Westwood Locksmith

Did you know that the best time to search for a locksmith is actually when you do not need one? This gives you a chance to ask about specific services and allows you to find a locksmith who can meet your needs.

Looking for a locksmith? If so, you need to determine the qualities you want in a professional. For example, you should consider whether you want a locksmith with expertise with homes, vehicles, or both.

The most common type of entryway door lock is the single cylinder lock. This type of lock has a keyed opening on one side and a knob that manipulates the lock on the other, which makes it easy to exit the home and/or let someone inside.

It's common to call a locksmith to help you out when you lock your keys in the car. However, locksmiths offer a variety of automotive services, from duplicating a lost key to extracting a broken ignition key from the lock cylinder.

According to the FBI, nearly 40 percent of all house or shed burglaries involved doors that were not locked. Remember that some burglars watch neighborhoods to pick up patterns to make breaking into homes easier.

Do you need an auto locksmith to help you get into your car? If so, you should ask for a detailed estimate for any charges and replacement parts, as well as whether the locksmith provides 24-hour service.

Some locks are designed for use with temporary builder keys. A number of tiny ball bearings are integrated into the lock. Once the owner's key is inserted and turned, it displaces these ball bearings and renders the builder keys useless.

If you lock your keys in the car, contact a professional who can get the car open without incurring any damage to the vehicle. It's a smart idea to have the number of a locksmith readily available in the event this happens.

A high grade deadbolt lock can be a deterrent to potential burglars. Many home intruders, when interviewed about their selection of a target, claim that seeing a quality deadbolt lock will cause them to move on to another house.

Why hire a locksmith instead of installing a new lock yourself? Professional locksmiths are required to go through numerous years of training, so you can be sure that any locks or security devices that they install will be up to standard.

Some locks are designed to be anti-drill, or drill resistant. The manufacturer infuses the lock casing with hardened steel chips. If an intruder attempts to drill into the lock, these chips will tear up the drill bit.

One way to keep your home safe is to keep ample lighting on the inside and outside of your home. Also, keep bushes and shrubs trimmed back from walkways, doors, and windows so that these areas are in full view at all times.

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.

A double cylinder deadbolt lock has keyholes on both sides of the door. This type of lock prevents burglars from breaking the glass in the door light or sidelight and reaching through to unlock the door.

Do you need help finding the most secure lock? Two important factors to consider are the location you plan to install the lock and how conveniently the lock fits in that place.

Many toddlers love to explore cabinets and drawers around the house. A locksmith can install child-proof locks that can be easily opened by an adult, but will stop the inquisitive efforts of a young child.

Think about every way that someone can get into your home and make sure it's secure. Some doors that are frequently used, like rear sliding glass doors, aren't always securely locked.

Have you just moved into a new home? One of the most important things to do is change all the locks. This can help protect you from burglars entering your home with keys copied from your previous locks.

Talk to your locksmith about installing a high security lock on your front door. These come with a plastic card that you store in a safe. You must be in possession of the card and show ID in order to get spare keys made.

It is very important to avoid putting a copy of your house key in your vehicle, since burglars often break into cars quickly and quietly. In addition to valuable items, one of the first things burglars search for is a key to your home.

ANSI Grade 3 locks are the most common locks used in residential areas, and have the lowest rating for protection against break-ins. Most of the locks found in home improvement centers and hardware stores are ANSI Grade 3.

Have you found yourself locked out of your car or home at 2 a.m.? Fortunately, many locksmiths offer services 24 hours a day, which means you can contact them at any time to unlock your door.

One high-security measure you can take with your locks is an anti-drill feature. Here, hardened steel chips are installed in the lock housing. If an intruder is trying to drill out the lock, the drill bit will hit these steel chips and break.

Thumb-turn deadbolts are one way to add extra security to your home without creating a fire hazard. Here, on the interior side, the deadbolt lock has a thumb turn that can be removed from the lock when no one is home, leaving a keyhole and creating a double cylinder deadbolt.

If you must allow temporary access into your home to workers or visitors, a digital lock may be your best bet. Locks with combinations on the lockset can be reset when the work is finished or your company has left.

Keep in mind that while you want your locks to be secure against unwanted intruders, safety is also an important consideration. If you decide to install a double cylinder deadbolt (keyed on both sides), then make sure you have an alternate exit plan in case of fire or another emergency.

Advances in locks and other security measures in recent years have made locksmiths invaluable. If you call the police or fire department because you're locked out of your home, they will likely call in a locksmith to handle the situation.

The most important places to install quality deadbolt locks in your home are on all exterior doors, on doors between attached garages and living spaces, and on any doors leading in and out of the garage (even if the garage isn't attached to the house).

Did you know that one of the most common ways burglars enter homes is through unlocked doors or windows? Thus, not only is it important that you have quality locks installed, but you need to be vigilant about securing them.

It's common for homeowners to leave the front door key in the lock on the inside portion of the door. However, burglars can then break a door's glass sidelights or a window close to the front door, reach inside, and grab the key.

Did you know that a criminal can defeat the typical front door lock in less than a minute with a small tool called a bump key? A locksmith can offer advice about how to improve your home's safety.

When looking for a place to break in, an intruder will select the door with the lock that seems easiest to penetrate in the location where he or she has the least chance of being seen. Your best protection is to install quality locks along with added safety features such as security lights.

The weakest point of any door lock is the strike plate, which attaches to the door jamb. Some locks include high security strike plates that are made of heavy gauge metal and are mounted with 3 long screws that secure to the wall framing.

Did you know that lock picking refers to the manipulation of any lock by an instrument or tool other than the intended key? Burglars normally need two tools (a pick and tension wrench) to manipulate a pin tumbler lock.

Most locksmiths offer home rekeying services, where the tumblers of a lock cylinder are modified to work with a new key. Rekeying a lock can provide the same security as changing the lock outright, but at a fraction of the cost.

Be careful with the copies of your house key. A significant percentage of burglaries every year are committed by criminals who either have the house key or have had the opportunity to make a copy of the 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.

It's common for locks in hotels, schools, office buildings, and apartments to be master keyed. This means that, while each lock has its own key, there is a master key (or set of master keys) that will open them all.

If you want to avoid the hassle of locking yourself out of your home, you should consider a keyless lock. This eliminates the need for house keys and simply allows you to enter a code to enter your home.

If you or your family struggle with lost house keys, talk to a locksmith about a digital lock for your front door that doesn't require a key. Instead, you could open the door by entering a combination on a keypad.

If you are looking for the most secure lock for your home, it can help to consult with a lock-pick expert. He or she can suggest the best locks and give you tips on how to increase your home's security.

A good deadbolt lock should be secured with screws at least 21/2 to 3 inches long. Talk to your locksmith about purchasing a grade 1 or grade 2 lock, both which are strong and can often withstand exterior force from kicking, prying, or hammering.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grades door locks for durability, performance, and security strength. ANSI Grade 1 is the highest rating a lock can receive, and indicates the lock is of commercial quality for heavy use.

A key safe is a secure alternative to having several copies of keys floating around. A single set of keys is locked in a small receptacle, which is only accessible to those who know the combination.

Saw resistant bolts are often used in high security deadbolts in order to deter any break-in attempts using a saw blade. The pins make any sawing difficult because they spin back and forth with every movement of the blade.

Lock bumping is a way thieves can open a lock using a specially filed key that's the same size and shape as the key normally used. Certain key manufacturers are more vulnerable to this than others. Speak to a locksmith to see if it might be best to get your locks rekeyed.

If you are trying to secure a shed or other building outside the home, remember that a padlock or combination lock is only as secure as the bolt that is secured by the lock.

A reputable locksmith will always ask to see your ID or proof of residence before working on the locks in your home. Most will also ask to see proof of ownership (such as an insurance card) before unlocking your car or duplicating a lost key.

Did you know that locks are named based on several different factors? These typically include common uses, appearance, major security features, installation methods, and internal construction and technology.

Remember, your entryway locks are your first line of defense against unwanted intruders in your home. Talk to your locksmith to find a lock that's going to be resistant to picking and drilling, and strong enough to withstand exterior force.

The best way to secure an exterior door is with a deadbolt system that is keyed on both sides. This type of lock is especially recommended if your entryway door has a glass section or is located near a window, as one would still need a key to open the door.

If you live in a recently built condo, apartment, subdivision, or gated community where a single manufacturer supplied similar locks for every house in the community, then it may be wise to have your house rekeyed.

Have you considered purchasing a lock pick in case you lock yourself out of your home? Many states have strict laws about who can purchase or carry a lock pick, so you should ask a locksmith professional about the specific lock-pick laws for your state.

Remote-controlled keyless locks are a great choice if you want the convenience of unlocking your door from a distance. They can also be especially helpful if you come home with tons of stuff and do not have an extra hand to spare.

If you're concerned about crime in your neighborhood, a professional locksmith can help you choose and install the right locks and other security devices in your home to keep you, your family, and your valuables safe.

The locks in your home are often the main line of defense from criminals. Have them checked regularly to keep them in top operating condition. That's much better than discovering a lock issue at midnight.

It's a good idea to have a locksmith inspect all of the locks when you move into a new home. A trained locksmith can make suggestions to improve the security of your home.

The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) requires members to go through a three-month waiting period while they undergo extensive background checks. Membership is only open to those who have been in business for two years or more.

Key control is a relatively new way of controlling who can access copies of keys to your home. These locks have accompanying keys that cannot be copied at a local hardware or retail store but rather only by certain locksmiths or by the manufacturer itself.

Did you know that simply replacing your hollow wood door with a solid wood or metal door is one of the best ways to keep burglars from breaking into your home? This makes it much harder for them to kick in your door.

One of the most important aspects of a good lock is the strike plate, since this is what secures your lock to the doorframe. If possible, you should find a strike plate that has at least four screws that are three inches long.