Author: vc_locksmiths

Say “locksmith” and everyone thinks “keys.” Yes, locksmiths make keys, but that isn’t really what locksmithing is all about. Keys are just metal things that have a broader purpose: making something or someone secure. Locksmiths are all about making you and your property secure. Using a key is just one method to accomplish that. As a result, the locksmith profession is about making you secure, not making you a key. In the 21st century, security involves technology, the Internet, and a variety of very sophisticated tools to protect you and your property. All of these are part of the locksmith’s toolkit. Locksmiths can provide complete security audits for your home or business and provide a wide range of solutions that involve a broad range of technologies. And security isn’t just about preventing a break-in. Security can involve fire alerts, water alerts, cold temp alerts: all things that can damage your property but have nothing to do with the actions of people with criminal intentions. So look to a locksmith as a security consultant for all of your ongoing security needs.

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Every business owner carries insurance to cover losses due to theft and vandalism. What an odd approach. Why not try to prevent the crimes before they happen? Locksmiths don’t just make keys. Many certified locksmiths also offer ongoing maintenance plans whereby they routinely check your entire security arrangement for wear and tear, and fix things before they break. You don’t wait for a tire to blow out on the road at 60mph. You replace it the minute wear appears. The same should be true of your property. Door closers, alarm systems, locks on windows and doors all eventually break. A maintenance arrangement can replace or update before something breaks. It also can be a more affordable approach. Calls for emergency repairs are usually charged at premium rates, especially if they occur at off hours. Consider revising your after-the-fact approach to property security.

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When you were a kid, you were afraid of the ghosties and imps that snuck around at night, often hiding under the bed. But once morning came, they all disappeared and so did your fears. When it comes to home security, we often stick with this nighttime gremlin model of home security. We remember to lock all the doors at night, set the alarm, and worry that this is when the burglars are going to sneak in. In reality, most home thefts occur when the owners are away. (A.K.A. daytime). Most thieves don’t want to run into a homeowner, so when everyone is at work or school is primetime for break-ins, Consequently, you really should be focusing on security tools that address daytime security. No one ever forgets to lock the door at bedtime, but when they run out of the house rushing to work, the garage door gets left open, or the front door unlocked. Locksmiths can introduce you to new technology that allows you to check your locks from your smartphone, monitor via cam the outside or inside of your house and even turn lights and audio equipment on and off throughout the day to make the house appear to be inhabited. With new technology, there are innumerable tools to make sure your house is protected when it is most vulnerable: during the quiet emptiness of the daytime. The reality about those monsters under the bed? They’re actually waiting there until you leave for work.

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This blog today is about both plain old convenience and moving into the new century. Remembering to carry your keys in all cases is just a pain. Clear and simple. Sure, when you leave for work you remember to take your keys, but when you step out of the house on a whim you often forget. Got to take the dog for a quick break, go for a jog, or mow the lawn? Who remembers to take a key or wants to carry it along. Get yourself some real convenience and get rid of the house key FOR. EVER. Keyless entry pad technology means you never need to carry along a set of keys, and will never lock yourself out of the house again.

Contact Valley Cycle Locksmiths for more information on how to enable this in your home. Visit http://valleycyclelocksmiths.com/ to learn more.

Contact us at Valley Cycle Locksmiths

An awful lot of theft and crime isn’t planned out. It comes from opportunity. If you have a commercial property or your own business, you are too busy running things to constantly be checking that doors are locking properly, windows are locked shut, and automatic door closers are working properly. That is why relying on a break/fix model for property security isn’t a good idea. If a door part fails or malfunctions, your property is unsecured until you notice it or a tenant reports it. That approach creates opportunity for theft or other crimes. Instead, consider taking out an ongoing maintenance contract that provides ongoing repairs and spot checks to catch possible malfunctions and breakage from wear before a problem occurs. You can’t be constantly checking for problems. Instead, look at an ongoing way to prevent issues before they occur.

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Most homeowners are aware they should try to make their house look as if someone is living there when they go on vacation. They should be using timers, cutting off deliveries, having the lawn mowed, etc. These efforts are important for deterring opportunistic break ins. However, there are other things to consider when you are away.

Unnecessary electrical usage – There is no need to continue to power some of your electronics while you are away. Your set top boxes, microwaves, and televisions are all things that drain small amounts of power even when not being actively used. If you are going to be away for an extended period, consider unplugging some of these items. This saves money, cuts the risk of fire, and makes the world just a tiny bit “greener.”

Temperature control – Adjust the thermostat. There’s no need to heat or cool the house to ideal human specs while you are away. In winter, lower the temp to save energy, but be sure to keep it high enough to avoid frozen pipes in case of a real arctic surge. In summer, raise the AC to cut utility costs but enough to keep humidity levels in the house at tolerable levels to avoid mold growth.

Water – This is the biggest potential source of damage. A broken water connection to a washing machine or frozen pipe could create a flood of unthinkable proportions. Imagine days of unchecked water pouring from a broken pipe. Consider turning your water off at the main (usually found in your basement). By the way, if you do this, also turn off the electric ice maker in your fridge. Icemakers often are not designed to stop trying to function if the water source is cut off.

These are 3 basic DIY tips regarding utilities when you go away. For more sophisticated and secure tools for addressing these concerns, talk to a locksmith about cam technologies that allow you to visually check your property from anywhere. There are also tools that can alert you to temperature extremes in the building or water leak detection and auto shutoff systems.

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If you are familiar with the Internet of Things you may already be aware of the new level of convenience it offers to home and business security.

Security used to mean hardwired contacts that set off an alarm if a circuit was broken and a lot of heavy deadbolts that needed extra keys. Now, with the arrival of the Internet of Things security and comfort can be handled from afar via your smartphone or laptop. The Internet of Things refers to the ability of “things” to talk across the Internet to other “things.” Specifically, while at the beach you can check to see if you locked the front door. You can let the neighbor kid in once a day at noon to feed the cat while you’re at work, then re-lock the door when she leaves. You can get an alarm to detect water in your basement and you can bring up a cam to take a look at your entire property. Furnace fails while you’re on a winter getaway? You can find out and arrange a repair before all the pipes freeze.

Locksmiths are in business to offer security for you, your home and your property. Ask for an evaluation to learn about new opportunities to keep everything in your life more secure. Want to learn more about one of these great Mul-T-Lock devices? Visit Entrlock.com and learn more.

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Looking at physical security for your business or rental/commercial property as something that you fix when it breaks isn’t good for security. 24 hours and 7 days a week, people are accessing your buildings. Because of all that wear and tear, eventually a door will jam open, a door closer will fail, a window will get stuck midway. Most likely, a resident or tenant will fail to report it. As a result, until it is reported or you notice the problem, your own business security and/or your tenant’s security is compromised. This is bad for you because you are potentially responsible for any failure to keep your sites secure. However, there is a solution.

Consider using an ongoing security maintenance contract with a certified locksmith. This maintenance contract can include routine inspections of all access and egress points to ensure that everything is in working order, and that moving parts are checked for wear and replaced before a problem arises. Security is something that needs to be handled on a proactive basis. After-the-fact repairs are a bad business model for you and your property.

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Today’s blog talks about that mess of keys you have on your belt, in your purse, or hanging on the nest of hooks inside the basement door. It’s a pain to carry around or rifle through when you need a particular key. There is another problem with all those keys. Keys are easily stolen or lost; if they get lost with your ID, your house becomes a bunch of open doors.

Maybe it is time to realize that keeping a mess of keys is akin to still using a rotary phone. Technology has moved on; security is now more convenient and it also allows for greater security. Make an appointment to talk with a locksmith: there are so many new ways to handle security and access that don’t require a physical key. For example, new door locks can be accessed via entry pads that require a personal code. Most allow many individual codes that can be deleted or changed as needed. No more giving a key to a neighbor when you go away. Just add a new code for them to use while you are gone, and delete it when you return. Beyond the keyless entry pads, new smartphone apps can unlock your door when you approach the house. You don’t even need to remember a code if you don’t want to.

Check with a locksmith to learn how you can take your household security out of the 17th century. Like to see a specific example? Check out ENTR, a keyless lock from Mul-T-lock that can be accessed by smartphone, keypad, and biometrics (fingerprint).

Contact us at Valley Cycle Locksmiths