Benefits of Home Safe

Having your items properly stored away in your home is important. You can’t just have high-end items or expensive jewelry sitting around – not because you can’t trust other people, but because it could end up getting misplaced. Organization is key, and sometimes you might feel that you have too much clutter sitting around. Is this how you feel at your home? If so, have you considered how a home safe might help you out? Chesapeake Secure Locksmith serves the Chesapeake, VA area and this team has put together information on the benefits of home safes. People don’t always realize just how helpful having a safe will be for them. Check out the information provided, and see if you think a safe might help you out.

1.)    Having a safe can make you more organized. Many safes come with internal organization, like shelves. Maybe you want to use a safe to store a weapon, important paperwork, and cash. You could have each item in a completely different section. This will remove the items from eyesight, which will help you to clean up and reduce clutter, but it will also allow you to always know where there are. A safe is mandatory in many places if you have a weapon, too. Be sure to look into local regulations wherever you live. These are important things to note, because you want to take care of your items, but also ensure they don’t end up with the wrong person.

2.)    Having a safe in your home can leave your items protected even during a natural disaster. Let’s say your home, unfortunately ends up catching fire. Or let’s say you have serious flooding. Many safes are built to withstand certain temperatures for a certain amount of time. For example, you might find a safe that will stay in-tact during a fire for 30 minutes. There are many different options on the market, and talking one on one with a locksmith will help you to narrow down the options based off your specific concerns. You can also search online for safes within your price range that are built to withstand water and fire. Imagine if your passport, birth certificate, or first love letter were to get destroyed simply because they weren’t properly stored? You need to protect the items which are the most important to you and having a safe can help you to do this.

3.)    Having a safe in your home can help to keep items like money out of the range of vision of a potential criminal. Maybe you have contractors frequently come into your home. Or perhaps you just hired a new babysitter. You can’t trust just anyone completely, and it is a good idea to have money locked away so it is not out in the open. Or perhaps you rarely have people in your home and when you do, you fully trust them. Think about what would happen if a criminal were to break in, if your money was out in the open. It is a better idea to keep loose cash locked away in a safe. 

Clearly, there are numerous benefits to having a home safe, from improved organization to property protection. Now that you know that it is beneficial to have one, you might be wondering how much they cost and which type would be the best for you. Have a look at the information provided to help you get a better idea of what is out there. 

If you are looking for something impressive, consider the Sentry Safe Executive Fire Safe, 4.7 cu feet. This is the ultimate safe for organization because you can fit a ton of items into it (not literally a ton, but you can fit a lot inside of this space). It’s good for storing electronics, valuables, and more. It is made out of steel and it includes a carpeted interior, which can help protect the finishing of certain items. It is beautiful, and it weighs in at 217 pounds. It has 3 shelves which you can adjust. It is sturdy and heavy, to say the least. It’s priced at just over $650.00

Looking for something less expensive? For $180, you can get the Sentry Safe SFW123CS Fire Safe. This safe is like something that you might find in a hotel, with room for your camera, passport and a couple of other items. It also offers good storage and organization. It is fire safe, to boot!

Looking for something even cheaper? There are plenty of safes available for under $100. For $105 you can get a First Alert water proof and fire resistant safe that comes with ready-seal technology. You can check locations like Sam’s Club and Walmart for some great deals on safes. If you are looking for something closer to the $50 range, you could opt for the SentrySafe Security Safe - .5 cubic feet. This safe might not be large in size, but it is enough to get high-end items out of the reach of unwanted hands. You could use it to lock away cash, a passport, an expensive watch, and more.

It is important to keep in mind that you do have options available if you are looking for a home safe. Just remember that having a safe in your home comes with numerous benefits. If you still aren’t convinced, consider getting on the phone with a locksmith in Chesapeake. They will be able to answer any questions that you have and point you in the right direction if you are having a difficult time choosing which safe you should go with. There are all different sizes available. There are so many options when it comes to protecting your most important items. Consider the benefits of a home safe, and talk with an expert lock and security provider about having one installed in your home! You will be glad to have it once you realize how convenient it is.

How To Check Effectiveness of Your Security

If you have never had your home locks evaluated, now might be the time to do so. You can take it up on yourself to check the effectiveness of your security features and make sure that they will do the job they are intended to do. It doesn’t matter if you have had an intrusion or not, you should always make sure your home security is up to par. If you want to make sure that an attempted intrusion is not successful, you’ll need to know for certain where your home security may need to be replaced. You might not realize that your home is the prime target of a burglar until it is too late. Be prepared for anything by annually making the necessary changes to your home security features. You can do your part in making it as difficult as possible for a burglar to gain access into your home. A burglar isn’t looking for trouble. They want the least amount of effort needed to break into a home. If they feel as though your home posses a problem, they will often go elsewhere. 

When evaluating your home security features, such as locks, here are some things to consider:

Deadbolt Locks

This is the most durable type of lock that you can have. If you just have regular doorknobs on your door without the support of a deadbolt, your lock is more likely to be compromised. The deadbolt is another layer of security. Our locksmiths at Chesapeake Secure Locksmith in Chesapeake, VA encourage every homeowner to invest in deadbolt locks for all of their exterior doors. In addition to having a good deadbolt lock, you should be sure that a professional installs the lock. The lock will not be of much use to you if it is not installed correctly. The hold that the bolt will go into needs to be deep enough in order to do so, if it isn’t, it will not engage completely. When the bolt isn’t inserted all of the way, the lock will not completely engage. This means that the lock will be ineffective. It must be properly installed to reach maximum security. This is why so many people depend on the efficient services of Chesapeake Secure Locksmith.

Window Locks

This is probably the last thing that you are thinking about but we assure you that this is an area that should not be overlooked if you want to make sure your home is completely secure. Most windows simply have a standard latch lock. If you have a lock that doesn’t appear to be secure and another type of lock cannot be added to it, perhaps it is time to consult with a professional locksmith to see what can be done to improve the level of security for each window of your home. Remember, this is another way that intruders gain entry into your home.

Sliding Glass Doors

If you have a patio or deck, you probably have a sliding glass door. This is what we often call the forgotten door since most homeowners fail to remember to keep this door locked at all times. However, this is the one door that needs to be secured more than any of the others. This is because this door has the weakest lock, which means it can be compromised more easily. Since it is located in the rear of the home, people passing by your home do not easily see it. This gives an intruder all of the time they need to manipulate the lock and gain entry. There is only a latch lock that is placed on sliding doors. They are just there to keep the door shut not to offer real security. This type of door is not made of solid core materials. The material is thin and flimsy and can easily be lifted off its frame. A sliding glass door requires that another type of key also be applied to it. Something as simple as a door pin can improve your level of security. If you’re unsure about the type of lock to place on your sliding glass door, consult with a local locksmith today.

Gates

Just like your doors and windows, your gate should also be secured. This is especially true if the gate leads toward the rear of your home. There are some locks that we use on homes that we also install on gates. However, if you’re interested in a gate lock, there are also locks designed just for gates. It is your responsibility to make sure that the lock on your gate is strong and durable enough to keep out intruders. If they gain access to the rear of your home, they may more easily gain access into your home.

Change Locks When Moving

It doesn’t matter whether your moving from an apartment into a house or from a house into an apartment, you should always have your locks changed. The management company of an apartment building may tell you that they have changed your locks but in actuality all they did was transfer another lock onto your doors. This is still dangerous because someone, somewhere still has a key to your lock. Instead, you might want to buy your own lock to let them install. Keep up with all of your keys. If you have ever had to lend out keys to service providers, make sure you get all of the keys back. If you do not, you might need to rekey all of your locks to avoid a break-in. When you have lost a key, it is also a good idea to have the locks rekeyed.

Upgrade Existing Locks

If you have lived in your home for some time now and have never had the locks upgraded, you should consider doing this right away. An expert locksmith will be able to determine which locks are weakest and need to be upgraded. Heed their advice when looking for locks to upgrade your existing locks.

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WHAT TO DO IN DIFFERENT LOCKOUT SITUATIONS

It always happens to the “other person” until it happens to you! We are talking about the dreaded lockout situation that can occur at any time, day or night! Lockouts are no respecter of age, income, race or sex; they happen to us all at one time or another! Here at Chesapeake Secure Locksmith we offer some helpful tips on how to handle your next lockout situation. If you never need to use them; more power to you! If you do, stay calm and remember our advice. If you need our assistance getting back inside, we’ll be there. If not, and all works out; give us a call and tell us about it!

Lockouts happen all the time because locks are everywhere!

It’s a fact. Locks surround us at every turn! We have and use locks at work, at home, in our cars, at our businesses; everywhere! We might accidentally lock ourselves out of our bedroom at home, or out of our hotel room in another continent. Even movies and television shows film lockouts on comedies, spy features, crime dramas and documentaries. Lockouts happen because people are people; they make mistakes once in a while, and especially so when they are distracted or under stress.

Emotional rollercoaster

It really is! If you’ve ever been locked out, you know what we mean by this! First you are surprised; are you really locked out? Then you go through a series of different emotions like shock, fear, anger and even humor. How did this happen? Surely you are not really locked out? When reality sets in you start thinking about your options. Here’s where some people make the situation worse; they panic and react. This is never a good idea. 

Extreme emergency situations

These are the exception and not the rule! If you locked your keys in the car along with your dog, or small child, and it’s getting hotter by the minute then by all means call police or smash a window! Life or death situations are not what this post is all about. We are relating easy and simple ways to handle everyday lockout situations involving lost or missing keys or common forgetfulness that are not emergencies.

Keep your cool!

Yes, stay calm. Reacting to your lockout situation emotionally only makes matters worse. Not only does this hinder clear thinking, but it also attracts the wrong kind of onlookers. If a person that wants to take advantage of you sees you in distress, it is easy to offer fake help or even physically attack you in an effort to steal your purse, wallet or worse, all while pretending to care about your situation.

Don’t force your way in!

Sure, it’s your property so why not smash your way back inside? There are many good reasons to not do this. Broken windows and bent door or window frames will need to be repaired again and it IS your property so the cost will be yours to bear. Also, the risk of bodily injury is great when emotions run high and when shattered glass and bent metal are around.

Your neighbors and even family members might not even recognize you, and accost you, or even shoot you. There have been plenty of people mistaken for burglars (or worse) that have been harmed or even killed by well-meaning roommates, neighbors or police. Avoid tragedy by staying calm and resorting to the simple and smart tips we offer here.

Smart use of a spare key

Spare keys are actually a good idea! Many of our Chesapeake, VA customers have avoided a locksmith service call by simply making use of one during a lockout situation. It’s important to use your spare key in a smart way. Don’t leave it under the door mat or in the flower pot by the living room window! Instead, try hiding it in the backyard somewhere that is not obvious like a rain gutter or in the gas BBQ.

You can hide a car key this way as well. You can also give a key to a trusted neighbor, friend or relative. You will still have to call them but keeping them on the phone while they get to you also has a calming effect and helps the waiting time go by faster. It also gives you a potential witness in case you run into any kind of trouble while waiting for them to arrive.

Cell phone case

Some smart phone cases have a place where a spare key can fit. Most people are never far from their cell phones at any time. Many even sleep with them nearby, or under the pillow. Chances are, if you get locked out of your car, home or business, your mobile device will not be too far away. Whether you hide a spare key in your case, or just use your smart phone to call for help, you are making good use of modern technology to make your life safer.

Local management office

If you rent your home, office or commercial space, you can try calling the rental office for help. Many offer lockout services and all have spare keys on hand. This option is usually only good during business hours as no one will respond after hours or on holidays. 

If you have a local Chesapeake, VA business, you can try leaving a spare key with a neighboring commercial establishment. Do this only if you trust that person. You can actually put your business at risk if your spare key is known to be there and if the wrong persons use it to gain access to your premises.

Call a locksmith!

Don’t be afraid to call for help; professional help, that is. Most all full service locksmith shops in Chesapeake will offer 24-hour emergency service that includes lockout help for residential, commercial and automotive use. If you don’t have access to a spare key or if you don’t trust anyone else to hold one for you, it never hurts to simply call in the lockout experts who provide this service for all who need it.