HOW TO KEEP YOUR LOCKS WELL-MAINTAINED

We hardly ever give any thought to our locks and keys, but the truth is ~ whether automotive, residential, or commercial ~ day and night, they play a big role in our personal and business lives. There will be times when an emergency comes up, whether it’s a lockout emergency or something more challenging ~ with your car, at your home, or at your place of business. It can be aggravating, but you don’t have to let it get you down. There are various ways to keep yourself secure and safe. It’s important to keep your locks effectively maintained so you can stop most of the problems that might arise when it comes to keys and locks.

Preventative maintenance will help you to avoid future lockouts. If you make a small effort to maintain your locks, you may never have to call a locksmith in Centennial. Every day, be on the lookout for:

• difficulty sticking your key in the lock mechanism
• wear & tear
• trouble turning the key in the lock mechanism
• rust

If you spot any of these problems, it’s often best to change out the locks, because worn-out locks generally will break or bind ~ therefore, it’s more likely you’ll get locked out. Failing and old locks also will make you more susceptible to burglary.

Take additional security measures. Depending on your living circumstances, if you’re feeling you’re at risk at your home or at your commercial property, there are a good number of ways to give yourself peace of mind.

Prolong the life of your locks.

• Lubrication. At least two times per year, or anytime you see excess friction or grinding in the lock mechanism, you should apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the keyhole.
• If the key doesn’t turn, don’t despair. Sometimes the pins will jam up. Spray the lock mechanism with silicone spray or WD-40, and this will often resolve the issue.
• Replace your keys periodically. Keys take a lot of abuse. We use them day in and day out, many times each day, we store them all over the place, and we throw them who knows where. So if you notice that your keys are starting to wear down, or if a key gets bent or otherwise damaged, then have new keys made. Throw out any old keys ~ or, even better, drop them off at a recycling center.

More ways to feel safe and secure:

• magnetic locks
• use only fine-quality brand locks, at least a grade 2
• safes for business & home
• choose a local, reliable professional locksmith who’s licensed, certified, bonded, insured, and background-checked
• keyless remote entries
• combination locks
• alarm systems
• keypad systems
  

Most locksmith experts recommend deadbolts. Deadbolts are a very efficient way to enhance your safety and security. Be sure your deadbolts are properly installed. A deadbolt ought to have at least a 1″ throw. On the strike side, there must be a security plate with screws at least 3″ long, going all the way into the door’s wood frame. If you have a nearby window, or glass as part of your door, a thumbturn deadbolt won’t actually be fully secure, because an intruder might break the glass, reach a hand in, and turn. To prevent this from happening, install a double-cylinder deadbolt, since it requires a key on the inside to open.

Is your key broken off or stuck? If you rush with your key, you may get yourself into a tight situation: Your key could break right off in the lock mechanism! Haste makes waste. If you just take an extra few seconds to be patient with your key, you’ll save yourself grief.

If you’re unfortunate enough to have your key break inside the lock before you close the door, then you will not be able to lock it, which of course leaves your place vulnerable to theft. If you break the key off in the lock after you’ve shut the door, then you probably won’t be able to open the door again. A broken key can damage a lock.

When should you change out your locks?

• A new home. When you move into a new place, change the locks right away. You never know, there could be former residents somewhere who still are in possession of their old keys.
• New tenants or roommates. The same rules that apply to your home apply to rentals. If you rent out space in your house or your apartment, then replace your locks each time you change occupants. Even if the previous residents gave you back their keys, you can’t be totally sure that there aren’t still extra keys floating around.
• Lost keys. If you know that you’ve lost your keys for good, then change your locks. You don’t want to risk the possibility of a stranger entering your property without your knowledge.
• After a robbery. If a break-in ever happens, replace all outdoor locks immediately. Also replace any inside locks in the order of your personal security priorities.

Is part of your key stuck inside the lock? If there’s a tiny bit of the key sticking out, you might be able to get it out yourself. If there’s just enough of the key visible, you may be able to pull it out with needle-nose pliers or your fingers. You do risk doing damage, but if you decide that it’s worth a try, get a flathead screwdriver ~ one that’s little enough to fit inside the keyhole. Pry the key inside, just to the point where it comes out slightly from the lock. If there’s any damage, contact a locksmith professional.

At some point, even for the best of us, an instance will arise when you really will have to hire an expert locksmith. If you’re in Centennial, Colorado, then consider hiring a reputable locksmith company, such as Mobile Locksmith Centennial, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff mobile locksmith technicians there are perpetually prepared to come to the rescue.

Aricle source here: HOW TO KEEP YOUR LOCKS WELL-MAINTAINED

Commercial Property Security

Whether you are responsible for the safety and security of a residence or business, you know that it is important. You know that if you don’t have the right security solutions in place that bad things can happen. Imagine if you failed to lock up your business upon going home for the night. The mess that you might have to deal with the next morning after someone entered and stole your items would be a disaster. Whether you are in charge of a retail store, office, warehouse, storage space or anything else, you must make sure that the appropriate security features are in place. And even if you do have locks that you religiously use, you have to consider the importance of other solutions. For instance, panic bars are mandatory to allow ease in exiting for many properties. From panic bars to deadbolts, a locksmith will be able to help you to ensure your business space is protected. Mobile Locksmith Centennial has a team that cares about the security of businesses everywhere, which is why they have put together this handy information. If you are in Centennial, CO give them a call for assistance or with any questions at all.

What do you need to protect your commercial property?

You need to take advantage of the options which are available to you. Here is a brief list of features that would be applicable and helpful for just about any company:

• Panic bars
• Deadbolts
• New lock installation
• Safe installation
• Rekeying locks
• Locks for cabinets, drawers and more
• Access control

These are just some of the things that you need to help keep your employees and of course your belongings safe. You also have to be concerned with the well-being of your customers if you own a commercial property. That is why you need solutions like panic bars. If your business ever gets robbed, or if you otherwise have an emergency that requires a fast exit, you will want to have a panic bar on your door. This will allow anyone who needs to get out to just push down on the door, rather than stand there and fumble around through a crowd in order to turn the door knob. You don’t want a lot of foot traffic in front of one door in the event of an emergency. You want to help improve the flow of traffic, and a panic bar will allow you to do this. This is one way to make your property safer!

It is also a wise idea to have a safe installed at your property. Whether you have loose money sitting around or not, you very likely have other paperwork that is important. It should be kept out of the hands of the wrong people and one way to ensure this is the case is to have it locked away in a safe. Of course, you can also invest in locks for file cabinets and drawers, but having a fire-resistant and waterproof safe is always a good idea, so that your items are protected even in the event of a natural disaster. It isn’t just theft that you are protecting items from which are locked away in a safe. You are making sure that even if a fire or flooding occurs, your important items are still safe. And you are making sure that you always know where everything is.

Access control is extremely helpful if not mandatory for certain companies. Let’s say that your property houses dangerous chemicals. It is important that only the people who are experienced in handling said chemicals are able to get near them. Access control lets you know who is coming and going from your property. Typically, you will provide users with a keycard or code to get in, or some systems even work using fingerprint recognition. You can gain peace of mind when you use a system involving access control.

On a similar note, many businesses are choosing to go keyless, at least for certain areas of their property. As a company owner, you might not want to have to create multiple copies of keys. You might find that keypad devices make things easier. As a matter of fact, systems are available which will send out an alert if someone tries to get in but enters an incorrect code over and over again. There are a multitude of reasons as to why a commercial property would want to go keyless, and these are just some of them.

Furniture locks such as cabinet and drawer locks are another way to help to stay organized, and you might want to opt for these rather than a safe, depending on the type of property you own. A clothing store or retail shop owner will likely want to have a safe, since they have money at their property. But a professional office might find that drawer locks do the trick. Consider what your specific needs are to make the best decision, or talk with a professional who can provide you with even more options.

There are so many ways that one can make their business property more secure than ever before. Talking to an expert that specializes in commercial security solutions is a great option. Mobile Locksmith Centennial is a good team to contact if you are located in this part of Colorado. Many readers might be located in other parts of the country, so make sure if you are responsible for a business of any sort that you take the appropriate steps to keep it safe. Get on the phone with a locksmith in your area if you have any questions or want additional information regarding what steps to take. You are sure to be able to take advantage of a consultation with the experts, usually free of charge. Taking the right steps can ensure that your valuable items don’t get stolen, and it can also ensure that the right people are able to access your property. Stay safe!

Aricle source here: Commercial Property Security

Determining to Rekey a Lock or Completely Replacing a Lock

The term re-key a lock may be foreign to you. This is a term used when someone is having problems with their lock, they may choose to do as a resolution for being able to effectively lock their door. When you need to have a lock re-keyed or replaced, contact a reliable and efficient Centennial, CO locksmith, such as Mobile Locksmith Centennial. Our locksmith technicians will be able to help you decide whether or not the resolution to your problem is to replace the lock or re-key it. When you rely on a qualified locksmith, they will advise you in a way that will prove most beneficial to you and your loved ones. When you choose the services of a reputable and reliable locksmith, you can be sure that the job will be done right on the initial visit. If you want to be able to use your door sooner than later, don’t hesitate to contact someone who will be able to quickly and effectively handle this job for you. This is something that most people opt to let a trained professional handle so that they are capable of making certain that the job is performed efficiently. Here are some things that you should think about when you’re considering to have a lock replaced or re-keyed.

Have a lock replaced when you are still have problems with it even after it has already been re-keyed. When you continue to try to use the lock when it is not working this damages the lock and key. Why not just call on the services of a qualified locksmith who can quickly replace your lock and get on with the rest of your life. Aid in your home security by having your locks replaced. If you’re looking for an added source of protection, this may be the most cost-effective way to go. It is a good idea to have locks replaced from time-to-time to ensure that the locks are not compromised. At Mobile Locksmith Centennial, this is something that we recommend homeowners do every so often to ensure their homes security. In some cases you may have to have the job done sooner than later, if you want to remain safe. Something that is as important as having the lock replaced is making sure that the lock is a good quality, durable lock that will not be easily compromised.

Some homeowners will purchase a lock that is aesthetically appealing while another homeowner may try to choose one that will be easy to open and close. Lever handle locks seem to be most popular with homeowners in our area because they come in various designs and are easy to have installed. We also suggest that if you are going to have a lever handle lock installed that you also have a deadbolt lock installed along with it. This maximizes your homes level of security. In most cases, homeowners are already aware of the level of durability a deadbolt lock offers and they request this type of lock be installed. The deadbolt lock can also be installed with an existing thumb turn lock, which further adds to your homes security. You may or may not be familiar with electronic locks but trust us when we tell you that they are well worth the added cost. Though not as cost-effective as a standard lock or deadbolt, they are the most effective in keeping out intruders. They offer the largest range of security.

Have a lock re-keyed when the key that you have will not unlock it. Many people try out the key when they first purchase a home and realize at this point the key doesn’t operate the door. This is when the lock is generally re-keyed. Whenever someone else has had a duplicate key for the home, it is also a good idea to install have the locks re-keyed. Whenever someone is moving in and out of a property, their should be a locksmith on standby to help re-key all of the locks. Master construction keys have pins. These pins enable the person to open a number of different locks. Up to 16 keys can open one lock. This can only happen when the master pins remain in the lock. Whenever you have a lock re-keyed, you minimize the chances of being able to duplicate a key that has these master pins.

The first step that a locksmith will take before re-keying a lock is to make sure they are fully aware of the locking mechanisms of the lock they are re-keying. They must know this before they can determine whether or not the lock can be re-keyed or not. If the lock cannot be re-keyed, the next best option is to have the lock replaced. A skilled locksmith may know what can be done to re-key a lock that may not appear as though this is possible. Just by lubricating a lock, the person may be able to get the lock working. If the lock still isn’t working, it may be necessary to have the lock replaced as a final resolution.

If you are a diy’er, you may be prone to do things yourself. Re-keying a lock is something that many people do themselves. This would require you to buy a lock that will not require that you take it completely apart in order to change its locking mechanisms. When you have to disassemble a lock, you may run into the problem of determining where all of the small pieces go. This can be a challenge for even the most seasoned diy’er. This is why it is in your best interest to use the services of a qualified locksmith who will know exactly what to do. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, there are manufacturers who make kits to help you handle the job. If you want to be sure the job is done right, our suggestions is to rely on the services of a reputable locksmith service in Centennial.

Aricle source here: Determining to Rekey a Lock or Completely Replacing a Lock

What to do to prevent lockouts

While you CAN prevent lockouts, you can’t ALWAYS do so! While this can sound confusing, it really isn’t. Lockouts almost always happen by accident and when we are not paying attention. It’s easy to say “be more alert” but it’s hard to actually do it. This is why Mobile Locksmith Centennial has added this post; we want to offer some helpful tips to cut down the possibility and the rate of lockouts in your life.

Listen to the experts!

Our Centennial, CO lock and key firm is a full service, licensed, bonded and insured company that deals with locksmith issues of all sizes and kinds. We provide round the clock protection for lock repairs, installations, rekeys and upgrades. This includes service for home, auto and business. Can you guess what our number one requested service is? That’s right; lockout assistance! Having helped hundreds of locals with their lockout problems we’ve heard just about any and every scenario imaginable. As annoying and frustrating as your lockout situation happens to be; chances are we’ve dealt with it.

Lockouts at home

It’s so easy to get locked out of your own house. All it takes is a second for that already locked door to close behind you, preventing you from getting back inside. While it may seem strange, have you noticed that lockouts always seem to happen after-hours or on a weekend when no one is around, or sleeping late?

Home lockouts can be annoying and frustrating. They definitely interrupt your schedule while you think of a way to get back inside. They can also be dangerous. What if you have a toddler, baby, or elderly person inside that needs your help? What if you have something simmering on the stove?

Automotive lockouts

Practically everyone has been locked out of a car at some point in their life. It happens so often that it’s almost a rite of passage. We’ve all done it; been momentarily distracted by something we have to do or someone we need to talk to and then it’s too late; the car door is locked and the keys are still in the ignition, car seat or trunk.

Just like home lockouts, inconvenience is caused and sometimes danger as present. What if you are locked out and it’s getting dark? Neighborhoods can get scary and risky when the sun goes down, and without the ability to get in your car, much less drive away, it can leave you very agitated as well as vulnerable. Scenarios like these are problems when you are alone, but what if your small child or pet is in the car? Auto lockouts can lead to real problems and even death if not handled quickly.

Commercial lockouts

Lockouts can occur at business locations, too. After all, they have people and locks, so why not? Businesses come in all sizes and categories and most every one of them can involve a lockout situation. From convenience stores to office rentals; staff, customers, and vendors can accidentally lock themselves out of a building in mere seconds. Centennial, CO is home to thousands of firms that have locking doors, panic bars, vaults, security gates and other devices that can lock, stick or malfunction leaving someone unable to get back inside.

Lockout solutions

As stated before, there are no sure-fire solutions to lockouts. That being said, there ARE smart ways to cut down on their rate of occurrence.  One way is to be ready for one. This is especially true if you are tired, stressed or lacking sleep. Start by developing good habits. Put your keys in the same place each time you are not using them. You are much less likely to lose them or have them stolen if you know where they are at all times. Over time, it will not feel right if you haven’t hung up your keys or clipped them to your belt or whatever it is you do with them when not in use.

Spare key(s)

Have spare keys made and remember where you put them! These keys do no good if you can’t access them. Always be sure to use an original key when making a copy. Having a duplicate made from another copy is not good for the lock it fits and over time, it can lead to lock failure.

Give one of your spares to a trusted friend or neighbor. It can be to your home, car or business. In the event of a lockout, you most likely will have your smart phone handy, so make a call and save yourself a service call from a locksmith. You can also hide a key if you don’t feel comfortable lending one out to someone. Just be sure to NOT be obvious. Under the door mat or in the flower pot is a NO-NO as these are the first places a burglar will look. Instead, place a spare under the floor mat in the car or inside the BBQ grill out in the backyard.

Don’t become a vandal!

Please resist the urge to break back inside. Whether it’s your property or not, prying open a door, or shattering glass is never a good idea. Not only can you be injured, but you will have repair and replacement expenses that only make the problem worse. Of course extreme emergencies like pets or children in a hot car are a different matter but for regular lockout situations, stay calm and rely on your spare key or simply call a full service, 24-hour mobile locksmith that can come to your aid and let you back inside.

Speaking of calling a locksmith; be sure to add one or more of them to your mobile devices for handy access at any time, day or night. Select a locksmith shop that offers 24-hour emergency help and that responds fast! It’s always a good idea to stay on the phone with a friend or loved one while waiting for a locksmith or a spare key to arrive. Doing this calms nerves and also provides a witness in case of unexpected trouble.

Aricle source here: What to do to prevent lockouts