SECURITY FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Locks, keys and security hardware protect our belongings and assets. You can find locking mechanisms on cars, jewelry cases, lockers, storage rooms, offices, mailboxes and other items that are of value to us. Knowing this, it just makes sense to get the best security that we can for our homes. After all, we live there and so do our loved ones, family members, pets and once in a while, our guests. We also keep our private belongings at home and these can include furniture, clothing, books, treasured mementos, photographs, art, jewelry, electronics, and other items that bear worth or mean a lot to us. Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith also knows that one of the most valuable things of all is found at home; privacy!

Who or what is the threat?

It isn’t always obvious. Sure, burglars and home invaders are on the list but really no one has business entering your home unless you invite them to. This includes nosy neighbors, vagrants, homeless, salespeople, relatives, church friends, even local government and law enforcement (without just cause). We can’t just rely on good manners to keep these folks out so most homeowners and renters rely on residential security for basic and advanced protection while at home.

Let’s hear it for door locks!

Every home, condo or apartment in Johns Creek, GA has to have door lock on it when it is sold or rented; it’s the law. The problem is not whether it has a lock, but how GOOD is that lock? It’s a sad fact but 90% of these front door locks can be opened in mere seconds by just about anyone, even a middle school student! You see scenes on television where government agents, spies or police can pick their way into your home. Or, they just kick the door in! In reality, it is much simpler as most all door locks can be pried, bumped, picked, or smashed open rather quickly, too. The reason for this is simple. Builders have to add a door lock on any home that is built or sold. Nothing says it has to be a good one. Better quality locks are considered upgrades. A basic home is not going to have granite counters, spa tubs, blazing fireplaces, double pane windows or upgraded locks. The saying “you get what you pay for” holds true here.

Lock bumping

Lock bumping is an easy and super-fast way to get into any home. You buy or make a bump key, insert it in any door lock, lightly bump or tap it which jumbles the interior pins about and seconds later, the lock is opened. There are even videos online telling you where and how to get the key and how to bump a lock. Not only are most homeowners vulnerable to this, but lock bumping also leaves no trace of forced entry! Try filing an insurance claim or even a police report with no evidence that anyone actually broke in!

What to do about all this!

First of all, relax! Even in these higher crime times, there are affordable and simple solutions that you can implement almost immediately. Start by locking your doors when at home and not just at night or when you are out and about. Good habits are formed by repetition so always remember to lock your front and back door whenever you think about it. You don’t have to be paranoid but taking an extra precaution like this can pay big dividends later. If you have children, teach them to do the same. Unless you live in a small town where “everyone knows your name” and watches each other’s houses, you really must rely on good door locking habits. A huge percentage of home burglaries take place not just here in Johns Creek, GA but all over the country, because the crook simply just walked in!

Deadbolt security

Does your home have a deadbolt lock on the front door? Not just any deadbolt lock, but a good one? Believe it or not, this small piece of hardware can be a huge deterrent to someone trying to gain illegal access to your home. Most all burglars want “fast and easy” access. Unless you have priceless art or mounds of gold bars in your house, most burglars simply want to get in and get out with your cash, electronics or jewelry. Once they get past your door lock they DON’T want to try to circumvent your deadbolt, too! Most will simply give up in frustration and move on to another home. Taking the time to bypass your deadbolt allows you extra time to call police or even arm yourself. They don’t want that!

High security locks

Strongly consider having bump proof or high security locks installed at your home. They are not expensive and the do work! These locks cannot be picked open. They also cannot be pried, smashed, bumped or even blasted open. This is because they are built better and stronger than conventional locks. We invite you to call Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith or your favorite local Johns Creek lock and key shop and find out more. It will be well worth your while!

Rekey your locks

By having your locks rekeyed, you do three things. Your locksmith can remove any remaining master pins that still remain in your lock from original installation. These pins tend to weaken your lock and put it at risk for easier lock picking. Also, rekeying eliminates the use of all keys that have been used to date. This is because the inside pins and springs are changed so that only new keys can be used. When you think of all the key duplicates that have been in circulation since your house was built, it can be mind boggling. Any one of these in the wrong hands can have bad consequences for your home security. As you can see, making some small and inexpensive changes to your habits and door locks can provide tremendous amounts of home security and protection.

Article source here: SECURITY FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

The Importance of Panic Bars for a Commercial Property

Panic bars are a common security addition in buildings that see a large amount of people enter them on a daily basis. You will have seen them installed on the doors of hospitals, schools, corporate buildings, churches, concert venues, shopping malls and in many other spots. They may be prevalent, but do you know how important these are for any commercial property? That’s what we are going to discuss today.

Also known as crash bars, push bars or exit devices, these security mechanisms rely on a tumbler lever lock designed for the easy opening and closing of a door during an emergency. As its name suggests, a horizontal, spring-loaded metal bar is fitted across the inside of the door. The door is activated by pushing this bar, unlatching and allowing you to open the door outwards.

The best way to explain its importance is to highlight some of the main reasons why all businesses should consider installing these into their commercial properties.

Legal matters

In some areas, having panic bars in commercial buildings is a requirement by OSHA regulations. It always pays to check whether this applies to your area, though we would recommend installing these regardless of whether or not they are legally mandated. The main reason these have been legislated for in different states’ rules and regulations is because panic bars offer very strong security benefits. We’ll close in on some of those right now.

It’s good for insurance rates

This is one benefit that is often overlooked by commercial property owners. Properly-installed panic bars can actually decrease the insurance premium of a property – just like you would receive discounted rates if your car has been fitted with special security enhancements. Make sure to pay attention to other security and safety essentials too: it’s not just panic bars that help reduce premiums, but also your standard features like carbon monoxide detectors, sprinklers and child-safe window latches.

Smoother emergency evacuations

As a rule, emergency exit doors open outwards to enable people to quickly get out of a building. This alone is pretty self-explanatory: it takes longer to open a door by pulling than pushing – so it’s only natural that emergency doors prioritize the latter. With that in mind, panic bars add another efficient dimension to this logic. In a commercial building with a high foot traffic, turning a knob to open a door will take up some valuable time – the type that cannot be spared during an urgent situation like a fire or a natural disaster. By enabling people to quickly push open the door, you’ll significantly speed up the entire evacuation process. It will also help you control the flow of people coming out of the property in this scenario.

Safety is always a given

Not only when it comes to streamlining evacuations, but in general as well. Because they are installed on the inside, panic bars also work as a locking mechanism for the doors in which they have been fitted. In other words, nobody can open those doors from the outside – so there is minimal to no chance of anyone breaking and entering your commercial property through these doors. Additionally, panic bars can also comprise an alarm system that alerts building supervisors of any unauthorized access or evacuation attempts.

They are affordable and very diverse

The panic bars you can get from your local locksmith professional tend to be very reasonably priced. Some models cost less than $100, while the most sophisticated can reach upwards of $300. The reason for such a price range? There’s a myriad of options to choose from – so if you need to install these into your commercial building, definitely take the time to shop around. Some of the options you will encounter along the way include cross bar types, vertical bar devices, and ones with alarms installed in them.

Now you know some of the benefits, here’s what you need to know about getting them installed.

Where can I find panic bars for my property? 

That is where your local commercial lock and key service provider will bring you great value. Not only will they provide you with a wide range of installation options, for all types of buildings and budgets, they will have performed this kind of service time and again. That means you can trust them to advise you on the right security features for your property.

Never had a locksmith install security devices for you? We’ll help you select the right professional for the job. Essentially, hiring a local specialist will save you a lot of hassle – it will be easier to check up on their credentials, and you won’t be charged for travel costs. Remember, reputation travels fast. If you can, try to get a few recommendations from other business owners in the area. Keep in mind too that not all locksmiths are created equal – some will provide customers with a wide scope of services, while others may choose to specialize in residential matters, commercial security and so on. Always call the selected business to inquire about their services, license and insurance information and a full cost breakdown of their solutions. Never hire a company without a fully verifiable address, or one who refuses to give basic information like a full business name on request. If you have the time to spare, ask you’re the person on the line how long they’ve been working in the area, and ask for client references to back up these claims. A bit of research will keep you away from the scammers – from then, everything should run smoothly.

If you are based in Johns Creek, GA, and you would like more information about installing panic bars in your commercial building, get in touch with our team. Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith will bring you plenty of options to choose from, and will do so very affordably. Schedule a free consultation to discuss our panic bar installations with our licensed and insured professionals, or phone us to get a free price quote if you already have a clear idea of the type of panic bar you need for your doors.

No matter where your business operations are situated, panic bars are always a great choice. They are very important security mechanisms that will bring a lot of benefits for your commercial property. Make sure to contact a commercial locksmith in your area to invest in the protection that your property well and truly deserves.

Article source here: The Importance of Panic Bars for a Commercial Property