You may already know that in the U.S. a vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds. That adds up to big expenses for insurance companies and taxpayers. Care to guess the estimated annual cost of car theft in this country? That would be $7.8 billion.
Choosing the right safe depends on a number of different factors, including what you want it to protect against (fire, theft, or both) and what you plan to put inside (computer disks, for example, require a special type of safe). Tell a professional locksmith your intended use to get a tailored recommendation.
Do you know that if deadbolts aren’t installed properly, they won’t ensure complete security and protection? This is why it’s important to have a locksmith to install them rather than a contractor.
If you lock your keys in the car, contact a professional who can get the car open without incurring any damage to the vehicle. It's a smart idea to have the number of a locksmith readily available in the event this happens.
Every year plenty of cars are stolen because the driver left the keys in the ignition -- and may even have left the car running. Most car thieves are opportunists, so it's risky to think "I'll just be gone a second," regardless of the circumstances. It just takes seconds to steal a car.
Having plenty of insurance is a good idea, but it's still no substitute for good locks and adequate security. Good security protects your valuables as well as invaluable objects like photos and other personal mementos.
Did you realize that high security locks offer increased functionality and peace of mind that may be perfect for your application? They are so tamper proof that even professional locksmith tools can't crack them.
Have you ever had a jammed ignition cylinder? It can be pretty frustrating when you can't start your car, but sometimes there's a quick fix for the problem. The next time it happens, try gently wiggling your steering wheel.
Did you know that the Russian Empress Catherine the Great (1762 to 1796) had an extensive collection of decorative keys, locks, and padlocks? There is actually a story that she pardoned an imprisoned Russian locksmith because she was so impressed by his work.
Fortunately, motorcycles and ATVs utilize ignition systems similar to those found in cars and trucks. If you have problems with keys to these vehicles, trust us to safely extract broken keys or make new ones.
Care to guess which is more likely to be burglarized, your home or office? If you guessed that your home is more vulnerable, you're right. About 66 percent of break-ins reported annually are residential.
Unfortunately, criminals will always find new ways to get around your security precautions if they want to get into your building after hours. Let’s talk about the locks we can install on your doors to make their job quite a bit more difficult.
There are a number of considerations that go into choosing an automotive locksmith. One of these considerations is finding a locksmith who has the necessary materials for your specific vehicle.
If you want to avoid the hassle of locking yourself out of your home, you should consider a keyless lock. This eliminates the need for house keys and simply allows you to enter a code to enter your home.
So what’s the difference between a J tool and an L tool when it comes to opening car door locks? Both tools work the same (to reach in and raise the lock button on the inside of the car), but they have slightly different shapes to work with different vehicle designs.
What is lock snapping? It is a burglary method where a burglar snaps a cylinder lock in order to gain entry to a property. Lock snapping can be prevented by ensuring your lock is correctly fitted. You can also fit an anti-snap cylinder.
Did you know that most of the automotive car keys produced today for newer cars have transponder chips in the keys? The chips are embedded in the plastic head of the key, and do not require a battery because they are crafted from glass.
If your car door will not lock or unlock as it should, try holding down the lock button. If you hear a buzz, but nothing is happening, the problem is with the electronic system and needs to be repaired or replaced.
The most important places to install quality deadbolt locks in your home are on all exterior doors, on doors between attached garages and living spaces, and on any doors leading in and out of the garage (even if the garage isn't attached to the house).
It’s important to remember that some types of vehicles have keys that can’t be copied by anyone except the dealership. Even if we can’t help you get a new key so that you can drive home, we may still be able to help you get into your car so you can retrieve your belongings.
Ever heard of a biometric lock? It's a marriage between electronics and biology -- and you don't need to be a science fiction buff to appreciate the technology. A biometric lock uses a scanned fingerprint as a unique "key."
The best way to ensure that your commercial building is secure is to install and maintain adequate locks on all doors, windows, and storage areas. This includes places where you keep expensive items or sensitive information.
A problem with your vehicle that requires a locksmith is something that doesn’t regularly happen. That's why it's important to know who to call if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle or with a broken car in an isolated area late at night.
Did you realize that a new style of crime involves robbing homes and businesses to remove structural elements like copper piping and other materials? To understand if you have adequate security, use a facility security checklist to perform an informal review.
A high-quality deadbolt lock is one of the best burglar deterrents, especially in vulnerable places like rear-entry doors and doors between your garage and house. Ask a professional about the best type of deadbolt lock for your specific needs.
Patented in 1862, the Eureka was a 5-tumbler, manipulation-proof combination lock that was used at one point by the U.S. Treasury Department. This lock had an operating dial that used a combination of letters and numbers, affording a possible 1,073,741,824 combinations.
You may have heard the term "rekeying" before, but do you know what it means? The term refers to a type of lock that can be modified to fit different keys. When necessary, the lock can be reworked to suit a new key design. This can be particularly useful if a key is lost or stolen.
Card keys are pretty neat; care to guess what type of basic technology makes them work? If you guessed magnetism, you're right. One big advantage to a card key is that it's easy to reprogram, making it a secure and convenient option for some applications.
The best advice if a key breaks off into a lock or the ignition is to do nothing - except call an auto locksmith. You could damage the lock mechanism and it's unlikely anything you do will free to the keys from their locks.