Surprise Secure Locksmith: Commercial Keyless Locks

Keyless entry systems are a very common feature found in the busiest buildings. You would have seen them in hospitals, schools, churches, corporate offices, apartment complexes and anywhere else that gets a high influx of people entering and exiting throughout the day.

For businesses, keyless locks can bring a lot of security benefits. Having these installed means that you’ll never have to worry about keys falling into the wrong hands, nobody will be able to sneak into your building after hours, and you won’t need to keep changing locks every time a key has been lost or misplaced.

Keyless systems come in different variations. Some are definitely more sophisticated than others, and they may be better suited for smaller or larger businesses. It would be wise to talk to a commercial locksmith about the options available before settling on a system for your property. That way, you’ll be able to know exactly what kind of security you are getting from your keyless locks, as well as whether these are in line with your commercial needs and, most importantly, your budget.

To get you thinking about which commercial keyless lock may be the best choice for your business, here is a basic outline of some of the most popular options around.

Intercom systems

Probably the most popular choice of them all. These don’t need much of an introduction: You’ve definitely seen them in residential apartments, just as you would have previously seen them in offices. Intercom systems often come with special swipe cards and key fobs for people who need easy access to the building they have been fitted into. The best thing about these keyless locks is that you can control who can access the property through this system, adding or deleting people as needed.

Card access systems

Also known as proximity locks, these give you as much control over who can access a property as you wish. That means these locks are a great theft deterrent, whether the culprit is an employee or an unwanted intruder. As with intercoms, individuals can be added or deleted quite easily once these have been installed, taking away the need to fully replace your security if it has been tampered with in any way.

A basic breakdown of some of the benefits of card access systems include:

• Monitoring who enters/exits the property at any given time
• Restricting access to certain areas during business hours
• Preventing unwanted access to the building after hours

Similarly, these come with the option of setting up master key systems that only managers and owners have access to. These can be programmed to grant access to specific rooms or even full access to all doors in the building in case something goes amiss.

Commercial electronic keypad locks 

Similar in function to the card system, only it comprises a special entry combination. You can have unique numbers for each employee, meaning that if someone gets hold of your code it can be changed in a very efficient manner. In case of emergencies, most models will have a special key that overrides the code, so you won’t need to worry about getting locked out if a system malfunctions. What’s more, many models these days are wireless – making them cheaper to install, fully useable during power outages and very simple to handle whenever a new battery is called for.

Keypad lever combo

Think of these as an addition to electronic keypad locks. They bring the exact same benefits as your standard electronic keypad, only differing in the variety of access options users can choose from. With a lever combo, access to the building can be granted using a card, fob or key code.

Manual keypad locks for commercial operations

A good option for smaller businesses. With manual keypad locks, codes can be changed quite easily, and there is never any need to worry about wires or batteries as there are no electronics involved. Businesses can choose from a wide range of options, including:

• Deadbolt keypads – these can be left unlocked during different times of the day without any issues.
• Storeroom keypad – locks the door behind you as soon as you close it
• Knob and deadbolt combo – combines two locking mechanisms for an additional layer of security

So you want to install a keyless entry system

Proper security is a serious investment for all business operations, big or small. A reliable commercial locksmith in Surprise will make things a lot easier for you in the long haul. Not only can you trust them to have access to a wide variety of keyless technologies, you can expect them to know how to install and maintain these with precision. Locksmith installations, repairs and replacements are quite affordable, and a lot of businesses will provide you with a free consultation and price quote too.

A few quick tips if you’ve never hired a commercial locksmith before:

• Always go for a local business with a fully verifiable address
• If possible, get a few recommendations from people you trust – great reputation travels through word of mouth
• Call the commercial locksmith and get information about their licensing, insurance, as well as a full breakdown of installation costs. Never hire a locksmith that refuses to provide crucial information like a full business name or other credentials upon request

Is your business based in Surprise, Arizona? Then make sure to contact Surprise Secure Locksmith when looking into a keyless system for your commercial property. Our licensed and insured professionals are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about our options, the installation process, or anything else that’s on your mind. We have an array of commercial options you can choose from, so if you need anything else – let us know.

Whether you are based in Surprise, AZ, or anywhere else in the world, we hope you are able to use this start guide to make a wise security decision. Find a great commercial locksmith in your area to truly reap the benefits that come from the latest keyless technologies. With your newly-acquired knowledge and a little bit of planning, you are well-placed to make a really great investment for your commercial property.

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How Weather Changes Affect Your Locks

We seldom consider why are locks are giving us trouble until we start to have trouble with using our keys. Usually, our first thought is what is wrong with my key when in reality it may not be the key at all that is the problem, rather, it could be the lock. There are many factors that can contribute to a lock becoming ineffective. The one way that most people might be familiar with is due to someone attempting to break-in. This can definitely damage the locks of your door. However, you may not be aware of the fact that the change in weather can also adversely affect your locks. As the weather changes, locks are compromised in various ways. Here is what you might experience during certain times of the year.

Warm to Hot (Spring & Summer) Months

So the common problem that homeowners and businesses may experience during the summer are jammed locks. This is when your lock will only turn in one position or not at all. The problem is generally found to occur with exterior doors. The higher temperatures cause the doors frame to get a little wider. If you have experienced this problem, you may also have a deadbolt lock that is also closed, on the door. This within itself will compromise the locks as the door continues to begins to widen around it. Anyone who has wooden doors will notice this problem more so than those who have steel or fiberglass doors. This is because wood is a material that can easily expand and contract, depending on the temperature outside.

Cool to Cold (Fall & Winter) Months

At Surprise Secure Locksmith in Surprise, Arizona, we experience an increase in lock related issues more often during the colder months of the year, especially winter since it often occurs once the temperature is below freezing. In this instance, the door actually does the opposite; it contracts rather than expands. This creates a problem with the lock and door. You may notice an issue with your key not turning when you are either unlocking or locking a deadbolt lock. Yeah, now you see, huh! The problem isn’t the key; it’s the contracting of the door due to the colder weather. Finally, you have an answer to your question. You might find that you can get the lock to open once you pull the door in in order to re-align the lock with the frame of the door. This is not a solution, it is simply a temporary solution that will enable you to lock or unlock your door. The problem, if not addressed by a professional locksmith service, will get worse. You will eventually not be able to unlock or lock the door.

Cold Temperatures and Your Car Locks

Ok, so here is the real bummer. Motorists have found a problem with being able to unlock their car doors because the door is completely frozen. Moisture inside the lock makes it impossible for the door to open, either with a key or remotely. We know this may sound strange but the solution could be for you to simply heat up your key prior to inserting it back inside the lock. Be advised, this doesn’t always help the situation but it won’t hurt to try before contacting a locksmith. If you have a newer model car with remote-start, the engine can sometimes heat up the car to the point of unfreezing the locks. If you would like to try these remedies before contacting a locksmith, you have to know that they may or may not work. However, if you want a sure way to get back into your car as quickly as possible, turn to the services of a local Surprise, Arizona locksmith for immediate assistance.

Preventative Tactics

Unless you have experienced a problem with your locks swelling and not being able to open the door due to this issue, you can only ‘imagine’ how frustrating this situation can be. If you do not want to experience this problem, here are some measures you can take to avoid this from happening to you. It begins with your choice of locksmiths. Select a reputable locksmith service, such as, Surprise Secure Locksmith who can properly install your locks so that it will minimize the chances of this occurring due to the changes in weather.

We know that wooden doors are more attractive than other types of doors offered to you but in order to avoid the problems that occur due to the change in weather, you might want to consider replacing them. There are certain types of doors that are less likely to cause you this type of problem no matter what the temperature is outside. You have the option of choosing a steel door or fiberglass door. Now-a-days, manufacturers are making even these types of doors more attractive than in years past. You are not short on options when it comes to doors.

Finally, lubricating the locks of your doors makes it easy for you to turn them. This is true even when the temperature fluctuate. The correct way to lubricate your locks is to disassemble the lock before hand. If you don’t know how to do this, your best bet is to rely on the services of an experienced locksmith. No matter what type of locks you have, they are more likely able to handle the job than anyone else.

Calling a Locksmith

We have already mentioned at what point it may be necessary to contact a locksmith. Lets recap. If you are locked out in the cold and you do not want to waste time trying to figure out what the problem is or take the measures mentioned above to warm your locks, call a locksmith. When you need someone to take your locks apart in order to lubricate them, turn to a reputable and reliable locksmith. When you need to simply have the locks replaced get the help of a locksmith.

Aricle source here: How Weather Changes Affect Your Locks

What to do with old keys

If you are like most, you have several (if not dozens) of old keys lying around the house, garage, junk drawer, or even in your car. Should you just throw them out with the trash or is that lingering thought in your mind that maybe you’ll need them at a later date? Here at Surprise Secure Locksmith we call them mystery keys as they are sure to lock or unlock “who knows what?” Over time, they accumulate to the point where you know you have to do something useful with them, so maybe our post here will help you dispose of them in an acceptable way.

Where did all these keys come from?

Mystery keys are much like the lost sock drawer; their origins are varied and long forgotten. Your lost keys can come from practically anywhere; old house keys, bike keys, toy keys, car keys, trunk keys, file cabinet keys, padlock keys, storage room keys, desk keys, even old diary keys! If you have a commercial location like a school, hotel or apartment complex, it can get really out of hand! Your time is way too valuable to run around and try each and every key to each and every lock you have. After a while you start to feel like Cinderella’s Prince and the glass slipper! No wonder over 400 million keys get thrown into local landfills every year just in this country alone!

Keys be gone!

The simplest thing to do is to throw all of these old keys out. Out of sight; out of mind; right? Yes and no. If you are like most, you might feel like you could have been a little more creative or helpful to the environment than just tossing those no longer loved or needed keys into the trash. So what can you do?

Recycle them

If you are interested in recycling your old keys, put them in the mixed metal bin, and send them off that way. Some communities furnish large recycle bins on wheels where you don’t separate the items into metal, plastic or paper. Others furnish smaller bins and have you put them in the proper bin. You can call the local Surprise, AZ recycling center to hear about their current policy on metal recycling or if you are reading this and are from another community then do the same in your area. Some recycling centers want you to remove any rubber edging or stickers on the key so that they can be melted down more purely.

Put your keys to work!

It’s true; you can actually make your old, lost keys do something productive. You can donate your keys to Key For Hope. They collect used keys from anyone that wants to be rid of them. They also sponsor key drives in communities and in schools to help raise funds to feed the less fortunate and to help the environment. On average 50 keys make up a pound of metal and this organization sells the metal for scrap and donates 100% of the money to the food pantry of your choice! Talk about WIN-WIN! You get rid of your unwanted keys, the school kids learn about helping the environment, and the hungry get fed!

Crafts and Keys

Are you creative with crafts? You can make items for sale using your old, spare keys. To get ideas, go to Etsy and/or E-Bay online and do a search for key crafts. See what others are doing with keys and how much they are selling them for. Be sure to read the comments and reviews if something sells well or even if it doesn’t, so that you can learn from their success or lack of it. You can sell your crafts to friends, family members or coworkers. You can also sell your crafts at fairs, flea markets, farmer’s markets and local fund raisers. If you are feeling charitable, try donating a portion of the proceeds to a local animal shelter, food pantry or other needy cause. Be sure to let your potential customers know that you are doing this as they may want your key creation to buy, but also to help a worthy cause.

Speaking of E-Bay and Etsy, you can also supply keys to key crafters that sell their goods there. You can either donate your keys to them or offer to sell them your old keys at a price that is agreeable to you both. Try the same thing on Craigslist. Do a search on the Surprise, AZ Craigslist site (or your local community Craigslist). Use the key words “Crafts” “Keys” “Key Crafts” etc. Offer to sell them your old keys and see what comes of it.

Other uses for old keys

When you think about it; there are hundreds of things that you can do with an old key. The question is; do you want to or not? Since you are reading this post, you have some interest in the subject or you wouldn’t have read this far!

Old keys are perfect weights for tablecloths or curtains to keep them hanging properly and not flying around with every breeze or movement. Just sew a key into the hem or lining of the material and watch it stay in place better!

If you have suit cases or backpacks that are lacking zipper pulls, attach a small key to the zipper end and you now have one that will work just as good as it did when new.

Ceiling fans or lighting that uses pull chains are perfect for attaching an old key to the cord. Feel free to attach plainly or to decorate to match the fixture.

If you have neighbors that recycle, you can also use the Key For Hope organization mentioned above, and do a community key drive. Simply collect the old keys from your participating neighbors every so often, and choose a food pantry to be the recipient and help your neighbor friends de-clutter, too. Doing this is also a good way to get to know your neighbors and establish a nice bond with them; that’s always KEY!

Aricle source here: What to do with old keys

IS IT TIME TO CHANGE YOUR LOCKS?

HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

From time to time, things can go wrong with keys and locks. Although a good locksmith will be available to come to the rescue even if it’s the middle of the night, it’s still better to be pro-active, so you can prevent any potential misfortune.

Keeping your home secure and safe is essential. Accordingly, keep all your locks in tip-top shape. Make sure that the locks on all your exterior doors are always functioning. You’ll keep your loved ones and valuables well-protected when all your locks are solid and resilient.

If it’s time to replace your locks, you can either do it yourself, or hire a professional to do it. Since you want only premium locksmith hardware and services for your home, look for an expert of the utmost integrity ~ a trustworthy, patient, and solid individual. If you’re anywhere in Surprise, Arizona, consider hiring a mobile residential locksmith specialist on staff at Surprise Secure Locksmith. An accomplished locksmith will bring better equipment and products than you can find at a local hardware store, as well as offer the experience and knowhow required.

Important points to look out for:

New Tenants & Roommates. If you rent space out in your apartment or home, or have any other rental properties, you certainly must replace the locks, every time you have new occupants. Even if the last people gave you their keys back, you can’t be sure that they didn’t keep copies of their keys. If a robbery happens, you don’t want to have any doubts about former residents, so keep your property properly guarded.

A New Home. If you have moved into a new place of residence, the exact same rules that apply to your rentals also apply to your home. You simply never know who may still be in possession of old keys, so it’s vital that you get your locks changed right away.

Normal Wear and Tear. Worn-out or rusted locks are a major weakness in your home security. They are more difficult to open as time passes. Old or rusted locks are easier for thieves to pick or break. If a lock shows any bad tarnish, rust, or any other signs of wear, it’s time to replace it. Is a lock becoming increasingly difficult to open with the key? Then you should replace it.

Stuck Keys. A key can sometimes get stuck, or even break off, in a lock mechanism. If any issue arises with the internal lock mechanism, the key will slide in only with a great deal of effort. So if you observe resistance when you turn a key, it’s likely time to replace the lock.

Lost Keys. If you’ve misplaced your keys, and they’re gone for good, then change your locks instantly. All your outdoor locks should be replaced. After that, then replace any indoor locks in the order of your personal security priorities.

Combination Locks. Do you often lose your keys? Then consider replacing your basic lock with a combination door lock, which can be opened with a code number you set up. If the combination input ever fails, or you ever forget the code, don’t worry, because most combination locks also have a keyed lock. Remember, change the combination if you ever think that its access might’ve been compromised, just as you would replace a standard lock if you lost your keys.

Rusty Locks. You and your family open and shut your doors so many times each and every day. As years go by, locks will eventually get worn-out or rust, which means they’ll break eventually. If your lock is rusty, you’ll notice it’s more difficult to get the key in or to turn it. If so, replace the lock.

Damaged Locks. If your locks are ever vandalized, or otherwise damaged, get new locks. Don’t take the risk! Replace them. Don’t keep damaged locks, because it will make you vulnerable to more problems, making it easier for a burglar to get in.

Break-ins. If the worst happens, and you are robbed, it’s imperative that you replace the locks immediately. The force involved in a break-in has compromised the lock mechanism’s integrity. A damaged lock will also put you at a greater risk of another theft. Besides, mechanical malfunction could easily leave you locked out. Furthermore, you never know if your keys may have fallen into the wrong hands. Don’t take any risks! Replace all your locks as soon as possible.

Deadbolts. If you feel vulnerable at your home for any reason, any locksmith professional will tell you that deadbolts are one of the best ways to increase your security. There are many types, so do your research to find the right one for each of your needs.

Peace of Mind. Your locks do not necessarily have to show any visible signs of damage for you to want to replace your locks. As time goes by, you may forget how many family members, friends, and neighbors you have given copies of your keys to, who didn’t give them back to you. Therefore, it’s a good idea to replace locks periodically in order to regularly maintain and even enhance your home’s safety and security. You’ll thus have much-needed peace of mind, knowing that you’re effectively safeguarding your family and your possessions.

Going Digital. Would you prefer to go high-tech? Then you can replace all your conventional locks with digital door locks. Without the need for any keys at all, it’s a great way to secure your home. Keyless locks are a part of new horizons in home security technology. They work with keypads; remotes or smart devices; alarm systems with remote codes; biometrics; and so on. Once you have become used to it, you’ll find out that keyless locks are easy to use. Most include a pleasing selection of sophisticated features that will provide you with additional convenience and safety.

Would you like to be a locksmith? If you’re often taking pleasure in doing lock work around the house, you may want to choose it as a profession. If you’re thinking about becoming a locksmith, you’ll have to work as an apprentice first. You’ll also need extensive training plus a license. If you have talent and experience with construction, metal fabricating, and/or electronics, you’ll have an advantage over other locksmiths. If you’re an honest person; a good problem-solver; if you can conduct yourself professionally; if you can be discreet about confidential matters; and if you enjoy working unusual hours, you’re probably suited to be a locksmith.

Aricle source here: IS IT TIME TO CHANGE YOUR LOCKS?

The More You Know: The Best Car Burglary Prevention Tips

By Leith Volkswagen Cary

Few things are as frustrating as walking up to your car to find that it’s been broken into. That panic and anger you feel for your lost items is only amplified by the hoops you must jump through to get them back. And if the burglars have caused any damage to your car, that’s even more on your plate. So what can you do to never be in this situation?

1. Don’t leave items in the car

We know this is incredibly obvious, but that doesn’t stop people from ignoring this advice constantly. If you leave valuable items in your car, it’s an incentive. The more valuable an item, the higher reward for stealing it, and thus the bigger risk someone is willing to take for it. So, if you don’t leave anything valuable in your car, you’re lowering the incentive for breaking in. If must leave your pricey items in the car, put them in the trunk or lock them in the glovebox.

2. Remember to lock your doors

Captain obvious strikes again. But you’ve got to understand, we wouldn’t have to type this if it wasn’t relevant. People are leaving their cars unlocked and giving criminals free range on their belongings every day. In fact, the most common tactic for breaking into a car doesn’t involve breaking anything at all. Criminals walk by vehicles and give the door handle a tug. If it opens, they go in; if it doesn’t, they move on. The risk is incredibly low for criminals, and the reward is as high as ever.

3. Install a car alarm

Whether thieves are breaking in to steal your car or the items in your car, an alarm will make sure they don’t have a lot of time to do it. In this case, the noisier the alarm the better. Pick something that’s going to draw the most attention if it goes off, and then have it professionally installed so you know it will work correctly. If only we could choose a custom noise for our alarm… Hearing the roar of Chewbacca coming from a vehicle would terrify even the most hardened criminals.

4. Park in well-lit and densely populated areas

Don’t park your car somewhere scary and dark. This just makes it easier for someone to hide and take their time breaking into it. Park it somewhere well-lit if you can, or in a spot that is well-traveled. Again, the riskier it is for someone to break into your car, the less likely it’s to happen.

As a general rule, the best way to protect from theft is to make it difficult. The riskier, less rewarding, and the more complicated breaking into your car is, the better. So follow our rules above, and keep your belongings where they belong.

The More You Know: The Best Car Burglary Prevention Tips was last modified: January 7th, 2016 by Leith Volkswagen Cary

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