Frederick Lock and Key – Unlock the locksmith in you.

Did you know that of all home evasions, an estimated 70% happen through a door? Of course, this as opposed to any windows. That should tell you just how important it is to keep your doors and locks secure. Of course, you want to keep windows safe and secure too. But making sure there’s no easy way for a burglar to get in through the doors is absolutely crucial. So there are a few way you can be sure to make your house seem less appealing to potential threats, and then there are ways you can take that extra step and create additional security measures. The first thing you want to be sure of is that your doors are not easy to physically break. That means you probably want to seek out thick wooden doors, fiberglass or some sort of metal. Basically something that won’t be kicked into easily. Go with windowless doors. Especially don’t choose a door whose window is anywhere near the door handle. You don’t want to have a sturdy door that can still be broken into with ease because you chose aesthetics first. Put up blinds. There should never be a grand view into your home from the outside. And especially when you’re not home, you want to make sure the blinds are shut. When a burglar can see into your house so clearly, they immediately feel at home. Make sure you have a deadbolt. Other locks are far to easy to pick and/or bump. I remember when my 12 year old was able to get into our back door with my credit card when we were locked out. I fully realized from that point on just how crucial a deadbolt is. The jam or frame of your door is just as important as the rest. Again, having a sound door is nothing if your jam can be kicked in, practically taking the door with it. Avoid sliding doors if you can help it. If you do have a sliding door be sure it’s made with some sort of reinforced glass that is extremely difficult, if not impossible for most, to…

Luck of the Locksmith

Everyone has surely had some sort of locksmith troubles by now. During those times, it’s bad enough that you have to worry about being locked out. Or perhaps are having to take necessary measures to keep someone else out. But then for the stress to continue once “help” arrives? This should never be the case. I’ve heard horror stories from folks who have had to deal with everything from a locksmith arriving hours late, (some of which had to stand by the side of a busy road while they waited), to folks being charged well over the appropriate fee after the fact. Of course at that point, they’re just glad to hit the road again and feel trapped. Some companies will even go so far as to take advantage of people at that vulnerable a state. You don’t want to have to worry about dealing with these experiences. So how do you know you’re finding the right locksmith to do the job? Well, you want to look for someone who is reliable; Someone you know will be there for you when you need them. There are several locksmith companies who are open 24/7 and will always give you their all. I’ve been fortunate enough to have found a few of these along the road myself. The last was a locksmith locksmith Spartanburg, SC. I had locked the keys in my car, again. (At the time, the remote on the car wasn’t working so I was having to hit the button on the inside of the door. Needless to say, it threw me off). I called around 11pm and they answered immediately and had someone there to help me within 30 minutes. These folks were genuine and very kind from start to finish. And they most definitely gave me a good price. (Of course, I would know better otherwise). You could tell they truly care about their customers and were dedicating to make sure all of my needs were met. It’s folks like these you want to look for. Always be sure to read reviews and to do your homework before calling just anyone. Of course, there are times you’re…

Unlock Your Inner Locksmith

So you want to become a locksmith but you’re not exactly sure as to how to get there. I understand. Because I was once there too. Fortunately, I found the right person somehow along the way who showed me the ropes. And now, 15 years later, I’m here to be that person for you. The first thing you want to do to become a locksmith is check to see what sort of licenses and certification you need in your state to work legally. In some states, all you need in order to begin working is to pass a background check. However, other states require that you go through an entire training program and pass a licensing examination. Most of the schools/courses you would attend include training on key identification, key making, lock installation, lock picking, the difference between residential, commercial and automotive locks and a wide range of other locksmith crafts. If you’re ready to get into some hands on work and gain experience before diving straight in, (which is always recommended and gives you some credibility), you can always take up an apprenticeship. There are many companies who hire on apprentices of all ages looking to gain experience. Most are willing and happy to pass on the trade and help. And as a hint, you may want to seek out an apprentice position within a company you would be interested in working for long term. You’re always most likely to land a job with a company that’s familiar with you. Be sure you’re comfortable with working with drills, lathes and grinders. You’ll be working with them a lot in this business and the more comfortable you are with them off top, the quicker you’ll accelerate in your trade. Once you’ve gained the experience, go out and find a job. You may couple this with joining a professional organization that will get you started and ensure you’re on the right path. From here on out, everything should be smooth sailing if you’ve taken the initial and continued training seriously. Of course, finding the first job is always the hardest so…