60%
of break-ins happen through unlocked or poorly locked entry points
73%
of burglars head to the master bedroom first
5 min
is all it takes to remove an unanchored safe from a home
10yr
is around how old many residential locks are in Inner West homes
1 Entry Doors & Deadbolts
Your front door is the most obvious target. Most residential break-ins don’t involve smashing windows or picking locks — they exploit poor installation, worn hardware, or a door that was never properly secured to begin with.
✓
Deadbolt on every external door
A knob lock or lever set alone isn’t enough. Every external door should have a deadbolt with at least a 25mm throw. If it doesn’t, call us.
Critical
✓
Locks are less than 10 years old
Lock cylinders wear down over time. A 10-year-old lock may not meet current Australian standards and may be easier to bypass than you think.
Critical
✓
Strike plate is reinforced with long screws
Most standard strike plates are held with 20mm screws. A single kick can split the frame. Replace with 75mm screws going into the stud — this is one of the cheapest, most effective upgrades you can make.
Critical
✓
Security screen door installed
A quality security screen door adds a second layer of protection and is a proven deterrent. Make sure it has a three-point lock system, not just a standard flyscreen latch.
Recommended
✓
Keys haven’t been lent or copied without your knowledge
If you’ve had tradespeople, cleaners, or tenants through your property, you can’t be certain how many copies of your key exist. Consider rekeying or upgrading to a restricted key system.
Recommended
Locksmith Insight
If you’ve recently moved into a property, change the locks before you unpack. You have no way of knowing how many keys the previous owners cut. It’s a $150–$200 job that gives you absolute certainty about who has access to your home.
2 Windows & Secondary Access Points
Windows are the second most common entry point for break-ins, and they’re often the most neglected. A window lock that’s 20 years old, a louvred window with no secondary lock, or a sliding window that can be lifted out of its track — these are real problems in Inner West homes, particularly older terraces and apartments.
✓
All ground floor windows have functioning locks
Check every single one — including those you never open. A window that doesn’t lock is an open invitation.
Critical
✓
Sliding windows and doors can’t be lifted off their tracks
Many sliding aluminium windows can be physically lifted out of the frame from outside. A secondary track pin or anti-lift block fitted by a locksmith fixes this permanently.
Critical
✓
Louvre windows have security grilles or pins
Louvre blades can be removed by hand in seconds. If you have louvre windows you can’t replace, a locksmith can add security pins that prevent blade removal from outside.
Recommended
✓
Window locks allow ventilation without full opening
Modern window restrictors let you lock a window in a partially open position — ventilation without vulnerability. Useful for bedrooms in summer.
Nice to Have
3 Garage & Side Access
The garage is consistently underestimated as an entry point. An internal door between the garage and the home that doesn’t have a deadbolt is effectively an unlocked back door. Side gates and fences are the second thing to think about.
✓
Internal garage-to-house door has a deadbolt
This is one of the most common security gaps we see in Inner West homes. If someone gets into your garage — via a roller door attack or an unlocked side gate — and the internal door has only a knob set, they’re in your house in seconds.
Critical
✓
Roller door remote codes have been reset after moving in
Garage remotes use rolling codes, but the system itself can be reset. If you inherited a remote from a previous occupant, a locksmith can help you verify or reset the codes.
Recommended
✓
Side gate has a quality padlock or deadbolt
A cheap padlock that a wire cutter can open in two seconds is not security. Use a hardened steel padlock or have a locksmith install a proper gate bolt.
Recommended
4 Safe Storage for Valuables
Even the best locks on your doors don’t protect what’s inside your home if a burglar does get through. Jewellery left in a bedside table, cash in a kitchen drawer, documents in a filing cabinet — these are all vulnerable. A properly installed safe changes that equation completely.
✓
Valuables are stored in an anchored safe
A safe that isn’t bolted to the floor can be carried out and cracked off-site at leisure. If your safe is sitting loose in a wardrobe, it’s not doing its job.
Critical
✓
Safe is NOT located in the master bedroom
73% of burglars go straight to the master bedroom. A visible safe there is a target, not protection. Ideal locations: rear wardrobe corner, home office, or garage concreted into the slab.
Critical
✓
Important documents are in a fire-rated safe
Property titles, passports, insurance documents — paper chars at 350°C. A standard burglary-rated safe won’t protect paper in a house fire. You need a 1-hour fire-rated safe minimum.
Recommended
✓
Safe combination is stored somewhere other than inside the safe
Sounds obvious. Astonishing how many people don’t do it. Keep the combination in a password manager, with your solicitor, or in a second secure location.
Recommended
✓
Safe batteries replaced in the last 12 months
Electronic safe battery failure is the number one cause of safe lockouts. Replace them annually — don’t wait for the low-battery warning.
Maintenance
Not sure which safe is right for your home?
We supply, deliver, and install safes across the Inner West. One visit — we assess, recommend, and bolt it in properly. No guesswork, no returns.
Call 02 9186 3325
5 Smart Locks & Digital Access
Smart locks are no longer a luxury upgrade. By 2026, they’re a practical option for most Inner West homeowners — particularly families who are tired of managing multiple keys or dealing with lockouts. But they’re not without caveats, and the wrong installation creates new vulnerabilities.
| Feature |
Smart Lock |
Traditional Deadbolt |
| Physical key override |
✓ Most models |
✓ Always |
| Lockout-proof |
✗ Battery dependent |
✓ No battery |
| Remote access / temporary codes |
✓ Yes |
✗ No |
| Access log / audit trail |
✓ Yes |
✗ No |
| Cybersecurity risk |
✗ Yes — if poorly configured |
✓ None |
| Replacement key risk (lost keys) |
✓ None — no physical key needed |
✗ Rekey or replace required |
✓
Smart lock has a physical key override
Non-negotiable. If the battery dies or the app fails, you need a way in. Every smart lock installed by our team includes a physical key backup as standard.
Critical
✓
Smart lock was installed by a licensed locksmith
A smart lock incorrectly installed can leave your door physically weak even if the digital access works perfectly. Proper installation ensures the deadbolt throw, alignment, and strike plate are all correct.
Critical
✓
Temporary access codes are deleted after use
If you gave a plumber, cleaner, or guest a PIN code, delete it when they’re done. Most homeowners don’t. A growing list of active codes is a security risk.
Recommended
6 Outdoor Lighting & Visibility
Darkness is a burglar’s best friend. Most residential break-ins happen between 10am and 3pm (when homes are empty during work hours) or after dark. Lighting and visibility won’t stop a determined criminal, but they will push opportunistic thieves toward an easier target.
✓
Motion sensor lights at all entry points
Front door, side gate, back door. A light that flicks on when someone approaches the property is an immediate deterrent — and it alerts neighbours and anyone inside.
Recommended
✓
Valuables aren’t visible from the street or front window
Laptops, bags, keys on hooks, or even a safe visible through a window all give a burglar information they can use. Move anything visible from street level.
Recommended
✓
No spare key hidden outside
Under the mat. In a pot plant. Above the door frame. If you know about these spots, so does a burglar. Use a quality key safe installed by a locksmith, or leave a spare with a trusted neighbour.
Critical
7 When to Call a Locksmith — Not “When Something Breaks”
Most people call a locksmith when they’re locked out or when a lock fails. That’s reactive. These are the situations that warrant a proactive call — before something goes wrong.
- You’ve just moved into a property — rekey or replace all locks before you unpack.
- Your locks are over 10 years old — have them assessed. They may not meet current standards.
- You’ve had a break-in or attempted break-in in your street — crime clustering is real. If a neighbour was hit, do a security audit immediately.
- A relationship has ended and someone who had access is no longer welcome — rekey immediately. Don’t wait.
- Your safe hasn’t been serviced in over 3 years — mechanical locks develop drift; electronic locks accumulate wear. A service is cheap. A lockout isn’t.
- You’re planning a holiday — a security audit before you leave gives you real peace of mind, not just the illusion of it.
- You’re about to install a smart lock from a hardware store — get advice first. Plenty of smart locks aren’t compliant with Australian door configurations or insurance requirements.
From Our Locksmiths
A full security assessment takes about 45 minutes. We walk every access point, test every lock, check the door frames and strike plates, look at window hardware, and give you a clear report on what’s solid and what needs attention. No obligation to do any work on the spot. Most homeowners are surprised by at least two things they’d missed.
8 Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my home’s security assessed? ▾
Every two to three years as a baseline, and after any of these events: moving into a new property, a break-in nearby, a key going missing, a change in occupancy, or locks that are over 10 years old. A quick professional check is far cheaper than the aftermath of a break-in.
Are smart locks really secure? ▾
When installed correctly, yes. The physical deadbolt in a quality smart lock is as strong as any traditional deadbolt. The vulnerability is the digital layer — default PINs that were never changed, outdated firmware, or a lock not running on a secured network. Buy a reputable brand, have it installed by a licensed locksmith, and keep the firmware updated.
What’s the most common security mistake Inner West homeowners make? ▾
Relying on the front door alone. People deadbolt the front door and leave the internal garage door, the back window, or the side gate with basically no security. Burglars know this. We see it constantly. Think about every access point, not just the obvious one.
Does rekeying cost less than replacing locks? ▾
Yes, significantly. Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so old keys no longer work — new keys are cut to the new pins. It’s typically $60–$120 per lock, compared to $150–$300+ to replace a quality deadbolt. If your locks are in good condition and are relatively modern, rekeying is the better option.
Do you offer security audits for rental properties? ▾
Yes. Landlords have a legal obligation to provide secure premises for tenants, and tenants have the right to change locks in some circumstances under NSW tenancy law (with proper notice to the landlord). We work with both landlords and tenants across the Inner West to ensure properties are appropriately secured.
Is home security insurance-relevant? ▾
In many cases, yes. Some insurers require deadbolts on external doors and approved safes for high-value contents cover. Failing to meet these requirements can void a claim. If you’re unsure what your policy requires, we can advise on lock and safe specifications that typically satisfy insurer requirements.
Stop guessing. Book a security audit.
A licensed Inner West locksmith walks your property, checks every access point, and tells you exactly what needs fixing. No pressure. Just clarity.
02 9186 3325
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