Everyone likely experiences it at some point—you lose a set of house keys and are never able to find them. When this happens, you’ll be left wondering whether you should replace your locks or not. In most cases, the best choice for your home security is to have your locks replaced. Consider some important factors to decide what’s right for your home.

Home Security Considerations After Losing a Key

1. Lost vs. Stolen

Think back to the last time and place you had your keys. If you simply misplaced them somewhere in your cluttered garage, the chances of them becoming a home security issue are slim. However, if there is any possibility at all that they were stolen, then someone may have access to your home who shouldn’t. In this case, an immediate lock change is called for.

2. State of Your Current Locks

Inspect the locks that you currently have installed. They are your first line of security defense, so it’s worth investing in upgrades on occasion. If your locks are currently old and often get stuck, then you’re due for an upgrade anyway. If you have lost your keys before and find this to be a common occurrence, perhaps you want to upgrade to a keyless entry so it will never be a concern again.

3. Type of Key Lost

Determine whether the key you lost was a master key or basic key. A master key is used to open multiple locks; many homeowners have a master key that opens all the exterior doors to their home as well as the one leading to the garage. Losing this key leaves your home highly vulnerable, so you always want to have the master yourself. If there’s any chance a master key was the one lost, replace the locks immediately.

If you’ve decided to replace your home’s locks, maximize this investment by having high-quality ones professionally installed by a locksmith. The team at R.S. Griffin Security Solutions Inc. are the residential, commercial, and industrial lock experts of Buford, GA, and throughout Gwinnett County. They can upgrade your home security with everything from deadbolt installation to surveillance cameras. Schedule a free security consultation on their website or by calling (678) 445-1555.