Everyone wants to be able to protect their valuables. Whether it is an intrusion, a fire or even an equipment malfunction, commercial security systems provide business owners with a way to keep an eye on things 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each system has different options and upgrades to choose from. Many can be customized to fit a certain facility to make sure that everything is safe and protected.

Businesses use commercial building security systems to protect both the people and the products located inside. Basic systems offer the user an easy way to set the alarm when leaving and deactivate when coming back in. There is usually a key code associated with the system, which is used by employees to gain access to the building.

The system itself is connected to a security company that monitors the area and reacts when an alarm is set off. With just a phone call the local police, fire department and business owner can be informed about the situation. The business owner can then check out the situation to let the security company know whether or not it was an actual intrusion or just a false alarm.

There are several different features that can be added to a commercial building security system to provide more protection. Cameras can be installed both inside and outside of a building to record everything that happens. This information can be invaluable if there is a theft or vandalism. The perpetrator is caught on film. In most cases the cameras can be viewed remotely, making it easy for the owner or security company to check on the property at all times. Most cameras are able to film during both daylight and evening hours.

Control Access Systems

In some instances a company will establish an access system. Through the use of cards or codes, employees will be able to go to different areas of the building. A stranger would not be able to get into the building without the proper credentials and information. In some cases, the work that takes place in the commercial building is highly sensitive. This type of security system protects everything with a well laid out accessibility plan.

Security systems protect from more than just an intruder. Some commercial building security systems can notify an owner if there is a complication with the building, including a fire, smoke, or equipment failure. With special detectors throughout the area, the system will pick up on changes to both the quality of air, in the case of smoke, or the temperature of the room, in case of fire. When something out of the ordinary takes place, the local authorities, including the fire department, as well as the business owner would be contacted to check the situation.

In order to secure a commercial building, it is important to consult with a professional. They will look into things like the number of access points as well as the security already in place. Some locations may need specialized equipment while others may need a more basic set up. A warehouse filled with Black & Decker spare parts may need something completely different from an office building that houses only paperwork. No matter what type of building it is or the items contained inside, it is important to have some type of security system in place.

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If your specific Kwikset Lock is a fairly recent model, then you will probably find a hole adjacent to the key-way which will be used in the Kwikset lock re-key process. A Smartkey Learn tool will be needed to accomplish the job successfully, though locating this device can be difficult if you were not the original purchaser of the locking mechanism. If you do not see such a hole, then you will be unable to re-key your Kwikset lock on your own – a professional locksmith will be needed. If your lock does have such a hole, move onto step two.

The second step in any Kwikset lock re-keying is to locate the current key for the lock. If you are unable to find this key, you won’t be able to continue and will need the services of a good locksmith at this juncture. If you do have the working key for the lock, then insert it into the lock and rotate it a quarter turn to your right. Then you will want to put the Smartkey Learn tool into the hole next to the locking mechanism and push. Now remove the key without turning it back to the upright position.

The next step in the Re-key Kwikset Locks  process is to place your new key into the door. Once inside the lock, turn this key back to the upright position, and then again one quarter turn to the right. Pull the key out carefully. You now have successfully reset your Kwikset Lock, allowing you to use your new key from this point on.

There is the process in a nutshell. As you can see, at several points during a Kwikset lock re-keying you may need the services of a experienced professional. Even if you have all the correct equipment, you may still want to employ a certified locksmith, to ensure that you do not accidentally make your locks dysfunctional. The re-keying process is essential anytime that you move or change addresses, you never know who has a key to your new dwelling.

Our US LocksmithPros provide re-keys of your residential or commercial kwikset locks, and the the price can be cheaper than you think! Visit our service areas page or us our contact page to give us a call about pricing and availability of parts.

The post The Ins & Outs of Kwikset Lock Re-keying appeared first on Find A Locksmith.

We at www.uslocksmithpros.com are not bringing this fact up to scare you, but we believe that being prepared is important. Thinking about the security features of your house or apartment can help secure your space properly. A looked over part of home security is the installation and use of home window locks, but they can be extremely helpful for keeping your home and valuables safe.

It pays to install locks that will last a long time on your home’s windows; you should use a premium with the most amount of security that you can afford. Good window locks will protect your family not only by keeping it locked against intruders, but also by preventing children from being able to open a window without supervision.

There are several sturdy locks that will keep your windows shut tight, but how do you know which lock is best for your needs? If you want to buy a lock for a double-hung window, look for locks with pins or screws that fit deep in the window frame. Wedge locks are another option. You can get a type of window lock is a latch, and is opened or closed with a key. You can also add a steel security grille to the outside of your home that covers the window area if you want to; these come in many styles and designs. It is not a good substitute for other types of protection, but in addition to the use of sturdy locks, grilles offer an additional layer of security. It is true that a security grille can be removed but a burglar might not have the time, especially during daylight hours, to risk being seen and caught unscrewing the grille.

If you have an air conditioning unit in a window, secure the window with locks with screws that stop the unit from being removed or pushed in.

Sliding glass doors can be lifted right off their tracks by a determined thief, or forced open with tools. Sliding bolt locks can be attached to sliding doors and placing an anti-theft device in the door track can be a good deterrent along with bolt locks or tab locks. Steel mortise locks are another good choice for locking for sliding glass securely, and these locks can be purchased at any home improvement store or other retail stores and installed by the home owner.

There are many ways to make sure that your home is safe, and a locksmith can certainly help you with most of them.

If you need help with your residential security needs, USLocksmithPros provides a large number of residential locksmith services.

The post Home Window Locks – A Vital Part of Home Security appeared first on Find A Locksmith.

There are biometric scans to verify identity through facial characteristics, hands, retinas (also called iris scans) and voice recognition.

The most commonly used type of biometric lock uses fingerprint analysis. This type of security has been in use for decades to authorize entry to government employees and businesses that have large numbers of people entering and for whom keys and keyed locks are not practical.

Biometric doorknobs can be purchased for home use and while they might be more expensive than more traditional locks, they are also safer and easier to use. With keyed locks, there is always the possibility that the lock could be picked or keys lost, copied or stolen. It is also much faster to open a biometric lock than another type. Lost ID cards and forgotten passwords are a thing of the past.

Biometric security is a multi-billion dollar industry. Fingerprint locks account for most of the sales, with facial recognition a close second.

How secure is biometrics? The technology is always improving but with fingerprints, the high-end scanners can help prevent fraud by testing finger temperature and the amount of pressure applied as well as the print itself.

Biometric deadbolts are very tough and can withstand a lot of force without breaking. Since there is no keyhole, they cannot be picked, and some models come equipped with alarms if an unauthorized person tries to open it.

With retina scans, the iris is scanned with infrared light. This type of scan is as secure as a fingerprint but is very expensive at present.

There are a few drawbacks to biometric systems, including occasional false positives and false negatives with fingerprints, and voice recognition is certainly not fail-proof, since a person’s voice can sound quite different at different times of day.

You can buy many things that already have biometric fingerprint locks, from briefcases, gun safes, wall safes to file cabinets, computer keyboards and laptops.

If you are thinking about the right way to secure your home, office, or other property you might want to consider biometric lock assemblies, they do cost more than regular locks, but they will last and provide a high level of security for your business or home. US Locksmith Pros is capable of handling the installation of biometric locks, if you have questions regarding the procedure, cost, or types that are available you can give us a call and we will help you decide what types of locks are right for your situation.

The post Biometric Locks – Are they right for your business or home? appeared first on Find A Locksmith.

Sometimes I wish I had been born in an earlier time—back when a person’s house was often left unlocked for long periods of time. These days I lock my parked car even when I make a quick trip to the store. Is this progress, or have we become afraid to live? I’d like to think that the conveniences we enjoy and our mobility and freedom are worth protecting, so it is a trade-off: was the simplicity of the good old days and its limitations better, or the advances in all spheres of life, with their attendant safety risks?

The “good old days” of the pioneers, when Americans lived in simple log or brick houses, appeals to our renewed desire to live simply. Tools were left in sheds, doors and windows sometimes had no locks. We may have been friendly, giving and trusting, but security breaches still happened. The dangers of the olden days were just as real as our present security issues and challenges.

How can we live in safe, secure homes yet not spend every waking moment worrying about the possibility of home invasion, theft and other similar scenarios?

We can begin with simple steps, including adequate outdoor lighting, well-made locks, fences, trained guard dogs and other basic precautions. If you want a state-of-the art alarm system, you can get infrared motion sensors, and arrange to have a monitored home security system. Although thieves can eventually open almost any lock, other deterrents might cause them to find an easier target. Several layers and levels of protection can make you feel safer.

The more progress the human race makes, the greater the need to safeguard our countries and our people. From houses to airports to bridges to ocean liners, personal safety must remain upmost in our consciousness. Self defense takes many forms and ultimately empowers us all.

For 24 hour professional locksmith service across America, contact US Locksmith Pros today!

The post Were the Good Old Days before Modern Security Systems Really so Good? appeared first on Find A Locksmith.

“The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that 2010 continued the trend of declining national vehicle thefts for the seventh consecutive year.” click here to read more about auto theft rates on CNN.

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What you need to know about auto lock replacements:

Nationwide car theft is on the decline. But it can happen to you!

This decline could be due to the latest increases in key technology in automobiles,  since transponder chip keys and laser cut models lock mechanisms generally are very hard to break into. But if you have a problem with your auto locks, the problem may not even be the lock — it could be the key itself that needs to be changed. It is more cost effective for most to find a reliable locksmith so you can save both time and money by hiring a professional, since most mechanics do not specialize in auto locks. You might choose to replace an auto lock yourself, but since duplicate keys need to be calibrated and the margin for error is very small, only .002, so you might be better off using a locksmith to replace your key or auto locks. In addition, automobile doors are filled with wiring and other parts that can be damaged if an unskilled person tries to force a door open or to change a lock. You will need to have some specific knowledge of the type of locking system that is being used in the lock—there are various wire systems, vacuum locks, aftermarket systems, and the attendant coils, wires and relay modules of these types of locks. Even keying a blank key can be tricky, because a car lock can be damaged if the wrong key is used. Locksmiths have the knowledge, skills, experience and tools needed to replace or repair auto locks.

Its safe to say that most people will not want to replace or repair their car door locks themselves, so the right person for the job is usually a locksmith professional that works on your brand of vehicle. Most locksmiths work on a wide range of both foreign and domestic vehicles, so most of the main brands of cars will be easy to receive service for. Specialty cars or vintage cars can be hard to service for locksmiths, as the parts can be hard to come by.

For a list of car brands that we service at US Locksmith Pros click here

If you want the top level of security possible for your car and it doesn’t have it already, an upgrade might be in order. Auto locks that can only be opened with a fingerprint are very safe. The driver programs the car to open or start only if the fingerprint being scanned matches the car’s computer memory. This personalized approach to security is more practical than other locks, since the driver is able to add and delete fingerprints to stop anyone from using the car at specific times. You can buy a fingerprint lock which cuts off the fuel supply, if an unauthorized person tries to open the door, which is an added precaution that you might need.

We would love to help you secure your car correctly, and can provide you with auto lock service in many different areas of the country. Please visit our service areas page to see if US Locksmith Pros provides locksmith service in your city or town.

The post Auto Lock Replacements – Are You Safe from Car Theft? appeared first on Find A Locksmith.