may we suggest... REKEYING SERVICES The former owner of your new home may have had extra keys over the years that were given to neighbors, friends, etc. Depending upon the condition of your current locksets, you may want to consider re-keying, replacing or upgrading them to a level appropriate to your security needs. You may also want to have all your locks working with the same key, making entry and exit from your home more convenient. Door viewers, which allow you to see your visitors before letting them in, add an additional measure of security. A professional locksmith service will be able to assist you in making these decisions as well as providing installation. Locksmith companies may also offer such additional services as installing and repairing safes, custom lockset installation, keyless entry systems and remote control entry. The level of security a lockset offers depends on its construction. Locksets are generally categorized as low, medium or high security. A lock with only a key in the knob or handle is considered marginally secure: a burglar can easily foil it. For increased security, a deadbolt lockset should be installed on each entry door. Basic lock construction: Mortise entry locksets have a large, rectangular body that slides into a mortise (a cavity carved into the edge of the door made to receive the lock mechanism). A mortise lockset contains the workings for the knob, lever, or grip handle, latch and deadbolt in a single unit. Mounting a mortise lockset requires some carpentry work and it is recommended that a professional locksmith be hired for this type of installation. Tubular deadbolt locksets have a rounded body designed to fit into intersecting holes bored into the door. The deadbolt bar, which slides into a corresponding opening in the doorjamb, is the main source of your security. Jimmy-proof deadbolt locksets operate by inserting two "teeth" into a corresponding sleeve attached to the inside of the doorframe. For your information: Double-sided deadbolts are illegal in the state of Connecticut unless special permission is granted by the state building inspector or the fire marshal.