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Protecting Your Apartment from Break-ins

Even if your apartment building has surveillance cameras and buzzers, it can still be vulnerable to burglars. A multi-layered security system can make it easy to become complacent and make careless mistakes which allow thieves to steal valuables. Here are some tips to keep your belongings safe.

Make Sure Only People You Trust Have Keys

Before you move into a new apartment, make sure the lock has been changed or rekeyed. A former tenant, plus his or her family members and friends, could still have keys. That means that if the lock wasn’t changed or rekeyed, a stranger could potentially walk into your apartment at any time.

If you lose a key in or near your apartment building, or if you lose your key and identification together, contact the landlord or management company immediately and ask to have the lock changed. You may have to pay a fee, but it’s better than having someone waltz into your home and steal your expensive possessions.

Lock up Your Apartment

It only takes a moment for a burglar to enter an apartment, grab valuables, and disappear. Thieves are often able to get into homes because people leave their doors or windows unlocked. Always lock your apartment, even if you are just going to get your mail or to talk to a neighbor down the hall. Keep windows locked, especially if you live on the ground floor. If you have a sliding door, use a pole in the track to improve security.

Know Who Belongs There

Get to know your neighbors, as well as apartment staff and maintenance workers. Note unfamiliar faces and report any suspicious activity to management or to the police. If you need to go away, ask a neighbor you trust to keep an eye on your apartment.

Hide Valuables

If someone is coming to install or fix something in your apartment, hide valuables, such as a laptop, jewelry, and credit cards. Even if the person doesn’t steal anything at that time, he or she could be looking for valuables to come back and steal later.

Make People Think You’re Home

If you need to be away from your apartment for a while, or if you work at night, creating the impression that someone is home can deter burglars. You can set timers or use a smartphone app to control the lights from any location.

Make Security a Top Priority

All American Locksmiths serves residential and commercial customers in Connecticut and New York. We service the county of Litchfield, Waterbury, Norwalk and more! We can change or rekey locks in apartment buildings if a new tenant is moving in or if someone loses a key, and we can help tenants who accidentally lock themselves out. If you are a landlord interested in improving security or a tenant in need of emergency assistance, contact All American Locksmiths. We are available 24/7 to help with all your security needs.

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3 Reasons to Hire a Locksmith

Most people don’t think about locksmiths until they need something unlocked. But what exactly can locksmiths unlock? When should you call a locksmith? We at All American Locksmiths have all these answers, and more! If you find yourself in 1 of these 3 situations, then you should call a locksmith.

You Need To Open a Combination Safe, But Forgot The Code

Whether the safe holds your valuables or valuables that were left to you, locksmiths can help you gain the access you require. There is, of course, one catch: you must verify that you own the safe you’re looking to unlock. If a locksmith doesn’t ask you for identification, then tread lightly. Safes are meant to thwart thieves, but it doesn’t stop them from trying. In both heist movies and the news, we see that many thieves are attracted to combination safes. After all, safes generally represent a “big score.”  Therefore, if you need to open a locked safe, call a locksmith, but be sure to provide appropriate identification. 

It’s Late at Night & You Lost Your House Keys

Nobody wants to have to resort to breaking into their own house. If you find yourself in this situation, then it’s best to call an emergency locksmith. Emergency locksmiths are available to help you 24/7. Remember that a locksmith doesn’t need to see your key in order to pick your lock. An experienced locksmith will help you gain entry without damaging your door or its lock. 

You Lost Your Car Keys & Don’t Have a Spare

Few lockout scenarios are as stressful as the ones that involve entry to your car. Cars represent independence, and if you don’t have the ability to enter and start your car, you effectively lose that independence. If you call a locksmith, you won’t have to lack that independence for very long. Nowadays, you don’t need a spare key to create a new key: all you need is your vehicle’s VIN number. With that, and proper identification, an experienced locksmith will be able to cut you a brand new car key. 

In Need of a Connecticut or New York Locksmith? Give us a Call!

If you’re currently in one of the situations discussed above, then please call us at 203-752-1464. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Croton-On-Hudson, Stamford, Greenwich, Fairfield, or Hartford–we’re available to help you 24/7. 

 

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Locksmiths Open More than Just Doors

We talk a lot on this blog about the ways you can gain access back to your car or home when you’ve lost your keys or if the lock suddenly becomes broken. As a professional locksmith company, we make it our priority to ensure customers get speedy, trusted services and regain their peace of mind.

While the bulk of door issues usually involve a car, business or home, there are other fixes we can do too when it comes to locks.

Safes and high-security locks, for example, are another important area where a trusted locksmith can be of service.

Safes at your home or business can be used to store sensitive documents, money even guns. Keeping these items protected and the safe working only for authorized users is critical.

Doors that grant access to specialized areas also make use of high-security locks. This can include special storefront locks, keyless entry systems, and even flush bolts. Keeping these systems working safely and efficiently at all times is important.

Here are some types of safes and other high-security locks we service:

  • Depository Safes
  • Gun Safes
  • Fireproof Safes
  • Floor Safes
  • Wall Safes

Need a locksmith to open your safe?

Be sure to buy your locks and safes from a company you trust and that you have a plan ready in case something happens. Nothing’s worse than knowing you could have done something sooner to avoid havoc.

Our professionally trained staff can come out to your location and help grant you access back into your safe or security locks. We serve Connecticut towns including: Bethlehem, Plymouth, Torrington and more – as well as all of Westchester County, New York.

Contact us today!