Remote Key Safety Tip:

Put your car keys beside your bed at night Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, and the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car.... The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime. 

I think this tip is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem. 　　

Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder.
 

Locksmith FAQ's & Tips:

Why should I use a professional locksmith company?
Skilled professional locksmiths bring experience and fund  of  knowledge in lock, safe & security problems and are better prepared to  solve  security issues to your unique situation. Professional locksmith can  prescribe  state-of-the-art products that work, and more effective solutions in an  efficient manner.

The lock doesn't lock and unlock smoothly.
Check to see it the lock operates smoothly with the door  open. If it does, your lock problem is not in the lock, but rather in the  alignment of the door and frame. Look for obstructions at the threshold and in  the doorjamb. Also check the door and frame for twists and warps. The door  should completely rest against the doorstop and stay there. If the door rests at  the stop at the top or bottom only then the door or frame is twisted. If the  door springs open then the hinges are probably binding. If you have a  weather-strip on the door, it could be obstructing the path of the door. Keep in  mind, wooden doors and frames will warp and swell with temperature and humidity,  and metal doors and frames will twist and rust with age. 

What is the difference between  re-key & master keying.
Re-keying  means adjusting the  tumblers in an existing lock so that only new keys can open  it.

Many people, who continue to use the same key that they received  when they bought their home, have no idea of how many people such as tradesmen,  neighbors and friends, who you don’t know, have had access to that key. For a  small fee Certified Locksmith will re-key your locks and give you the security  of knowing that only you and the people you trust will have access to your  domain. 

Lost your keys? Relax; re-keying will adapt your existing locks  to new keys.

Certified Locksmith installs, replaces and upgrades lock cylinders, locksets and deadbolt locks.

Master Keying
Master keying enables two different and distinct keys to open one lock. Master keying regulates access to specific zones while having one master key that accesses all zones. We supply master keys for all buildings such as hospitals, office buildings, apartment complexes and residences in which there are a number of  compatible locks. 

Is the "Do Not Duplicate" marking on a key enough for  controlling key duplication?
No. While we  respect the "Do Not Duplicate" marking on a key, many discount stores do not. To  effectively prevent unauthorized key duplication, a restricted key lock should  be used.

Can I buy lock-opening tools?
No, it is illegal in most states to sell  or possess burglary or entry tools. Certified Locksmith will not sell entry  tools to anyone.

Is there such a thing  as a key that can open all locks?
No. A "master" key is a key, which works many locks. In order for a particular master key to work in a lock, the lock has to be set up to work on that master key. Locks are typically master keyed in hotels, office buildings, and schools. Rest assured that there is no such master key that opens all locks.


I can install the hardware, why not  just buy it at the home center and do it myself?
Products typically sold in home stores are residential  quality at best; at worst the shelves are stacked with low end products meant to  increase profits for the manufacturer and the retailer. High quality goods offer  characteristics such as, pick and drill resistance, access control options, and  protection against the unauthorized duplication of keys. The question you must  ask is what is your time really  worth?


My landlord gave me the keys why should I get new  ones?
When was the last time the locks  were changed? If you don't know the answer then you and your company are  potentially at risk. Some property management companies in an effort to save  money simply swap the locks from one unit to another and have keys made. A  previous tenant could try his key in each door in the complex until he finds one  that works.


Why do I have to wiggle my  keys in the lock to make it work?
As locks  age over time, the pins in a lock cylinder tend to "wear" down causing your keys  to stick and forcing you to "jiggle or wiggle" the key in the lock to make it  work. Most likely the keys you were given have probably been "copied" several  times and this, plus lock wear, can cause your lock to act like it is breaking.


I am moving into a new home, should I  re-key the locks? They seem to be working properly.
The answer is YES! Everyone has someone that they trust with  their house keys; this does not mean you can trust them. How many neighbors, old  baby sitters, cleaning people are walking around with the key to your home?  Change the locks and then give your keys to people you trust.