holiday home

Holiday Security Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

The holidays are a time for happiness and cheer. While most people are spending time with loved ones or enjoying a family vacation, thieves and burglars are plotting their next attempt to steal from easy targets.

This time of year is especially critical to be vigilant about home security since it’s when your home will likely have expensive gifts or cash lying around. It’s also the time when most of us are out and about, traveling and not guarding those possessions.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe this holiday season.

Lock Up

It can be easy with all of the holiday frenzy happening as you rush out the door to make it to mom’s dinner engagement on time, to forget to lock your doors. This leaves you as an easy target for burglary. Many thefts occur when people simply forget to use their locks. Always check and triple check that all doors, windows, cars and entry ways are locked to discourage burglars when you’re home, before bed, and as you’re heading out.

Rekeying

If you’re worried about who may have a copy of your keys (strangers or people you know) gaining unauthorized access to your home while you’re away, consider having the locks rekeyed. A locksmith can come out and change the cylinder and pins inside the current lock so that only a new key will fit and work with it. Alternatively, you can have high security or pick resistant locks installed.

Fake It

An age old trick to shy away burglars is to leave a light on, make your home look occupied even if it’s not. If you’re going away from a trip don’t announce it to social media and alert would-be crooks about your absence. Also you’ll want to plan out how to deal with your mail and news delivery so it isn’t obvious no one has been home to collect it.

Invest in Video Monitoring

Today the cost for many of these technologies is declining so monitoring your premises isn’t a far-fetched or expensive idea to consider. From service provider offerings to cloud-based self-installs, it’s easier than ever now to view what’s happening at your home from your mobile device.

All American Locksmiths understands just how important protecting your family and your valuables is. We provide prompt lockout services, new locks, and more throughout Connecticut & Westchester County, including communities like Elmsford, Trumbull, Fairfield, Darien, and Greenwich.

Find out more about our locksmith services.

man on mobile phone

How to Choose a Locksmith

Being locked out is never fun. It always seems to happen at the wrong time, and trying to figure out how you’ll get back into your car or home quickly, can be frustrating. Locksmiths are a solution many turn to at this stressful time in hopes to resolve the issue. But picking just any locksmith doesn’t mean the job will get done, or get done right.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes time to make that important call for a locksmith.

Do Your Research

As with any service you purchase, it’s important to do some research before you make a decision. Today having access to the Internet on our mobile devices makes it pretty simple to search for a service and get recommended listings for businesses that can help. It’s just as easy to perform a search for other’s reviews on that company. You should first head to the website and see if there are the services you need listed (car lockout, rekeying, new locks etc.) and look for approval seals such as the Better Business Bureau which protects consumers.

Go Local

It’s always best to choose a company that’s based within your local area if you want speedy and trusted service. The locksmith business can sometimes get a bad rap from outsourced companies that send out unskilled professionals or overcharge for services. Picking up the phone and giving a company a call to speak about the price and any other concerns you may have can help you in selecting the right option for your needs.

Check with Your Insurance

Some insurance policies and other memberships like AAA may include lockout services, but you’ll have to choose from a list of providers and be sure your situation qualifies. Still it could end up saving you some money if you just take the extra time to find out your options.

Use a Licensed Professional

The last thing you’ll need after this problem, is another. Always be sure to use a licensed professional who has acquired the proper skills to perform the task at hand. Ask to see the locksmith’s credentials before he begins any work. Remember if you’re using someone who isn’t insured and licensed, and something happens on or to your property, you’ll be out of pocket for those costs as well.

Contact All American Locksmiths today for prompt lockout services, new locks, and more throughout Connecticut & Westchester County.

thief breaking door lock

Commercial Locksmith: Your Business Depends On It

Running a business has its fair share of highs and lows. On one hand there is the overall feeling of success when business is booming and customers like what you have to offer. On the other hand, the responsibilities to deliver quality services, keep employees happy and laundry list of other tasks can become burdensome.

One thing business owners shouldn’t have to concern themselves with is whether or not their building is going to be burglarized. Choosing a professional locksmith to offer commercial services is critical to ensuring a business premises is protected at all times.

If you own a business, consider these important security measures for your location.

Deadbolts & High-Security Locks

What makes these locks so great for a business is the ability for the hardware to prevent unauthorized access or tampering. A criminal cannot simply pick or break high security locks as they would with standard door locks. The hardware inside the lock and well as the door also make these locks stronger against kicks or other break-in attempts.

Mortise Locks

Mortise locks are a popular security measure to thwart thieves. They are found in older locations and still do a good job of keeping thieves away because they are installed right into the door itself and include various internal notches and levers. As a result, breaching or picking these locks is pretty difficult.

Keyless Entry Locks

Using access control systems and other keyless entry methods make it harder for unwelcomed visitors to enter a premises. For offices with multiple employees it is also far more efficient than unlocking a deadbolt to gain access each time.  Other parameters to restrict access and monitoring of usage can also be set-up to offer even greater peace of mind of personnel and property.

Regardless of the type of lock you use to keep your business safe, you’ll need a locksmith who is available and ready to help in emergencies. The All American Locksmiths team is committed to providing skilled service to enhance our customers’ safety, security, and satisfaction. If you’re ready to improve your businesses security, contact us today.