Most break-ins are not sophisticated operations. They are opportunistic — someone walking by, noticing a weakness, and acting on it. As a certified Journeyman Locksmith serving Fort McMurray, the vulnerabilities I see most often are the same ones that get exploited. Here is a straight look at the six most common home security weaknesses and what to do about each one.
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1. Weak or Outdated Door Locks
The most common vulnerability I see in Fort McMurray homes is Grade 3 builder-grade locks on exterior doors. These locks meet minimum building code requirements but are not engineered to resist forced entry. They can often be defeated with a credit card, a bump key, or a single well-placed kick.
The fix is straightforward — upgrade exterior door locks to ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts. Grade 1 is the highest residential security rating, with hardened steel bolts, anti-pick pins, and bump resistance. The cost difference between a builder-grade lock and a quality Grade 1 deadbolt is often less than $50. The security difference is significant.
See our lock change services for installation options.
2. Weak Door Frames and Strike Plates
A quality deadbolt installed in a weak door frame is not much better than no lock at all. Most residential door frames use short screws — often 3/4 inch — that only reach the door casing, not the wall stud behind it. A determined kick can split the frame and defeat the lock in seconds.
The fix: replace the short screws in your strike plate with 3-inch screws that reach the stud behind the frame. This single change dramatically increases resistance to forced entry. Upgraded heavy-duty strike plates with deeper boxes offer additional protection. Fort McMurray Locksmith handles strike plate upgrades as part of any residential service call.
3. Hidden Spare Keys Outside
The fake rock, the door mat, the potted plant, above the door frame — these are the first places anyone looks. Leaving a physical spare key outside your home is one of the most common and easily exploited vulnerabilities.
The fix: eliminate the hidden key entirely. Options include a quality electronic keypad lock that allows code-based access, a key lockbox with a combination (mounted discreetly, not at the front door), or simply leaving a key with a trusted neighbour. If you need to give access to a house sitter or contractor, a temporary code on a smart lock is more secure than a physical key.
4. Sliding Doors and Windows Without Secondary Locks
Sliding patio doors are a frequent entry point in residential break-ins. Most sliding doors can be lifted off their tracks from the outside if not properly secured — the factory latch alone is not sufficient.
The fix for sliding doors: place a solid bar or cut-down wooden dowel in the track to prevent the door from opening even if the latch is defeated. A secondary pin lock at the top of the frame adds another layer. For windows, window security pins — a simple metal pin that slides through both sashes — prevent the window from being opened from the outside even if the latch is flipped.
5. Poor Exterior Lighting
Criminals prefer to work in darkness — it is that simple. A well-lit property is a significantly less attractive target than a dark one. In Fort McMurray, where winter means extended darkness from mid-afternoon onward, exterior lighting is especially important.
Focus lighting on all entry points — front door, back door, garage, and any side gates or dark corners. Motion-activated lights are more effective than always-on lights because unexpected activation draws attention. They are also more energy efficient.
6. Garage Security Gaps
The garage is one of the most overlooked entry points in a home. Common garage security vulnerabilities include:
- The emergency release cord — most garage doors have a red emergency release cord that can be triggered from outside through a small gap in the top of the door using a wire. This allows the door to be opened manually without the opener code. A garage door defender or zip-tie on the release mechanism prevents this attack
- Weak door from garage to house — many homes have hollow-core interior doors between the garage and the house with no deadbolt. This door should be treated as an exterior door — solid core with a Grade 1 deadbolt
- Visible tools and valuables — a garage with windows showing expensive tools, bikes, or equipment is a target. Cover windows or use frosted film
- Old opener codes — if you moved into a home and did not reset the garage opener code, previous owners or their contacts may still have working remotes
Bonus — Locks That Have Not Been Rekeyed After a Move
This one is worth adding because it is the single most common security oversight I see in Fort McMurray. When you move into a home — new build or resale — and do not rekey the locks on possession day, you have no idea how many copies of the key exist. Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, cleaners, and neighbours may all have copies that still work.
Rekeying all exterior locks on possession day is fast, inexpensive, and gives you complete confidence in who has access to your home. See our rekey services page for more information.
Free Security Assessment for Fort McMurray Homeowners
Not sure where your home’s vulnerabilities are? Call Fort McMurray Locksmith and describe your setup — we will give you an honest assessment before recommending any work. Our residential services cover lock upgrades, rekeying, strike plate reinforcement, and door hardware across Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo region.
See our residential locksmith services page for the full list of what we offer.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — home security assessments and lock upgrades for Fort McMurray homeowners.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.