December is meant to be a time of celebration, not stress. Yet every year, Canberra homeowners deal with post Christmas lockouts, break-ins, and security issues that could have been avoided with one simple step taken before the holidays.
Rekeying your locks in December is one of the smartest and most cost effective security decisions you can make. It gives you control over who can access your home at the exact time when keys are most likely to go missing and houses are left unattended.
If you are travelling, hosting guests, or managing a rental, rekeying before Christmas can genuinely save your holiday.
How Lost Keys and Holiday Guests Create Security Risks
December is the month when keys go missing most often. Guests come and go, cleaners and tradies finish end of year work, family members borrow spares, and routines change.
Even if everyone means well, the reality is that you quickly lose track of who has access to your home. A single unreturned or misplaced key is all it takes to compromise your security.
Many homeowners only realise this after returning from holidays to find signs of entry or discovering that someone still has a key months later. Rekeying removes that uncertainty completely.
Rekeying vs Lock Replacement: What’s Smarter Before Christmas?
This is a common question for Canberra homeowners preparing for the holidays.
Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing locks so old keys no longer work. New keys are issued, and control is restored instantly.
Lock replacement involves changing the entire lock hardware, which is sometimes necessary but often unnecessary if your locks are still in good condition.
Before Christmas, rekeying is usually the smarter option because it is faster, more affordable, and just as effective for access control. It delivers immediate peace of mind without the disruption of replacing hardware.
Why Waiting Until January Can Be a Costly Mistake
Many people plan to deal with security after the holidays. Unfortunately, that is when problems tend to surface.
January locksmith callouts often involve:
- Break-ins discovered after travel
- Lockouts caused by missing keys
- Emergency rekeying after security scares
By December, locksmith schedules fill quickly, and availability becomes limited closer to Christmas. Waiting can mean higher stress, emergency callout fees, or being forced to deal with issues when you should be relaxing.
Rekeying in December is proactive. Waiting until January is reactive.
Ideal Times to Rekey Before Offices and Trades Shut Down
The best time to rekey is before end of year shutdowns begin.
Mid to early December is ideal because:
- Locksmith availability is better
- You can schedule work at a convenient time
- You avoid last minute holiday rush fees
- Your home is secure before travel begins
Night and Day Locksmiths operate all hours, but booking ahead ensures you are not relying on emergency services during peak holiday periods.
Protecting Your Home While You’re Away for Extended Holidays
Extended holidays are one of the biggest risk periods for homes. When a property is empty for weeks at a time, any unauthorised access often goes unnoticed.
Rekeying before you leave ensures:
- Old keys no longer work
- Only trusted people have access
- You eliminate unknown key holders
Combined with good lighting, mail management, and secure doors, rekeying forms a strong first line of defence while you are away.
Rekeying for Rentals, Airbnb, and Holiday House-Sitters
December is also peak season for rentals, short stays, and house sitting arrangements.
If you are:
- Managing a rental property
- Hosting Airbnb guests
- Using house sitters over the holidays
Rekeying between occupants is essential. It protects your property, your insurance position, and the people staying in your home.
Rekeying allows you to maintain security standards without replacing locks after every guest or tenant change.
How Rekeying Improves Security Without Changing Hardware
One of the biggest advantages of rekeying is that it upgrades your security without altering how your doors look or function.
Benefits include:
- Old keys immediately rendered useless
- No visible changes to doors or locks
- Faster service than full replacement
- Lower cost with high security impact
It is an efficient solution that delivers real results, especially during busy periods like Christmas.
Booking a December Rekey: What Canberra Homeowners Should Know
December bookings fill quickly, particularly in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Canberra homeowners should know:
- Early booking offers more flexibility
- Rekeying is usually completed in one visit
- Licensed locksmiths ensure insurance compliance
- Transparent pricing avoids holiday surprises
Night and Day Locksmiths have over 35 years of experience serving Canberra homes. As a fully licensed, family owned, all hours locksmith service, we make December rekeying straightforward, fast, and stress free.
If you want to protect your home and enjoy Christmas without worry, now is the time to act.
Call 02 6290 1938 for an obligation free quote or inspection, or contact Night and Day Locksmiths online today.
A small step now can save your Christmas later.
