9 Home Security Tips

Did you know that a burglary happens every 20 seconds in the U.S., according to the FBI?1

Your home is one of your most valuable possessions, along with everything inside. It is a place you want to feel safe and secure from the potential dangers of the outside world. Employing and engaging in some basic best practices around home security is the first step to help create a secure environment for your loved ones and family.

Consider these tips to help keep you and your family, and your possessions, safe and secure.

1.      Landscape with safety in mind. As you walk around your property, look for areas that could be potential hiding spots for thieves, who prize the privacy they provide. Try and clear away any overgrown areas.

2.      Talk with your local police department. Ask your police department to come and inspect your home and property and provide suggestions to increase home security. They can also offer insight on past break-in trends in your area.

3.      Know your neighbors. Take the time to meet and engage with people on your street and encourage them to watch out for any suspicious activity when you are not home.

4.      Lighting matters. Lighting can set the right ambiance inside your home, but outdoor lighting can be the difference between your home being targeted – or not – by thieves. Motion-sensitive fixtures can help add security and provide light when needed. Also consider using automatic timers or a smart lightbulb that can be controlled remotely to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house to help make it seem like you are home.

5.      Avoid advertising that shopping spree. Thieves look for and steal newly-delivered boxes on your front porch, a method called porch pirating, so consider having them delivered elsewhere or requiring a signature for delivery. Thieves may also look at clues provided by your trash or recycling, which may indicate the new computer or flat-screen television inside.

6.      Set a safety routine. Make sure you establish a routine where you regularly lock all doors, shut windows and turn on your alarm system every time you leave your home. Avoid leaving spare keys outside, under a planter or under a welcome mat, as thieves know most of the potential hiding places.

7.      Manage visibility. Make sure you can see who is at your front door without opening it. Avoid placing valuables where they will be visible from the street, and do not place your home alarm panel in a place where people can see you arming it from the outside.

8.      Protect your outdoor valuables. Burglars also target sheds, garages and other outdoor buildings. Secure your grill, lawn mower, bicycles and other outdoor gear.

9.      Create a plan for when you are away. Hold your mail, stop your papers and ask a friend or neighbor to remove flyers from your property. Arrange for snow removal and lawn mowing so you do not advertise when you are away from home.

Original Article Here: 9 Home Security Tips

Related Article Here: Home Security Tips and Tricks

Don’t wait to become a victim of this alarming burglary rate! Secure your place by hiring a professional help from Dunwoody GA Locksmith!

9 Easy Tips to Make Your Home More Secure

Keeping your home secure doesn’t always have to break the bank. There are some security measures that are definitely worth investing in, but there are also some cheap and easy security tips which will provide you with extra security benefits, without needing a big investment.

By putting some of these security measures in place, you can improve the security level of your home, without having to spend thousands of pounds. Indeed, some of our tips don’t cost a thing, so there’s really is no excuse to leaving your home unsecured.

1. Well-lit homes are much less likely to be targeted. Burglars don’t want to be spotted whilst attempting to break into a house, so installing motion sensor lights or event just general exterior lighting will help to deter burglars.

2. Use light timers whilst you’re away. Leaving your home unoccupied can make you fear for the security of your property. By using light timers you can create the illusion that your home is still occupied, which will reduce the likelihood of it being targeted.

3. Don’t hide keys outside your home. Burglars can easily find any keys hidden outside, regardless of how well you believe you’ve hidden it.

4. Keep the exterior of your home in shape. By ensuring that your hedges are trimmed back and gardens are kept neat you are not only reducing the hiding spots for burglars to lurk in but also reinforcing the fact your home is occupied.

5. Use reinforced glass on all windows so that damaging them to gain entrance is a lot more difficult.

6. Install a wide angle peephole to your front door so that you can see who has come knocking.

7. Add good quality dead bolt locks to each entry point so burglars can’t easily break in.

8. CCTV systems will provide video evidence of anyone suspicious trying to scope out the area and will also provide police with any evidence if someone should break in.

9. Make an inventory of all the items in your home, this will make it easier to determine if anything goes missing following a break in, and is handy to have for insurance purposes.

Consider Investing In A Home Safe

The security tips listed above will all help you make your home that bit more secure or assist in you dealing with a break in more effectively. The best way to protect your valuable documents, jewellery, and sentimental items at home, however, is to have a home safe installed.

Original Article Here: 9 Easy Tips to Make Your Home More Secure

Related Article Here: Inexpensive Ways to Theft-Proof Your Home

Keeping your home must be your topmost priority before leaving your place. It’s time for you now to upgrade your locks. Contact Dunwoody GA Locksmith for solutions and get a free quote!

AN OVERVIEW OF DEADBOLTS: A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO SECURE YOUR HOME

If you’re seeking the best locks for your home, once you begin your search, you’ll soon see that there’s a virtually endless list of locks available. We all want our home to be a safe and secure place, a sanctuary where we can enjoy peace and quiet with our family and friends. When it comes to deciding on which locks will efficiently provide reliable security, any locksmith expert will tell you that deadbolts are an exceptionally effective, reasonably priced way to protect your place of residence.

Here are four of the most popular deadbolts:

The reason these locks are referred to as “dead” is because they don’t have springs to work the bolt. That is, a deadbolt has to be operated by hand, with a thumbturn or a key. The most well-recognized deadbolts are the following: single-cylinder, double-cylinder, lockable thumbturn, and jimmy-proof.

1.A single-cylinder deadbolt is the standard deadbolt lock that we normally imagine. Installed on a solid metal or wooden door, a key cylinder is placed on the outside, with a thumbturn on the inside to open and close it. The one weakness of a single-cylinder deadbolt is that if there’s any possibility of access to the inside (through a nearby window, or through the peephole), then the door could be opened by a thief using the thumbturn.

2.The double-cylinder deadbolt offers a way to remedy this flaw. It has a key cylinder inside the door as well as on the outside of the door. Accordingly, when the door is locked, a key is required to open it from the inside. A double-cylinder deadbolt is excellent if your door has glass, or if there is a window close to your door, because it keeps a burglar from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock it; but the disadvantage is that for security in case of a fire, you must have a key obtainable indoors at all times, accessible to any person who’s home, so that, if an emergency arises, everyone will be able to leave quickly in safety.

3.The lockable thumbturn deadbolt is a very beneficial deadbolt, which will provide you with outstanding security and flexibility. It gives you a perfect combination of the features of the single-cylinder along with the double-cylinder deadbolt. The way it works is that it has an interior thumbturn, which works like a single-cylinder deadbolt; additionally, it can also be locked with a traditional key, to stop the door from being locked or unlocked. This means you can leave the thumbturn in the unlocked position when you are at home, but it will still operate like a single-cylinder deadbolt. When everybody is away, especially if you’ll be out for an extended length of time, you can lock the thumbturn. Then, even if a robber somehow does gain access to your door, the deadbolt still can’t be unlocked.

4.A jimmy-proof deadbolt is a surface-mount lock, which is frequently seen on double doors, and often at apartment complexes. A surface-mount lock means that you screw the lock into the door’s inside, rather than with an intricate drill pattern, the way a basic deadbolt does. A jimmy-proof deadbolt is preferred by a good number of property owners, because it necessitates minimal door modifications. This type of deadbolt interlocks with the jamb bracket, preventing it from being pulled apart or from being forced open from the outside.

Let’s consider these other viable deadbolts:

Besides the four practical deadbolts we’ve looked at so far, there are also five more superior deadbolts, which any legitimate residential locksmith technician will likely recommend: mortise, vertical, rim, keyless, and digital.

1.The mortise deadbolt lock is a solid and durable lock, installed in a mortise or recess pocket, cut into the edge of the door. This makes it difficult for an intruder to tamper with it. One drawback is that, since you need to penetrate the door’s frame to make the hole, it may slightly weaken the structure of the door itself.

2.A vertical deadbolt is bolted on the top inside face of the door, which prevents a trespasser from prying it open by positioning a bar between the door and the frame (something that can be carried out by a knowledgeable criminal on some horizontal deadbolts).

3.The rim deadbolt also bolts to the inside face of the door, but the benefit of this sort of deadbolt is that it locks behind you automatically anytime you close the door. That way, you will never forget to lock it. Both the rim deadbolt as well as the vertical deadbolt involve relatively effortless installation procedures. One minor point regarding both the vertical deadbolt and the rim deadbolt is that they’re both somewhat ungainly, and therefore not as appealing as the standard deadbolt.

4.A keyless deadbolt is also mounted on the inside of the door; but there’s no keyhole. There’s a keypad instead, so rather than inserting a key, you enter a code. You won’t have to worry about losing your key ever again, or going into a panic over your keys being stolen. Furthermore, for extraordinary security, you can change the code as often as you like.

5.A digital deadbolt is also a keyless deadbolt, with a keypad instead of a keyhole; but it’s different in that, for it to function properly, it requires batteries or electricity. When you have a digital deadbolt, you must make it your habit to examine periodically the level of power on hand. You must keep the batteries fully charged at all times, so that in case of a power failure, your property will continue to stay secure.

To decide upon the best deadbolts for each purpose and situation in your home, bring all your questions to a dependable local locksmith you know you can count on. If you live anywhere in Dunwoody, Georgia, it would be a wise idea to hire a residential locksmith professional on staff at Dunwoody GA Locksmith, where free consultations are available.

Article source here: AN OVERVIEW OF DEADBOLTS: A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO SECURE YOUR HOME

DUNWOODY GA LOCKSMITH: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMMERCIAL SAFES

If you are a commercial property owner, you have a lot of responsibilities to manage. You have to ensure your investment is bringing in a profit, while also ensuring the property is as safe and secure as possible. Depending on the type of business you are running, you also may need to keep large quantities of cash or valuables safe. Businesses are prime targets for thieves, and you do not want to end up losing inventory. When it comes to keeping your cash, valuables, or important documents safe – a commercial safe may be a good choice. Commercial safes come in a wide variety of sizes, protection capabilities and materials, so you know that you will find a safe to suit your needs. Going through options can be a daunting task, so speaking to a professional locksmith can help.

 

Below you will find a brief description of some of the more popular commercial safe types on the market. You will learn some of the features offered with these safes. When it comes time to install your safe, a licensed and insured commercial locksmith can help get the job done right. Here are some different types of commercial safes, and what you can expect when you choose to use them.

COMMON TYPES OF SAFES

Safes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are all designed with different security measures in mind. If you are a business owner, the type of safe you choose will be tied into the kind of business on your property.

Deposit or Drop Safes

These types of safes are very popular in businesses that deal with a lot of cash, such as retail, grocery stores, restaurants and bars. These safes are made to protect small items (such as cash and documents). Deposit safes are often keypad operated. There is a slot at the top where employees or store managers can insert an envelope filled with the cash earnings for that day. This is good because all employees can deposit money, but only a select few will have the combination to the keypad to actually take the money back out. In fact, you can even have it where you (the business owner) are the only person who has the combination to the safe.

Fire-rated Safes

Just like the name implies, these safes are specifically designed to protect the contents from a fire. These safes come in a variety of fire-ratings, and the safes are professionally tested to ensure they will protect the contents in a fire. If you are in the restaurant business, you may want a fire-rated safe, since you are working with cooking materials on a daily basis.

Office Safes

Just like deposit safes, these are an in-demand choice for retail, restaurant, as well as corporate settings. These safes generally are fire-rated as well, and come with drop test technology. This means that the safe is built to withstand being dropped on the floor by a burglar. These options can be bolted into the floor itself, adding an extra layer of security. Or you can opt for a free-standing model. When you speak to your commercial locksmith, you can go through your options and decide which option would work best for your business.

Data or Media Safes

Data protection is increasingly important…especially as computers play a larger role in business. It can be hard to keep your data protected (in case of fire) because media devices and hard drives are usually not fire resistant. Data safes are manufactured to protect hard drives and other media storage devices from smoke damage and high temperatures.

In Floor Safes

These type of safes are very popular, because they can be easily concealed. Just like the name suggests, these are safes that are installed in the ground. They are usually installed between concrete slabs. The safe can then be covered with a rug or piece of furniture. This would be a great option for a jeweler. The safe itself can be hidden from detection, so no one has to know it is there except for you.

High Security Safes

These safes are usually the most expensive type of commercial safe on the market. These safes offer the highest level of protection and security. Some features that make this safe so impenetrable are the multiple layers they contain (to prevent drilling into the safe). The safe also comes with multiple locking mechanisms – if a potential breach is detected, these extra mechanisms will spring into action to prevent any forced entry attempts.

Many safes are made to fall into multiple categories. For example, a deposit safe can be installed in floor and be fire-rated. This provides more security to you. Safes are an investment, but it is worth it to make sure that your cash and valuables are always protected. It can be devastating to lose a large amount of cash, inventory or important documents. It is best to put security measures in place before anything transpires.

As you can see, there are many commercial safe options available to you. Depending on your type of property, you will have to weigh various factors to see what safe would work best for you. Some factors to consider are the contents of the safe, whether you are most worried about theft, or if your biggest worry is protecting your contents from smoke and fire damage. As I said, a commercial locksmith is the best person to discuss these factors with. A commercial locksmith has experience in all types of different properties, and they also have experience with different business types – so they can walk you through the pros and cons of different safe types for your business.

If you are in Dunwoody, GA, the best bet is to call the professional team at Dunwoody GA Locksmith. Our locksmiths are licensed and insured, and can help you choose the best solution for you. Our company offers free consultations and free price quotes, so you can ask us all the questions you’d like.

Article source here: DUNWOODY GA LOCKSMITH: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMMERCIAL SAFES

Keep Safe and Secure in Your New Apartment

Living in an apartment building certainly has its advantages. The idea of no longer having to do yard work is appealing to most guys. Having access-controlled entry into the building might be most appealing to a single female living alone. Whatever your reason is for choosing to move into an apartment, you have likely given it some serious consideration. Now that you have decided to move into an apartment, we feel as though it is our obligation to make sure you know what you can do to help protect yourself and your home. You may think it is safer to live in an apartment than a house. This is not true. There are still ways that person can experience a home invasion. At Dunwoody GA Locksmith in Dunwoody, GA, we offer some useful things you can do to help you remain safe and avoid a break-in.

To Do……Before Moving In

• Have Locks Replaced

When we say have locks replaced, we mean have them replaced with completely new locks. Some landlords will move locks around instead of replacing existing locks with a new lock. The problem with this is that there is still someone out there who has a key to the lock that is placed on your door. You could take matters into your own hands by purchasing your own lock and asking how you can have it installed. This ensures that you know for certain that there is a new lock on your door.

• Have a Peephole Installed

While most apartments have a peephole, there are still some that do not. A peephole is something that you get accustomed to when you live in an apartment. Even most home doors have a peephole to alert the tenants of the property of who is arriving at their door. If you’re not expecting someone, it helps to quickly identify exactly who you are opening or not opening your door to. If you notice that there is no peephole on your apartment, ask management how you can have one installed.

• Make Sure You Have Appropriate Window Coverings

If you like sunlight to stream through your home, you may be reluctant to place anything over your windows. However, having them serves as a protection. When people can see into your home, they are privy to what you have inside. An intruder will more likely take the chance of breaking into a home when they know what they stand to gain. Don’t give anyone the honor of knowing what you have inside your home. Buy window coverings that you cannot see through, even when they are drawn.

• Research Crime in the Area

You might get so excited that you do not even ask about the rate of crime or if there is any crime in the area. The leasing office of an apartment complex isn’t usually going to volunteer this information to you. However, we are here to tell you that this isn’t something that should be overlooked. We encourage you to inquire at the leasing office and to also see if you can get a report from the police department. Another way to find out about the crime in the area is to go online to CrimeReports.com and CrimeMapping.com.

• Property Maintenance

You should definitely take a look around the property to see how well maintained the property is. Check for broken windows, broken light bulbs in parking area, cracked drywall and debris in the parking lot. If you notice that the maintenance department isn’t attending to these basic things, it is highly unlikely that the landlord will concern themselves with the safety of its tenants.

• Pay Attention to Lighting

A burglar doesn’t want to be detected and this is why they will hang around the areas of an apartment building that have the least amount of light. You should check to make sure there is enough lighting in the walkways, mail area, laundry facility, parking lot, elevators and other entrances. If there is not sufficient lighting in these areas, it could pose a threat to your safety and security. It isn’t uncommon for the lights to be out in one area but if they are out in several areas of the building, this is the downfall of the maintenance department of the apartments maintenance department.

 

To Do……. After Moving In

• Secure Any Sliding Glass Doors

If you have sliding glass doors, do not overlook the need to make sure they are also secure. This might require you to purchase a bar to place over the track or a bar lock to secure the door. Most sliding glass doors come with a latch that only keeps the door closed; it doesn’t secure the door. To make it more difficult for an intruder to compromise the latch, add a lock to any of your sliding glass doors.

• Put Window Coverings Over Your Windows

If you’re living in an apartment without blinds or curtains, do something about this. When you do not have anything over your windows, people can see straight inside your apartment. This is a real problem because you’re letting those on the outside see what they stand to gain if they get inside your apartment. Don’t give others the benefit of knowing what you have inside your home. A burglar is less likely to break-in if they do not know whether or not the risk is worth it. Invest in good blinds or curtains that actually keep others from seeing inside your home.

• Get a deadbolt lock

Just because you already have a lock on your entryway door doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from having another one on your door. Many homeowners place a deadbolt lock on every entryway door in their home. This serves as added protection.

These are all very simply things that you can do before and after you have moved into an apartment to ensure your safety and security. Take the extra steps and you’ll be able to maintain your peace-of-mind in knowing that you have done all that you can to protect yourself.

Article source here: Keep Safe and Secure in Your New Apartment

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAR KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION

As a nation of car drivers, we use our ignition keys a lot. We think nothing of hopping in the car, turning the ignition key to START and taking off to wherever our destination plans lead us. We do this so much that the process is pretty much automatic and we hardly notice the act of starting the engine at all. That is until you suddenly discover that your ignition key won’t come out! Now, all of a sudden we are aware of a problem and the more you think about it; the worse the situation can seem. How are you supposed to leave the car and go about your business if you can’t even remove the key? How can you possibly lock the car doors without getting the key back out? Should you apply more pressure to remove it? What if it’s too much and the key breaks off? Here at Dunwoody GA Locksmith we handle stuck ignition keys all the time. You may need our services or that of another local Dunwoody, GA lock and key professional for this very reason. That’s why we’ve put together this post; to help you with fast and easy solutions in case your ignition key ever decides to get stubborn and stay put!

What to do first!

The first rule of thumb in situations like these is to simply remain calm. We know; we know; it’s easy to say, but hard to do! This is especially true if you have a busy day planned. You might be on your way to an important job interview. Or, you might be in the process of picking up your child from school or camp. Being busy people, we tend to stay focused on our next destination or goal so having to deal with a stuck ignition key can really throw you off base (and schedule!).

So try your best to get and remain calm. Big stress often leads to hurried and wrong decisions. If your ignition key won’t come out, take a deep breath and try to relax. Then, put on the parking brake. You are going to try different solutions on your own. Don’t worry; no mechanical skill whatsoever is needed for these. If you can operate a car, you can do these simple items and they might just save you some time, stress and money if you can avoid a service call!

You may be wondering “why put on the parking brake?” but think about it. You are sitting in a metal vehicle weighing several thousand pounds. You are trying to make small adjustments to your situation so that your key can be removed. The LAST thing you want is for your car to roll back or lurch forward all of a sudden!

Next!

Is your parking brake on? Good! Now try gently moving the ignition key back and forth. Gently now; you don’t want to have your stuck key problem compounded by suddenly needing broken key extraction AND transponder key duplication services! If this gentle turning motion did the trick; great! If not, check to see if you are in the right gear. You need to be in PARK. Not in-between gears or in DRIVE or NEUTRAL. Your vehicle has a safety feature that will not release the key if you are not in gear. Can you imagine how you would feel if you were driving along and you accidentally bumped your ignition key so that it came out while you were going 75 mph on the freeway!

Steering wheel 

At any time you can try moving your car’s steering wheel back and forth a few times. Usually this will unlock your ignition key and release it back to you. While doing this, be sure to check to see if your battery is still working and not drained. You can do this be trying your windshield wipers, car radio, or headlights. Here in Dunwoody, GA we use our heaters in winter and sometimes this can drain our batteries when combined with headlights, radio and other items that run off of battery power. If your vehicle’s battery is run down your car’s computer will not be able to recognize the signal sent from your transponder chip and this can make your ignition key stop working.

Wrong key!

Yes, it’s possible! People sometimes stick the wrong key in the ignition cylinder; not on purpose of course, but it’s easy to do when you are distracted, rushed or trying to multi-task. Just because the key goes in easily, it’s not guaranteed to come right out without a struggle. If this happens to you, try using a hammer or other flat surface to lightly tap on the top of the key. This can loosen the key to the point of withdrawal but once in a while it drives it in further so be careful!

Wear and tear

Both ignition keys and ignition switches have life cycles and don’t last forever. Over time and with enough use, they will wear down and sometimes key sticking is a result. You can delay this by ONLY using your ignition key for starting your engine or opening your car door and not for other things like ripping open boxes, popping open cans or puncturing surfaces.

Lock cleaning

Sometimes you can lubricate and clean the ignition lock by spraying some electrical contact cleaner on it. Follow this action by spraying some silicone lock lubricant on it. The combination of the two sprays will act as both a cleaner and a lubricant and may just be enough to allow your key to now come out.

Get professional help

Still no key? It may be time to call in the experts. Dunwoody, GA is home to many automotive locksmith shops (including ours!) so don’t hesitate to call for professional help. A full service, mobile locksmith can be soon be on his way to your location to expertly and safely extract your stuck ignition key with a minimum of expense and time spent.

 

Article source here: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAR KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION

THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF PANIC BARS AT YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

If you have a public commercial building of any sort, then you’re likely aware that “panic hardware” is required at your facility, so that you’ll be following the law in providing proper ingress and egress in case of an emergency. A panic bar is a push bar that must be installed on every exit door, which allows people to get out in a hurry. An unobstructed and uninterrupted departure path leading to a place of safety is also necessary. These doors are often required in restaurants, malls, taverns, schools, and other public places. It’s essential that you obey the law when it comes to safeguarding all the people in your commercial property. If you’re not up to code, you won’t pass inspection and you’ll have to be shut down. When you install these critical devices, you’ll be protecting the life and safety of every occupant ~ visitor, customer, and personnel alike.

Panic hardware consists of a latching device, with a touchpad or crossbar spanning across at least half of the width of the door, which releases the latch when it’s pushed. Panic hardware is also referred to as a “crash bar” or “exit device”; for fire doors, it’s called “fire exit hardware.” This dedicated hardware is used where required by code to make it possible for large groups of people to make a hasty exit. It also provides increased resilience.

Whenever you install panic hardware on balanced doors, a touchpad-style device has to be used. The touchpad shouldn’t extend more than halfway across the door. In general, code requirements prohibit the installation of any other kind of lock on a door with panic hardware, except for electromagnetic locks released by a sensor or switch. Basically, at all times, anyone who has to get out must be able to get an exit route door open from the inside ~ without having to use any tools or keys, and without knowing any sort of specialized information.

Panic bars are made to prevent entry from the opposite side of the door. On the inner side, they ensure a fast exit in an emergency. A panic bar locking only from the outside is allowed on an exit discharge door. Normally, rooms with electrical equipment must include fire exit hardware or panic hardware that permits a professional technician to escape in case of a fire or an explosion.

The International Fire Code (IFC), the International Building Code (IBC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Code are the most common building and fire safety codes in the United States. You’ll need to determine which code, and which edition of that code, applies to your particular building. Local codes in your area may oblige you to hold to some additional requirements. Be sure you’re fully compliant.

Most people have trouble concentrating when they find themselves in a crisis, so it’s crucial that you correctly install all your panic bars to avoid mishaps. Adhere to all regulations, and routinely maintain these indispensable doors. Properly installed panic hardware that continues to function smoothly will make a huge difference in life-or-death situations.

Installed on doors that open to the outside, panic bars are available in numerous styles. Most come equipped with an alarm ~ preventing people who are leaving from taking stolen items with them, or from avoiding paying a tab. Constructed vertically or horizontally, all panic bar door openers operate the same way: When the bar is pushed, the door opens. The exact number of exit doors required, and the style guidelines you have to follow depend on the size, height, and type of your building, as well as its purpose and occupancy level.

The requirements affect doors that either lock or latch. For instance, panic hardware isn’t required on a free-swinging door with only a pull handle and push plate. The prevailing code requires panic hardware for only specific occupancy types. A property designated as “assembly occupancy” is commonly a space or building where large groups gather, such as a stadium, theater, or gymnasium. An “educational occupancy” facility refers to a school for children, up to the end of high school. A building that’s used for college classrooms is considered “business occupancy”; some college classrooms (used as lecture halls for example) are big enough to be classified as assembly occupancy. The NFPA 101 Code includes a separate occupancy classification for “daycare occupancy,” a place where daycare is provided to children or adults. A “high-hazard occupancy” (any area containing a high level of hazardous materials) is a place susceptible to explosions.

The push pad on any panic bar must be at least half the door’s width. When you install a panic device, follow the template included with the bar’s packaging to mark the door to see where to place it. The template will instruct you on where to drill the holes and where to mount the hardware. Customarily, the center of the panic bar’s push pad ought to be at a standard height of 41” from the floor. This can vary in schools and daycare facilities. When you attach the panic bar to the door, only use the screws included in the packaging, so you won’t void the warranty. After installing the panic bar, test the push pad to make sure it’s functioning properly.

Panic hardware comes in various kinds. Rim devices are easily installed, and require minimal maintenance. The panic hardware with surface vertical rods is more difficult to install, which means hiring a professional. There is also a panic bar with a concealed vertical rod, which is more costly and also a little more difficult to install. How to decide? It’s important to choose the correct panic bar for each door, based upon your building’s parameters as discussed above. In most cases, it’s really best to hire a professional.

If your commercial property is located in Dunwoody, Georgia, consider a reputable security professional such as a mobile commercial locksmith specialist on staff at Dunwoody GA Locksmith, someone who will be eminently qualified to help you choose exactly the right panic bars for all your building’s evacuation doors.

Article source here: THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF PANIC BARS AT YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Dunwoody GA Locksmith: The Benefits of a Keyless Entry System

These days, many businesses and homeowners are reaping the benefits of the newest keyless entry systems. As security technologies continue to evolve, keyless security has become something that’s widely available and much more affordable. Many of these will grant you access to a property using a special swipe card or electronic fob, instead of your standard keys. Of course, not all of these systems are created equal, and some of them will diverge greatly in pricing and sophistication. But there are numerous options to choose from these days: from coded systems right up to fingerprint scanners and CCTV-controlled monitoring.

As with any security innovation, a keyless entry system comes with many benefits. Here are just some of the things that have made these a popular choice for property owners all over the world:

No more keys! 

We’ll start with the obvious point first. With a keyless entry system, you won’t need to stress over losing your keys, having them fall into the wrong hands, or having to constantly fumble around to find the right key for your lock. You may have heard the sage advice of always rekeying your locks when you move into a new home – with a keyless system, all you need to do is set up a new code. Easy as that!

Higher deterrence 

Petty thieves are looking for a quick haul. They want to get into a property, get their loot, and get out. A keyless system makes this much harder for them – if they were wanting access to a property, they would need to learn how to hack your security mechanisms. Even a tech-savvy criminal knows this would take up much valuable time – and that they would likely be caught in the act doing so (remember what we said about CCTV footage?). In short, breaking into a keyless entry system is too much of a hassle to your average burglar, and that is enough of a deterrent on its own.

Easy to install and use 

Keyless technologies are designed to be quite intuitive. Once you have installed one of these systems into your home or business building, all you need to do is set up your combination and get monitoring. If you have a high influx of people coming in and out of your property, or you would like to have a separate code that someone else can use, that is pretty easy to do as well. In fact, one of the great advantages of a keyless system – especially for businesses – is that you can add or delete people’s access to it as you wish.

Provides real-time monitoring 

Not only through camera surveillance, but through live logging of which keys or codes have been used and when. That way, you will know who has entered and exited your home or commercial property at any given day or time. If anything goes amiss, all you have to do is go back through your records to identify who might be responsible for your troubles.

Gives you more control over property access 

One of main issues with lost keys is that you will likely need to rekey your locks in order to be sure no one is able to enter the property without your knowledge. Likewise, keys can be easily copied and given away – to your neighbor, employees who shouldn’t have access to specific areas and so on. Especially in latter case, a keyless system makes it easier to impose restrictions – you can have a master code for managers, and access cards for personnel confined to their designated work areas. Some systems even allow a master user to provide people with remote access to their property – so if someone loses their code, or needs access outside business hours, this can be done without much effort.

 

As you can see, there are so many benefits that come with state of the art keyless technologies. Think this is the best choice for you? Then make sure to read our final recommendations

How can I get one of these systems for myself?

Simple! Whether you are wanting to upgrade your residential or commercial security, a qualified locksmith will help you find the best keyless system for your property. They will be able to tell you the pros and cons of each option available, and will install these for you effortlessly. What’s more, if you need help setting up your code and monitoring your systems, they will gladly explain how everything works.

If you need a few pointers about selecting a good locksmith, here’s what you need to do:

• Be sure that you are hiring a local professional with a fully verifiable address. Locksmiths outside your area will charge extra for mileage and some scammers will list fake addresses to trick people into digging deep into their pockets. Never hire a business you can’t trace a physical address back to, as this is a huge red flag.
• Get a few recommendations from family, neighbors, friends, or anyone else you know and trust. Referrals are the best way to glean a business’s reputation. Jot down a couple of business names and call each one of them to ask about the options they have available.

• On that note: check whether your chosen locksmith business actually offers the services you are looking for. Some lock and key operations may only focus on residential assistance, others just automotive, and a handful may provide you with a fully-inclusive set of solutions. Make sure to clarify this first before going any further.
• Other things to ask the person you are talking to on the phone: information about licensing and insurance, client references in the area, how long the business has been in operation, and a full cost breakdown of the options you have selected.

Are you a homeowner or business owner in Dunwoody, GA? Consider discussing some of the options our licensed and insured professionals can deliver. Dunwoody GA Locksmith is a local operation that ticks all the right boxes – be it credentials or access to some of the latest keyless technologies.

No matter where you live, or what type of property you own, a keyless system is always a great investment. As you can see, these can bring a great deal of peace of mind over all aspects of security – from controlling who can access your property to the simplicity that comes from no longer needing to rely on multiple keys. We hope we have helped you get thinking about your next security upgrade!

Article source here: Dunwoody GA Locksmith: The Benefits of a Keyless Entry System

How Do I Hire An Effective Locksmith

When you have to depend on the services of a locksmith in Dunwoody, GA, might think that it will be hard to find one that is actually effective. To find a reputable and reliable locksmith like Dunwoody GA Locksmith isn’t as difficult as you might think it is when you know what to look for. Getting the most from your experience with a locksmith requires you to do some research. This is well-worth the effort if you do not wish to waste your money or time with someone who can’t handle the job. Don’t jump at the first locksmith that says they can address your service needs simply because they offered you the help at a price you couldn’t refuse. There are service providers who will promise you the earth, moon and stars and not deliver. This doesn’t justify getting low cost service if they can’t effectively handle the job. That is why it is important that you find out as much about a particular service provider upfront prior to hiring them to assist you with your lock or key needs.

Here a couple of helpful suggestions on finding an effective locksmith in your area.

The Quote

Whenever you ask a locksmith if they can provide you with a written quote and they refuse, run! Often this is because they are attempting to charge you what they want based on their needs. You should never have to force a locksmith to provide you with a written quote. Be on the lookout for those locksmith services who will give you one quote and then change the quote upon arrival. If this occurs, you can simply let them know that that was not the initial price quoted to you and that you will find someone who honors their quotes. Get several different quotes and go with the one that you feel is best locksmith suited for the job.

Trustworthy & Reputable

Doing your research might involve asking others about their experiences with locksmith providers in the area. Most people are helpful in this regard. They don’t mind sharing information about the service provider whether the experience is good or bad. It makes it easier to decide if you will go with a particular service provider or not based on other peoples experiences with them. Check out the many reputable online review sites to find out what other customers are saying about the services they have received. If someone is taking the time to write a review, this means they either had a really good experience or a really bad experience. Either way, you’ll be able to get a good idea of the type of service offered by a specific locksmith in Dunwoody.

Qualifications & Affiliations

A professional locksmith services is usually associate with several professional locksmith associations or organizations. By qualifying to be a part of these groups, it shows that the service provider is serious about their craft and that they want to be able to provide their customers with a good experience. They make sure that they are keeping up with the latest technology to ensure a more efficient service experience. Some of these groups make it very difficult to be a part of but those who are serious about being associated with a professional trade group will do whatever it takes.

Time Doing Business

It is usually a very good sign if a company has been around for a long time. Just because a locksmith service is family owned doesn’t mean that it is a good service. If a service provider has been in business for a long time, this means that there is something that they are doing right. It doesn’t matter if they are family owned and operated or not. This is often told to customers in an attempt to win their business but shouldn’t be used as a basis for hiring a locksmith. Those who take over the family business may lack the knowledge or understanding of how to effectively do business or the job. This would be totally counterproductive for you.

References

Getting referrals is a great way to get your hands on a good service provider. However, you still need to be careful. Now days you can’t just let anyone come inside your home who is recommended to you. The person providing you with the recommendation must be someone who is discerning and trustworthy. A close friend or family member, who isn’t going to get some type of kickback, is a great place to start. Never be reluctant to ask the locksmith service that you are considering if they would be able to provide you with references. Those who are eager to do so are confident in what will be said about their services. This is a great sign that they are an effective service provider.

Credentials

Again, you can’t let just anybody in your home and that is why it is always best to ask for the credentials of a service provider before doing so. Get a copy of the services business license or certifications that they may have. If they cannot provide proof of their business, this probably isn’t the place you want to do business with. If they are reputable, they will often provide this information without hesitation. Some may say that they can get this information online. While this is true, the objective is to see just how forthcoming they will be in offering you the requested information.

Look at ID

Even after getting all of the above information, you still need to make sure that the person coming to perform the job is whom the service provider you contacted sent. Prior to letting them inside your home, ask them to show you id. They might have on a uniform with the company name on it but may no longer work for the company, therefore, it might even be a good idea to ask for the name of the locksmith they are sending to your home.

Article source here: How Do I Hire An Effective Locksmith

Various Kinds of Locks

Locks and keys go together like bread and butter, car and driver, and tea and honey. Even small children understand that locks protect the things that are important to us. Humans have used locks for thousands of years to protect their possessions from theft, harm, and misuse. As far back as ancient Babylon people have used locks to protect treasure, personal belongings, tribute, and even goods for the gods. Today, thousands of years later, we use locks for the same reason; to protect our property and our valuables and to gain privacy for ourselves and our families. Our modern day locks range from basic lock tumblers and keys, all the way to advanced fingerprint technology and chip encoded identity badges that allow us to enter buildings and can track our whereabouts at all times. Here at Dunwoody GA Locksmith we specialize in all kinds of locks and lock technology including these examples:

Deadbolt Locks

Most homes today have a deadbolt installed on the front door for added security. Even the best deadbolts are affordable and easy to buy and install. They provide peace of mind as well as a welcome second layer of protection. Here in Dunwoody, GA like most places in the country, burglars want fast and easy access to your property and once they get past your door locks they don’t want to have to bypass your deadbolt, as well. Usually they will give up and move on to another property or quit the burglary attempt completely, out of frustration. Having a deadbolt buys you additional time to arm yourself and/or to call for help. Deadbolts for residential and commercial use are readily available in single and double cylinder models from most locksmith shops and hardware stores. Be sure to ask your favorite Dunwoody, GA locksmith professionals for additional details on these handy and very helpful locks

Padlocks

We’ve all used padlocks! If you’ve ever locked a shed, storage room or bicycle, you’ve used a padlock. Padlocks are portable and removable so you can use them in dozens of ways to protect many forms of property. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased online or in local stores. Padlocks can be opened with a simple key or by using a combination sequence. Padlocks can be tiny, as in the case of locking a diary or jewelry box. They are much larger and more durable when locking a warehouse or industrial garage door. Using a key is a simpler form of locking your padlock as you don’t have to remember a key code or combination. One drawback of the tiny padlocks is that they are very easy to open using a screwdriver or a simple hammer.

Mortise Locks

The mortise lock is most often used in residential front doors. Mortise means “recess” and these locks are recessed inside the door frame as opposed to being mounted on the surface of the door. Your door needs to be at least 2 inches thick in order to install these. You can open one of these locks from the inside by simply turning to handle. You can lock them from the outside by using your key and then pulling down on the latch. Often these locks are hard to install yourself so we recommend that you call a local residential locksmith like our shop for help. These locks are generally more secure and much stronger than typical cylinder locks and are very hard to open by burglars. The latest studies show that most crooks tend to give up if the lock is not picked open in the first 30 seconds of the crime.

Cam Locks 

You can find cam locks on low level security items like lock boxes, mailboxes, and file cabinets. These locks use a small tail piece that is made of metal. This tail piece moves in and out of a slot by turning the key. Keys can rotate either clockwise or counter clockwise to lock. As we mentioned, these are used as low level security protection. They are very affordable and easy to change, or install yourself.

 

 

Keyless Locks

Just like the name says, these locks do not use keys. They are used at home and at businesses. With keyless locks you never have to worry about lost or forgotten keys or broken-off keys as they are simply not used at all. Instead a keypad is used with a number sequence entered. Also, you can use fingerprint lock technology in place of physical keys. Keypads are becoming more popular as the key code or combination can be changed any time needed. Think about it; if someone in your family or business has given out your code or combination you don’t need new locks. Just change your key code! Modern keyless locks are also made to sound an alarm if one or more incorrect entries is made into the keypad. This keeps burglars from standing outside your door trying one code after another!

Knob Locks

These are usually residential locks and can be found on front doors or interior doors they have a rotatable knob on one side and a key cylinder on the other side. Iff you use knob locks on your front door or back door they should always be used with a deadbolt as its relatively easy to take a hammer and simply smash the knob while using a pair of pliers to disengage the inside mechanism. These knob locks are very easy to pick open and here at Dunwoody GA Locksmith we don’t recommended them for home use unless you add additional hardware.

High Security Locks

Our Dunwoody GA Locksmith experts recommend high security locks as they offer the ultimate in lock protection and security. They can protect both your home and your business. They are often called pick-proof locks. Unlike standard common locks that are usually made of hollow tin, high security locks are made of solid brass. They use an interlocking bolt that is impossible to force open with a screwdriver or even with a crowbar! High security locks also have steel inserts that are strategically placed in the lock to prevent a burglar from drilling it open. The entire lock is also secured with a metal cover that prevents objects from being slipped between the lock and the door in order to manipulate it open. You can’t drill, pick, or even bump open a high security lock! Surprisingly, they are easy to afford and come with guarantees and warranty protection.

Article source here: Various Kinds of Locks