The internet is full of articles and videos explaining how to do things yourself. While many projects are suitable for DIYers, there are some tasks that are far too important to be undertaken by an amateur. Anything related to locks and security should be trusted to a professional locksmith. Even though you might save money by changing or picking a lock yourself, you could make mistakes that could cost you more money down the line and put your family at risk.

A Locksmith Has the Right Tools and Experience

The most obvious reason to hire a locksmith is that they have tools and experience to know what they are doing and to do it right. Trying to do anything related to a lock using the wrong tools or without the right training is bound to lead to more headaches. If you try to change a lock yourself or get locked out and try to break in, you could wind up damaging your lock, door, or frame. That could cost you more money than it would have cost to call a locksmith in the first place. It is better to trust a professional locksmith who is trained and experienced and has the appropriate tools for the job.

A Locksmith Can Offer High-Security Locks

If you need to replace a lock and you go to a hardware store, the locks you will find will most likely be ones that are easy to pick or bump. That could make your home vulnerable to burglars. A locksmith can offer high-security and pick-resistant locks that are of a much better quality than the ones you would find in a hardware store.

A Locksmith Can Offer Helpful Advice

A locksmith can give you advice based on years of experience and may suggest options that you have not considered. If you recently moved into a new home, you may think that you need to change the locks, but a locksmith might suggest rekeying them instead, which could actually save you money.

A Locksmith Can Offer Services You Cannot Do Yourself

A professional locksmith can provide other services that you cannot do yourself. For example, if you replace a lock yourself, you will need to go to a hardware store to have copies of the new keys made. A locksmith can make copies for you, which can save you that trip.

Call All American Locksmiths 24/7

All American Locksmiths is a professional locksmith company that serves towns all over Connecticut, including Fairfield, Danbury, and Bethany. We can change or rekey your locks, copy keys, help you get in if you lock yourself out, and provide a wide range of other services. If you need help with a lock-related issue, trust the professionals at All American Locksmiths. Call us any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most houses have multiple doors in the front, back, and leading from the garage or porch to the living area. All of those doors have locks for security. Some homeowners choose to have all of their locks keyed alike so they can be opened with a single key. There are pros and cons to taking that approach.

Advantages of Having All Locks Keyed Alike

The most common reason why homeowners have all of their locks keyed alike is simply convenience. Having to carry a keychain with several keys to your house, along with keys to vehicles and possibly work, can be heavy and inconvenient. All of those keys would need to be labeled so you would know which fit each lock. You would have to fumble around with all of the keys on your key ring to find the one that fit a particular lock. By having all of your locks keyed alike, you could eliminate these hassles and simply use one key.

Reasons Not to Have Locks Keyed Alike

There are also advantages to having each door opened with a different key. The most important reason to do this is to restrict access to certain parts of your house to specific people. For example, you might want your neighbors to be able to enter the porch to leave a package for you, but you might not want them to be able to walk into your house when you are not home.

Another reason why you might not want to have all of your locks keyed alike is that someone could lose a key. If that happened, you would need to have all of your locks rekeyed to prevent someone who found the key from entering your house. If the locks were keyed differently, you would only have to rekey the lock that was opened with the key that was lost.

It Is Not Always Possible to Open All Locks with One Key

Sometimes it is not possible for a locksmith to key all of the locks in a house alike. If your locks are made by different brands or are of different types, you may have no choice but to use different keys for each one, unless you want to replace the locks with ones made by the same manufacturer.

Eliminate the Need for Keys with Keyless Entry Locks

Another option you might not have considered is installing keyless entry locks. While they are most often used in businesses, keyless entry locks can also be installed in homes. You could open your doors by using a code, access card, or key fob instead of needing to carry one or more keys with you at all times.

Call All American Locksmiths to Discuss Your Options

Keying all of the locks in your home alike has advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage is that it can simplify life and eliminate the need to carry a key ring filled with many keys. The drawbacks are that anyone with a key will have access to your entire home and all of the locks will need to be rekeyed if a key is lost.

Once you have weighed the pros and cons and decided whether or not you want to have all of the locks in your house keyed alike, call All American Locksmiths. We serve locations throughout Connecticut, including Brookfield, Easton, and Monroe. We can key the locks alike or set them up so each is opened with a separate key, if that is what you prefer. We can also install keyless entry locks in your home. If you are not sure about the best course of action, we can discuss your needs and concerns and help you make the best decision for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn more.

Keeping their families safe is a primary concern for homeowners across Connecticut. Break-ins occur every day and can happen in any community. If you own a home in Connecticut, installing jimmy-proof locks can help deter thieves and keep your family and property safe.

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What Is a Jimmy-Proof Lock?

A jimmy-proof lock is not the same as a deadbolt. A jimmy-proof lock has an oval shape with a flat side and a bolt that can slide up and down into the strike plate when the door is closed. The strike plate is a brass piece that is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws. The lock can be used on either side of the door, regardless of the way it swings, whether in or out, left or right.

The difference between a jimmy-proof lock and a deadbolt is that a deadbolt is a complete locking system, while a jimmy-proof lock needs a pin cylinder in order for the lock to work. A jimmy-proof lock is often located on the inside of a door. A jimmy-proof lock gets its name from the fact that it cannot be accessed from the outer portion of the lock on the front of the door. This prevents someone from prying off the lock.

A jimmy-proof lock is also easier to install than a deadbolt. A jimmy-proof lock only requires a 1 ¼-inch hole, whereas a deadbolt requires four holes.

How to Keep Your Family and Property Safe at Your Connecticut Home

If you are concerned about security in your neighborhood, installing jimmy-proof locks on your doors can give you peace of mind. Jimmy-proof locks can prevent break-ins and keep your family and belongings safe from intruders.

All American Locksmiths is a full-service locksmith company serving customers all over Connecticut. We can install jimmy-proof locks in your home to improve security. We can also provide other services, such as changing or rekeying locks, repairing or replacing locks, and keying locks alike. We can help you get inside if you accidentally lock yourself out of your home or car. If you need help with any locksmith issue in Connecticut, call All American Locksmiths any time, 24/7.