In discussing locks and security with the Tribune, local locksmiths offer homeowners additional tips:
(1) Never put oil in a lock. Oil attracts dirt and will gum up. Graphite also Is not good. It becomes stiff in cold weather. WD-40, a commercial product found at most hardware stores and service stations, is good as a shortterm lubricant. A new product, Tri-Flon, which contains Teflon, is recommended for lock lubricating applications.
(2) Never buy duplicate keys made from aluminum blanks. They snap off in locks, especially in cold weather. Match metal to metal. If It’s a nickel lock, use a nickel or steel key blank; if the lock pins are brass, use a brass blank. Lock pins and keys made of the same metal wear evenly.
(3) Many older homes still have locks which can be opened with skeleton keys, which are mass produced and can be purchased in a variety of stores. Replace these locks with dead bolts.
(4) If a key is lost, a new lock is not always required. Locks can be rekeyed. An expert locksmith can create a new lock from an old one. He can also key separate locks to use a common key.
(5) When buying a padlock, buy a more expensive one with a special key. Many cheaper padlocks can be opened with keys from other similar padlocks.
(6) when buying a door viewer for a solid door buy one with an angle great enough to view the entire area outside the door.
(7) When a key breaks off in a lock, never try to pry it out with a heavy tool. You may cause damage to the enure lock and have to replace
(8) Many newer autos have jimmy-resistant doors in which the door lock mechanism disassembles if latched with a coat hanger inside the door. The assembly comes apart and the door has to be token apart to reassemble it.
(9) Never brag about keep, ng valuables in your home. It invites burglars.
(10) When In doubt about a lock problem, call a locksmith. U could be the least costly solution in the long run.