10 Cold Weather Security Tips

When the temperatures start taking a southward turn, there are certain things that are worth appreciating—the pretty snow, a cozy fire, all those decadent cold-weather flavors we love (even breakfast cereal is pumpkin flavored these days). It’s a great time to slow down a touch and revel in the comforting sounds, smells, and sights that get ushered in with the cold weather. Though it’s easy to stay huddled inside surrounded by warmth, those cozy feelings are only as good as your winter safety preparedness. Give your home a little extra attention with our winter safety tips so that you don’t fall prey to a false sense of security.

Cold weather safety tips

Keep roads and driveways shoveled.

Snow and ice are obvious road hazards, but they can also obstruct the pathways and view to your home. To help keep your family safe this winter, make sure you keep walkways, driveways, and the view to your home clear of the pretty white fluffy stuff.

Avoid unknown visitors and solicitors.

It’s never a good idea to open your door if you don’t know the identity of your visitor or his purpose for being at your home. This is even more important in the winter when days are shorter and the streets are less likely to be populated by your neighbors. Items like the Ring doorbell can help you keep an eye on who is at your front door without having to open the door.

Use lighting to mimic normal activity.

Lighting is always a helpful deterrent when it comes to cold weather safety. But according to NPR, lighting is more effective if it mimics real activity. Try motion detectors and timers to help you achieve an effective schedule for keeping your pathways lit.

Avoid social media travel plans.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Don’t post your travel plans on social media. If you post your plans before you leave, you are advertising that your home will be empty—almost like an open invitation for a home invader.

Don’t leave your car running to warm it up before leaving.

This simple cold-weather safety tip could save you the serious hassle of having to track down a stolen car. Try parking your car in a garage so that it doesn’t require warming up. If that isn’t possible, throw on a heavy coat and brave the cold temperatures. If you insist on a warm up, at the very least, leave it in a well-lit area with a clear line of sight.

Have a backup power supply.

Outages can be particularly troublesome from a winter safety perspective because of the severe temperatures. Keeping a generator or backup power supply on hand will help you get through those outages and could keep your alarm system up and running.

Keep holidays purchases out of plain sight:

With winter comes the holidays, which typically means lots of high-dollar purchases in the home. To truly practice winter safety, store your purchases out of sight both before and after the presents are opened.

Read more at: 10 Cold Weather Security Tips

Related Article Here: 6 Cold Weather Security Tips to Keep Your Home Safe and Warm

Many of us would love to travel during winter season. Yet, before you plan it out, consider the safety of your home first before leaving. By investing and asking for the residential locksmith services at Locksmith & Key Oak Park, you can be at ease while you are in vacation!

What to Do When Your Safe is Jammed

Are you having trouble opening your safe? Does it seem impossible to get inside your safe? Don’t panic! We understand that it can be very frustrating but when you panic, it only makes the situation appear worse than it is. When a safe is jammed, it usually happens when it is locked. At Locksmith & Key Oak Park in Oak Park, Illinois, we help customers with their safe need regularly, whether it is installing or helping you get inside. Our locksmiths handle it all. However, we also understand that there is some things that people would prefer to handle on their own and this happens to be one of them. We have outlined some steps to take to get your safe open. 
Time delay issues: If your safe has a time delay feature, this could be the problem right there. This means that after attempting to open it, you may have to wait up to 20 minutes before entering the code again. This might do the trick.  
Dead batteries: Yes, it could be something as simple as having dead batteries that need to be changed. Although you might have enough power going to the lock, there may not be enough going to the bolt. This means that your lock will still look normal, it will light up and beep. However, the issue may not be anything more than replacing the batteries. If you’re experiencing this problem more times than you can imagine, it might be due to your buying off-brand batteries. Off-brand batteries tend to lose power faster. 
Code deactivated: Your code might need to be rest if the safe is jammed. A locksmith is usually able to handle this for you. In some cases, the locksmith might even show you how to reset the code on your own. 
Damaged wiring: The wiring of your safe may need repairs if it is damaged. The wiring might need to be inspected. 
Steps to take if wiring is damaged  

• If the wiring isn’t loose or cut, then go ahead and disconnect the wiring temporarily and remover the batteries. After about 20 seconds you can try again by reconnecting the wires and putting the batteries back inside. 
• If you find that the wiring is damaged, you should contact one of our locksmiths. 

Lockout mode: When your safe uses a combination and you have incorrectly entered the code too many times in a row, the safe will automatically go into lockout mode. Some safes use a beep to indicate the keypad is locked. Waiting up to 20 minutes or more might allow you to reenter the code and try again later. However, prior to attempting to do this, make sure you have the right code so that you won’t have to go through the same thing again. 
Right Combination/ No Entry: If you have a combination lock with a three-wheel combination lock, you can do the following to gain access again: 

• Turn your dial toward the left four times until the first digit on your combination is aligned with the index opening. The fourth time around, make sure you stop on the right number. 
• Next, turn the dial to the right three times. Do this until the second digit aligns with the index opening. On the third time, make sure you land right on the number intended. 
• Now, you will need to turn the dial to the right and stop at 95 degrees. If it doesn’t stop, you will need to repeat it because it means you were off when you stopped on a number. Keep in mind the importance of stopping directly on the intended number to get the lock to open. 
• To lock it again, simply follow the aforementioned procedure but NOT stopping on any of the numbers that are a part of your combination. 

Are you still having a problem opening your safe? This might be time for you to find a qualified locksmith to assist you in opening your safe. We would strongly discourage you from drilling into the safe if you want to use it again. Drilling into the safe would mean that you would have to buy another safe. This isn’t necessary if you contact one of our locksmiths who are familiar with the way various safes operate. They are usually able to get you back inside your safe without a problem. 
If you can’t remember the combination you will need a trustworthy locksmith to help you get inside. Only rely on a locksmith that has a good reputation for being honest. You can find this information out by going on the Internet to read their business reviews. If they don’t have them, keep looking until you find one that has reviews. You’ll also need to check their credentials even when they arrive to handle the job. Making sure they are the ones that were sent by the service provider you hired is very important if you don’t want your safe to be opened by the wrong person.  

Some people assume that when a locksmith opens their safe they will not be able to use it again. We assure you that the opposite is true. Since locksmiths work with safes regularly, they know what is required to open them without incident. You should be concerned if someone without the proper credentials opens the safe for you. Only rely on a fully licensed, certified locksmith to open your safe. You should also make sure they have received a background check. Don’t be afraid to ask the locksmith service you contact. Every locksmith at Locksmith & Key Oak Park has been background checked and are the most trustworthy locksmiths in the Oak Park area.  

Chances are that when you rely on a locksmith, they will already be familiar with the issue and can effectively and quickly address your service needs. Don’t waste your time and effort trying to figure it out on your own when a locksmith is just a phone call away.

Lock and Key Types

Grab any primary school book that shows pictures of locks and keys and… surprise; they all look very similar! The classic image of a lock or a key shows the traditional key hole or slot and a key with a handle and jagged edged blade for inserting. Over the centuries, this has not changed much as this type of hardware is still being used today, but there are locking mechanisms that are now being used that our forefathers would simply not recognize or know how to use. 

 

Here at Locksmith & Key Oak Park, our technicians install, repair, replace and service locks, keys and related hardware for a vast range of needs and purposes. Take this simple test; look around your home, workplace or school and notice how many locks and related hardware are around you. This is true not only here in Oak Park, IL but everywhere in the world! Locks guard our homes, offices, cars, file cabinets, stores, mailboxes, banks, restaurants and even our personal diaries. There’s a reason for this; using locks and keys works! 
Locks and people go way back! 
Yes, it’s true; locks and keys have been in use for thousands of years; dating back to the ancient Sumerians, Chinese and Egyptians. Locks have guarded churches, tombs, palaces, armories, grain storage, temples, tombs and even harems. Over time, man has learned to put trust into good lock hardware and you should too.  
Use the correct lock for your needs! 
All locks protect something but not all locks are right for all needs. Some locks offer minimal protection and others are literally pick-proof. Locks can be lightweight, portable and inexpensive like a padlock on a high school locker or they can be built-in and have intricate mechanisms like biometric locks that detect subtle variations in fingerprints. On this page, we’ll discuss some of the more common locks and their usage. To find out more about any of these lock and key types, we urge you to call our shop or your local locksmith service of choice and get a free consultation and price quotes.  
Deadbolt locks 
Deadbolt locks can be used in both residential and commercial applications. Your deadbolt lock is installed in the door and is not portable like the padlocks mentioned above. Many refer to deadbolts as dead locks. They are operated by turning the lock cylinder with a key. A well installed deadbolt that is of good quality can be a huge deterrent for anyone attempting to gain illegal entry into or onto your property. They are usually installed in addition to the previous main lock and are used as a strong second line of defense in case the main lock is picked or somehow disabled. 
Transponder keys 
Some of the most widely used keys in circulation have an air of mystery about them, too. These are the automotive transponder keys that allow us to start our ignition systems. The word transponder means to transmit. That’s exactly what these keys do; they transmit a signal from the computer chip embedded in the head of the key, to your car’s on-board computer system. When that signal is recognized, the engine is allowed to start and off you go! Transponder keys are very difficult and expensive to duplicate and since their inception in the mid 1990’s, the rate of auto theft has drastically plummeted.  
Keyless entry 
One of the most dramatic forms of modern day lock and key types is keyless entry. The technology for this has been in use for decades but restricted mainly to the automotive industry. In the old days, keyless entry was for the special cars and their owners that could afford it. Now, more mainstream cars are using keyless entry and the advancements in its applications are quite astounding. You can lock and unlock your trunk and even start your engine using keyless entry and the remote that goes with it. More advanced systems will lock anyone out that enters the wrong key code too many times and sometimes, they are programmed to even call the police! Keyless entry is now used extensively in hotels, hospitals, museums, nursing homes, luxury condos and private offices. The future is very bright for this form of locks and keys! 
Cam locks 
Cam locks are everywhere, it seems! These small locks are easily recognized they their tail or “cam” that moves in a circular motion. They are commonly found in laundromats, file cabinets, desks and furniture cabinets. While they lock and use a key, they offer a minimum amount of lock security as they are easy to pick or to break into. 
High security locks 
These are high quality solid locks that are made of steel and not tin like their hollow counterparts. High security locks cannot be picked open or pried open. They are also impervious to lock bumping and even gun shots. They come in many forms and if you choose right, they can be affordable and long lasting. You can use high security locks in both residential and commercial buildings and come highly recommended by security experts and finer locksmith shops. 
Biometric locks 
This newer technology uses fingerprints and thumbprints to gain access instead of an actual key. While this sounds very much like James Bond or pure science fiction, it is reality and has actually been in use for some time. In fact, most late model iPhones use fingerprint technology to unlock the devices and use them. Biometric locks are used in home, medical and commercial uses and can even have battery back-up in the event of a power outage. 
Other locks 
There are so many other locks that the sheer number of them boggles the mind! Included in this list would be master locks, bump proof locks, garage door locks, mortise and cylinder locks, retina scanners, FOB keys, padlocks, double cylinder deadbolts and literally dozens more. To find which lock is best for your particular needs, we urge you to consult with an experienced and licensed locksmith in your local area. 

Home burglaries skyrocket in summer — here are some prevention tips

Since Vallejo is in California, and California was No. 1 in the country for State Farm theft claims in 2015, that company offers some anti-theft tips for summer vacationers.

“While December and January are top months for home theft due to the delivery of Christmas and holiday packages, July is also a top month for home theft because so many people are away from home on vacation, leaving their home unmonitored,” company officials said.

The average claim reaches nearly $3,000, they said.

There are measures you can take to protect yourself against a home burglary, State Farm officials said.

Outside your home:

• Install bright lights above your porches, yards, and entrances to your home and garage. For apartment dwellers, the outside of your building and the parking lot should be brightly lit. The more light, the fewer hiding places.

• Consider timers or photocell controls to ensure your outdoor lighting is on from dusk to dawn. Or consider motion-activated lighting. You can even combine dusk-to-dawn and motion-activated lighting with Hi/Lo sensors. These keep lights on at 20 percent of their brightness from dusk to dawn, and switch to full brilliance when motion is detected.

• Trim trees and shrubs around windows and doors. The less cover you give to burglars the better.

• If you’re away for a lengthy trip, have your lawn mowed or raked and have your driveway, porch, and walks cleared of leaves.

• Don’t let daily deliveries pile up while you’re away. Cancel newspaper delivery and ask your local post office to hold your mail for you. (You can go to the U.S. Postal Service website to stop your mail delivery.)

• Never leave notes that can tip off burglars to your plans.

• When you’re home, park your cars in the garage and close the garage door. This will make it less obvious that your home is unoccupied when you are away.

• Don’t leave tools or ladders in your yard. Burglars may use them to gain access into your home.

Inside your home:

• Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and doors from an attached garage. Look for a deadbolt lock that has been given a Grade 1 rating from the American National Standard Institute which tests and grades locks for security and durability.

• Pin-type locks or key locks work best to secure sliding patio doors. For extra security, cut a 2x4 to size and leave it in the door channel. You can also drive two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of burglars lifting the door out of the track. If you choose a keyed lock, be sure to keep the key somewhere easy to find for family members in case of a fire.

• To make locks more secure, install a heavy-duty strike plate using three-inch screws that penetrate the wall stud. Make sure the door strike is held in place by four or more screws. Strengthen the door frame by installing a door jamb reinforcement product.

• Consider buying two fire-resistant safes — one for valuables and one for important documents and data — and bolt them to the floor to protect them from theft.

• Think about installing an alarm system, preferably a monitored system that includes an audible alarm and strobe light to frighten away burglars.

• Set up contact sensors for points of entry, motion detectors, or security cameras that can sync to a home monitoring system and be programed to notify the owner via text, email, or phone call when someone enters the residence.

• Have automatic timers installed to turn lights on and off in different rooms at different times.

• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuables, including the date of purchase, price paid, and serial numbers.

• Lower the volume of your telephone so it can’t be heard outside.

• Change locks when you move into a new residence.

Original Article Here: Home burglaries skyrocket in summer — here are some prevention tips

Related Article Here: Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Home from Burglary

Home burglary rate keeps on increasing as the day passes. Don’t wait to become a victim of this! Secure your homes by upgrading your door locks. Need help? Locksmith & Key Oak Park can assist you!

SMART TIPS FOR CHOOSING SMART DOOR LOCKS

Connected home technology makes it easier than ever to ditch your house key for a smart door lock. But with so many on the market to choose from, figuring your best choice is tough.

The best choice comes down to personal preference and your particular needs. Before choosing which lock to get, here are some things to consider.

With or without keys

There are two basic design considerations for smart door locks: Those that require you to physically have something on you; for example, keys, a fob or a smartphone.

Then there are those that simply rely on you knowing a code or using a fingerprint or eyeball scan. Going keyless has some advantages. Let’s say you go for a jog or walk, you can go hands-free and not worry if you leave home without your keys.

Compatibility

Smart door locks are designed to work with your existing connected home system, so make sure the lockset you choose is compatible with yours. Learn more about types of connected home systems here.

Durability

Generally speaking, you should look for a high-quality lockset. ANSI Grade 1 is the best. And if you’re selecting a keypad model, choose one with a durable surface – the oils from hands can wear down the lettering so that numbers are rubbed off easily.

Original Article Here: SMART TIPS FOR CHOOSING SMART DOOR LOCKS

Related Video Here: 3 Best Smart Door Locks for Home 2017

Locksmith & Key Oak Park is now offering high end and quality locks for your homes and businesses. Don’t hesitate to call them!

Common home security system problems and their solutions

Home security systems are a must for every homeowner these days. Not only do they protect you and your family but also make residential colonies and neighbourhoods much safer. But no matter how good your home security system is, problems can still crop up and must be dealt with so that the house can be made safe again. The following is a list of the most common home security system problems as well as some of their solutions and fixes:

Compatibility issues with home security systems

The most common problem that can come up with your security system is compatibility issues. Sometimes when you purchase different security products from different manufacturers, then the devices may prove incompatible with each other.  They may thus not work properly and in such a situation you may either have to purchase additional devices to club them together or contact a professional who can help you connect them with one another.

Incomplete alarm cover from security cameras

Another common issue that may arise with a security camera is that its alarm coverage may be incomplete.  The limited area of surveillance may prove annoying since in that case, a few areas around your house may not be fully protected. In such a situation, you must either purchase broad angle security cameras or install them at such locations where you can get maximum coverage. The idea is to be careful and think smartly during the installation process itself.

Home security camera giving false alarms

A lot of people who have got home security cameras installed around their house with sensors may experience false alarms and this too can be pretty irritating.  False alarms usually go off during bad weather conditions or when birds fly past etc.  This can be due to extra sensitive sensors, wrong installation and manufacturing defects etc. The solution to this problem is to lower down the sensitivity level of the sensors or get the wiring etc checked by a professional. You can also get a mask feature created so that you can prevent motion detection in few parts of the house.

Vulnerable security systems

In some cases, it may be easy for hackers to hack into your system due to its vulnerable nature.  Hackers can steal the camera videos and thus monitor your activities and life from a remote destination. To prevent this and to solve this problem, you must opt for a security system which is redundant, encrypted wireless and wired in nature.

Original Article Here: Common home security system problems and their solutions

Related Article Here: Security Camera Problems And Their Respective Solutions

Locksmith & Key Oak Park is now offering affordable and reliable locksmith services in town! Call them now!