If you are locked out of your house or need your locks changing in an emergency locksmiths’ are there to help. Locksmiths also provide additional services such as fitting a range of locks and security systems as well as advising the right locks and security products for your home.

The following glossary contains some terms commonly used by locksmiths.

• An Auxiliary Lock is a lock that is fitted where there is already a lock for additional security.
• Bell Box is the protective enclosure that surrounds a bell or electronic alarm system.
• Composite Safes are more resistive to forced entry and other qualities include fire resistance, each of these qualities will vary in standard between the various companies.
• Deadbolts are a locking mechanism that needs the locking mechanism to be physically turned to release the lock.
• Electrified Lockset is the name given to any electronic lock system.
• Fail Safe is a feature of security systems which releases locking mechanisms in the event of an emergency or prevents the lock from being opened even when the key is used.
• Gang Locks feature multiple bolts that are operated simultaneously by a single action.
• High Security Cylinders are cylinders that offer improved resistance against drilling, lock picking, impressioning and other forms of forced entry.
• Impressioning is a method of making new keys for a lock without taking the lock apart.
• Jimmy Proof locks feature a bolt which interlocks with the strike.
• Key Retaining Locks prvent the key from being removed until the lock is secured.
• Lock Stile is the vertical edge of a door where a lock or latch is fitted.
• Master Code is the default code for an electronic lock before the user selects their own.
• NFS means none fail safe and means it doesn't have any of the fail safe features if the lock fails.
• Override Code this is a code that will override other users codes in the case of an emergency.
• Panic Buttons are fitted with some alarm systems and mean that if a person in the property needs assistance right away they can press the button and the alarm is sounded instantly.
• Record Safes are designed to protect important documents and papers from fire.
• Silent Signal Alarmssend an alert to an alarm receiving centre instead of sounding the alarm at the premise, these can be very useful in giving police time to get to a property where there is an intruder.
• Tamper Resistant Fastenings are screws without threads that need special tools to be removed.
• Unibolt is a single sheet of steel used as an alternative to multiple bolts in a safe door.
• Warded Locks is the name given to a block in a locking system that prevents the wrong key from being used to open it.