Very important statistics

This picture says it all. These numbers could be much lower, if preventive action had been taken.

We are all human beings and we cannot protect everything with a 100% efficiency level, but it's better to do our best in advance, rather than wait until something goes wrong and then feel sorry about it.

Credit: http://improvementcenter.com/

Residential vs. Commercial Locksmith Services | What's the Difference?

Before hiring a locksmith, you must know who to call for your specific job. The local locksmith in Taos you hire for your front door at home will be different from the one hired for your store. How do you choose and why are they different? There are three types of locksmith services available for hire; residential locksmiths, commercial locksmiths, and companies that specialize in both.

Residential Locksmiths

Residential locksmiths are trained to work on the locks you find in your residence or on your possessions. This will involve anything in and around your home, including your vehicle. (If your bathroom door is locked and you cannot get in, you could call a residential locksmith). These locksmiths have the tools and knowledge to handle the types of locks that would be found in a residence. These are also the easiest locksmiths to find.

Commercial Locksmiths

Commercial locksmiths are trained to handle the locks on businesses and non-residential properties

(warehouses for example). It is crucial that you hire this type of locksmith for any lock or security issues in your place of business. Businesses are more prone to robbery, security issues, and the doors are used more often than that of a residence. Also, many commercial locks are electronic by design and require a different skill set to work on them. Many residential locksmiths do not have the training to handle the needs of a business.

The safest option is to hire a locksmith who is proficient at both residential and commercial locks. These locksmiths will not only have the know-how to handle all of your needs, they will also ask questions before coming to your property to determine which specific tools are necessary to complete the job. A quality locksmith will pride themselves on efficiency and providing the best security possible.

Questions You Should Ask a Locksmith to Make Sure he is Reliable

When purchasing a lock, the average person usually does not know too much. Therefore it is imperative that you refer to an experienced home security provider, in order to ensure that you are getting the most secure lock and the most reliable locksmith service possible. 

This is turn will make you feel safe as well. These are some questions you should consider asking your locksmith before doing business with them.

1.       Are you insured and licensed? All locksmiths should be insured, even though only some states require they be licensed. It is good to ask for both in either case so you know who you're really dealing with.

2.       What certifications do you have? A good locksmith will take continuing education as their career moves forward as locks change along with the technology that they are made with.

3.       What is your warranty policy? This is good to know because it will let you know how long your lock is good for and under what circumstances the cost is covered in the event something goes wrong or it breaks unexpectedly.

4.       What type of locks do you specialize in? Everybody wants to make a buck, and locksmiths are no exception. They make specialize in one type of work, but still agree to make a lock that is out of their range of experience. They may still do a great job, but it's important to know what they spend most of their time doing.

5.       What are your rates? This one should be obvious, but it is important to know what exactly they are going to be charging you for so they don't end up taking on additional fees without your knowledge or consent.

6.       Do you do background checks on employees? The last thing anyone is a locksmith having their employee make your lock, who also happens to turn out being a criminal with a record of burglary. It is the responsibility of locksmiths to always do background checks on their employees.

So the next time you go to see a locksmith for a new lock, be sure to ask these questions so you feel secure knowing you are really getting what you pay for. 

Vats Keys – What are they all about?

As its name suggests, Vehicle Anti-Theft System keys also known as PASS (Personal Automotive Security System) keys (which I have dealt with numerous times, as an automotive locksmith technician), are meant to protect your car from auto theft. They first came about when there was an increase in the amount of auto theft on the 1986 Corvette. 

After VATs keys were introduced the amount of auto theft on the cars dramatically decreased. The system was then extended to other products under GM and has become commonly used today.

How do they work?

Vehicle Anti-Theft System keys each have unique cuts. Some keys have resisters on both sides, others have only one. Resisters are embedded on the blade of the key that communicates with the car. Each car is built with a Vats module that communicates with the ignition and lock. Electric currents run through the resister when inserted into the lock and if it’s recognized by the memory computer installed into the car, the door will open for you and allow you to turn the engine on.

15 different resisters are used by GM today and each resister has a different resister value. The manufacturer assigns a random number to the vats module and when the correct key is inserted, the vats module reads the resister value. If it matches, the car starts. If the wrong resister value is read, the car will not start, offering perfect security for the car.

How do I get a Vats key if I don’t already have one?

You most likely can’t. Vats keys will come with vehicles equipped with them. Car manufacturers install other security systems their own way by using transponders. This is different from Vats. It is best if you purchase a car that already has the system installed and comes with the Vats key. Vats keys are strictly equipped only to cars launched by GM. A professional locksmith will be able to explain more. 

Rim Cylinder Locks & All You Need to Know

Night latch

Commonly known as Yale or night latch, rim locks are held in place by long screws inside that extend through the cylinder. 

They are attached to the inside surface of a door and operate the locks attached to it. This type of lock automatically locks the door when shut, deadlocking it.

Like other locks, rim cylinders come in a variety of styles, but in only two sizes.

Rim Night Latches | Mon deadlocking

The main bolt has a lead rounded edge and is spring loaded. As you turn the knob the latch withdraws to let you open the door. To simply close the door you just have to push the door back into the frame. The kind of locks always needs to be unlocked from outside. 

Rim Night Latches | Key Deadlocking

Similar to the lock above, you can unlock the door from outside. The difference is that you can deadlock the latch from outside with the simple turn of a key. This prevents the penetration of the door with a card or piece of plastic from outside.

Rim Night Latches | Automatic Deadlocking

This lock has a deadlocking pin just above or either below the latch. When the door is closed, the pin weighs down into the latch deadlocking it.

Rim Night Latches | BS 3621 thief resistant

Locks like this are marked by the British Standard Kite mark. This higher quality rim night latch has a flat bolt which juts out into the frame as the door closes, ensuring the door stays closed.

Roller Bolt Rim Night Latch

Roller bolts have a loaded spring that is designed to hold the door in its frame without locking. No key is required. To release the door you have to either push or pull the door. These kinds of doors may not be suitable in the cases of a fire. Speak to a locksmith before installing one.

How do I decide if I want a Rim Cylinder Lock?

Speak to a locksmith about what kind of lock is suitable for you. A locksmith will know better what kind of lock suits your security concerns and your domestic home. 

If you are in need of a high quality lock, feel free to visit my website for more information, or comment here to let me know!

Car security concerns are a serious matter

I know this from personal experience. A few months ago, I was driving to an urgent meeting when my car broke down. Turned out, it had a problem on my ignition switch.

I had an automotive locksmith fix it for me.

A friend of mine encountered a car security problem when he was locked out of his car. He was in a meeting with an important client in a coffee house. When it was time for him to get the contract inside his car, it was locked out.

So, he also had to call a local locksmith to help him out.

Here are some of these car security measures.

1.      Use locks for car security. This is the first tip that I give to car owners as this is the most obvious one. However, I know some car owners still forget about the use of locks in cars. What I do is I always make sure I lock my ride as I leave. Another useful thing that I do is to close all windows and sun roof. Finally, I take my keys with me when I get out of my vehicle.

2.      Protect our keys for car security. Maybe car keys will be unnecessary in the future, but as for now keys are also useful in car security, but we have to make sure that they will not be in the hands of the wrong people. It is not really a good idea to hide a second set of keys in or on the car. What I do with my mine is I keep it at home

3.      Take note of documents for car security. We normally put bank statements, IDs and credit card bills/statements inside the car. We really should not as thieves can get these pieces of information to steal our identity or access our accounts.

Now is the time to be more mindful of car security :)