What Does a Locksmith Notice About a Home That Most Owners Never Think to Check?
The Locksmith's Secrets shares what years of protecting homes taught Blake Warren: the small, specific things a trained eye picks up in the first few minutes at a property, and what to do about each one.
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Written by Blake Warren, Professional Locksmith
Why a locksmith's view is different
You walk past your front door every day. A locksmith reads it.
Homeowners see a door, a lock and a porch light. A locksmith sees how old the hardware is, how the door sits in its frame, how many people probably hold a key and what the house says to anyone passing by.
None of that takes special equipment. It takes knowing where to look. This book hands you that checklist, in plain language, so you can look at your own home the way a professional would.
The most useful thing I can give a homeowner isn't a new lock. It's the habit of looking at their home properly.Blake Warren
943,900
U.S. households experienced a burglary in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Criminal Victimization, 2024, Table 16. Household survey estimate, including burglaries not reported to police.
55.4%
of burglary offenses reported in 2024 involved forcible entry.
Seven things a locksmith notices in the first few minutes.
A preview of what's inside. Each one gets a full explanation in the book, along with what to check and what to do.
Property walk-upBlake Warren
01
How old the lock really is
Wear on the keyway and finish tells a locksmith a lot about how long hardware has been in service.
In the book: how to judge your own locks, and when an upgrade is worth it.
02
How the door sits in its frame
A door that sticks, rattles or needs a shove to latch is telling you something about its fit.
In the book: the simple checks that reveal a door that isn't closing the way it should.
03
The side and back doors
The doors people use least often get the least attention, and owners rarely look at them closely.
In the book: giving every entry point the same scrutiny as the front.
04
How many keys are out there
Builders, previous owners, cleaners, dog walkers, family. Most owners can't say who still has one.
In the book: taking back control of who can get in.
05
The garage connection
The door between the garage and the house is one of the most overlooked doors in a home.
In the book: what to check on garage doors, keypads and remotes.
06
What the house says when you're away
Lighting, mail, deliveries and routines are visible from the street.
In the book: simple habits that keep your home looking lived in.
07
Sliding doors and ground-floor windows
Often assumed to be fine because they've never caused trouble.
In the book: a quick review of each one and what good looks like.
Once you know what to look for, you can't unsee it. That's the point.
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Common assumptions
What owners assume, and what a locksmith checks instead.
Assumed"We have a deadbolt, so the door is secure."
CheckedWhether it's used every time, whether it fully extends and what the door and frame around it are like.
Assumed"The locks came with the house, so they must be fine."
CheckedHow old they are and how many keys were handed out before you moved in.
Assumed"Nobody uses the back door."
CheckedWhether it gets the same care as the front, because it's less visible to neighbors.
Assumed"Better security means buying more gadgets."
CheckedThe basics first. Many of the most useful changes are habits and small fixes.
Inside the book
A locksmith's knowledge, organized for homeowners.
Practical, readable and free of jargon. Here's what the book walks you through.
Part 1
Reading your home like a professionalHow a locksmith approaches a property, and the order to look at things in.
Part 2
Doors, frames and locksWhat good looks like, the warning signs and when to call a pro.
Part 3
Keys, codes and who can get inGetting a clear picture of access to your home.
Part 4
Windows, sliders and the garageThe entry points that rarely get a second look.
Part 5
Habits that do the heavy liftingEveryday routines that cost little or nothing.
Part 6
Your own walk-throughPutting it together into a short list of what to do first.
Cover image is an illustration.
About the author
Years at the door, written down.
I'm Blake Warren, a professional locksmith.
My work puts me at people's doors every week, which means I see the everyday reality of home security: what wears out, what gets forgotten and which small changes actually matter.
Most homeowners only hear that perspective when something has already gone wrong. I wrote this book so you can have it now, in plain language, and decide for yourself what your home needs.
No scare stories and no sales pitch for equipment. Just what I've learned, and honest guidance on when a job is one for a professional.
Blake WarrenProfessional Locksmith
Your copyDigital edition
The Locksmith's Secrets
What Years of Protecting Homes Taught Me About Home Security
The complete digital book by Blake Warren, Professional Locksmith
Seven field notes on what a locksmith notices first
Doors, locks, keys, windows and garage, explained in plain language
A walk-through to turn what you learn into a short plan for your home
$4.99One-time payment No subscription
A digital book. Nothing is shipped.
Questions
Straight answers.
Is this book for professionals or homeowners?
Homeowners. It shares a locksmith's perspective in plain language. You don't need any technical background.
Will I need tools?
No. The book is about knowing what to look at and what it means. Anything that needs tools or expertise is flagged as a job for a professional.
Does it teach lock picking or bypassing locks?
No. It's about understanding and improving the security of your own home, not getting past anyone else's.
Is it a printed book?
No, it's a digital book you can read on a phone, tablet or computer.
How do I get it?
Access is instant after checkout, with access details sent to the email you use.
Is there a subscription?
No. It's a single $4.99 payment.
Does this replace a professional assessment?
No. It's an educational guide. It doesn't replace an in-person assessment by a qualified locksmith or security professional.
See your home differently
Look at your home the way a locksmith does.
For less than the cost of a key cut, get the perspective of someone who has spent years at people's doors.