How to Keep Yourself from Getting Locked out… Again!

It happens to the best of us. We always remember the keys, until that one time…when we forget. Oh no! Locked out! It’s never convenient and it’s always infuriating, especially after dark. But there’s no really reason you should ever be locked out again. Keep these strategies in the back of your mind, and put them into daily practice:

First, “Phone, keys, and wallet?” This has to be the everyday standard mantra, every time you walk out the door. If you haven’t been doing this, make it your routine now. Stop. Ask yourself: Phone, keys, and wallet? Do the pat-down, check pockets, check your purse or pack. (As soon as you get in the habit, you may find that you’ll have to add a few other items to your list, such as driving glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, etc. Have fun with it.)

Always know where your keys are. If you ever forget something, and have to run back into the house to get it, don’t put your keys down! Don’t leave them on the table or the counter. Keep your keys in your hand or make sure they’re still in your pocket. Furthermore, if you lend an extra key to anyone, be sure to get it back in a timely manner, and then put it right back in your regular hiding place, if you have one.

Keep a spare key in a reasonable hiding place. Keeping a key under the mat, over the door, or under a flower pot is an extremely bad idea. Every burglar knows about these. Even the fake-rock key-holders are basically useless, unless you’re really good at hiding it. The best thing to do is to give a copy of your key to a neighbor who can help in an emergency. It’s good to choose someone who’s at home most of the time.

Keep an eye on your locks, and replace any bad ones. If you have any doors that aren’t up to par, or locks that are worn out, they may get jammed. If you have any locks that are often hard to open, the key may break in the lock mechanism. Also, don’t duplicate keys that are already duplicates, because they eventually won’t work.

If you’re ambitious, always carry a pick set with you. That is, if your local and state laws allow it. Then you’ll always be able get back in. Besides, you might some day be able to help out a friend in need. Not every lock is pickable, but it’s always worth a try.

If you want to be adventurous, keep a fake credit card. Don’t use a real one, because it will get totally bent out of shape. Try an expired gift card or the sample ones you receive in junk mail. It definitely doesn’t work as easily as it does on TV. Of course, this will work only if you don’t have a deadbolt, and it has to be a bored door lock, with the sloped ridge of the bolt facing towards you. (If the door opens towards you, then the bolt is probably facing the wrong way.) If the bolt is the right type, and facing the right direction, then give it a shot. Place the card in the gap between the door and the jam above the bolt. Carefully slide the card down between the bolt and the strike plate. Push the card, push the door, and, with any luck, the door will open. You’ll leave everything (except the card) undamaged.

Are you already locked out? If you don’t have a hidden spare key or friend to call, look around. There may still be one door or window open. Who knows, maybe you’re lucky enough to have not locked the door properly in the first place.

If all else fails, hire a locksmith. It’s certainly tempting to toy with the idea of breaking a window or kicking in the door. But should you actually risk being mistaken for a burglar? Of course not. To avoid this predicament, plan ahead!

Find a reputable locksmith before you’ve gotten into this tight spot. The right way to find a legitimate local locksmith is to track one down ahead of time, before you need one. Do your homework so you won’t be overcharged or scammed.

Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. You’ll find exactly what’s right for you through word of mouth from satisfied customers. If that proves unsuccessful, then start your research.
Find a local, dependable locksmith. Write down all the potential locksmith companies you can find in your area, with their addresses and phone numbers. Keep track of which locksmiths specialize in the services you require. Check for the business address, and confirm that it really belongs to that locksmith. You can use the Internet to match up phone numbers with addresses. Sometimes a dishonest company will list a fake address, claiming to be local. If a person picks up the phone using a generic greeting such as “locksmith services,” rather than the company name, ask for the legal business name. If the person refuses, don’t bother. Some good locksmith companies simply might not include their street address on their listings, because they have a mobile business, which dispatches a professional locksmith that’s local to you. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to inquire as to why the address isn’t listed, so you know for sure.

When you’ve finally found a premium locksmith, keep the information on hand – in a logical place such as your wallet, your smart phone, or your refrigerator – so you’ll always be able to get out of a jam whenever problems with keys and locks come up. The best locksmiths will be happy to answer all your questions. If you’re anywhere in Tuckahoe, Virginia, Tuckahoe Locksmith Services is an ideal choice. Their staff mobile expert locksmith technicians work 24/7 providing emergency, automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services.

If you ever do find yourself locked out, be wary of any locksmith claiming that you’re going to have to drill or replace the lock. A legitimate locksmith will always carry the right tools, and have the knowhow to realize that such drastic moves aren’t necessary. An experienced professional locksmith can unlock almost anything.

Check the locksmith’s qualifications and credentials. At the time a locksmith arrives, ask for ID, business card, and proof of license. The invoice must include the company name. The truck should have the company name on it that matches the invoice and business card. The locksmith must also ask for your ID. Absolutely, a legitimate locksmith must verify your identity to show that you’re the actual property owner prior to any work beginning.

Article source here: How to Keep Yourself from Getting Locked out… Again!

How to Best Enhance Your Home Security

If you don’t make the effort to be pro-active when it comes to looking out for the security and safety of your home, the truth is, your property will be much more attractive to a potential thief. Nevertheless, there are many relatively easy ways to guard your home from break-ins. Of course, you cannot anticipate every possible vulnerability, but you can still take reasonable, cost-effective steps to prevent most circumstances in which a robbery could take place.

Set up basic household rules.

• Keep your garage door in good working order, and keep it shut and locked whenever you aren’t home.
• Don’t open the door to strangers. (Install a peephole if you don’t have one already.)
• Keep your windows and doors locked anytime you leave, as well as when everybody goes to sleep.

Don’t keep a “hidden” key outdoors. Any intruder will easily find your spare key under the welcome mat, or the key you left inside your mailbox, above the door, or beneath the flower pot. Even if you have a keyholder inside a phony rock, a professional criminal will probably recognize it. Instead, give the extra copy of your key to a trusted neighbor or friend.

Don’t keep garage-door remotes and keys out in the open. It’s a lousy idea to have your keys and remotes on display by the door, where anyone can see them through the window. It’s better to store them hidden inside a cupboard door or in a drawer.

Don’t leave ladders outside. Someone could pretend to be a contractor or handyman, and could attempt to use your ladder to get inside through your second-floor window, or use it to alight upon your balcony.

Hide your valuables well.

• Rent a safe-deposit box at your bank to safeguard any especially valuable items.
• Put your emergency cash, fine jewelry, and other treasured possessions in unexpected places.
• A home safe is likely better for your needs than a safe-deposit box, perhaps one you can anchor to the floor or hide in a wall.

Secure the air conditioning unit. You wouldn’t want a burglar to get inside through your unsecured window. Use an air-conditioner bracket, sliding window lock, or corner braces.
Put up warning signs and stickers. It may seem silly to some people, but it can be quite effective to post a sign or window insignia from a security company next to each window or door – even if you don’t really have a security system. You could also put up a “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog” sign.

Use lights efficiently. Install exterior lighting with infrared motion detectors next to each door. Motion detector lights discourage trespassers. They can even be connected to your smart device, so you can detect any unwelcome activity, and respond instantly. Some respond to changes in light, temperature, or sound. Furthermore, make it a point to keep some of your interior lights on when you’re not home.

Install timers. If you put your porch lights on timers, when you’re gone during the daytime, or if you’ll be out for a long time, you can make it appear that people are still home. You can also put timers on your TVs, radios, and computers. If you have a smart device attached to your timers, you can monitor and control everything with a mobile app, so you can make it look like your home is occupied the whole time you’re away.

Eliminate potential hiding places. Keep your trees, shrubs, hedges, and other plants trimmed. If they’re too tall, ungainly, or badly spaced, a prowler can easily hide.

Additional Ways to Optimize Your Home Security

There are plenty of other ways to augment your home’s security. Some will take a bit more effort, but might still be affordable to you. To find out more about the options available to you, if you’re located in Tuckahoe, Virginia, you ought to consider scheduling a free consultation with a mobile residential locksmith specialist on staff at a legitimate company such as Tuckahoe Locksmith Services.

Upgrade the locks. Any locksmith professional will advise you that deadbolts offer superior security. Get a grade-2 deadbolt lock, which penetrates the doorframe.
Digital or smart locks are electronic devices that will provide more security at your front door. With some, you can synchronize your smart lock with your smart device, so you won’t need to carry a house key at all.

Reinforce your doors. Inspect your exterior entry points. A hollow door is of lower quality, and thus easier for a robber to penetrate. It’s best to replace it with a solid door of metal or wood.

Investigate your front- and back-door locks. If any locks show weaknesses, fortify them by replacing the strike plate (the stationary piece where the bolt enters), and by mounting an extra solid metal plate on the doorjamb for the sliding bolt. If you presently have short mounting screws, replace them with longer screws, which will reach the door’s studs and add more strength to the doorframe.

If you have any sliding-glass doors, make them more secure by putting in a cut-to-size wooden dowel, or an adjustable safety bar, in the floor track. Also, you can add a floor bolt.

Install surveillance cameras. Surveillance cameras will keep you aware of everything that’s going on around your perimeter, so you can call the authorities immediately if you see any sign of foul play. You can choose to buy a prime-quality surveillance camera if you want to record video footage. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can add additional high-tech security measures.

Use state-of-the-art home automation. If you have a bigger budget, you can monitor all your home’s activities using a smart app. It’s possible to manage your entire household if you install a smart alarm system. From simulating routine habits to checking on activity anytime you want to, even when you’re away, your property almost takes care of itself! If you identify anything suspicious, you’ll be notified by an alert on your smart device. You’ll certainly have wide-ranging safety with such a smart home security system.

Article source here: How to Best Enhance Your Home Security

Tuckahoe Locksmith Services: Benefits of a Home Safe

Security is important – there are no two ways about it. Tuckahoe Locksmith Services provides solutions to locals in Tuckahoe, Virginia but they have a team who has been kind enough to provide some tips and information regarding one of their most popular security solutions – a home safe. Home safes offer a lot of benefits and convenience to those who use them. But you might be wondering why you would need a safe at home. Maybe there is a safe at your place of work, and it makes complete sense because you put money inside of it every night that needs to be deposited at a local bank the next morning. Or perhaps you have seen safes at jewelry stores, which also makes sense because it wouldn’t be the best idea to have expensive gems or diamonds sitting around. But have you ever thought about the benefits of having a safe at home? If not, check out the information here. You just might be surprised at how many reasons there are to have a safe installed in your residence.

1. A safe can be used to store loose cash. Maybe you keep a stash of cash at home in case of an emergency. Or perhaps you have loose money which could be used during travel. It’s always a good idea to have access to at least some cash, in the event a credit card is mistakenly shut off, or just in case you are traveling and might end up needing cab fare. But you should avoid keeping the money sitting around your house. Why? There are several reasons. For one, if your property was ever broken into, someone could easily find said money (or any valuables) and steal it. Secondly, if you had a flood in your home, the money could be destroyed. The same can be said about a fire. But if you have a fire-proof and water resistant safe, you won’t have to worry about the money getting damaged, and you won’t have to worry about someone easily being able to steal it from you. So, a safe can be used to hide money, but also to keep it safe.
2. A safe can be used to store valuables. Like money, expensive jewelry should be stored away. Not only does it keep it out of plain sight, which can ensure you don’t lose it during a break in, but you could also keep items in their jewelry boxes or bags which will prevent them from becoming tarnished. A safe doesn’t just serve as a place to hide things – it can also protect them, and it can help you to stay organized.
3. A safe can be used to hold a weapon. Anyone with a weapon in their house should look into state laws – some states require that weapons are stored in a very specific way – for instance, some states require guns to be stored in safes made from certain materials. Look into the law in the place that you live, but be sure that regardless, you have a safe to store away guns and other weapons. This will prevent children from getting their hands on them, and if your house is broken into, you can trust that the weapons are out of reach (at least, from the criminal).
4. A safe can be used to store items like photos. Throwing 50 years’ worth of photos into a shoebox is risky. What if a leak ever occurs in your house, and the photos get damaged? What if you have all of these items stored away in a basement, but then it gets flooded? Having items like photos in a safe, or other important paperwork such as your passport, birth certificate and more can help you to stay organized, but it can also help to keep them prevented in the event that a flood occurs. Just look into water resistant safes – you are sure to have plenty of options!

These are just some of the benefits to having a safe installed at your home. You can help yourself to stay organized, because you will always know where your important items are; you can help to keep items protected in the event a fire or flood occurs; and you can help to keep your items out of plain sight, so if your property ever ends up getting broken into, certain items such as money and weapons are not out in the open for a criminal to grab a hold of. It is upsetting to think about the potential negative situations that can occur, but it is a wise idea to be prepared. Keep your items out of reach when it comes to children and criminals. Keep your items stored away so that you can always know where they are. And keep your items in a place in which they will not get damaged. Consider the importance of investing in a safe for your home, even if you opt to only get a small, inexpensive one. There are safes that come in all shapes and sizes, so some can be stored in areas in which they aren’t even noticeable at all. The team at Tuckahoe Locksmith Services in Tuckahoe, VA has been helping locals by installing safes at their homes and commercial properties for many years now. But if this isn’t the area in which you live, be sure to do a quick Google search to pull up lock and security providers in your area. They will be able to answer questions that you have about the many different options. They can talk with you about the different materials that are available. And if you are still looking for more reasons to invest in a safe, they can help to provide any further details you need to be convinced.

Remember just how important it is to have a safe installed at your property to keep your important items protected!

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Article source here: Tuckahoe Locksmith Services: Benefits of a Home Safe

Signs You Need Car Ignition Repair or Replacement

There are a good number of reasons you may be encountering car ignition challenges. It’s best to pay attention to these issues, because ignoring them means things will only get worse, and could likely become much bigger problems than they ever needed to be.

Here are some basic causes for ignition failure:

The car key itself may actually be defective. Sometimes, an ignition fails because it was faulty from the beginning. In that case, your automobile’s manufacturer should replace it right away, if it is still under warranty. If your warranty period has passed, hiring a professional automotive locksmith will be your best bet. A few vehicles that are notorious for having factory-related ignition problems are: Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Nissan Sentra.

The car key is basically worn out. You car key sustains a lot of wear and tear. Think about how many times you put it in and take it out of the ignition every day; how many times you drop or throw your keys; and how many other uncommon places your keys may have been. The key very gradually loses material, and thus it will function less and less effectively. Eventually, it will stop working completely. If this occurs, ask your dealership or a reputable locksmith to get your car key remade using the factory key-cutting codes. You want it to be precisely cut so that it will be perfectly functional.

You may have worn-out or jammed-up wafers. Every car’s ignition has a set of wafers, which index with corresponding cuts on the car key. As time goes by, these parts can simply get worn out, or become crammed with grime and dirt. In this case, the switch is bound to fail; but often times the switch can be repaired, so you won’t have to replace the whole thing. A simple thorough cleaning or individual wafer replacement may do the trick.

You may have inserted the wrong key. If you just put the wrong key in the ignition by mistake, this will be big trouble. Do not try to remove it! Instead, it’s time to hire an expert automotive locksmith immediately. If you attempt to pull the key out, you can easily cause damage to the ignition, which may then be irreparable.

The car key has broken off, or a foreign object has become lodged in the ignition. Do not try to get the broken key or object out! Find a reliable locksmith right away. Otherwise, you are likely to cause further damage to the ignition. The good news is, the broken-off key or the object can usually be removed by an automotive professional locksmith without having to replace the entire ignition switch.

Your transponder key has stopped communicating with your car’s computer. If you have a transponder key, its computer chip may have either lost its programming, or is otherwise no longer working. When this happens, you can get your existing key reprogrammed by an automotive locksmith expert. Or, the existing key cuts can be duplicated, for programming a totally new key. Either your car dealership or a dependable automotive locksmith professional will be able to carry out this specialized service for you.

Someone has tried to steal your car. If a car thief makes a failed attempt to steal your automobile, and doesn’t understand how your vehicle ignition functions, the intruder will, more often than not, end up totally ruining the steering column as well as the ignition switch. Unfortunately, you are likely going to have to replace the whole ignition assembly entirely.

Watch for these warning signs that your ignition is too far gone. When an ignition switch goes completely bad, it cannot be repaired. You must replace it. A worn-out ignition can even become a hazard, so be sure to be on the lookout for these indications that your ignition switch is on the blink and has to be replaced:

• When an ignition switch starts to act up, the car often needs to turn over more than once before it will start up.
• The engine will not turn over when you turn the key to the “start” position.
• The radio or the headlights will not work when the key is in the “on” position.
• The car key comes out, even while the car is still running.
• You might see increased auto emissions.
• Your car stalls out often when you’re idling.
• Sometimes the radio, power windows, and windshield wipers will still be functional when the ignition switch is faulty, but the car does not start up.
• Your ignition switch becomes very hot to the touch.
• You can’t put the key in the ignition at all.
• You’re noticing some car battery problems.
• The steering wheel often sticks, or becomes immovable.
• You may observe higher fuel consumption.

You can test your ignition.

1. One way to see if your ignition switch has gone bad is to turn the ignition to the “on” position, but not quite all the way to start. If your dashboard lights – including the oil, brake, charge, and other warning lights – do not come on, then your ignition switch is probably too far gone.
2. Another way to test your ignition switch is to use a multimeter. Ignition switches often fail because of a short in the car’s electrical system; if this is the issue, the replacement of the switch must be done very carefully by a qualified professional. Don’t do it yourself, because you want to avoid any potential damage that could be caused by the electrical current.

If you’re anywhere in Tuckahoe, Virginia, and you’re having difficulties with your ignition, you ought to consult with a reputable local locksmith company such as Tuckahoe Locksmith Services, where the professional mobile automotive locksmith specialists on staff will be able to quickly assess and resolve your particular problem, and get you right back on the road again.

Article source here: Signs You Need Car Ignition Repair or Replacement

Only a Locksmith Should Replace Your Car Keys

If you have a problem keeping up with your keys, it is important that you always have a spare key or replacement key, somewhere. Most motorists think this is a good idea, yet most motorists that we come across do not have a replacement key. The last thing you want to do is be stuck outside of your car when it is blazing hot outside or freezing cold. If this has happened to you, you may soon forget about it and still not have a replacement key made. In some cases, it isn’t that the motorist doesn’t want to have another key made, it is because they have a transponder key and this type of key is a little more expensive than the traditional car key. A transponder or fob key is more expensive for several different reasons. They have parts that are not used for traditional keys and these parts cost more to have placed inside the transponder. It is also because of the technology used to activate this type of car key that makes it more expensive. Everyone already knows that they can get a new transponder key replaced by a car dealership but not everyone knows that a locksmith, such as, Tuckahoe Locksmith in Tuckahoe, VA, is capable of doing the same thing for half the price.

Most locksmith services today have invested in the necessary equipment needed to replace transponder keys. By having this type of equipment and tools to handle the job, they are able to attract more business. Newer model cars come with transponder keys and locksmiths would begin missing out on the opportunity to make money if they didn’t have what they needed to help replace the key. So you might be wondering how it is possible for a locksmith to provide you with the same type of key for less than a dealership. A locksmith doesn’t carry the overhead that a car dealership does and this means they can pass the savings on to their customers. The fact that you can get a transponder key from a locksmith at far less than you can from a dealership should be reason enough for you to contact one when you need a new transponder key. If this isn’t reason enough for you, perhaps these other reasons will convince you that having a key made by a locksmith is the only way to go.

Professional Services Offered

A locksmith wants your business and they will try to gain your business by making sure they have the needed skills to offer you quality service. A reputable locksmith will make sure that all of their locksmiths have the qualifications they need before they begin sending them out on jobs alone. There are plenty of services that will claim they can handle the job but when they show up, they may be wasting your time because they lack the skills needed. Find a reputable locksmith who offers transponder key services.

Convenient Services

Most locksmith services offer to come to your location to provide you with the help that you need. A professional locksmith service will often offer 24-hour mobile lock and key services, which means you don’t have to have your car towed somewhere else to have the key made. A locksmith usually keeps all of the needed tools of the trade with them when they arrive to your location. When you lose your car key, the first thing you might think is just how much of inconvenience it will be to have it replaced. Think again by contacting a locksmith service to handle the job of replacing your key.

When you contact a dealership to replace your transponder key, you will often be required to present a lot of identifying paperwork before they will make your key. When you rely on a locksmith, they will usually only ask for registration and id. This makes it fast, simple and convenient for the motorists. When someone hire a locksmith for their key replacement needs, they can get back on the road much faster than if they rely on a car dealership. Oh, and don’t forget about the expenses involved in having your car towed to the closest dealership!

Emergency Locks and Key Services

Relying on a locksmith to replace your car key means that you’ll be taking full advantage of the emergency services offered. A professional locksmith service will undoubtedly offer emergency services, which means you can count on them to get you the help that you need 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. This can be a problem if you are considering using the services of a dealership. Suppose you have misplaced your key or lost your key on Sunday evening and the dealership is closed, now what? Are you going to wait until the next day to get the help that you need or simply contact a local locksmith who offers 24-hour emergency locksmith services? The choice is up to you but if I were you, I would definitely go with the locksmith option. Save yourself time, money and any further frustration. An added advantage to relying on a locksmith is that they will come to your location, no towing involved.

Dependable and Efficient Services

Locksmiths count on motorists needing their services. This is why they always try to remain prepared. They try to arrive soon after you place your service call, if given all of the appropriate information and will have what they need to handle the job, big or small. They are generally eager to assist you because they understand that their reputation depends on the quality of service they can offer to you. Most locksmiths respond with a sense of urgency. If they do not, this is probably not a professional locksmith service that deserves your future business. However, most locksmiths value and appreciate the business you offer to them. This is why they make sure you receive dependable and efficient services whenever they are called upon to assist.

Article source here: Only a Locksmith Should Replace Your Car Keys