Benefits of a Home Safe

 

 

You have probably heard about home safes before. However, you may not have realized their importance. People who are not rich rarely think about home safes, and this is a fact. But you still own some valuables. You have some jewelry around the house. You probably have some important documents, certificates, and other paper things of value. Of course, your TV and other electronic devices will not fit into the safe in most cases. However, other things may be just as valuable. This is why you need a security safe installed in your home: to protect all your valuable items that are small enough to fit into the safe. And remember, the safe will not be protecting your valuables just from thieves and burglars. They will be protecting them from accidental destruction and even from fire. Read on to learn more about why home safes are a great idea and why you need to install one.

Dangers of Not Owning a Home Safe

People who have not experienced a burglary or a theft do not realize the benefits of a security safe. They rarely think about their valuable items because nobody has stolen them before. People who have had the bad luck to be victims of theft usually install the safe soon after. Why would you risk losing items worth thousands when you can install a safe for a couple hundred bucks? A safe, however, protects your belongings from more than just thieves.

Many safes are fireproof and waterproof. In case there is a fire, the safe will keep your valuables protected for some time. In most cases, this is enough time for firefighters to put out the fire or to at least get the safe out of the house. Waterproof safes are very useful in case there is a natural disaster and rainfall or water gets into your house (a flood immediately comes to mind). Because the safe is waterproof and very heavy, it will not be carried away by the water and the items stored inside it will not be damaged by seeping water.

In addition to all of these things, keep in mind that you probably have a firearm around the house. Did you ever think how dangerous that weapon really is? Few people have a gun safe, so they keep the weapon in a drawer or in the closet. This means that your children can find it and start playing with it. Imagine what can happen when a child who does not know what a gun is and how it is used starts to play with one. An accidental discharge can be disastrous and have consequences that will haunt you your entire life.

Even if you don’t have a child, a gun lying around the house is still dangerous. What do you do if a burglar finds it and turns your own weapon against you? You or your loved ones can become a victim of your negligence. If you have a home safe, you can safely store the weapon in it. Because a safe is very easy to open if you know the code, you can retrieve the weapon very quickly in case you need to use it to defend yourself. Keep your weapons safe and away from children and criminals!

Are They Really Secure?

Many people are still wondering if a home safe is secure. After all, it is not as large as those big safes you see in banks or in the movies. It doesn’t have all those bells and whistles either. However, rest assured that a home safe is very secure. In fact, it would take hours for a person who does not have the necessary skills and tools to open a home safe. This is more than enough time for the police to arrive on the scene. Cutting through the thick steel is almost impossible and using heavy duty machinery would create too much noise to be a feasible option.

In case there is a fire, a sturdy home safe can protect the items inside it for hours. This means that firefighters have more than enough time to put out the flames before the contents of the safe become damaged. Bottom line, a security safe is secure and almost impossible to force open. And because it is made out of solid steel and is so heavy, it cannot be carried away. Not to mention the fact that safes can be hidden in walls and even in the floor of your home.

The Benefits of Having a Safe in Your Home

Not that you know why a home safe is important and that it is actually very secure, let’s talk about the direct benefits of owning one. In fact, there are many benefits to owning a safe. Here are just some examples:

• You can protect your valuable items from fire and water in case of an accident
• You can protect your valuables from theft
• You can keep your firearms away from children’s hands or from burglars and home invaders
• Your insurance rate will be lower if you have a safe
• You can store documents safely in the safe and lower the chance of becoming a victim of identity theft
• You save money by using your own safe instead of a deposit box at the bank
• A home safe prevents you from losing valuable items and papers

Who Can Install One Quickly and Affordably?

As you can imagine, installing a safe in your home is not something you can do by yourself – especially if the safe must be placed in a wall or in the floor. This is why you need an experienced locksmith.

 

Article Source:  Benefits of a Home Safe

What to do, ignition cylinder problems

 

The ignition lock cylinder is the cylindrical tumbler and key that is used to start and turn on the vehicle. While a lot of newer vehicles are being manufactured with push button and keyless power systems, a lot of traditional ignition lock cylinders are still a common use for most vehicles.

The cylinder is placed on the right side of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel. The ignition lock cylinder operates three different jobs every time you use it, first it unlocks the steering wheel, which allows you to turn the wheel to whichever way you want it to.

It then powers the vehicle's accessories, for example, once you turn the key inside of the ignition cylinder you can then turn on the air inside of your car, and control the windows, and open them at your will.

The third power it brings to the vehicle is it turns on the computer and fuel system, and the last crank to turns on the engine.

When the ignition cylinder is locked, or it has issues this could cause real panic, because of how important it is in allowing you to go from A to B. A faulty lock cylinder has a couple of symptoms that alert the driver of potential issues.

Car Not Starting:

Since the entire point of an ignition lock cylinder is to start the engine of a vehicle so the car can go from point A to point B with no issue, then the cylinder is probably the problem that is stopping it from starting. The cylinder is connected to an electronic ignition switch, which works to power and starts the vehicle. If you believe that your lock cylinder is wearing out or is breaking, then that’s probably the problem that’s preventing your car from starting in the first place. A no start can also be caused by a wide variety of other problems, like the battery. So, it’s probably a good idea to have the vehicle properly diagnosed.

Steering Wheel Stuck:

The majority of the time, the main symptom of a potential ignition lock cylinder problem is powering the vehicle. The ignition cylinder wears out a little every time the vehicle is started because this requires the lock to be repeatedly turned over and over. So, if you have a job like a delivery or you drive a lot anyways then the chances are your vehicle is just wearing down slowly, but surely.

A worn Cylinder will not function correctly when the key is inserted, which may lead to issues with some of the positions the key is in. Depending on how the vehicle is turned, the entire wheel will be stuck along with your key inside of the ignition cylinder. If you ever encounter this problem, there is no need to panic since the solution to this problem can be solved quickly.

The first thing you should do in this situation is to make sure that your vehicle is in park. Automatic transmissions are designed to start only if the car is in the park or neutral. If the car is in the drive, then your problem does not lie with the ignition key.

The next thing to check for in these situations when your key won’t turn, and it seems to be stuck. Sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with your ignition but instead lies with your key. If your key is damaged, then it probably doesn’t fit into the ignition cylinder the way it used to. So, in these scenarios, just relax, and find a way to loosen it up without causing any more damage to your key, and/or damaging your cylinder ignition. The solution to a bent key is simple… either get a new one or just use a rubber mallet to flatten the bent key.

Sometimes your key and your ignition are fine, and instead, there’s just something stuck to your key. This is actually more common than you think because the key is a magnet for some things to just attach itself to it. For example, if you just used your key to open a package, then there might be some tape attached to that key, that is preventing the key from working. If this is the problem then you are in luck, because nothing comes out of your pocket for this fix.

If you know for sure that the steering wheel is locked try to unlock it by wiggling the wheel back and forth while turning and trying to pull out the key. Apply light pressure to the key, and just steer the wheel back and forth like you were trying to make sharp turns.

Ignition Turns on but the Engine is not working with it.

If nothing happens whenever you turn the ignition switch to the start position then the problem lies with either a bad ignition switch or a faulty circuity on your car. The next step to find out what it truly is, and to try to get your self out of this truly horrible situation. Check if the light turns on whenever you press them, and then turn on the turning blinker, if both of those aren’t working then the problem doesn’t lie in your ignition switch, but instead with your battery.

There might even be the rare scenario when your vehicle begins to die while driving, most of the time the battery is to blame in these situations but checking the vehicle to make sure that the problem is solved requires a locksmith to ensure that your car does work and will work.

Your ignition cylinder is a lot more important than you realize, and not paying proper attention to it can lead to more problems that you’re probably prepared for. So, if you believe that there are problems with your ignition cylinder then you should call a locksmith serving your area. 

Article Source:  Kennesaw Locksmith Pro

Solutions for Emergency Lockout Situations

 

You may think that a lockout only happens to other people and would never happen to you. After all, you’re very careful when it comes to keeping track of your keys. But it only takes one minute of distraction and forgetting that you’ve left your keys inside or dropping them to be rendered locked out of your car, home, or business property. In these situations, it’s easy to get taken over by stress and worry, wondering who to turn to. Panic isn’t helpful, however. Instead, keep a calm head and read on to see the best solutions for different types of lockouts. Lockouts happen every day in the Kennesaw, GA, area as well as all over the state of Georgia, so never feel like you are alone.

How Not to Handle the Situation

Before we discuss the best ways to handle an emergency lockout situation, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do. We already mentioned keeping a calm head, as it will allow you to think more rationally. While you can certainly call friends who are local and may be able to help, this could be a waste of time as usually they are no more capable of regaining access then you are. However, they may be able to give you a ride.

Don’t draw attention to your situation, especially if it’s the middle of the night and you’re stranded somewhere unfamiliar. If you are locked out of your car, don’t leave your vehicle unattended for too long. If you are at all worried for your safety, don’t hesitate to call 911.

Resist the Urge to Force Your Way In

No matter how tempting it may be, don’t try to get inside your property by breaking a window or busting a door open unless you absolutely have to. Not only will attempting something like that cause property damage that will cost more to repair later than a locksmith service call, but you could also risk injury from broken glass or splintered wood.

Emergency Lockout Solutions

So what do you do when faced with an emergency lockout situation? It depends on the type of lockout, where you are, and what resources you have. If you have a spare key to your car, home, or business, then obviously the first course of action should be to locate that. That may requiring calling in someone else to drive you to the location where it’s kept, but is a relatively easy solution. We always recommend having a spare key made for just these situations and hiding it in a safe place. A spare key is a very low-cost alternative to having to call out a locksmith.

Locked Out of Your Home?

Prevention is obviously the best way to avoid a home lockout. It only takes a short time to make a spare key for all of your exterior locks. You should hide these keys somewhere out of the home that is easy to access but well-concealed so no one steals it. Check all of the windows on the ground floor as well as the doors to make sure that you didn’t accidentally leave one unlocked. Often there may be an open window that you forgot about. It’s as simple as taking the window screen down and trying to open it. If you have an exterior door that does not have a deadbolt, you may be able to remove the doorknob using a straightened paper clip and pushing it into the lock until you are able to remove the faceplate and access the lock mechanism. Usually exterior doors have deadbolts however, and for good reason, because regular knob locks are this easy to defeat.

If you can’t find a method of entry, don’t resort to impulsive tactics like breaking a window. It will cost you more to replace than a locksmith call. Pick up the phone and dial a locksmith to assist you. An experienced locksmith can get you back inside your home without damaging the locks or door.

Locked Out of Your Vehicle?

Of all of the types of lockouts on this list, vehicle lockouts can be the most stress-inducing. That’s because they more often than not occur when you’re away from home, maybe in a parking lot or on the side of the road. If this situation occurs in the middle of the night it’s even worse because you feel very alone and worried about how you’re going to get home. If you’re locked out of your vehicle, first go around and check all of the windows and doors to double check whether or not they are open. Also check your trunk if your vehicle is one in which you can gain access to the interior of the vehicle via the trunk. If none of these are accessible, put in a call to a 24-hour local locksmith company to assist you.

Locked Out of Your Business?

If you or an employee has discovered they are locked out of your business, such as if an electronic keypad fails or a key has broken off in the lock, your best bet is to call a locksmith right away. It’s important for insurance purposes not to attempt to break into the building yourself, and a skilled commercial locksmith will be able to assist with both lock hardware and keyless entry emergencies.

Locked Out of Your Safe?

The same security that makes a safe an optimal solution for protecting important documents or precious belongings can also leave you locked out if you forget your combination or encounter an issue with the locking mechanism. Whether your safe is for commercial or residential use, or what kind of technology it uses to keep it locked up tight, a locksmith can assist you in opening your safe quickly. Most safes worth their weight use advanced technology to keep out would-be thieves, so a locksmith is usually the only option unless you have an inexpensive portable safe, in which case if it is opened with a lock and key you may be able to use a bent paperclip to open the lock.

A lockout doesn’t have to be a nightmare scenario. Some can even be an easy fix and a good reminder to make those spare key copies you’ve been thinking about. Relying on a locksmith can help you resolve your lockout emergency without much hassle.

Article Source: Kennesaw Locksmith Pro

When to Replace Locks

Locks – we all have them on our doors and even windows. They are there and work as intended for quite a long time (depending on their quality, of course). Few people think much about the locks on their front door, on their vehicle, or on their garage door and windows. However, you should think more about locks. Why? Because these little pieces of hardware are what keep burglars, home invaders, vandals, and other types of criminals away from your loved ones, home, and car. These simple locks are there to protect you and your family. Imagine what would happen if the locks that are supposed to keep you safe were not working properly.

The Dangers of Malfunctioning or Old Locks

When a lock malfunctions or gets old, it should be replaced. We all know that, yet very few people actually replace their locks when they malfunction or get old. Most people prefer to tinker with the lock and hopefully make it work again. In other cases, they simply ignore the problem and forget about it. The dangers of faulty locks are many, and we will list just a couple of them below:

• You risk somebody breaking into your home, office or car at night. A faulty lock is much easier to force open than a new lock. A burglar or a thief needs just a couple seconds to open a faulty lock and gain access to your home, vehicle or garage.
• A home invader can take advantage of old or malfunctioning locks to attack you or your family. And yes, this includes locks mounted on garage doors and inner doors. If the attacker can gain access to the garage, he can quietly force the door to your home to open.
• An old lock will cause you problems too. You never know when it’s going to fail and prevent you from entering your own home or office. You may break the key in the lock trying to get it to open. You may not even be able to get out of the house because the locks don’t work. Imagine what might happen if you couldn’t get out of the apartment or out of the office during an emergency (such as a fire, for example).
• Old locks are easier to break because they are less secure. Burglars are learn and they adapt. It is only natural that they know how to open older generation locks faster than they can open modern locks. Why risk your safety and the safety of your family when new locks are so cheap nowadays?

These are just some of the dangers posed by faulty and old locks. To stay safe and protect your valuables, you are strongly advised to replace the locks periodically. Let’s take a look at when it is a good time to replace a lock.

When to Replace Locks

Even though a lock may still be functional, it doesn’t mean it is adequate at keeping you and your loved ones safe. Here is when you should consider changing the locks on your doors and windows (including the garage door and vehicle):

• Every year or two years. New lock technology makes newer generation locks more secure and harder to break. You need the extra protection, so make sure you replace the locks with new ones periodically.
• When you notice an attempted break-in or have suffered a break-in. The locks may be damaged or somebody may have copied your keys. It is imperative that you replace all the locks in your home, office, or garage with newer models. A locksmith can help you with this and will do the best job possible for an affordable price.
• If you have lost your keys or they have been stolen. It goes without saying that the locks need to be replaced if there is a chance somebody else has the keys to your home, your office or your vehicle.
• You rented your apartment and the tenant moved out – or you purchased a new house or apartment. Even if you receive the keys back, there is no guarantee the old tenant didn’t make copies. You can replace the locks or rekey them. Rekeying means the mechanism inside the locks will be replaced and new keys will be created.
• If you notice any wear and tear on the locks. As soon as the old locks start to pose any kind of problems, it is time to replace them. Don’t wait until one of the locks breaks and you experience a lockout. A problematic lock is also a danger because it is easier to break.
• You notice that your locks are inferior or of poor quality. Why not replace those cheap locks with something sturdier and more secure? Think about it; all your valuables are in that house. Why would you risk them for a couple dollars?

Article Source:  When to Replace Locks