How to Avoid Automotive Lockouts

Any time you find yourself lockout out, you are likely to become very frustrated. This is understandable. You probably want to scream at someone but unfortunately you have no one to blame accept yourself. You become even more frustrated when you are already late and you discover that you are locked out.

Here at Locksmith Tyler in Tyler, TX we would like to provide you with some useful resolutions to help you avoid being locked out. Be advised that the only way these suggestions can benefit you is if you put them to use. If you choose to do so or not it will depend on you. When you decide to take our suggestions to heart and implement them, you don’t have anything to lose. You will probably be glad that you even took the time to read this article in order to gain some practical solutions to being locked out. You know what they say, “If I knew then what I know now”. This means you would have done this a long time ago. Our suggestions simply act as a guide for you to use as you choose. After reading our suggestions, you may tweek our suggestions and come up with some that work just as good.

• Lock Picks - You might be saying that this would enable you to get into anyone’s car, any time you choose to. You would be right, to a degree. We say this because in some municipalities you are allowed to carry a lock pick but in others, you are not. Check with your municipality before making the investment. Despite never being locked out before, it is always a good idea to be prepared for the possibility.  Proper use of a lock pick is necessary if you are going to be effective in gaining access again. We would suggest that you practice on your car or a friend’s before you actually have to use it for a lock out.

• Bump Keys - A bump key enables you to unlock your door. With a hammer, you’ll have to strike the right position on the key in order to disengage the lock. This is something else that you might want to practice on since it can be challenging figuring out exactly where to strike the key. If you own a bump key, keep it in a safe and secure location that is not visible to others. You don’t want to encourage anyone to make use of it for the wrong reasons.

• Develop a Routine -Make it a routine to have your car keys in your hand as you are exiting your vehicle. This habit will help you avoid locking yourself out. The routine is to have your necessary car key in your hand when leaving your car. You want to visually identify your key before heading stepping out of your car to ensure you do not run into the problem of being locked out.

• Have a Spare Key - It just makes common sense to have another set of car keys to avoid being locked out. This shouldn’t only apply when it comes to car keys, it should also apply when it comes to any type of key that gives you entry into somewhere that you need to be, home, office, etc. Don’t continue putting it off for another day. There is no better time than the present. Although having a spare key doesn’t mean you will never be locked out, it does mean you don’t have to remain locked out for too long before gaining access in again. It also gives you peace-of-mind and minimizes frustration. Some people even purchase more than one spare key at a time to ensure they always have access. Keep spare keys somewhere other than together; it defeats your purpose in having a spare if you keep them together. Give them to trustworthy friends and family who will be able to come to your aid when you need them.

• Have Bad Locks Replaced With Newer Locks - If you have a hard time unlocking the doors of your car, this could be an indication that you need to have a new lock installed. Using a key that is damaged can cause problems with your lock. You may not be able to see the damage but you will be able to tell that something isn’t right because your key doesn’t immediately give you access to into your car. If the lock needs to be replaced, it doesn’t matter if you have a spare key or not, you may eventually find that the lock will no longer work. Avoid being locked out by having any locks replaced as soon as possible. Put it off just one more day and this just might be the day that you find yourself locked out.

• Avoid Duplicating Keys - If you have keys duplicated frequently, you may eventually run into the problem of the key no longer working. This is because the more the key is duplicated, the further away from the original it will be. This means that you should always have spare keys made from your original key, not another duplicate key.

• Keeping Up With Car Keys - We know this is easier said than done but if you are prone to losing your car keys, you might need to develop some type of way to always keep up with them. This goes back to always making sure you have a visual on your car key before hoping out of your car, even when you’re in a hurry. If you have spare keys, make sure you don’t hand out too many. When you do this you may not remember exactly who you gave the keys to. Avoid taking your car keys out in public because it is quite easy to lay them down and walk away. Instead, why not wait until you are walking toward your car to begin looking for them to minimize the possibility of losing them or leaving them somewhere.

Signs That Better Security Is Needed!

Remember the “old days” when people actually slept with their windows open or doors unlocked? Just watch any re-run of Mayberry RFD and watch the friendly neighbors walk into each other’s homes freely and unannounced. Nowadays, you can get shot for that! What happened? More people and more crime happened! Today, people are not as trusting, nor should they be. With the increase in gang activity, neighborhood crime, car theft, shoplifting, flash mobs, vagrants and homeless, you just can’t be too careful. This is where better security is needed and comes into play. Here at Locksmith Tyler, we advocate better security and protection no matter where in town you are. This includes home, auto and business.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

The first step to better security is to simply be more aware of where you are and who is around you. Apply this new awareness to home life as well as to your workplace and recreational locations, too. When you are in the grocery store, is your cart with your purse near you at all times? Or, do you leave it (only for a moment!) to go get a box of crackers 20 feet away? When you load those groceries in your trunk, are you cognizant of who is walking behind you or parking next to you? As you enter an elevator at work do you notice any suspicious looking person(s) nearby that might just jump in with you? When you are working in your garage at night do you leave the light on so that your property is well lit and no one just happens to walk up to you or sneak inside? The purpose of this post is NOT to make you paranoid – only to increase your awareness of your local Tyler, TX environment and the possibilities of threats to your well-being. If you have friends or guests with you, it is very easy to get distracted to the point where a pick pocket or armed bandit can get to you or to one of the members of your party. This gets even further complicated when you are responsible for children and/or pets.

Neighborhood Problems

It’s a myth that only bad neighborhoods get crime. Sure, crooks tend to haunt poor locals but they are not stupid; they know where the money is at. Even higher end parts of town can experience burglars, home invasions, domestic problems and drug deals gone bad. Our Locksmith Tyler customers live in a wide range of socio-economic neighborhoods ranging from mobile home parks to country clubs and all experience the need for added and better security to protect homes, businesses and automotive vehicles.

Are You Being Watched?

Not to alarm you but many times, a “mark” is watched before the criminal strikes. This can include your daily habits like taking your lunch break at a certain time and place. It could mean that someone is lurking behind a hedge near your home and noticing that you get the morning paper before 7 am and you never lock the door behind you. Your dog door may be large enough for a person to crawl through. Even small pets have doors that a child can fit through. You may be thinking “what can a child do?” but think for a moment. That less than innocent boy or girl can be trained to enter your pet door and run to your front door to unlock it! If your dog has been previously observed to be friendly and not aggressive, then this is a very likely scenario when you are away at work or on vacation.

Change Those Locks!

Have you been the victim of a recent crime at home or at your business? Changing your locks can help. In fact, even if your life has been crime free up to now, rekeying your locks is a smart precaution. Have you ever wondered who has keys to your house, car or business? The most obvious choices are your children, your spouse and any roommates. Think back though; where did you get your key? Realtors, builders, property managers, contractors, delivery persons, landscapers, baby sitters and many others have had access to your key(s) at some point. How many just happen to have a spare?

Lock Change or Lock Rekey?

There’s a difference and here at Locksmith Tyler, we are often asked which is best. That part is up to you. When our licensed, bonded and insured technicians rekey a lock, we leave the lock itself in place. We simple alter the interior pins so that a different key is needed to open it. In most cases, this is what you really need. Rekey work is fast, affordable and gives you tremendous peace of mind as you now have better control over your key distribution. When we change the locks, we actually change them out for new ones. This involves a slightly higher expense and is often a preferred choice when you want to upgrade to better quality locks for added protection.

Business Security

Remember when a simple lock on the shop door was enough? Not anymore. Commercial property can include apartment rentals, restaurants, retail stores, medical clinics, car dealers, attorney firms, private schools, art galleries, jewelry stores, laundromats and hundreds more. Anytime you are dealing with money, cash, credit cards, customers and inventory, you have to worry about shoplifting, employee theft, pilfering and even “not so accidental” slips and falls. Each Tyler, TX business is unique and has different security issues so it’s best to consult with an established commercial lock and key expert like ours here at Locksmith Tyler. We offer free consultations, free price quotes and superior quality hardware from the nation’s best lock manufacturers. You might consider CCTV camera installation, high security locks, deadbolts, rekeys, change outs, panic bar additions, peepholes and other quality improvements that can vastly enhance the security of your company, customers and staff. If you already have a preferred locksmith shop that you work with, ask them for their recommendations to bolster your security protection at home, in your car or at your business location.

WHY DEADBOLTS ARE THE BEST LOCKS FOR YOUR HOME

Of course, it’s important to effectively provide dependable security for your home, at a reasonable cost. If you’re shopping for the right locks for your place of residence, you’ll soon find that there’s a nearly endless selection of various types of locks. You may feel like it’s impossible to know what to choose. But you can at least narrow it down to the fact that, by and large, most locksmith professionals agree that deadbolts are your best bet.

Deadbolts truly are typically viewed by most expert Tyler locksmiths as one of the safest and most secure ways to provide home protection. The reason they’re called “dead” is because they lack springs to operate the bolt; that is, a deadbolt is operated manually, with a key or a thumbturn.

Residential locksmith specialists recommend that you install deadbolts on all your external doors. There are numerous deadbolts to choose from. The most common are: single-cylinder, double-cylinder, jimmy-proof, and lockable thumbturn. 

·         A single-cylinder deadbolt lock is the standard deadbolt we commonly imagine, used on wooden or solid metal doors. There is a key cylinder on the outside, with a thumbturn on the inside to open or close it. The one disadvantage to a single-cylinder deadbolt is that if there’s any possible access to the inside (such as through a nearby window, or even through your peephole), then the door can be opened using the thumbturn.

·         A remedy for this challenge is the double-cylinder deadbolt. It has a key cylinder on the inside of the door as well as on the outside. This means that if it’s locked, the double-cylinder always requires a key to open the door from the inside. It’s ideal if your door has any glass, or if your door has a window nearby, because it prevents an intruder from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock the door. Its downside is that in case of fire, it’s a bad idea. Therefore, if you install this kind of deadbolt, then make sure you always leave a key on the inside whenever people are there, so everyone will be able to make a fast exit safely in an emergency.

·         A jimmy-proof deadbolt is a surface-mount lock, most often found on double doors and at apartment buildings. A surface-mount lock means that the lock screws into the inside of the door, rather than with a complex drill pattern, the way a standard deadbolt does. A jimmy-proof deadbolt is popular because of the minimal door modifications required. In this unique style of deadbolt lock, the deadbolt interlocks with the jamb bracket, which prevents it from easily being pulled apart or from being forced open from the outside.

·         The lockable thumbturn deadbolt is the deadbolt that provides maximum security and flexibility. It basically combines the features of the single-cylinder with the double-cylinder deadbolt. It has a thumbturn on the inside, which works like a regular single-cylinder deadbolt, yet it can be locked with a key, so that it can’t lock or unlock the door. This means that the thumbturn can be left in an unlocked position when people are at home, but it will operate just like a single-cylinder deadbolt. When everyone’s away, especially if it’s for an extended period of time, the thumbturn can be easily locked, so that even if a burglar manages to gain access to your door from the inside, the deadbolt can’t be unlocked. 

In addition to these four viable deadbolt options, there are also five more kinds of deadbolts that expert locksmiths often recommend: vertical, rim, mortise, keyless, and digital.

·         A vertical deadbolt is bolted to the inside face of the door, but this kind is placed on top of the door, which makes it impossible for a potential intruder to pry it open by putting a bar between the door and the frame (which a person can do in the case of some horizontal deadbolts).

·         A rim deadbolt is also bolted to the inside face of the door, but the good thing about this type of deadbolt is that it locks automatically behind you each time you shut the door. That way, you won’t ever forget to lock it. Both the vertical and the rim deadbolt are easy to install. A minor drawback to both the rim deadbolt and the vertical deadbolt is that they are a bit bulky, and therefore not as attractive as traditional deadbolts.

·         A mortise deadbolt lock is a conventional lock that you can install in a mortise or a recess pocket, cut in the edge of the door, so that it can’t be easily tampered with. This lock is indeed sturdy; but keep in mind that because you have to penetrate the door frame to make a hole, it can slightly weaken the structure of the door itself.

·         A keyless deadbolt is also mounted on the inside of the door, but it has a keypad rather than a keyhole. Instead of using a key, you put in a secret code. The obvious advantage of this deadbolt is that you don’t require a key at all, so you won’t ever have to be concerned about losing your key or having it stolen. Furthermore, in order to optimize security, you can establish a new code every few months, or as often as you wish.

·         A digital deadbolt is a lot like a keyless deadbolt, since you also have a keypad instead of a keyhole. What’s different is that it requires electricity or batteries to operate. With a digital deadbolt, be sure you periodically monitor the power level. Always keep the batteries charged, in case of a power outage!

Before you can decide on exactly the right deadbolt locks for your home, bring all your questions and concerns to a reputable and experienced local locksmith. If you are located anywhere in Tyler, Texas, you may want to schedule an appointment with a reliable mobile locksmith professional on staff at Locksmith Tyler, where free consultations are available.

What You Need To Know About Commercial Safes

Commercial property owners know that there are a lot of things that must be accounted for on a day to day basis. It is anything but easy to be in charge of a business property of any kind. Retail shops not only need to be fully stocked each day, but employees need to be accounted for and familiar with loss prevention tactics, such as providing great customer service to customers entering the store, which not only demonstrates care for those who are shopping, but also tells people that they are being watched. Office spaces likely have many people in and out of them each day, and important items need to be kept in places that are easy to access for those who are allowed access.

The Importance of a Locksmith

So where does a locksmith come in? Those who are located in Tyler, TX have been using the services of Locksmith Tyler for years to help keep their commercial property protected. One such way that this company has helped to protect properties is through the installation of safes. Safes are especially important in places that keep money around. You just can’t have loose cash sitting out in the open, where just anyone could grab it. Not only are you more prone to theft by not having a commercial safe, but you are more prone to misplacing items. When you count money each night to deposit into your safe, so that it is ready to be taken to the bank in the morning, you can trust that every last bill will be accounted for if it is cautiously locked away. And safes aren’t only important for properties that keep money on the premises.

Other Reasons to Have a Safe

You likely also have paperwork that is significant to your operations. Whether that paperwork entails details on things to get done for the day, or maybe even has customer payment information, it should be kept in a place that cannot easily be accessed by people who shouldn’t have access. Again, not only does this keep items which are significant out of reach, but it helps to keep things organized. Organization is key to any business getting things done. If you ask a locksmith in Tyler, Texas, they will tell you that a safe serves as a visual deterrent to those who are considering stealing from you. In essence, there is every reason to have a commercial safe installed, and no reason not to.

A lock and security expert who specializes in commercial solutions will be able to set up a safe for you. They are also good to contact if you ever end up locked out of your safe for any reason. Let’s face it – employees working at a clothing shop might mistakenly enter the wrong code if they are opening a store first thing in the morning and just aren’t quite fully awake yet. This could end up causing them to get locked out of said safe, which means that they are unable to grab the money out of it to take to the bank for deposit. Luckily, locksmiths generally offer 24/7 availability, so they can be contacted for assistance at any time, which is beneficial to commercial property owners who work sometimes outside of regular business hours of operation.

In essence, commercial safes can provide the security that you need, which will allow you to focus on other aspects of your daily operations and to-do list. Here are some other things you should know:

1. Commercial safes come in various materials and are available in different sizes. You might own a small shop that only needs a small safe. Or you might be more concerned with having a larger sized, fire proof safe. These are things to discuss with a lock and security provider, as they have all of the knowledge and experience to point you in the right direction. The options can get overwhelming.
2. Commercial safes come with many options. For instance…
   1. One could get a deposit box. If you own a retail shop or restaurant, you might want to consider a deposit box or drop safe. These are generally keypad operated, so an employee will be given a code to get into them.
   2. Office safes are another option. They can be bolted down to the floor so that a thief wouldn’t be able to pick it up and drop it repetitively in an attempt to open it.
   3. In floor safes are an even less conspicuous option. They can actually be concealed on the ground.
   4. High security safes are sometimes a pricier option, but an effective one. They have security features that complete prevent someone from being able to get into them. A person can smash this kind of safe, drill into it, or anything else they can think of, only to find that the high security safe cannot be broken.

Hopefully this information helps you to make the best decision for your commercial property, and hopefully you consider the importance and protection that are offered by a safe. Safes come in all shapes and sizes, so they also are available for various price ranges. If you have questions, reach out to an expert for assistance. You will find their expertise to be incredibly helpful.

Locksmith Tyler is one such company in Tyler, Texas that provides safe installation services for commercial property owners who are looking for more advanced protection. Check out a locksmith in your area and be sure to get in touch with them. They usually offer consultations for free, so that they can answer any questions you have and you can get the information you need. Don’t let the amount of options overwhelm you – narrow down what is important to you and what you hope to gain by having a safe installed, and a professional will be able to take it from there!

Aricle source here: What You Need To Know About Commercial Safes

Types of Residential and Commercial Locks

With so many different types of residential and commercial locks to choose from, finding the right one might be a little overwhelming, even with the help of a locksmith from Locksmith Tyler in Tyler, TX. Sometimes it helps to see what your options are in ‘black and white’. This is why we are presenting the options that are available to you, in writing. We are sure that you are probably already aware of the most commonly used residential and commercial locks: Deadbolt, padlocks, levers and knob locks. There are others that you may not be as familiar with, which we have also highlighted in this article.

Rim/Mortise Locks

These types of locks are typically used for commercial doors and apartments. Rim and mortise locks, although similar, have different hardware. Rim cylinder locks are generally found on the inside of the door. They have a long metal part that extends from the back of the lock, which extends through the door into the lock mechanism on the other side. Mortise locks have mortise hardware that is mounted inside the door. They are held together by a setscrew and use a cam to engage the locking hardware. They are offered in various lengths and cams, based on the type of mortise hardware used.

Deadbolt Locks

There are actually three types of deadbolt locks that are used most often: single locks, double and thumb turn. It is the Single cylinder deadbolt that is most commonly used for residential use. A key cylinder is used outside the door with a thumb turn on the inside, which enables you to open and close it. A double cylinder deadbolt lock has a key cylinder on the inside and outside of the door. The disadvantage of this type of deadbolt lock is that a key is always necessary to open it from the inside if locked. This means that if there is a fire, you would need the appropriate to key get out. If used for residential use, keeping a key on the inside of the door is recommended, so that exiting is possible during an emergency situation. The Thumb turn deadbolt is a combination of both the single and double. The Thumb turn inside the lock functions like a regular single cylinder deadbolt. The difference is that the thumb turn can be locked with a key. You are able to achieve maximum security with the use of a thumb turn deadbolt lock.

Wall Mounted Locks

These are the types of locks used for businesses. The ones used most often are the fireman box style and Knox-Box. They can be used to store building keys. However, they are also used as safes. This type of lock is usually installed during construction. However, it is still possible to install a wall mounted lock after the building has already been constructed. Some wall locks are mounted with alarm sensors, which detect unauthorized entry.

Knob Locks

This is the type of lock that you’ll generally find on the exterior of home doors but shouldn’t be used them as the primary source of your home security. The problem is that the lock cylinder is located within the knob and not inside the door. This makes it easy for a burglar to simply break the knob to access the locking/unlocking mechanism. It is generally more useful to have a knob lock along with a deadbolt lock.

Lever Handle Locks

These types of locks can usually be found on the interior doors of commercial businesses. They offer easy access. They have a large handle that you can simply push down to gain access. This type of lock is great when attempting make a business handicap accessible.

Padlocks

This is not a permanent lock. Padlocks are offered in different sizes and can be moved from one door to the next. There are two different types to choose from, combination and keyed. The combination padlock uses number dials, which enable you to open the lock once the correct code is entered. The keyed padlock comes in non-rekeyable and rekeyable. The non-keyable lock doesn’t enable you to change the lock. They can also be non-key-retaining and key-retaining. A key-retaining lock will not allow you to remove the key with the lock is open.

Jimmy Proof Deadbolts

The Jimmy proof deadbolt lock is usually located on apartment doors and double doors. There is generally a limited amount of modifications that need to be made to the door to install. The lock interlocks with the jamb bracket, which makes it difficult to pull apart or forced open from outside. This type of lock screws right into the inside of the door and does not have a drill pattern. The only thing that has to be done is drill a hole through the door to insert the rim cylinder.

Rim Latch Locks

With this type of lock, you’ll find a rim cylinder on one side with a surface mount latch on the opposite side. This type of lock is used on apartment complex doors. This is not the type of lock that would serve as a primary lock but would be used along with another type of more durable lock, when used externally.

Interchangeable Core Cylinders

These are usually found in larger businesses. They are well-known for their easy of use and re-keying. This can be accomplished without taking the lock completely apart. It only requires that the core be changed. There are two types of keys that will work with an interchangeable core cylinder and this is a standard key lock and a control key. This is what makes this type of lock so useful. You can change the lock without changing its hardware. This enables you to upgrade your lock in no time. It is not possible to install an interchangeable core cylinder in a standard deadbolt lock or locks that will not take an interchangeable core cylinder. Those that do not accept an interchangeable core cylinder will be indicated with the figure eight on the outside.

Aricle source here: Types of Residential and Commercial Locks