fishing through windows and reaching in letterboxes.

One thing to be careful about is leaving keys in the lock inside the door. It may allow someone to open the door from the outside. Additionally, if the keys are right there, they will be easy to find if someone gains entry through another opening.

As an addition to this, be very careful if you use a key safe. They are a great way to ensure keys are easy to find for family members, carers, and other people who need to gain entry. It can be a good choice for emergencies too. However, make sure they are durable and secure. You’re asking for trouble if you choose a poor quality one that could easily be smashed open by a thief.

A reliable emergency locksmith in Chigwell

Experiencing a burglary, especially knowing a thief has been in your home, is awful. So, avoid making any of the mistakes we mentioned above. It will ensure you are less vulnerable.

If you need any help with locks, including changing them and repairs, you can rely on us. We’ve been working in North East London for years, providing outstanding round the clock services. When you need us, we’ll do all we can to get to you within thirty minutes, especially when it’s urgent.

So, contact us whenever you need an emergency locksmith in Chigwell. We even provide fast services if you need to secure a property after a burglary.