At RLM Locksmiths, we believe that being part of the local community goes beyond providing locksmith services—it’s about supporting the people and organisations that make our town thrive. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be sponsoring Horley United FC for a second consecutive season. Investing in Grassroots Football Horley United FC isn’t just a football club; it’s a hub for local talent, community spirit, and personal development. The club provides a safe, encouraging environment for young players to grow both on and off the pitch. From teamwork and discipline to building friendships, the values taught at Horley United align perfectly with our own. Supporting the club means supporting the development of the next generation, which is something we’re incredibly passionate about. A Successful Partnership Our first season as sponsors was filled with incredible moments. Watching the players develop their skills and seeing the club grow stronger was inspiring. Whether it was cheering on the teams during match days or seeing the pride in the players’ faces when they wore their kits with our logo, we knew we had to continue this journey. Our partnership also helps to ensure that the club has the resources it needs to provide quality training, maintain equipment, and organise events. By extending our sponsorship, we hope to contribute to the ongoing success of Horley United FC and help the club reach even greater heights this season. Strengthening Our Community Bonds At RLM Locksmiths, we are more than just a business—we are part of the community. Supporting a local club like Horley United FC not only strengthens our ties with the town but also gives us the chance to give back to the community that has supported us. Football is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re thrilled to be part of something that fosters unity and pride in our town. Looking Forward to the 2023/24 Season As we head into the 2023/24 season, we’re excited to see what the future holds for Horley United FC. We have no doubt that the players will continue to shine and that the club will keep inspiring young athletes to reach their full potential. We look forward to supporting the teams from the sidelines, celebrating victories, and witnessing the hard work and dedication that makes this club so special. Here’s to another fantastic season of football, growth, and community spirit with Horley United FC! At RLM Locksmiths, we’re not just locksmiths—we’re proud supporters of local football and champions of our community. Thank you, Horley United FC, for allowing us to be part of your journey once again. #RLMLocksmiths #ProudSponsor #HorleyUnitedFC #CommunitySupport #GrassrootsFootball

When it comes to securing your home or business, choosing a locksmith is a decision you shouldn’t take lightly. Whether you’re locked out of your home, moving to a new property, or simply upgrading your security, you need a locksmith you can trust. At RLM Locksmiths, we are proud to be Trading Standards Approved, giving our customers the confidence that they are choosing a reliable, professional, and trustworthy service. In this blog, we’ll explain the importance of using a Trading Standards Approved locksmith and why RLM Locksmiths should be your first choice for all your locksmith needs. What Does Trading Standards Approved Mean? Being Trading Standards Approved means that a locksmith has been independently vetted and approved by a local government Trading Standards office. This approval ensures that the locksmith meets high standards of integrity, professionalism, and customer care. Here’s what it means for you as a customer: • Vetting & Screening: A Trading Standards Approved locksmith undergoes rigorous checks to confirm their credentials, background, and qualifications. This means that when you hire an approved locksmith, you can rest assured they are fully qualified and trustworthy. • Commitment to Quality: Approved locksmiths are committed to maintaining high standards, not only in the services they offer but also in how they deal with customers. They operate with fairness, transparency, and honesty. • Customer Protection: Trading Standards ensures that the locksmith follows legal guidelines and adheres to a strict code of conduct, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your rights as a consumer are protected. Why Choose RLM Locksmiths? At RLM Locksmiths, we believe in putting our customers first. By being Trading Standards Approved, we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our clients receive the best service possible. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose us for your locksmith needs: ⭐ Five-Star Reviews for Excellent Service We take pride in the feedback we receive from our customers. With numerous 5-star reviews on Google and Facebook, we have built a strong reputation for providing friendly, professional, and efficient locksmith services. Don’t just take our word for it—our customers are always happy to recommend us! 🏠 Local Locksmith, Not a Call Centre When you choose RLM Locksmiths, you’re choosing a local locksmith with a personal touch. We’re based in your community, not a faceless call centre. This means you get a fast, reliable response from someone who understands the area and its unique security needs. 🕒 24/7 Emergency Service Emergencies don’t keep office hours, and neither do we. Whether you’ve lost your keys or are locked out in the middle of the night, RLM Locksmiths offers a 24-hour emergency service, seven days a week. We pride ourselves on our fast response times, ensuring that you’re never left waiting in a vulnerable situation. 🛡️ DBS Checked & Trusted Professionals Security is important to us, which is why all our locksmiths are DBS checked. This ensures that our team is made up of trustworthy individuals who have passed background checks. Your safety and security are our top priority. 🏡 Experts in Replacing Locks When Moving House Moving into a new home is exciting, but it’s also a critical time to consider your security. At RLM Locksmiths, we specialise in lock replacement for new homeowners. Changing your locks is one of the best ways to ensure that you—and only you—have access to your property. Our experts can provide a FREE security check to assess your needs and recommend the best solutions. 💷 Fair Pricing with No Surprises Nobody likes unexpected costs, especially when it comes to home security. At RLM Locksmiths, we offer transparent, fixed pricing, so there are no surprises. We believe in providing a fair and honest service, and our pricing reflects that commitment. 🔒 12-Month Guarantee on All Parts We stand behind the quality of our work. That’s why we offer a 12-month guarantee on all parts fitted, giving you peace of mind that your security is in safe hands. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction, and we’re confident you’ll be happy with the results. Why Is It Important to Use a Trading Standards Approved Locksmith? With so many locksmiths available, it can be difficult to know who to trust. Unfortunately, not all locksmiths operate with the same level of professionalism or honesty. Here’s why it’s important to choose a Trading Standards Approved locksmith like RLM Locksmiths: • Avoid Rogue Traders: Unapproved locksmiths can sometimes engage in unethical practices, such as overcharging or using substandard parts. By choosing a Trading Standards Approved locksmith, you can avoid falling victim to rogue traders. • Guaranteed Quality: Approved locksmiths must adhere to strict standards, ensuring that the service you receive is of the highest quality. From the initial quote to the finished job, you can expect professional, reliable work. • Legal Protection: If anything goes wrong, Trading Standards can step in to help resolve disputes, giving you an added layer of protection. Approved locksmiths are held accountable to both the law and their customers. • Peace of Mind: Above all, using a Trading Standards Approved locksmith gives you the confidence that you’re dealing with a trustworthy professional. Whether it’s an emergency lockout or upgrading your home security, you can trust that the job will be done right. Final Thoughts When it comes to securing your property, don’t take chances with just any locksmith. By choosing a Trading Standards Approved locksmith like RLM Locksmiths, you’re choosing peace of mind, professionalism, and quality. From our 5-star customer reviews to our fast response times and 12-month guarantee on all parts, we’re here to keep your home or business secure. For more information or to request a FREE no-obligation quote, visit our website at www.rlmlocksmiths.co.uk or give us a call today. We’re here to help with all your locksmith needs! You can also book an appointment online via our website. RLM Locksmiths Your Local, Trusted Locksmith

I think this latest blog is an important one to share, not to scare or alarm you, but to highlight some burglary statistics that will hopefully change your mindset when it comes to the security of your property. According to review42.com a burglary happens every 106 seconds? Do the maths, and that’s 34 burglaries committed every hour and 816 in a day! As alarming as that may sound, sadly it’s true. Burglaries are the most common crime committed in the UK, and most take place during the day between midday and 4pm, often with someone inside the house. Everyone knows someone who has been burgled, and most people probably think it won’t happen to them. Well, it can, even to you. Thankfully, taking the right security precautions at the right time can help you enormously. Look out for the signs Afternoons are a prime time for break-in’s because most people are away at their day jobs, or on the school run etc, leaving their homes empty and vulnerable. Despite the image we have in our heads about burglars wearing black and white striped tops with a large sack to carry away stolen goods – just like Burglar Bill - the reality is burglars are one step ahead and avoid attracting attention to themselves. They do their research well beforehand to identify any opportunities, such as periods when homes are empty, and break into your home when there’s a high chance of no one being there. Furthermore, it’s very likely for them to get unwanted attention if they’re hanging around your property at night. During the day they can go unnoticed and protest their innocence about appearing to be lost. Often a plausible excuse. With more people working from home these days, the likelihood of someone being at home when a burglary takes place has increased. Sadly, when burglars encounter someone at home they resort to physical and mental violence, which is likely to have lasting effects, aside from the trauma of your valuables being stolen. I n and out within 10 minutes Burglaries are reported to take less than 10 minutes as they want to get the job done as swiftly and discreetly as possible, which is why they tend to act very quickly without you knowing they were at your home. If you have no security and safety precautions in place, a professional burglar might be on his way back with all your precious belongings before you even get the chance to call the police. So, how do they manage to break in in the first place? The truth is by items lying around outside your property like ladders, garden tools and furniture. The solution is to not leave such equipment for burglars to use and to lock up garages and sheds that might contain such tools, trim large trees, and take care of any such blind spots. The most common entry point is through your door, and a lot of the time burglars don’t have to ‘break-in’, as they are carelessly left open, and the burglar just walks in. Windows are also at risk so remember to lock all your doors and windows properly when leaving your property. Other useful facts to know include, young people being more vulnerable as they are deemed to be more careless when it comes to security, the summer months tend to be a more popular time for burglaries due empty properties as people are away for longer periods and windows tend to be left open more, and finally in the modern world we live in today, burglars are after your data. Therefore, password protect computers and laptops, shred anything confidential lying around and lock away valuable information such as passports, birth certificates and bank statements. What’s the solution? You’ve worked too hard to own your property to have someone break into your house and steal it from you. Here’s a few safety measures to help you prevent a burglary taking place: • Keeping the doors and windows always closed and locked with sturdy locks that don’t break easily. Get any faulty locks replaced by a local locksmith if you’re concerned. • Leaving the lights on indefinitely might do you more harm than good, which is why it is best to use timers to make your house look occupied – even when it is not. • Do not post about your travel plans or daily schedule on social media. Burglars look out for such information and use it to break into your property. Check your privacy settings on your social media while you are at it as well. • Cut large trees and bushes that might be good hiding or climbing spots for burglars. • Always keep your sheds and garages locked. • Most importantly, consider investing in a good security system. Summary We all know Ring doorbells and security alarms are a useful deterrent these days and will help a burglar lose interest if they see a basic security system in place. Any good locksmith will offer advice if they see security is being compromised. At RLM Locksmiths we are always happy to visit your property to give you some helpful advice around safety and security as this is all part of the service!

Sadly, all locks have a shelf life and at some stage they will need replacing. Whether it’s your home, business premises, garden shed or an outside office building. A properly functioning door is the first line of defence against burglars or opportunists. Replacing locks are far from people’s minds, whether you’ve purchased a new home or lived in your home for decades, well-functioning locks should be a high priority. Locks that become damaged or are getting stiff and hard to use is the time you need to start paying your locks some attention. What can you do to keep one step ahead and resolve these issues? Here’s 5 top tips to look out for: 1. Moving into a new house We understand it’s exciting moving into a new property but before you pop the cork on your champagne bottle, make sure you change your entry door locks. Keys are in circulation well after you’ve stepped through the front door, so don’t compromise your safety and security by overlooking a fairly inexpensive task. You’ve invested a lot of money into your new home so don’t get carried away with setting up the Wi-Fi or planning your décor ideas. When you are safe and secure, these niceties can start to take place. Calling out a local locksmith on the day you are moving is a great way to ensure your home, family and valuables are protected. 2. Wear and tear Locks are the most well-used mechanical hardware we use each day in our homes or business premises. Even if they are old but in good working order, it’s worth upgrading to more modern locks as security systems and regulations change over time. Modern locks are more burglar proof and offer greater protection for your home. Because of their constant use, locks are subjected to more wear, making them more likely to break down over time. If they look old and are not functioning as well, now is the time to replace them. A standard lock with proper care and maintenance could see you through several years but as wear and wear takes hold, the risk of them failing increases. 3. A rise in local burglaries You may have heard there has been a one-off or a spate of recent burglaries in your area. Opportunists will always take their chances, so it’s imperative you get your locks changed to prevent you falling victim. If, however you do fall victim, it may be that the burglar used brutal force to enter your home or premises and the likelihood is that the door or locking mechanism has been damaged, making it highly likely that the door won’t shut or lock properly. However, if the burglar entered your property by picking the lock or using a badly hidden key, its certain that your locks are not secure enough and criminals are likely to target you again. Replacing the lock will solve both these issues. Sadly, there is no guarantee to stop a burglary, but different locks come with different security features, making your home more secure and less vulnerable. Whilst burglars may try their luck a second time thinking they will enter the property again, for this reason it’s vital you change your locks immediately after a burglary takes place. Check your locks to see if they are 3 Star rated or have the British Standard Kite Mark on them. If not, think about getting them upgraded. 4. Damaged locks due to incorrect use It’s common for a lock to become damaged due to incorrect use. This can happen for a number of reasons, including incorrect installation, age, and misalignment. Maybe you’ve jiggled your key around over the years just to gain entry, or you’ve forced the door and lock when it shouldn’t need to be forced. It can even happen when you’ve had extra keys cut, which may have been badly cut, therefore causing damage inside the lock. This can have an effect on turning the key, resulting in the door not locking or unlocking correctly. This is where an emergency local locksmith needs to be called out to gain access into your property. To save this happening, be proactive and investigate replacing your locks before you risk a complete lock-out. 5. Manufacturer or malfunction errors Locks are designed to be used again and again and are tested to last. However just a slight misalignment can cause excess pressure on handles and locking mechanisms, which cause breakages and cracks in the internal parts of your lock. This can expose manufacturer weaknesses and cause your lock to malfunction leaving you either locked in or out. These issues can arise when your doors or locks were originally badly installed or can occur over time through misuse or when excess force has been repeatedly used to close a door. A misalignment now, that is only causing slight tension on the bolt, can lead to a much more serious issue when winter arrives and the door swells. For more helpful information, visit https://www.rlmlocksmiths.co.uk/

Over the years, I’ve learnt from experience that doing your homework is key. No matter what situation you find yourself in. When it comes to needing a locksmith, there are a number of scenarios that I see play out quite often. Firstly, the most popular is the one where you walk out the door and forget your keys. Others include you leaving your keys at work or for some reason the door just simply won’t open. We’ve all been there, so please don’t think you’re alone. You instantly panic and do a quick Google search and find what you think is a local locksmith, but this is not always the case and can be a costly mistake. Websites can appear to show a local company, making you think they are near your property, when in fact you’re going through to a central switchboard which can be located anywhere from Brighton-Bristol, and beyond. They give you the impression they will arrive quickly, but with the distance needed to travel, this can leave you left stranded outside your property for longer than necessary. All adding to the stress of the situation. Call centres often sub out work without necessarily performing full checks on their locksmiths or knowing how good a job they’ll do. This is where you can expect unnecessary high charges to cover the call centre costs and the long distance a locksmith has travelled. To avoid making a costly call in your hour of need, I suggest you do some research ahead of time on a genuinely local locksmith. Check out reviews and more importantly check they are local. Even a new locksmith, if they are good to their word, will have received some positive reviews. This research can be conducted via their Google business profile and their Facebook page so you can see for yourself what previous customers have to say about them. Put in a call to them to have a chat if it makes you feel reassured. I certainly wouldn’t take offence to this approach at all. In fact, I’d commend you for it! And my advice would be to find more than one locksmith if you can so you have a backup should the one you really want not be available when you need them. Ideally, word of mouth is the best place to start. If a locksmith is recommended, you’re more likely to use them as your friends or family have been pleased with their work. This way you avoid the costly call centre scenario. When you’ve decided on which locksmith you like and trust, store their number in your phone. List as “Locksmith” and not the business name as in an emergency it’s easier to go straight to the locksmith listing in your phone. You never know when you’re going to need them, but when you do, you know you can make that call and trust they are going to turn up quickly. Always ask for quotes ahead so there are no hidden surprises when the job is complete. A good locksmith will always be able to give you a quote or at least a guide as to the what the cost will be. Any genuine locksmith will discuss pricing with you before any work is carried out as the costs involved can sometimes differ and maybe higher than originally quoted. This gives you the option to proceed with the work required or not. Locksmiths are not only available for when you’ve locked yourself out. They can help with faulty doors and locks too, so this is the time you need to get that phone number stored in your phone before there is a problem. A faulty lock can cost you time and money, especially if you are on your way to work or if the faulty lock is located on your business premises. Alarmingly, there is no regulation around the licensing of locksmiths, which means anyone can trade/advertise as a locksmith irrespective of competence, background or motive. Another reason to do your homework and use someone you trust. The more checks you can do on your local locksmith the better. This may include finding out if they are listed with any local business guild or if they’ve received any accreditations. The more reassurance you have, the better. From my experience, locksmiths can quickly become your local heroes. Follow my three top tips: do your homework; store a local locksmiths number; and pre-empt the worst happening – to avoid any unnecessary stress or delays. RLM Locksmiths: Office: 01737 881580 Mobile: 07837 917621

RLM Locksmiths announces new KEY TAG service aimed to reunite owners with their lost keys

As we get closer to Christmas and some well-deserved time off work, we tend to think of Christmas parties, mince pies, wrapping presents, Christmas movies and decorating the house (inside and out). What we don’t stop to think about is how secure our homes are. Unfortunately, each year we see an increase in home burglaries during the festive season, especially on the lead up to Christmas Day. During the weeks before Christmas we all tend to have all the presents stored (hopefully wrapped) ready for thew 25th December. This makes home burglary an attractive target for thieve to target. Lots of high end, expensive items ready for the taking. What can you do to try and keep your home safe for the holidays? We spoke with Dan Reynolds, Director of RLM Locksmiths to get some top tips about what you can do to make your home safer. One of the first things to think about is the wonderful festive lighting outside our homes. Consider how you’re feeding those electric cables into your property. Are you leaving a window slightly open and insecure? We recommend considering an alternative (getting an external plug socket installed), or at the very least double check the entry points are as secure as possible if being unattended. At a time when many of us are hoping to get away and visit family and friends over the Christmas period it’s important to leave your home secure while you are away. If you have a trusted neighbour, get them to check on your house each day, removing any post, switching lights on and off and closing curtains at night-time, all of which give the impression that someone is home. Get someone to put the bins away on rubbish day. Bins left in the road is a tell-tale sign that the homeowner is away. If you have recently moved house, it’s vital that you change your locks. A staggering 58% of people don’t change their locks when they move. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of moving into your new home, especially at Christmas time, when there is so much else to think about. It’s possible that a number of people might still have keys to your property. As soon as you can, instruct a local locksmith to change all your locks. You’ve invested a considerable sum of money into your new property, so you owe it to yourself to make it safe and secure. The better the lock the harder it will be for anyone to break in. Spending a few extra pounds on your security will serve you well down the line. After the excitement of Christmas Day, it’s easy to forget that the empty boxes left outside (xbox, playstation or Iphone) is a nice big advert to any burglars what nice new things you have in your home. Make sure boxes are not on display when rubbish is put outside. Same applies to posting on social media, be cautions of any posts that show your lovely new gifts, especially if your social media is visible to everyone. A little bit of attention towards your home security will ensure that you are less likely to be a target this Christmas, and remember to always check all doors and window before you go out to walk off that Christmas turkey.

Being a locksmith means no day is the same, or night come to think of it! Providing a 24-hour emergency service means people need never panic about locking themselves out as help is always on the way. Dan Reynolds, Director of RLM Locksmiths, gives us a useful insight into his world as a local locksmith covering Surrey and Sussex. What makes a good locksmith? Planning your day is hard as you never know when you might get an emergency call. However, it does provide flexibility around my family and creates a great work/life balance. As a family man and people person, I find these are two really important attributes as a locksmith. It shows commitment and care and enables me to quickly build trust with my customers. After all, you are inviting me into your property to change your locks, so trust is an important factor from the customer’s side. However, there is something quite exciting not knowing how your day is going to start and finish. One thing I do know is that sorting paperwork and business development will feature somewhere. I dedicate time each day to keep on top of this and continually strive to think of new ways I can promote myself and to show the range of work a locksmith can undertake; window mechanisms, door adjustments and door/lock servicing, in addition to getting the lock open when you are locked out. Cutting edge technology on the move A new service I’ve just invested in is a mobile key cutting service. As it’s mobile, I can visit customers at home or their place of work to get keys cut at a time convenient for them. Plus is gives them the advantage of trying out their new key in real time to check everything works to their satisfaction. Keeping social Social media is key for the growth of my business, and this requires a lot of my time to keep this updated. I try and post photos of the type of work completed for my customers so that it showcases the range of work I do. This can often prompt people to get in touch if they have a similar problem. Customer service at its best Then I get a call! This may be right on my doorstep or up to ten miles away – I cover Surrey and Sussex - so I’m always prepared for whatever situation and location I’m heading to. I find out ahead of my visit what the exact problem is so I can take the appropriate locks and materials. New and repeat customers are always amazed at the speed I sort out their locks and get them back into their property. During my visits I offer free advice in case I notice something glaringly obvious that may improve their home security. All part of the service. It’s worth highlighting that people aren’t paying for my time spent at their house, but my experience and time I spend practising and learning about locks when it comes to opening them and fixing the problem. To me a customer isn’t just a job; they’re a life-long customer, so my standard of customer service is really important to me. Hence why always receive 5-star Google and Facebook reviews. Not a 9-5 job I return home from my call out and get prepared in case another call is imminent. It’s not unusual to get a call at 2am so late nights just aren’t an option! In fact, even on Christmas Day last year I was called out at 12.30am to a family who couldn’t access their property due to a faulty lock. Similarly, this year started off with a local hotel getting in touch to open a faulty fire door. The door was fixed at 1am and I managed to reassure staff that they could get their guests out in an emergency situation. Aside from preparing quotes and sending out customer invoices, the life of a local locksmith keeps me busy, especially as the business continues to grow and expand. No job is the same, no day is the same, but the rewards of helping people in an emergency situation is exactly why I chose to work in this profession.

Your wallet isn’t just a convenient place to store money and your driver’s license. It is also filled with credit cards, debit cards, family photos, and other important information. Before you lose your wallet and face the difficulty of replacing the items, you may want to take these steps. Take a proactive approach to protecting your wallet: 1. Make a list of everything in your wallet. By creating a list, it will be easier to replace the missing items if something happens to your wallet. • It’s important to write down everything, even the pet photos, so you’ll know what you might want to replace later. • Consider making more than one copy of the list. Keep a printed version in a safe place and a digital version saved in the cloud (or on a portable hard drive). The list will need to be easily accessed, so keeping an extra copy at home will help you too. 2. Write down account numbers and phone numbers. Credit cards and debit cards often have free phone numbers on the back that can help you. But if these numbers are in your missing wallet, they aren’t much help. • By writing down the phone numbers and account numbers, it will be much easier and quicker to prevent fraudulent charges and order replacement cards. • Even better, make copies of all of your cards. If you have access to a copy machine, you may want to make copies of all of the cards in your wallet. 3. Never keep your NATIONAL INSURANCE CARD in your wallet. It’s safer to leave your National Insurance Card at home. Thieves can use this information to steal your identity and wreak havoc with your financial life for a long time. • Unless you’re going to a meeting or appointment that requires you to bring a National Insurance Card, it’s not necessary to carry it in your wallet. You can leave it in a safe place and have one less thing to worry about. • By reducing the amount of personal information you carry in your wallet, you’ll make it more difficult for thieves to steal your identity. 4. Make copies of your pictures. The pictures in your wallet can be just as valuable as the cards and money. The memories and messages they represent are difficult to replace. 5. Avoid attaching your keys to your wallet. Keep your keys separate from your wallet. If one gets lost, at least the other one will be safe. This will make replacing everything a simpler process. 6. Keep your PIN numbers and passwords out of your wallet. From your email account to your social media profiles, you have multiple passwords to remember. Although it’s not easy to memorise or keep track of all the passwords you need, you don’t want to carry them in your wallet. Keep them in a separate, safe place. • If your wallet disappears, and your PIN numbers or passwords are in there, thieves will have easy access to your accounts. • Also, by leaving your PIN number within easy access to thieves, your bank might not even cover the fraudulent charges that were made with PIN numbers. You may not be able to stop every instance of your wallet getting lost or stolen. However, you can be prepared for the possibility and take steps to reduce the negative impact if it happens.