Moving into a new home in Fort McMurray is exciting — and busy. Between coordinating the move, setting up utilities, and getting settled, home security often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. But the first few days in a new home are actually the most important time to address your security. Here is what I recommend as a certified Journeyman Locksmith who has helped hundreds of Fort McMurray homeowners secure their new properties.
Fort McMurray Locksmith is a proud member of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, serving this community for over two generations.
Step 1 — Rekey or Change All Exterior Locks on Day One
This is the most important step and it should happen before anything else. When you take possession of a new home — whether a resale, new build, or rental — you do not know how many copies of the key exist or who has them. Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, family members, neighbours, and cleaning services may all have copies. In some cases, people have had duplicate keys made without the owner’s knowledge.
Rekeying all exterior locks on possession day is fast, inexpensive, and gives you complete confidence in who has access to your new home from the moment you move in. Fort McMurray Locksmith can typically complete a full rekey of a standard home — front door, back door, garage entry, and any other exterior locks — in a single visit.
If the existing locks are worn, low quality, or you want to upgrade to higher security hardware, a full lock change is the better option. We carry Grade 1 residential deadbolts and can recommend the right hardware for your door type. See our lock change services and rekey services for more details.
Step 2 — Reset or Replace the Garage Door Opener
The garage is one of the most commonly overlooked entry points in a new home. Previous owners may have given opener remotes to neighbours, family members, or contractors — and those remotes still work on the existing code.
Reset the garage door opener to a new code as soon as possible. The process varies by brand and model — check the manual or look up your specific model online. While you are at it:
- Confirm the door from the garage into the house has a quality deadbolt — the garage door itself is not your last line of defence
- Cover any windows in the garage door that allow visibility into the garage
- Consider a smart garage door opener that allows remote monitoring and access control
Step 3 — Inspect and Secure Doors and Windows
Walk every exterior door and window in the home and check:
- Door frames — look for any signs of previous forced entry, soft wood around the strike plate, or gaps between the door and frame
- Strike plates — many homes have strike plates with short screws that can be kicked in with minimal force. Replace short screws with 3-inch screws that reach the stud behind the frame
- Hinges — exterior door hinges should be on the inside of the door, not exposed
- Sliding doors — add a security bar or pin to prevent the door from being lifted off its track
- Window locks — check that all window locks work and consider secondary window security pins on ground floor windows
Fort McMurray Locksmith handles door frame repair, strike plate upgrades, and door hardware installation as part of our residential services. See our residential locksmith services page for the full list.
Step 4 — Add Exterior Lighting
Good lighting around your home is one of the most effective and least expensive deterrents against break-ins. Criminals prefer to work in darkness — a well-lit property significantly reduces the attractiveness of your home as a target.
In Fort McMurray, where winter means extended darkness, exterior lighting is especially important. Focus on:
- Entry points — front door, back door, garage, and any side gates
- Motion-activated lights — draw attention to unexpected movement and are more energy efficient than always-on lighting
- Dark corners — any area of your yard that provides concealment deserves a light
Step 5 — Consider a Safe for Valuables
A quality home safe protects your most important items — documents, jewellery, emergency cash, passports, and hard drives — in the event of a break-in or house fire. When selecting a safe:
- Fire rating — look for at least 30-minute fire protection at 1550°F for document safes
- Weight and anchoring — a safe that is not bolted down can be carried out. Heavy safes bolted to the floor or wall are significantly more secure
- Lock type — combination, electronic keypad, or biometric — each has trade-offs in convenience and security
- Size — buy larger than you think you need; most people wish they had
Bonus — Set Up a Security System
A monitored security system adds a layer of protection that physical locks alone cannot provide. Modern systems include door and window sensors, motion detection, cameras, smoke and CO monitoring, and smartphone integration. Even a basic system with visible cameras and signage acts as a deterrent.
For the lock and hardware side of your new home security — that is where Fort McMurray Locksmith comes in. We handle the rekeying, lock changes, and door hardware so you can focus on everything else that comes with moving.
Frequently Asked Questions — New Home Security in Fort McMurray
How soon after moving in should I rekey my locks?
On possession day — ideally before you move anything in. This is the one step that cannot wait. Everything else on this list can be done over the first few weeks, but key control should be established immediately.
Do new build homes need to be rekeyed?
Yes. New builds in Fort McMurray typically use construction master keys during the build process — keys that may have been used by multiple trades. The builder provides a key at possession, but the locks have not been changed from the construction configuration. Rekey on possession day.
Can you rekey all my locks to use one key?
Yes — this is called keying alike and it is one of the most popular services we provide for new homeowners. All exterior locks are rekeyed so one key operates all of them. Much simpler than carrying multiple keys.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — helping new Fort McMurray homeowners secure their properties since day one.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.