Carlsbad Village Lock and Key

Did you know that hiding a copy of your house key is one of the worst things you can do? A better idea to prevent lockouts is to give a copy of your house key to a trusted neighbor or relative.

Were you aware that locksmiths can easily spot deadbolts that haven’t been put in correctly? Deadbolt problems are one of the most common reasons that commercial locksmiths are called. Many locksmiths recommend having a dead bolt that requires a key on the inside.

Locks protect your valuables, so it would seem pretty obvious that this isn't a good area to pinch pennies. But too many people try to get a deal and end up with security that doesn't do its job. A locksmith can help you figure out the best way to secure your possessions and stay within your budget.

Do you find yourself constantly losing your car keys? We can quickly make you a backup set, saving you both time (in having to constantly look for your keys), as well as your sanity.

The patent for the world’s first commercially viable, single-dial combination lock was issued in February of 1910 to businessman and founder of American Lock, John Junkunc, who grew tired of losing his keys.

Did you know some cars come with an additional key called the valet key? This key starts the car and opens the driver’s side door, but prevents valet from gaining access to valuables located in your trunk or glove box.

If you want durability in your commercial lock system, then quality locks are worth the investment. Inexpensive locks are often quick to succumb to ice and snow damage, as well as rust and corrosion.

The angle of cut in auto locksmithing refers to the angle of the edge of the key as it moves from one cut to the next. This angle remains the same in most key systems, but there are a few systems that change the angle based on the next cut.

Among the different services provided by locksmiths is the ability to both create and open locks. For the latter, this means opening locks whose combinations have been lost or those locks that have been damaged in some manner, preventing their operation.

Do you know that the Pavlovo Arts College in Russia holds the Guinness World Record for the largest padlock ever invented? The lock measures more than 56 inches tall and 41 inches wide.

Do you live in California, Texas, or Florida? These three states topped the FBI's list for highest auto theft rates for 2011. Follow the advice of security experts, and replace car keys as soon as they are lost.

Did you realize that a majority of residential burglaries occur during the daylight hours when homeowners and family members are at work or school? One of the best defensive tools against unforced entry by a burglar is a sturdy door lock.

The first padlocks were portable and convenient, as they could be carried and used anywhere. Though new, more reliable concepts for locks were being developed by the Europeans in the 17th century, padlocks were still favored by many merchants who had to travel many miles to conduct business.

Think about the number of people who have ever gotten keys to your home. Of course, that includes everyone who lives there and probably some other family members as well. You may have loaned out keys to temporary visitors or babysitters, etc. Did you get every key back? Experts recommend changing the locks if you have been in your home at least three years.

Even if the locks are working perfectly, it's very important to have them re-keyed when you move into a new house. There's no way to know how many copies of the door keys are circulating around, so not changing them means that someone you don't know could have access to your home at any time.

Do not be offended when our locksmiths ask you for identification; this is for your protection. We do not want to be defrauded by someone posing as you in order to steal your car, so we take all necessary precautions to protect you.

While it is very rare for a key to break off in a car door lock or the ignition, it does sometimes happen with worn keys. Our locksmiths are trained to remove keys that have broken off without having to remove the lock, or ignition cylinders.

Whether you’re storing solid gold bricks or old files filled with customer information in your warehouse, keeping it secure is a major priority for your business. If you aren’t sure whether you’re doing all you can, we may be able to help you upgrade the locks.

It’s important to remember that some types of vehicles have keys that can’t be copied by anyone except the dealership. Even if we can’t help you get a new key so that you can drive home, we may still be able to help you get into your car so you can retrieve your belongings.

When it comes to securing your office or business, window locks are highly recommended. Typically, these work to prevent your windows from sliding open and/or the window itself from being lifted out of the frame.

Did you know that flat metal keys were adopted in the early 20th century? After this adoption, we could finally duplicate keys, which is great for people who might lose their keys or if those keys break.

Even though your business maybe in a part of town that never has burglaries, it’s still important to get in the habit of locking up shop when you are away. Most of the time, an ounce of prevention is all that's needed to deter criminals.

Good locks are important, but other aids can help keep you safe, too. Consider adding a 180-degree peephole to your front door for added visibility. That way you'll have a good view of exactly what you're opening your door to.

It may seem like key fobs with alarm buttons remote entry access have been around forever. But if you have a car that is a 1995 model or older, you don't have a key fob. That was the year that electronic car chips and key fobs were introduced.

Did you know there is a grading system for door locks? The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) relies on standards developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) to rate locks based on security and durability.

Doors accessed by key locks often aren't practical in many commercial applications. This is particularly the case when there is a mixture of employees and customers entering a building. Instead, buzzer locks or other keyless entry systems can be effective.

Most burglars are not Harry Houdini; the vast majority of break-ins involve a lock being forced instead of picked. A locksmith can ensure that not only is your lock itself secure, but that it’s been properly installed and strengthened to prevent the door from being forced open.

Did you know that many newer types of car models have a protective ‘Slim Jim plate’ to keep car thieves from using Slim Jims to break into cars? Cars with this type of protective plate must be opened with other types of tools including wires and airbags to avoid damaging the doors.

One of the reasons pin and tumbler locks are so popular is that they are relatively inexpensive but offer a fair degree of security. For a typical pin and tumbler lock with 5 pins, there will be up to a million different pin combinations.

Mechanical car door locks have been popular for decades, but they're vulnerable to a particular type of master key that can open most mechanical locks easily. Care to guess what this key is called? If you guessed that it's called a "bump" key, you're right.

If you are like so many others, you probably keep all of your keys together on one key chain or key ring, creating a huge problems if you lose or misplace them or they are stolen. If your keys go missing, have their corresponding locks replaced.

It’s important to remember that your interior and exterior doors may not be the only things that lock in your building. If your business keeps a safe or vault on the premises, it’s smart to have us change the combination for you on a regular basis.

While we sometimes imagine safes as belonging only to the extremely wealthy, a simple safe can be an invaluable asset for any family with important valuables or documents. In the case of a burglary or a fire, a safe can help you protect those things that are irreplaceable.

A busted lock should be replaced as quickly as possible. Rekeying is usually recommended as well in the event of a security breech or theft.

Do you own a business where employees need to have different levels of access to certain rooms or areas? There are a variety of electronic locks openable only by passcode or by keycards and similar mechanisms that can help you control who in your business is able to enter secure areas.

If you have a new model vehicle with a good lock security system, then chances are you will not be able to break in without damaging your vehicle in the case of a lockout. No matter the type of key you need, we will be able to quickly make you a replacement.

Bumping is one of the latest methods criminals use to foil pin and tumbler locks. A bumping tool works somewhat like a master key. At one time, locksmiths routinely used bumping tools to get locks opened fast.

We understand that not every business is comfortable handing out keys to its employees. When you need a better option for securing your building, we’re always happy to talk about the other door locking mechanisms that companies use.

Having trouble getting into your automobile? We offer a variety of auto locksmithing services, including traditional and transponder key replacement, broken car key removal, trunk opening, and even auto lock repair.

After an employee of your company is let go, it's a good idea to have the locks changed. This not only protects your facility and assets, it also protects the ex-employee from being suspected in case there's a theft.

In skilled hands, modern high tech versions of the old-fashioned Slim Jim can open most locked cars. An extremely long thin version allows the locksmith to access the lock without triggering the side airbag.

If you lose one of the keys to your home, you should replace the lock immediately. Assume the key is in the hands of someone who could break into your home, so taking measures to protect your possessions is essential.

Did you know that power door locks were introduced in 1914 on the luxury Scripps-Booth, but were not common until 1956? Most cars offer this now, but if they ever cause you any problems, one of our auto locksmiths can help you out.

Some criminals may use a filed-down key, known as a "bump key," to force open a standard lock. Certain locks (such as combination locks, disc locks, magnetic locks, electronic locks, and keyless locks) are immune to bump keys.

One way to prove ownership of a car is to have the VIN available. Locksmiths can sometimes use the VIN to rekey a car’s locks.

You probably already know that a master key can open any door in an office or home. Care to guess what the first master keys were called? If you guessed they were called "skeleton keys," you're right.

Waiting around outside a locked car might not be a big deal in gorgeous weather, but getting locked out doesn’t wait for the weather to cooperate. That’s why we make it our priority to get to people as soon as we can, no matter how bad the weather is.

If you want an extra level of security, an electric lock may be a good choice for your business. It incorporates a standard cylindrical or mortise body, but with the addition of security wiring accessed with a swipe card or remote switch.

Interestingly, brass was the material of choice for auto locks in the 1920s, but in the 1930s, diecast materials began to be used. Since diecast disintegrates with age, this has caused a problem with some vintage cars.

If your dead bolt is difficult to engage, it may be misaligned. In fact, problems with poorly adjusted deadbolts result in many of the service calls performed by locksmiths across the country every year.

Do you or any of your employees have old keys that are either wearing down or have been worn down flat? You should replace these since the teeth on these keys need to be properly sharp in order for them to move the tumblers within the locks.

There are a number of different ways that we can make a new key for your vehicle. Some vehicles have codes that program a key cutting machine to turn a blank key into your new set of car keys.

Keys are the most common means of opening a lock. Some types of locks, however, can be opened by a fob, magnetic strips, numeric codes, and even biometric data such as fingerprints and retinal patterns.

A car lock might seem like something that’s basic and unchanging. But like every other part of a car, lock technology is constantly evolving and changing. Auto locksmiths stay on top of the changes in car lock technology so they’ll be able to open almost any car.

You probably already know locks can help keep homes and belongings safer. Locks have been around a long time, too. Some experts believe the first locks were fashioned over 4,000 years ago. Care to guess the first material used to make locks? If you guessed wood, you're right.

Did you know that the 1900 Leach automobile had a unique security system? Rather than a lock and key, this car was designed with a removable steer wheel that the driver could simply remove and take with him to prevent the theft of the car.

Which is more secure, a keyed door knob or a keyed deadbolt lock? If you guessed that a keyed deadbolt lock is more secure, you're right. Many front doors now have both.

If you have to jiggle your keys when you unlock your car door or start the ignition, there's a good chance the wear and tear is getting to your keys and locks. If you have an auto locksmith look at it now, they can fix the problem before your keys stop working.

Not all locksmiths are trained to unlock cars. Make sure the services on their website clearly indicate experience with cars, and ask when calling if the technician has experience with cars.

Locksmiths in history: A former New York City police officer by the name of Samuel Segal is credited with the invention of a jimmy proof lock in 1916.

If a stranger comes to your door at night asking to use the phone to call a mechanic or the police, keep the door locked and make the call yourself. Though their intentions may be completely sincere, it’s always better safe than sorry.