Locksmith Service Palatine: Why to Call a Locksmith During a Lockout

 Lockouts – many of us have been there, unfortunately. Locksmith Service Palatine has been there many times, at least, to the aid of people in Palatine, Illinois who are stuck locked outside of their house. For this reason, this locksmith has been able to provide information that will benefit people all over the country. You should indeed call a local lock and security provider if you ever find yourself unable to get into your property, and here, you will find reasons as to why this is the case.

Don’t give in to temptation!

If you get locked out, it can be tempting to try to get in as quickly as possible. Many thoughts will cross your mind. For one, you might just be thinking that you want to get inside to have dinner and then get ready for bed. You might weigh out your options, and convince yourself that you will have to spend a fortune to have an expert come out to assist you. This isn’t usually the case, as many lock and security businesses that are locally based offer competitively priced solutions, including ones that are needed outside of regular business operating hours. You might look for an opening that will allow entry to your home. You can check windows to see if any are unlocked, for example. Just be mindful that the space is big enough to allow you entry if you do opt to try to get in through a window. If you have a basement, perhaps you have an outside doorway that leads directly into it, and you happen to be able to get in that way. Generally speaking, you won’t have a way to get back into your home, because this would mean that your property isn’t secure enough. Sure, anyone can smash open a window, but who wants to deal with the damage and the cost of replacing an entire window? You should dial the number of a locksmith that is local to your area and let them know what is going on. You should be able to find one that offers 24 hour a day help.

You should never try to break into your own property and then cause more damage, which will only cost you more money than you need to spend. Instead, call in a professional who will be able to manipulate your locks in such a way that you get back in without having to deal with damage like a broken door or broken window. You won’t be left to deal with a financial burden.

Try to Prevent Lockouts from Ever Happening
The best thing to do is to attempt to prevent lockouts from happening in the first place. You can do this by:

• Making sure a trusted friend or neighbor that you know is reliable has access to your spare key. If someone lives in close proximity to you, and they have your spare key and happen to be around when the lockout happens, you will be able to get back in fast, and you won’t have to pay a professional to come out.
• You can invest in a hide a key. These are designed to mix in with natural surroundings. Placing a key under your doormat is risky. That’s the first place that a burglar is going to check for a key. Instead, get a hide a key that looks like, perhaps, a rock, and hide the key inside of it. You could get one that goes inside of a structure by your pool, or you could have one by your front door, or in a garden. There are many options.
• Always make sure that your key is in your hand before you leave a place. Maybe this means holding your car keys in your hand every time you step out of the vehicle. This is a great idea if the key has a dead battery – it is very simple to lock yourself out of your car. If you are leaving the office, make sure that your house key is in your hand. Grab it whenever you grab your purse or wallet.
• Think about the benefits of going keyless. You can use keyless entry nowadays to get into most properties, and all you will have to do is remember a code. If you do decide to go this way, pick a code that is easy for you to remember but difficult for someone else to figure out. You can also use fingerprint technology in some cases.

Of course, if the situation has already happened, then you will be kicking yourself for not having taken specific measures. But what you can do is take action by getting on the phone with a local locksmith, whether that means calling Locksmith Service Palatine in Palatine, IL or whoever services your specific area. The faster you call, the faster the professional should be able to get to you. Remember that an expert who is licensed and insured can prevent damage to your property and they will know what they are doing. A local business will be familiar with your area, so you should not have to wait for a long period of time, even if you happen to place your call for help in the middle of the night. If you are scared because you are stuck outside of your car in a dark parking lot, consider making a call to local law enforcement so that someone can be dispatched to wait with you.

If a lockout happens, try to stay calm and call in an expert. Be sure to keep safety in mind, and if you are stuck outside of your home, think about waiting in a trusted neighbor’s home or asking someone nearby to wait with you. Also consider calling the police if you need someone to wait with you and don’t have access to friends, neighbors or family members. Safety should always be a top priority.

Avoiding a Burglary

Since a burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the U.S. it means that a burglary is taking place right now. Over a dozen homes are currently being burglarized. This is staggering but true. The key to avoiding a burglary from occurring is to make your home appear unappealing to potential thieves. It doesn’t mean that your home should look like a dump or a shack; it should just appear very difficult for them to gain access. Since they need time and opportunity, the more security you have the less time they have to figure it all out. They will just move on to the next property with less complicated procedures to go through in order to gain access inside.

 

You may think that if someone wants to get in, they will. This isn’t always true. If you take the job of securing your home seriously and adhere to some of these practical ways to avoid a burglary, you can actually stop anyone who thinks their getting in from actually being able to.

 

Visible Locks on Doors and Windows

In most cases, burglars get in through doors or windows. They don’t walk through walls. This is why it is a good idea to have locks that are visible on all your windows and doors that they can gain access through from the outside. Invest in reliable, sturdy locks. Remember, you don’t want to make things easy for them. Having durable loc

ks means it would be a lot more time consuming for them to break. There are some brands that make more durable locks than others. Consult with a Palatine, IL locksmith at Locksmith Service Palatine where they can advise you of the most reliable brands.

 

Secure All Doors

You would think that this is common sense 101 but for some people, it isn’t quit that simple. Some people think that just because their garage door is closed that no one can gain access into their home through their garage and thus they fail to lock the door from the garage into their home. Even when you are at home and you have the door open. Lock the screen door. When you’re not looking someone could jam something in between your door without your even knowing it. Perhaps they innocently walk up to your home acting as though they were looking for someone, simply to gain access to your door. Your doors should all have deadbolts on them. This serves as another layer of protection. They are the most durable types of brands on the market. If you like to leave your screen doors unlocked, just make sure you have a anti-entry device installed on all of your screen doors so that they are not able to remove the frame of the door.

 

Security Checks

Since many locksmith services also install numerous security features, they are a good way to find out if you have all of the security features that you’ll need to avoid a burglary. They usually know what works and what doesn’t sense they have seen it all before. They are also able to offer you practical solutions for your security concerns. They inspect the interior and exterior of your home to make a determination about the level of security you require in order to avoid a burglary.

 

Security Cameras

Surveillance cameras are no longer just for businesses. In recent years they have become more affordable to homeowners. It is a great idea to have the cameras installed because the last thing a thief wants is to be taped while committing a crime. There are basic surveillance cameras and there are more high-tech cameras that enable you to monitor them from any PC. Some can even alert the proper authorities if non-authorized people are on your property.

 

Home Alarm Systems

It may sound silly but when someone has an alarm services signage in front of your home, this can sometimes be enough to stop a burglar dead in their tracks. You can have a standard alarm system installed that will alert you when someone is in your home or you can have a system that monitors your homes activity and notifies the police for you. Home alarm systems offer you the best degree of security possible.

 

Lights

Make sure you can illuminate as much of the exterior of your home as possible. Don’t allow anyone to come on your property without shinning a spot light on them. If they step foot on your property, the light should be activated and scare the off. These are known as floodlights. They cover a wide spread area.

 

Durable Doors

Have you ever heard of someone’s door being kicked in? This is common in some areas and this is why you should make sure you invest in durable doors. The door is as important as the looks that you place on them. If you’re unable to get the doors that you need all at once, get one and then just continue to add them as money becomes available. Don’t put it off, start preparing for the worst today by getting your first durable door now.

 

Safes

If you are dealing with a very cleaver burglar, who may have worked in the industry and know how to maneuver through all of the things you’ve had installed to avoid a burglary, do yourself a favor by investing in a good safe. So even if they make it inside, they will only be able to get what they can quickly get to. They won’t usually take a safe, especially if you have it bolted to the floor. It isn’t worth the time and effort needed to get inside.

 

There is no sure fire way to completely avoid a burglary because you could have guest over and they could walk away with something. You might have workers in side your home that could also walk away with something. However, you can do minimize the chance of a burglary by taking into consideration some of the suggestions we’ve provided.

Article source here: Avoiding a Burglary

Why deadbolts are for homeowners

Here at Locksmith Service Palatine we care about your home security and protection. That’s why we emphasize proper deadbolt protection to all of our local Palatine, IL customers. You might be wondering why our licensed, bonded and insured residential locksmiths emphasize deadbolts and not something much more expensive or complicated. Simple; deadbolts are effective, affordable and easily installed. Our family owned lock and key shop always provides value in our recommendations; even if we don’t make as much profit as we could be by recommending something bigger!

A solid, properly installed home deadbolt adds value to your home, money savings to your wallet and peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Contact any established Palatine, IL locksmith shop to get one installed, do it yourself or call our friendly Locksmith Service Palatine crew for fast and convenient deadbolt installation, service or replacement.

Do I need a deadbolt at my home?

We think so, yes! Will adding a deadbolt to your residence bring health, wealth and prosperity? Maybe not all that but it WILL bring peace of mind and added protection. Put yourself in the shoes of a “would be burglar” who is trying to pick your door lock. He or she is now faced with TWO locks to get past. Your main door lock and now a solidly installed deadbolt lock. In most cases, the crook will just give up and move on to easier “pickings” and why not? The longer a burglary takes, the greater the chance of getting caught. Can you see now why we recommend these amazing lock marvels?

Isn’t my home lock good enough?

Um, no! There’s a little known secret about home door locks. 90% of them are good enough to pass building code regulations and not much else. Builders and contractors know that they have to add a door lock; that’s a given. No one said it had to be good one, though! If you want a better grade residential door lock, they will offer you an upgrade (usually) and you can get it that way.

Most residential locks are easy to bump open. It can be done in mere seconds by just about anyone that knows about it. All you need is a bump key that is easily purchase online or through Craigslist for a few dollars. Inset this key into any door lock and lightly tap it until the internal pins are bumped into place and the lock opens! Thousands of homes a year are illegally entered and burglarized because of this flaw in home lock security. The crooks are not even career thieves or hardened criminals but gang members, teenagers and pranksters! Worse still, lock bumping leaves no trace of forced entry! Try filing a police report or insurance claim when there’s simply no proof or even evidence that anyone broke in!

Will a deadbolt help?

You bet it will! A strong, properly installed deadbolt lock added to your front or back door will add that needed second layer of protection. They are harder to bump open and they buy you valuable extra time that does 3 things:

• It discourages the intruder as it’s one more hurdle to cross before they get inside
• It buys you time to arm yourself or to call for help!
• Burglars often skip your home altogether when they notice a deadbolt installed on your door.

Deadbolt types

You are not limited to one kind of deadbolt. You can choose from 1) Single cylinder deadbolt that has a key hole on one side and a knob on the other side so that you can twist it open.

2) Double cylinder deadbolts that have key slots on both sides and no knobs to twist open. These are harder to bypass as you can’t break a window and reach inside and twist the knob open.

There are other variations of deadbolt locks but these are the two most popular ones. Be sure to check with your building codes authority or fire department if you are considering these double cylinder deadbolt locks as they are often banned due to the fact that you need a key to access them since they have no twist knobs. During an emergency you could find yourself locked inside until they deadbolt keys are located and used.

Where do I find them?

You can purchase quality deadbolts anywhere including local stores like Ace Hardware, Target, Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe’s. Often, these stores have help that can recommend certain models that might be effective for you. You can also order online at E-bay, Amazon, Craigslist, Best Buy and other national sites as they sell a vast array of deadbolt locks for every size and type of door imaginable.

Who installs?

If you feel competent; you do! Bear in mind that a poorly installed deadbolt lock will not provide the needed protection you want for your Palatine, IL home. You can use a local handyman, or locksmith if you have better things to do with your time than tinker with new lock additions. There are many residential locksmith shops in town and you can always call Locksmith Service Palatine for convenient and affordable deadbolt installation done right.

Should I go with a brand name?

Yes and no. Get some free, professional advice from a local residential locksmith before you make your new deadbolt purchase. Ask questions about price, installation costs, warranty coverage and maintenance needed (if any). Here at Locksmith Service Palatine, we are not only affordable, we offer mobile service that can install your new deadbolt at a time that works best for you.

We also offer free, no obligation consultations for our customers. You can ask us about brands, guarantees, customer satisfaction and anything else that comes to mind. Do your homework and check deadbolt reviews from other customers. Amazon, E-Bay, Home Depot and Best Buy often rate deadbolts according to their customer satisfaction. Be sure to note why they liked or didn’t like their hardware and take all that into consideration when it comes time to make your own selection.

Article source here: Why deadbolts are for homeowners

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMMERCIAL SAFE

When you have a commercial building, it’s absolutely critical that you protect the important documents, irreplaceable valuables, and crucial data belonging to your business. A top-quality commercial safe is often an effective strategy for most companies.

When there are so many kinds of safes and safe locks, how can you know what’s best for you? It’s vital that you do your homework, and ask the right questions.

1       How big should your safe be?

You could just pile up everything you want to put into it, and measure it. The problem is, in general, the safe you need is probably much larger than you think. Consult with a professional about which items ought to be stored in your safe. Then you’ll be able to figure out mathematically how much space is required.

2       What’s the value of the items you’ll store in your safe?

The value of your items will obviously affect the level of security you need.

The standard categories of safe classes will play a major role in your insurance coverage and any claims. The coverage increases according to the class of the safe. The class of a safe ~ from TL15 (about $150,000 of coverage) to TRTL60X6 (approximately $2 million or more of coverage) ~ is determined by:

• area testing (the level of how easy it is to get in the front door, or all the sides);
• torch resistance;
• tool resistance (the level of resistance to a thief’s carbide drills, picking tools, hand tools, and electric or mechanical tools); and
• time testing (how long it takes a safe cracker to break in).

A TL15 rating means that the door of the safe can successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 15 minutes by a burglar with common hand tools, picking tools, drills, grinders, mechanical or electric portable tools, or pressure devices. Most business owners prefer to have a safe that’s class TL30 or higher, which means a safe that’s time-tested to at least 30 minutes or higher.

3       Do you want fire protection?

Besides standard classes for commercial safes, there are also formal fire ratings. No safe is totally fireproof; but there are numerous levels of fire resistance. Safes are tested and certified according to how much time they can guard your valuables inside from fire. A fire rating of 1 hour or more is the ideal. During a fire, safes rated to protect paper documents cannot get any hotter than 350 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.

A safe that provides you with optimal fire protection along with substantial theft protection will have a door and walls made of steel, housed in a layer of composite material that’s as tough as concrete. There must be a fire seal on the door, which blocks out most moisture from getting in the safe over time, to minimize corrosion and rust. If a fire occurs, the fire seal will expand, sealing out smoke and flames, and also keeping water from entering the safe (Water might be sprayed on the safe to extinguish a fire).

A point to remember is that if you have a safe with a low-to-moderate level of fire resistance, it essentially won’t provide very much theft protection. If you desire both theft protection and fire resistance, then you’ll need a premium-quality composite-fire safe, a burglar-fire safe, or a high-security TL-rated fire safe.

4       What type of safe do you need?

• A depository safe (also known as a drop safe), is a popular safe often used by restaurants and retail businesses. You can drop cash, or other small items, such as keys or receipts, into the safe through a little door at the top of the safe, which doesn’t allow access to the main safe compartment. The only way to open the door is by entering the correct credentials.
• An office safe is also common for restaurants and retailers. Freestanding, or bolted to the floor, this safe typically has a rather high fire rating. This is a good safe that can’t be opened by repeated dropping.
• An in-floor safe is hidden in concrete, adding an extra level of security. One drawback is that it provides minimal fire protection, because there isn’t a fire board to dissipate the heat. Therefore, if you need to protect any papers or cash, you should choose a burglar-fire safe, a free-standing composite-fire safe, or a high-security burglar-fire safe, which has a 1- to 2-hour fire rating. Anchor it into a concrete floor with bolts.
• A wall safe is also very well concealed. You can easily hide your safe behind a picture. Nevertheless, a wall safe in not your most secure choice, since it’s attached to the studs in the wall, so it could be cut or pried out by an experienced crook. This safe’s only fire protection is limited to the sheetrock in your wall.
• A data or media safe is for efficiently protecting your business information. It’s obviously imperative to safeguard your electronic devices from fire and theft. Computer disks, drives, and all other digital media are sensitive to temperature changes, so you’ll want a safe whose interior won’t exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit or go over 85% humidity.
• A high-security safe will include a good number of barriers to prevent drilling. They’ll also have additional locking mechanisms that will deploy if a robber tries to force the safe open. A maximum level of security comes with a hefty price, but depending on your circumstances ~ if you have a jewelry store, for instance ~ then it’s definitely wise to keep the heart of your business well secured.

5       What kind of safe lock is right for you?

Safes have different sorts of locks ~ combination dial, redundant, electronic, biometric, and so forth.

6       How do you make your final choice?

There are a lot of factors to consider before you buy your commercial safe ~ actually even more than we’ve discussed here. Once you choose, where you place your safe is also important. To avoid being scammed, do your research first, consulting only with reputable sources. If you’re anywhere in Palatine, Illinois, then you may want to hire a reliable mobile professional safe technician on staff at Locksmith Service Palatine.

Article source here: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMMERCIAL SAFE

Locksmith Service Palatine – Live Stream Edit

 

Locksmith Service Palatine got you covered for all your commercial, residential or auto locksmith needs. We offer a complete range of services and a reliable 24 hour emergency locksmith service. Contact us at (224) 577-1849 to get your free estimate.

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Samsung Smart Home flaws let hackers make keys to front door

Samsung Smart Home flaws let hackers make keys to front door

Photo from: arstechnica.com

Computer scientists have discovered vulnerabilities in Samsung's Smart Home automation system that allowed them to carry out a host of remote attacks, including digitally picking connected door locks from anywhere in the world.

The attack, one of several proof-of-concept exploits devised by researchers from the University of Michigan, worked against Samsung's SmartThings, one of the leading Internet of Things (IoT) platforms for connecting electronic locks, thermostats, ovens, and security systems in homes. The researchers said the attacks were made possible by two intrinsic design flaws in the SmartThings framework that aren't easily fixed. They went on to say that consumers should think twice before using the system to connect door locks and other security-critical components.

Read More: Samsung Smart Home flaws let hackers make keys to front door

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