School’s back in session in Montgomery County and, like the rest of the country, that means new schedules, new routines and maybe even a few new keys floating around your kids’ backpacks.
With all the back-to-school shopping and scheduling, home security may seem like the last thing you’re thinking about.
But the first day of school changes who comes and goes from your home. Your kids will start leaving earlier, come home later, and may even carry house keys for the first time. They’ll have more friends, sports practices and playdates, which means more people coming in and out of your home.
So here’s a few things to check before the first bell.
1. Rekey Your Locks If You Moved This Summer
Bucks County and Montgomery County are home to many families, and summer is always the hottest season for real estate. Did you buy a home in Ambler, Horsham, Blue Bell or Lansdale in July or August? Make sure you rekey the locks.
When you rekey a lock, the internal mechanism is changed, so old keys won’t work anymore. You don’t have to replace the locks themselves — just the internal pins. That means you don’t have to buy a whole new lock, just get a professional to come and do the work. It’s quick, it’s easy, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing nobody else has a key.
D Express Locksmith rekeys locks throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County and Philadelphia County. We offer mobile rekeying — so you don’t have to worry about picking out locks at the hardware store and trying to install them yourself.
2. Smart Locks for Kids Who Will Come Home Alone
Is your kid old enough to come home alone after school? Then you have two choices: Give him a key that he could lose or set up a smart lock that only opens with a unique code.
Smart locks allow you to give each person in the household a unique code, and you can even see who entered your home and when. You can also assign temporary codes to car pool parents or babysitters. If that code gets leaked, you can just revoke access from your phone — no locksmith needed.
There are many different smart locks available that work well in homes in the Philadelphia suburbs, including keypad deadbolts and Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks that sync up with other smart home devices. D Express Locksmith will install and set up your new smart lock, and walk you through how to manage the codes from your phone.
3. Check All Entry Points
Lots of folks will worry about the front door, but many of us forget about the back door or side door. Kids are likely to come in through the garage door or a side door after practice in Doylestown or Blue Bell.
Walk around your property and make sure all your entry points are locked and locked securely:
- Do all the locks on your doors work?
- Do your sliding glass doors have a locking bar or secondary lock?
- Is your garage entry door secured with a deadbolt, rather than a simple knob lock?
- Can your kid reach and operate the lock?
If they can’t use the lock, they’ll just leave the door propped open.
4. Have a Conversation With Your Kids About Keys
We know physical keys are not the most secure, but sometimes a backup is necessary. However, a key is only as safe as the person who’s carrying it. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Never label your key with your address or last name.
- Don’t leave keys in backpacks in an open garage or on the porch.
- Don’t give your key or code to a friend without checking with a parent first. * When you walk out the door, lock it. Even if you’re “only going to run down the street.”
Spending two minutes on this now could save you a lot of time and frustration later.
5. Take Stock of Your Schedule — and Who’s In It
With back-to-school season, schedules change. You might have hired a new after-school sitter, your neighbor has stepped in to help with after-school pickup, or your child has gotten their first job and will be coming and going on their own.
Check who has a key or code to your house. If any of those people were part of your routine last year — maybe they were a sitter or part of your carpool — consider rekeying so you can start fresh. This is especially important after turnover in sitters or nannies. A rekey is fast, cost-effective, and allows you to manage who gets into your home.
Why This Is Important for Suburban Families
The communities near Ambler, Lansdale, Doylestown, and Horsham are generally safe neighborhoods. The problem is, they tend to lull people into a false sense of security. But safe doesn’t mean bulletproof. The vast majority of home burglaries happen between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm when houses are empty since adults are at work and children are at school.
A strong, well-placed deadbolt is one of the best deterrents. Adding a smart lock increases convenience and adds an element of accountability. Rekeying ensures that the only people with access to your home are those that you’ve authorized.
Getting Started
If you’re getting ready for a new school year and want to make sure your house is secure, here are our recommendations:
- Schedule a rekey if you’ve recently moved or had someone who used to have access leave.
- Consider upgrading to a smart lock if your kids will be home alone.
- Have us review your front door and side entry door — we’ll point out areas of weakness and provide recommendations on the best way to address them.
For more than 15 years, D Express Locksmith has provided locksmith services to residents in Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia County. We’re A-rated by the Better Business Bureau, fully licensed and insured, and come to you — whether you’re in Ambler, Blue Bell, Lansdale, Horsham, or any other suburb.
We care about your security.
Call (267) 551-6815 or visit dexpresslock.com to schedule a rekey, smart lock installation, or home security review.
FAQs
How long does it take to rekey a home?
On average, a home rekey takes 30–60 minutes depending on how many locks need to be rekeyed. Since we’re a mobile locksmith service, we come to your home and there’s no travel required.
Can I use my existing lock and just rekey?
Yes. We can work with your existing lock and just replace the internal pins. This means your old keys won’t work anymore, and you’ll receive new ones.
Which smart lock brands do you install?
We work with all major brands of smart locks, including Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and August. We can advise you on which model works best for your door and your smart home system.
My kid lost their key to our house. Should I rekey?
If it was a labeled key that they lost outside the house, it’s probably best to rekey. If they lost the key inside the house or in a place where you know it’s safe, then you might not need to rekey. However, if you’re unsure, we can walk you through what’s the best choice.
Do you install smart locks for commercial properties?
Yes. We can install smart locks and access control systems for office spaces and multi-tenant buildings in the Philadelphia area. Give us a call to see how we can help.