With spring coming around in a few months the real estate market is preparing itself to come into full swing again.

For many homeowners it means thinking about sprucing up the entrance to their home and improve its curb appeal in order to get top dollar for the property. When selecting a new door lock it’s important to make sure that it can resist break-in attempts.

To be safe we recommend to follow these guidelines:

• Make sure you buy a dead-bolt lock. It’s much safer than the key-in-knob lock which can be easily opened with a credit card.
• Buy a lock with a 1″ long dead bolt and a reinforced metal box strike.
• Use 3″ long mounting screws for installation to securely fasten the lock.
• If your budget allows it buy a high-security lock. They do cost more than a standard lock but they do resist picking.
• If you’re budget is on the lower end find a lock that comes with a sturdy strike plate.

Some homeowners like double-cylinder dead-bolt locks (a key is needed to open whether you’re outside or inside) because a burglar can’t just break the glass and reach in to unlock the door. These locks are not allowed everywhere because they make it difficult to get in or out in case of an emergency. Be sure to check with your local building department before installing this type of lock.

Jim Arsenault is a Connecticut Master Locksmith with 30+ years experience. He is licensed, insured, and bonded. Jim repairs and installs locks at your Connecticut home or business, email Jim or give him a call at 860-678-9797 if you need help with your locks.

Connecticut is one of only a handfull of states (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia) that requires locksmiths to be licensend. In addition Hillsborough County and Miami Dade in Florida, Nevada, New York City, Nassau County, NY require locksmiths to be licensed locally (according to the Associated Locksmiths of America website).

But what about states and local counties that do not have this law? How can consumers be sure that a trustworthy professional shows up on their doorstep and in many cases enters their home? The unfortunate answer is, they can’t. If there’s no licensing requirement there is also no criminal background check, which locksmiths must generally undergo in order to obtain a license in those locations where licensing is a must.

A recent arrest of a locksmith in South Carolina who is a convicted sex offender and was arrested again on sexual assault charges makes it obvious that licensing for locksmiths should be made a law in every state across the country, not just a few. The individual in South Carolina worked as a locksmith since 2002. He is also a registered sex offender, twice-convicted for sex crimes involving young teens in 2005 and 2008, according to the records. He was arrested again in March 2016 in connection with sex crimes against two 4-year-old children.

Unsuspecting consumers, unaware of this man’s criminal past, had him come into their home bringing their kids into a possible risky situation without knowing it.

South Carolina is currently working on a bill that would require locksmiths to be licensed, we hope it will become law.

Jim Arsenault is a Connecticut Master Locksmith with 30+ years experience. He is licensed, insured, and bonded. Jim repairs and installs locks at your Connecticut home or business, email Jim or give him a call at 860-678-9797 if you need help with your locks.