Interior Door Locks

When it comes to locks, there are a lot more options than people tend to think. It is critical that all properties are protected, no matter where they are located. Even in Surprise, AZ, the team at Surprise Secure Locksmith knows that it is important to lock up doors. And this applies no matter where you are. Theft happens, and that’s what locks are made to prevent. Let’s say your front door locks were broken off. A person then has entry access to your home. Having interior door locks on bedroom and bathroom doors allows you time to hide and call for help. Of course, interior locks mainly exist to help in regards to privacy. Here, you will find information that should provide you with guidance if you are looking to purchase new interior door locks, or if you just want information on something different.

From Bathroom Door Locks to Office Locks, You Have Many Options!

Does your bathroom door lock fail to work some of the time? Do you have a child who doesn’t seem to want to give you any privacy? This tends to be a complaint that many parents have, and they just want to be able to have even a few minutes of privacy to use the bathroom. Replacing your bathroom door locks is a great idea. Consider bed and bath knobs. These utilize a standard locking mechanism that is situated on the inside of a room. On the outside is a small hole. A flathead screw driver could provide easy access during a lockout. These are popular options!

In a customary locking door handle, a locking handle is situated on the inside of the room. On the outside is a knob typically with a flat head lock. Again, if you ever get locked out on the outside, this isn’t difficult to unlock with a screwdriver.

It is also common place to use key locks. Basically, this just means that they require a key to be unlocked. This means that if the key is locked, you really will be left with no way of getting back inside. Everything is dependent on your personal preferences – whether you have a business you are thinking of getting interior locks for, or even a residence, there are many options available.

Grade 3 Security

Grade 3 security tends to be sufficient. Bear in mind that there are instances in which you might want specific doors to lock right when they are closed. Of course, you might want the complete opposite because you are fearful of getting locked out. If you are afraid of being locked out, you can have a latch kick off to stop the door from locking as you walk out. Children were brought up earlier as a reason to potentially want interior door locks. Ask yourself – do they enjoy playing around with locks? If so, you might want to take advantage of emergency release. You might want the option of being able to use a hair clip to unlock a door.

Do Your Research!

When the need for interior locks comes up, look around to see what is available. Certain stores carries these, and you can also find options online. In addition, a wise option is to talk with a lock and security specialist in your area. They will be able to talk about options with you that you might not even know existed. If you voice your concerns to them, they should be able to give ideas – this can save a great deal of time on your end.

Protection and Convenience

Interior locks serve an important purpose. Protecting your property doesn’t stop with the front door. This applies to both commercial properties and homes. If you want to be able to lock your bedroom door at night, whether your primary intention is just to have privacy or you would feel better protected with the door locked, then you should look into what is available to help you to do this. If you have a commercial property with restrooms, then you will certainly need interior locks so that customers and employees are able to have privacy. Interior door locks aren’t a convenience – they are a requirement.

Other Benefits

Don’t forget to think about the benefits which come along with locks for interior doors. They might make you sleep more comfortably at night, knowing that your doors are secure. Or perhaps they will give you just that tad bit of extra privacy that you need because your children like to constantly come into rooms that have closed doors. Surprise Secure Locksmith is one of the most renowned local businesses in Arizona. But if you aren’t located in an area they serve, then be sure to pull up companies that are local to where you live. Make sure to check for the following:

• The company should have insurance and licensing.
• The company should have great reviews from customers.
• The company should offer information for free, for instance, consultations and price estimates.
• You shouldn’t feel pressured to hire the business for any specific service, but you should feel that you are getting accurate information that is useful to you.

When you find the right business, you can find the right locks. It is our hope that this information has been useful to you. Keep in mind that when it comes to any kind of lock, you have many different brand options at your disposal. Kwikset, Schlage, Weslock and Mul-T-Lock are some common names you might come across. All of them produce excellent products, but again, talking directly with a locksmith might help you to narrow down options. There are different finishes available and totally different options.

Good luck finding the right locks for your property, whether it is one that is commercial or residential, and make sure to stay safe! You deserve to have peace of mind, no matter where you are, but especially in your own property.

Aricle source here: Interior Door Locks

Why Secure Your Sliding Glass Door

Did you know that it only takes an intruder a minimum of 60 seconds to break-into your home. The break in usually occurs in the rear of the home. This is also most often where you’ll find a sliding glass door. While most people remember to lock their windows and doors, they generally forget the sliding glass door needs just as much protection as any other door. At Surprise Secure Locksmith in Surprise, AZ, you can count on our representatives discussing in detail, the need to secure every inch of your home, including your sliding glass door. This is one of the easiest ways for an intruder to enter your home and that is why it requires just as much protection as any other door in your home; probably even more.

A thief will often seek out a home with a sliding door for so many reasons. We have decided to inform you of the many reasons why your home might become the target of a thief.

• Convenient – Since the majority of these doors are designed to be used with only one lock it can quickly and easily be unlocked by using a simple screwdriver. This is especially simple for an experienced thief.

• Advertising – Homeowners love the natural light that a sliding glass doors allows to permeate into the room. Despite this doors ability to allow a lot of natural light in, this feature can be one of its biggest drawbacks. Since this is why so many like this type of door, they often do not put any type of window covering over the door. This allows others to see what you have inside. Without anything to conceal what you have inside, you’re advertising to those on the outside, what you have. A thief is more willing to take a chance when they see what they stand to gain by getting into your home.

• Quiet – Since you do not have to open and close the door, you don’t have to worry about it shutting too hard or slamming shut. They just slide on a track, back and forth without much sound at all. The fact that they are so quiet makes it possible for a thief to enter your home undetected.

Ways of Securing a Sliding Glass Door

Install a Wooden Dowel

A wooden dowel is the least expensive way to secure your sliding glass door. All you’ll need to do is a cut a dowel from a wooden broom handle and place in into the door tracks. With a dowel in place, despite the thief picking your lock, they will not be able to actually open the door. Just be sure to cut the dowel so that it is long enough to fit tightly in the track and have the thickness needed to make it sturdy. Another word of caution when you are cutting a dowel, make sure the dowel  isn’t too think that it will not fit into tracks.

Install Window Coverings

Not everyone enjoys having curtains, drapes or blinds on their windows. Despite the fact that it can affect the design aesthetics of your room, it is definitely beneficial in avoiding an intrusion. Again, using window coverings is another inexpensive and cost-effective way to avoid anyone from breaking into your sliding glass door. Don’t let them see what they stand to gain by breaking in. A thief is more likely willing to take a chance if they know what they stand to gain from their efforts.

Install Reinforced Locks

Again, sliding glass doors come standard with only one lock. It is a simple latch that then hooks onto the doors frame. Without any other lock installed on the door, it is very easy to open this type of lock. You should always reinforce your locks from the inside with an auxiliary lock, which can be accessed from inside. You’ll find that pins and chains and even bolts are some of the most practical and effective options.

Install Commercial Grade Locks

This might not seem logical to you but you actually stand to benefit from having a commercial grade lock installed on your sliding door. A commercial lock can be installed on various types of sliding doors. You can use a standard key and lock type and even get one that has a battery powered audible alarm.

Home Alarm System

We would highly recommend that you allow a Surprise, Arizona locksmith to handle the job of connecting your sliding glass door to your home alarm system just like you would to any other door in your home. It’s important that you are notified as soon as there is an attempted burglary made via your sliding glass door. An alarm will immediately alert you to this. You would be surprised to know that almost every home we service with a sliding glass door is left vulnerable to a break-in due to lack of security on the sliding glass door.

Why Act Now

Just because you are considering doing something about your sliding glass door doesn’t mean that you will. Take action now because if you don’t, you may be setting yourself up for an intrusion. This doesn’t have to happen if you take the steps to do something about it today. We suggest that if you’re thinking about it, it is obvious of serious concern to you. Why not start by applying the simplest technique to securing your door, securing it with a dowel, at least until you can do something more substantial. The tragedy would be that if you were thinking about doing something about it and you actually experienced a burglary. You might never be able to forgive yourself for not taking the right steps in securing your home, possessions and loved ones.  You have the necessary tools to secure your sliding glass door at your finger tips, the key to remaining safe and securing your sliding glass door is to do something with the information that has been provided to you.

Aricle source here: Why Secure Your Sliding Glass Door

Keyless entry for home; pros and cons

You’ve heard of keyless entry for cars, but did you know that keyless entry is also great for homes, as well? There are many pros and cons to using this technology at your place of residence and that’s why Surprise Secure Locksmith made this post – so that you can see for yourself if home keyless entry systems are right for you!

Why is keyless entry becoming so popular not only here in Surprise, AZ but everywhere else? Because it is fast, convenient, and best of all; it works! Keys can break, and become stuck or lost. They can be stolen, damaged and be hard (and expensive) to replace. With keyless locks, you bypass the traditional key with the metal grooved blade and the rounded head. Instead, you enter a number sequence into a keypad and you are in! No keys to lose or worry about breakage or theft!

There are many forms of keyless entry. You can punch in numbers to a keypad. Or, you can swipe a badge or plastic card with a magnetic strip on the back. Now, you can even use fingerprint technology and even a retina scanner in some applications. Keyless entry has taken off like gangbusters in commercial locations. Banks, hospitals, hotels, museums, government offices, medical clinics, credit unions and even grocery stores have been effectively using it for years.

Keyless entry at home

At first, having keyless entry at home may seem odd. We are so conditioned to drive up to the house and find the house key in preparation to go inside. With keyless entry, that is now changed. Just swipe your entry card or enter a number code into your keypad and you’re done. Now, you can go for that run with the dog and just enjoy your outing without having to lug a cumbersome key ring along with you. Now, you can get inside even though your arms are filled with grocery bags (or pizza boxes!) and you only need a finger to access your home instead of fumbling around for your set of keys.

More benefits

Remember that key you hide under the door mat? Our Surprise, AZ locksmiths have never liked that idea. This is the first place a home burglar will look, along with the flower pot next to the door! When you use keyless technology you can dispense with all that and just punch your code in, instead.

Do you vacation? Instead of giving a key to the house sitter or summer renter, just give them an alternate key code that is just for them. You can always change it once you get back.

Do you want to restrict access to your home? The “old” traditional method of rekeying the locks can get expensive when it’s done again and again. An easier way is to simply re-program your keypad so that the previously allowed number codes no longer work and only the ones do.

Are you selling your home and don’t want to mess with a lock box installed in your front yard? Simply give a key code to the realtor and have him or her use it for open houses or for showing. You can use a different number sequence for contractors, plumbers, loan officers and repairmen. Your only requirement is to remember to change the code later – you don’t want carpet cleaners waltzing into your home unexpected!

Some drawbacks

So far, keyless technology for home use sounds great. In our post title, we mention pros and “cons” so what are the drawbacks? To be fair, everything has benefits and drawbacks, including not using keys.

Forgetting – hey, we all do it! No matter how often you use or recite your key code or number sequence, you can still forget it! In today’s busy world of multi-tasking and hectic schedules, it can be easy to simply not remember what your entry code to your keypad is. Writing it down can make the problem worse! Imagine losing the paper or having it fall into the wrong hands – you might as well give out a copy of your key!

Power failure – keypads run on power. Power goes out once in a while. This is not a problem when a battery backup is included but if it’s not; beware! You might be locked out of your home until the electricity returns!

Wrong entries – what happens when you type your bank password incorrectly too many times? You get locked out for a spell! The same applies to residential keyless entry. This consequence is designed for your own good as you don’t want a burglar standing outside your door entering dozens of random numbers in an effort to get inside. Many systems will lock up and some even alert security or the police!

Find out more!

You’ve read this far so if you are interested in learning more about residential keyless entry we encourage you to make some inquiries. You are welcome to call Surprise Locksmith or any other local Surprise, AZ lock and key firm. Get additional details as well as free price quotes. Check review on keyless entry systems on Amazon and by doing some online searches on Google, Bing or Yahoo.

If you work with a locksmith shop, be sure that they are full service residential lock specialists offering keyless lock technology from the quality brands only. Some of the best and most trusted national lock brands include Medeco, Baldwin, Primus, Schlage, Kaba, Yale, Falcon, ASSA, Kwikset, Abloy and Master. Their products are not expensive but they are effective. Remember, we are talking about your front door locks and your home security overall. Go with the best and expect the best. Make sure that the Surprise, AZ lock shop you work with also offers round the clock emergency service. If your keyless entry system is damaged, breaks down, or stops working you’ll want 24/7 fast response experts to make everything right again as soon as possible. As a last precaution, save their phone number to every smart phone in your home for handy access if needed!

Aricle source here: Keyless entry for home; pros and cons

DO YOU WANT TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME SECURITY? HERE’S WHY LOCKS WITH MASTER PINS ARE A LOUSY IDEA AT YOUR PLACE

A master key lock is a pin-tumbler lock allowing a lock to open with two or more various keys. Master pins are utilized to pin up locks so that one master key will function in the lock, as well as a change key. This is what’s usually used in door locks in buildings with numerous occupants, such as hotels, apartment houses, storage facilities, and businesses. All tenants are given a key that unlocks only their own door, called a change key. The master key unlocks all the doors in the building.

At an elementary school, for example, the custodian often has a master key that will function in every classroom, but each teacher will have a change key, which works only for a specific classroom. There are also subordinate master keys, which typically open every room on one floor of a dormitory or office building. Moreover, a grand master key will open all of the rooms in a whole office building, hotel, or dormitory. There’s also a great grand master key, which will open all the doors for an entire college campus, or every single office in a commercial building complex. The higher you go, the more intricate it becomes. Overall, the lock’s pin stacks have multiple key pins and master wafers above the key pins, allowing several keys to function in one lock.

By contrast, a residential lock at your home is different. It has only one shear line, which means that there’s one possibility only for the split to occur between the driver pins and the key pins and the ~ so only one unique key will work. If you were to introduce master pins into the pin stacks, you would have at least two shear lines for each pin stack with a master pin installed. Essentially, that means you just shouldn’t do it, because there will be more ways for a criminal to pick the lock, since there are more possibilities of creating a shear line. In a master-keyed lock, all, or at least some, of the pin stacks in the lock have three pins rather than two. Between the driver pin and the key pin is a third pin, referred to as the spacer pin. Each pin line has two shear points, one where the spacer pins and driver meet, and one where the key pins and spacer meet. The lock opens with two keys: One key aligns the first set of shear points, and the other key aligns the second set. These locks are manufactured so that one set of shear points is unique for each lock, while the second set is identical for all the locks. A more secure kind of lock mechanism has two discrete tumblers, each of which is opened by one key.

A typical method professional thieves apply is snap guns and lock bumping. A standard pin tumbler lock by itself is susceptible to lock picking. To prevent this from happening, superior-security cylinders contain specialized security pins, which are designed to catch in the lock cylinder if a snap gun or bump key is used, thus making it much harder for a crook to break in.

You can upgrade your locks. Explore your many options first. As any professional locksmith in Surprise, AZ will tell you, deadbolts are a good way to increase your security at your home. A deadbolt lock is, hands down, better than a basic lock. There are actually many different kinds of deadbolts. You may desire a deadbolt with an interior thumbturn, which you can operate without grasping. You may want to look into a bump-proof lock or combination door lock.

You can augment your security, right away. A burglar often acts from convenience. So if any lock has an obvious weakness, it will be an easy target. Some locks are less difficult to bump or pick, and others are nearly impossible to penetrate. Combination locks and padlocks are particularly vulnerable. No home can ever be completely impermeable, but anywhere you are, you can take reasonable measures to improve your security.

There is an almost endless list of various sorts of locks, so you cannot actually ever know about them all. Therefore, before you install locks, do your homework. It’s also smart to bring your questions to an expert locksmith you can trust, who can advise you on all your property’s security issues. If you reside in Surprise, Arizona, consider choosing an accomplished mobile residential locksmith specialist such as those on staff at Surprise Secure Locksmith.

Go high-tech. Is it time to go digital? You can choose to replace all traditional locks with electronic door locks. It’s an excellent way to secure your home, and it doesn’t require any keys whatsoever. Keyless locks offer new horizons today in security technology. They work with remotes; with keypads; with an alarm system with a remote code; from your smart device; and even with biometrics (eye scans, fingerprints, hand prints, and so on). New innovations continue, which could soon become commonplace ~ such as voice recognition, ear scans, and even DNA sampling and heartbeat recognition! The systems that function with your smart device are ideal when you are on vacation, because you can monitor all activity while you’re gone, and be alerted immediately at any sign of trespass. You may want to put timers on radios, TVs, lights, and so forth, to make it appear that you are still home, an effective way to prevent a robbery.

Most keyless systems give you attractive features providing added convenience and safety. When you get accustomed to the system that’s right for you, keyless locks are relatively easy to use. They’re also ideal for kids, since your children often forget their keys, but they can usually recall a simple code number you can all agree upon. Or, if you’re frustrated because you’re always misplacing your keys, then perhaps you’ll want to decide to go keyless.

Aricle source here: DO YOU WANT TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME SECURITY? HERE’S WHY LOCKS WITH MASTER PINS ARE A LOUSY IDEA AT YOUR PLACE

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.

Aricle source here: Surprise Secure Locksmith: Commercial Keyless Locks

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