Frank Fourchalk

Syndicated columist Frank Fourchalk is a British Columbia government licensed locksmith and security consultant who has operated a security business for 16 years in Surrey, B.C. He has won several awards for his work in community crime prevention, trained community police about home and business security and hosts several security seminars throughout the year.

His website is www.yourhomesecurity.ca and e-mail is Fourchalk@telus.net.

Frank's Columns

• Driveway alarms offer effective security for property lines
• Secure your door locks and frames
• Security bars increase your safety
• Watch out for 'Creeping Charlie' in the garden
• Security Tips: Home insurance discounts
• Security is the key to latch-key kids
• Locks vs. alarms
• Back-up way to ensure garage door is closed at night
• Christmas: A season for giving, receiving, and taking
• Security measures as important as decor
• What does "key control" mean?
• Home sellers should be wary of the open-house thief
• Categorizing a burglar
• New home buyers beware
• Keeping your home secure while away on vacation
• Home strategies keep families safe from intruders
• Stay safe with a home-security checklist
• Demographics indicate increase in crime ahead
• Join a business watch program
• Haste beckons thieves
• Postal-lock timers are a good way to thwart thieves
• War against crime starts with TLC
• Wants outweigh security needs for homebuyers
• Condo security needs revamping
• House sitters can help keep home secure
• Lending house key a dangerous practice
• Vandals and burglars from within
• Feeling safe after neighbourhood break-ins
• Code grabbers can be defeated
• Key to apartment not working well
• Check security system's lines of communication
• Door sticks since installing new knob
• Protecting our nation's flag from thieves
• Do closed drapes increase security?
• Stop paper thieves...buy a paper shredder
• Unmonitored alarm system?
• Fixing a lock that won't let go of its key
• Fixing a problematic lock
• Monitoring identity theft
• Layer your security by locking the gate
• Security film intruder deterrent
• Burglars bank on your blunders
• Next block party, let's talk safety
• Keeping the gated world secure
• Virtual house tours could offer too much information
• Lighting often overlooked as home-security asset
• Purchasing an alarm system can be complicated affair
• No-cost security tips should top New Year's resolution list
• How to change a powerbolt combination
• Shedding some light on shadow thieves
• Home security and your environment
• Re-key locks for new home or business
• Always keep inventory of your possessions updated
• Important to secure pool and spa areas around home
• Apartment security begins with good communication
• Apartment building enterphones pose security risk
• Keys cut won't fit door lock
• Sliding patio door security
• Tips to secure your home prior to lengthy absence
• Don't trick yourself into feeling security complacent
• Long range radio transmitters affordable security
• How to secure an apartment block
• Vandal-proofing your backyard
• Differing keys a problem
• Hard-wired security system offers higher safety level
• Don't let cleaners clean you out
• French doors need additional security on inactive leaf
• Removable thumb turn for security and fire safety
• Selecting the right deadbolt
• Door chains offer little extra security
• Enterphone-panel timer improves apartment security
• "Illusion security" effective and simple intruder deterrent
• Apartment intruders entering through front door?
• A thief can't steal what a thief can't see
• Biometric locks
• Apartment security can be confusing
• Sticky mail-box lock
• Should I hide a key outside?
• Securing parking garages
• Cutting keys for a high-security deadbolt
• How secure are lock boxes?
• Tightening up security in your apartment building
• Tarnished brass locks
• Screen-door security
• Should alarm-system stickers be displayed?
• Preventing computer theft
• Installing a lock in the common-area of an apartment
• Alarm with electronic immobilizer will thwart car thieves
• Anti-theft screws
• Deterring graffiti artists
• Lost mailbox key
• Inside key different from outside key
• Key-chain remote spontaneously opening garage
• Pet doors still safe
• Hardwired versus wireless burglar alarms
• Intermittent lock problems
• Reinforcing security on doors next to glass panels
• Glass-breakage sensors
• Can my keys be copied?
• High-security locks for vehicles
• Patio-door locking mechanisms
• Gauging security of new neighborhood
• Security of garage door key pads
• New device can help locate wandering children
• Sliding-door window can be secured in an open position
• Rekey locks instead of replacing them
• Access to master keys
• Ideas on how to secure skylights
• Please steal my car!
• Alarm screens keep bugs and burglars out
• Alley gating effective deterrent to would-be burglars
• Block Watch can protect neighbours
• Avoiding parking-lot theft
• Four-footed burglar alarms also offer companionship
• Good lighting, cameras, among apartment block safety tips
• How to secure apartment building common areas
• Common fallacies about thieves best be ignored
• Street Awareness: A burglar's kryptonite
• Who is that knocking at your door?
• Preventing a false burglar alarm
• Securing your sliding glass doors
• Closing the door on home intruders
• Not all locks created equal
• Methods for securing your computer
• Understanding fire and burglary constraints of safes
• Some facts you need to know about your "master key"
• Roll shutters can enhance security
• Safe rooms enhance security
• Security for electric garage doors