Locksmith Security Tips From The Supersmith Experts
Security tips and information to help you protect your prope
Facts
- Over 80% of residential burglaries happen using the victim’s front door.
- Most deadbolts are not Bump-Key Resistant (about 90%). Thieves buy these keys from the Internet for as little as one dollar.
- Over 80% of home buyers do not have a Las Vegas locksmith rekey their new home.
- About 70% of Las Vegas burglaries happen in daytime.
- A burglary occurs in the U.S. every 13.7 seconds.
- The chance of your home being burglarized is 1 to 6.
- Over 50% of Las Vegas burglaries will leave your locks with no evidence of forced entry (using methods like lock picking, key bumping, unauthorized keys or other devices which leave no outward marks)
- If the keys in the picture look like the blanks that you use to open your Las Vegas home you probably need a new deadbolt.
Test Your Security
- Does or has anyone else ever had access to your keys?
- Does the keys you carry now protect against unauthorized key duplication without I.D. verification?
- Do your current locks provide physical protection against lock picking, key bumping, drilling or other forced entry attempts?
Security Tips
- Choose a high quality deadbolt and make sure its locked at all times (the garage door too), The bolt should extend into a strike plate that has screws that catch the beam behind the wall
- All entrance doors should have deadbolts that are bump-key and pick resistant.
- Make sure you have a no soliciting sign, as most burglaries start with the burglar testing to see if you're home with a simple knock on the door.
- Most doors are solid from the builder but If not than change the door..
- If there is a glass window 36 inches or less from a lock, install a double sided cylinder lock.
- Locks must be re-keyed or changed after you move in (ASAP).
- Keep doors, windows and vulnerable areas well lit at night. Consider using automatic timers or motion detectors for turning lights on and off.
- Remove trees and branches next to your home to prevent access to the second floor.
- Secure all windows and sliding glass doors with a secondary security bar.
- In office buildings or work places with security levels a Master Key System can offer different access level to different individuals.
- When away from home never make it obvious: leave lights and a stereo / T.V. working, ask a neighbor to park his car in your driveway, ask a friend to pickup your mail and newspaper. To a burglar it means you’re home.
- Install a NO SOLICITING sign on your front door. (in Las Vegas thieves will knock on your door to see if anyone is home, and if you don't answer they know this could be a good time to break in to your Las Vegas home. A NO SOLICITING sign sends q message that even if your home you will not come to the door, not allowing the thieves the knowledge of knowing if your home).
More Las Vegas Locksmith Information
If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your property, you know what a hassle you've come upon. Your first thought is to get someone to help you. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local Las Vegas locksmith. But before you call, consider this. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some companies advertising in your local telephone book under Locksmith in Las Vegas may not be local. They could possibly have no professional training at all. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you.
When “Local Las Vegas Locksmiths” Is Really Long-Distance
Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the Las Vegas phone book or on the Web using a local Las Vegas telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you’re actually connected to a call center in another city outside of the Las Vegas metro area. What’s more, there’s no locksmith license at all.
You where quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives to your Las Vegas property, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The local locksmith that you thought you called is not who you thought he was at all and now he's telling you he will only take cash for he's locksmith services.
Some who claim to be “local locksmith Las Vegas” companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job.
Tips for Picking a Locksmith in Las Vegas
What’s the best way to pick a reputable Las Vegas locksmith? Consider researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you’re looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.
But if you’re dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really don’t have much time for thorough research.
Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, We offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith.
In emergency situations:
If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company. You also can buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of pre-approved companies to perform services like (locksmith services ) unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline, and towing.
Call family or friends for recommendations.
If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith Las Vegas services,” rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another Las Vegas locksmith.
Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an exact price on the phone for the total cost of the work.
Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work on your Las Vegas property. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.
If the price the Las Vegas locksmith provides when he arrives doesn’t jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.
Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card and, where applicable, a locksmith Las Vegas license. Nine states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana,Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Some locksmiths in Las Vegas will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.
After the work is done, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor and the price of the service call. MAKE SURE THE LAS VEGAS LOCKSMITH YOU USED GIVES YOU AN INVOICE FOR WHAT YOU HAD DONE. < back to homepage > or check our < Las Vegas Locksmith FAQ page >