The purpose of installing locks on your front and back door is to safeguard your home from potential intruders. However, did you know that these very locks can jeopardize your security rather than ensuring it? Big box stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, stock various sets of keyed-alike locksets with each set having six to eight or sometimes a dozen locks. One set of keyed alike locks can be opened with the same key so it’s incredibly convenient. A little known fact is that not all the sets are uniquely keyed. Another keyed-alike lockset on the same shelf by the same company can actually be using the same key as the one you bought. This means, when you buy a keyed alike lockset for your home, other people who buy the same lockset brand will have a key to your home!
This may not be serious if neither party knows, but what if there’s someone scoping out that area, watching for potential scores. This culprit could then purchase the same lockset after you, follow you home, and have easy access to all your valuables.
Granted, that’s a bit extreme, but we all know that the criminal element is often crafty and looks for easy ways to make money. For the simple price of $10-$20, they could have access to your flat screen TV, computers, and other high-priced items. Keyed-alike locksets are vulnerable and sometimes finding a match to these locks is as simple as matching the serial number on the key.
If you’d like to ensure your security, while still having a convenient “one key unlocks them all” system, the answer is to re-key the keyed-alike locksets. It’ll be a unique key to you, and will be done by a professional. Contact your local locksmith for more information on the process. A-1 Locksmith of the Palm Beaches, Inc. provides all kinds of locksmith services, including re-keying locks. Feel free to call us at 561 964-6114 or visit our store.
