Common Home Security Mistakes Homeowners Make

July 15, 2026

Protecting your home begins with more than simply locking the front door. While most homeowners take basic precautions, many unknowingly leave vulnerabilities that could make their property easier to access. The good news is that improving home security often involves simple, practical steps rather than major renovations.

At King’s Mobile Lock, we have been helping homeowners throughout Kitsap County protect their homes since 1972. Our experience has shown that avoiding a few common mistakes can significantly improve the security of your property and provide greater peace of mind.

Relying on Old or Worn Locks

Locks are mechanical devices that experience wear over time.

Years of daily use, exposure to the elements, and normal aging can affect how well a lock operates. Older locks may become more difficult to use or provide a lower level of security than modern alternatives.

If your locks are sticking, loose, or showing signs of wear, it may be time to have them professionally inspected. Upgrading to newer, high-quality lock systems can improve both security and reliability.

Keys hanging in a front door lock with the door slightly open

Forgetting to Rekey After Moving

One of the most overlooked security steps is rekeying the locks after purchasing a home.

Previous owners may have provided every key they possessed, but there is no way to know how many copies were made over the years or who may still have access. Contractors, former tenants, neighbors, or service providers could potentially have working keys.

Rekeying ensures that only your new keys operate the locks, giving you confidence that you control access to your home.

Hiding Spare Keys Outside

It may seem convenient to hide a spare key under a doormat, flowerpot, or decorative rock, but these are among the first places someone might check.

Instead of leaving a key outside, consider giving a spare to a trusted family member or close friend. If additional access is needed, a professionally installed lock system with modern security features may provide a safer alternative.

Hand holding a small silver key pendant against a blue shirt background

Ignoring Damaged Locks

Small problems often become larger ones when left unaddressed.

A lock that occasionally sticks or requires extra effort to turn may indicate internal wear. Waiting until the lock fails completely could leave you locked out of your own home or compromise your security.

Routine inspections and timely repairs help keep your locks functioning properly and may prevent more costly issues later.

Overlooking Garage and Side Entrances

Many homeowners focus on the front door while paying less attention to other entry points.

Garage entry doors, side doors, sliding glass doors, and gates should receive the same level of attention as the main entrance. A home’s security is only as strong as its least secure access point.

Taking a whole-property approach helps create more consistent protection.

Close-up of a door latch and strike plate on a wooden door, with a bedroom visible in the background

Waiting Until an Emergency Happens

Many people do not think about a locksmith until they are locked out or lose their keys.

Planning ahead can save time and reduce stress when unexpected situations arise. Establishing a relationship with a trusted local locksmith before you need emergency service means you already know who to call if a problem occurs.

Preventive maintenance and security evaluations can also identify opportunities to strengthen your home’s protection before an emergency develops.

Hand holding keys near a front door lock

Trust King’s Mobile Lock to Help Protect Your Home

Home security is about more than locks—it is about protecting your family, your belongings, and your peace of mind. By avoiding common mistakes and maintaining your home’s locking systems, you can reduce potential vulnerabilities and feel more confident in your property’s security.

For more than 50 years, King’s Mobile Lock has proudly served homeowners throughout Kitsap County with professional residential locksmith services. Whether you need your home rekeyed, new locks installed, high-security lock upgrades, lock repairs, or 24/7 emergency locksmith assistance, our experienced mobile technicians are ready to help. We are committed to providing honest recommendations, quality workmanship, and prompt, dependable service every step of the way.

If you would like to improve your home’s security or have questions about your existing locks, contact King’s Mobile Lock today. Our team is here to help you protect what matters most with professional locksmith solutions you can trust.

Close-up of a silver door lock with a key inserted, hanging from a beige door.

Close-up of a teal door with a brass knob and key in the lock

Close-up of brass keys in a lock on a dark wooden door

Hand opening a brass doorknob on a partially open door

Close-up of a door lock with a key inserted and keys hanging from the latch

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Why Employee Turnover Should Trigger a Security Review

August 27, 2026

Employee turnover is a normal part of running a business, but every staffing change can create a security issue if keys, access credentials, or entry permissions are not reviewed. Even when an employee leaves on good terms, business owners may not know how many physical keys were copied, which doors those keys open, or whether digital access is still active. A routine security review after employee departures can help businesses maintain better control over who can enter the property and which areas they can access. Start With Physical Keys Traditional keys remain common in offices, warehouses, retail locations, restaurants, and other commercial properties. When an employee leaves , the first step is usually collecting any keys that were issued. That may include keys for exterior doors, offices, storage rooms, filing areas, equipment rooms, or other restricted spaces. The challenge is that returning the original key does not guarantee that another copy does not exist. If there is uncertainty about how many copies may be in circulation, rekeying can provide a practical solution. Rekeying changes the internal configuration of the lock so the previous key no longer works, while allowing the existing lock hardware to remain in place when appropriate.

How Weather Affects Exterior Locks in the Pacific Northwest

August 21, 2026

Exterior locks in the Pacific Northwest deal with conditions that can gradually affect how smoothly they work. Frequent rain, damp air, cooler temperatures, and seasonal temperature changes can all influence door hardware over time. In Kitsap County, where moisture is a regular part of the environment, lock maintenance can be especially important. King’s Mobile Lock has served Kitsap County since 1972 and provides residential, commercial, automotive, and safe locksmith services. Understanding how weather affects exterior locks can help property owners recognize small problems before they turn into lockouts or hardware failures. Moisture Can Affect Lock Components Exterior locks are exposed to rain, humidity, and condensation. Over time, moisture can contribute to corrosion on metal components, especially if the hardware is older, damaged, or has lost some of its protective finish. Corrosion may make a key harder to insert or turn and can interfere with the movement of internal lock parts. Moisture can also collect around the latch, strike plate, or door hardware. If a lock suddenly feels rough or stiff after long periods of wet weather, that change deserves attention.

How to Avoid Making a Lockout Situation Worse

August 13, 2026

Getting locked out of your home, vehicle, or business is frustrating, especially when it happens late at night, during bad weather, or when you are in a hurry. The instinct to solve the problem quickly is understandable, but forcing a door, experimenting with tools, or damaging the lock can turn a simple lockout into a much more expensive repair. King’s Mobile Lock provides 24/7 emergency locksmith service throughout Kitsap County and focuses on fast, professional entry with non-destructive methods whenever possible. Knowing what not to do during a lockout can help protect your property and make the situation easier to resolve. Do Not Force the Door Pulling, kicking, or repeatedly slamming against a locked door can damage much more than the lock. Door frames, hinges, weatherstripping, handles, and surrounding trim can all be damaged by excessive force. In some cases, the repair costs for the door itself may far exceed the cost of professional locksmith service. If the lock is functioning normally and the key is simply unavailable, forcing entry usually creates an unnecessary second problem.