Thursday 3 August 2017

Rising Global Temperatures Can Affect Your Lock Security and Your Pocketbook

Atlanta Lock Professional, Wes Anderson of Atlanta Fast Locksmith, has the “key” to fighting the effects of climate change. 

Recent studies show that global warming can become much more personal in the near future. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC; as small as a 5-degree hike in global temperatures can result in a cost to society of between 38 billion, and 115 billion dollars. Much of this massive cost involves deploying additional police and security measures to combat a noticeable rise in crime. Atlanta Fast Locksmith’s Wes Anderson is at the forefront of the local movement to better secure area homeowners against the rise in crime rates due to climate changes.

Global warming is ever-present in national and global news, entertainment channels, and social media. Daily we hear about rising sea levels, warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns. Climate change is no longer a possible theory; it has become woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Public policy and consulting firms now report a correlation between the rise in temperatures and a rise in crime rates. Rape, murder, burglaries and home invasions are predicted to rise dramatically over the remainder of this century. The actual predicted numbers are staggering and they paint a dim view for personal and corporate safety and security. The costs of adding security and deploying extra police forces are equally distressing; numbering in the billions of dollars. Violence and conflict are byproducts of destabilized weather and rises in sea levels that go hand in hand with a long established rise in overall crime during hotter temperatures.  

Wes Anderson has locksmith advice for anyone affected by climate change and warming temperatures. He’s seen the effects of hotter climes on both lock hardware and on public attitude and crime rates. Atlanta’s torrid summer temperatures combined with surplus humidity often result in expanding door frames, jammed locks and broken off keys. Conversely, in winter months, dropping temperatures lead to lock contraction resulting in substandard fit between lock hardware and door frame. All is not doom and gloom, however. “We encourage local residents to work with a trusted locksmith professional to ensure that their locks are in healthy shape, not only now, but in the coming hotter years. A simple hardware checkup can pinpoint areas for improvement as well as security weak spots that may not be obvious,” Anderson says.

Atlanta Fast Locksmith is full service and offers home, automotive and business locksmith expertise. Wes Anderson and his 24-hour licensed, bonded and insured locksmith professionals can be reached by calling (678) 255-8555or finds them on Yelp


Wednesday 19 April 2017

Practical and Useful Ways of Securing Your Apartment



Living in an apartment doesn’t mean that you will not experience a break-in or that it can’t happen to you. You can experience a break-in anywhere, regardless of where you live. We see it every day at Atlanta Fast Locksmith in Atlanta, GA. This is why we are often called on to rekey locks or replace locks. If you wish to avoid a break-in, there are things that you can do before moving in and even after you’ve already moved into your new apartment. We’ve outlined some of these things for you below.

Things You Can Do ‘Before’ Moving In

Have New Locks Installed

This is important because despite what some management offices will say, they don’t actually change the locks; they simply swap them for locks from another apartment. This isn’t safe because someone still has a key that can open that lock. Make sure that you have the locks of your apartment changed before you move in. This might require that you buy the lock yourself but it is well worth knowing that the locks are not old locks that have been placed on your door from another apartment.

Really Get to Know Your Neighborhood

You should find out all that you can about the crime in the area that you are moving into before moving. Unfortunately, the leasing agents are not always forthcoming in offering this information. Remember, their job is to occupy apartments. They aren’t going to do anything that could possibly prevent this from occurring. That is why you’ll have to take matters into your own hands. Go to the local police department and ask for a report on the crime in the neighborhood. You can also go online to websites, such as, CrimeReports.com and CrimeMapping.com, to find this information.

Check Your Window Locks

This is another area of the home that is often overlooked. Since the window is another way that an intruder can gain entry inside your home, it is a good idea to take a close look at the locks on all of the windows in your apartment. You should especially consider doing this if your apartment is on the ground level of the building. Window locks can be compromised if a would-be burglar were to try to break-in. Since they can be compromised just like a door, it is a good idea to make sure your window locks are of good quality. If they are not, have them replaced. You can never be too safe.

Evaluate the Property Upkeep

Before moving into an apartment, walk around the interior and exterior of the building. Most apartments will make sure that the apartment you are interested in renting is in good condition and that the front of the property is well maintained. However, if you walk around you might notice some alarming things, such as, broken windows, trash in the parking area, lights out, water stains and cracked drywall. This is a sign that the landlord isn’t as concerned with the property as they should be. This in turn means that they are likely not as concerned with the safety and security of their tenants than they should be. Keeping up the basic maintenance of a building is important but not as important as the safety of those who life on the property.

Peephole for Protection

A peephole is a way to see who is at your door before opening it. Someone might identify who they are but it is most helpful to see if they are who they say they are. It is very dangerous to open up your door to someone whom you do not know or are not expecting. If your apartment doesn’t have a peephole, ask the management office if and how one can be installed. This isn’t something that should be ignored and should be discussed prior to moving in.

What Type of Entrance

If you are safety conscience, you might consider moving into a building with access control. Access control means that no one can gain entry into the building without someone allowing them access inside. They might have to enter a code that will then notify a specific tenant. The tenant can allow them inside or not. In some apartments, the tenant is allowed to give their code to their visitors. If the code is entered incorrectly, they will not be able to get inside. This is an added feature that offers greater security to the building.

Things You Can Do ‘After’ Moving In

Purchase Good Blinds/Curtains

The people on the outside should never know what you have inside your apartment. This is advertising what you own. If you have something that a burglar wants, you may be making your apartment the target of a would-be burglar. This is why you should make sure you have good blinds and curtains that you cannot see through from outside. Test them by closing them at night and having someone walking in front of them to make sure that you can’t see through them. This should be done before you being moving in all of your valuables.

Secure Your Patio Door

Most patio doors are sliding doors. The locks that are on a sliding door are generally there to keep the door shut, not to secure the home. You’ll need to purchase a bar lock or put a pole on the inside track to prevent anyone from getting inside. This is the one door that is overlooked most often. Remember to do this if your new apartment has a patio or balcony.

Obtain Renters Insurance

While getting renters insurance doesn’t serve as safety it does give you the security in knowing that if ever your valuables are damaged, that you will be able to get something in return, money. You file a claim on what was lost or stolen and the insurance company will compensate you. Renters insurance protects other tenants against damages they may incur as a result of something in your apartment.

Friday 3 March 2017

KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM BENEFITS




Locks and keys go together; they always have! Man has been using this lock and key combination for thousands of years as working locks have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and they are mentioned in Sumerian clay tablets. In the modern world, a new technology has made an appearance; keyless entry systems! Now you can open locks with NO keys at all. Keyless entry has become invaluable in both auto and commercial applications not only here in Atlanta, GA but everywhere else in the world where locks are used. Even residential locks have now adapted to keyless technology and homes, condos and time shares now boast keypads, card entry and even badge readers to make life better secured and convenient.

Automotive keyless entry

Usually when some says “keyless entry systems” people think of cars. This amazing technology has been used in the automotive industry for some time and it is almost standard with some brands especially in the higher price brackets. Keyless entry systems can also include keyless remotes so that the operator can now start, unlock, lock and open his car without even being near it. Some buyer prefer to not have it or use it while others can’t live without it so pretty much keyless entry for cars is a matter of preference. Here at Atlanta Fast Locksmith our automotive lock professionals are highly adept at repairing, maintaining, installing and servicing keyless entry no matter what make or model of car, truck or SUV you drive. You are not limited to our expertise as many Atlanta, GA lock shops offer experienced and skilled keyless entry service on a 24-hour basis and at amazingly affordable rates.

Keyless entry at home

Keyless entry for residential use is rapidly gaining popularity with both builders and home buyers. The act if simply entering a number sequence or swiping a card to gain entry is very appealing as no more cumbersome keys are needed. Imagine going for a walk around the neighborhood with your special someone and not having to lug around a noisy and bulky key chain. With no keys to bother with, there are less incidents of lost keys, broken off keys, copied keys and even stolen keys. Keyless entry is both convenient and secure. Don’t worry; no one is going to stand outside your front door and try number sequence after number sequence until they hit the jackpot! Just like auto keyless entry, the system locks up if the right sequence is not used right away. In some cases, security or the police are automatically called.

With residential keyless entry you don’t have to hide that spare key in the flowerpot or under the door mat anymore. You can also program the lock to accept different key codes for every member of your household so that you always know who came and went and at what time.

When you lose an actual key, you are not only inconvenienced, but your home security is compromised. After all, you don’t know who found your key and what they will do with it! Maybe they know where you live and maybe they don’t, but you can never be sure that a dishonest person didn’t see you drop your key ring and follow you home. With keyless entry, you don’t have to worry about lost keys as your key code or number sequence is in your head!

Keyless entry for business

One of the biggest strides in keyless entry advancement is in the business field. More and more Atlanta, GA commercial operations are using keyless entry to enhance security and streamline operations among staff, customers, contractors and vendors. Using key codes, swipe cards, badges and number sequences allows for better tracking of building access as well as smaller, more specialized locals like cash registers, vaults, offices, lockers, mail rooms, storage facilities, warehouses and even service fleets.

You can find keyless entry systems used in hotels, apartment rentals, museums, hospitals, schools, office parks, retail stores, jewelry shops, laundromats, restaurants, medical clinics, condo associations, high rise residences, government offices, banks, retirement homes, home builders, assisted living facilities, convenience stores and hundreds more!

Keyless entry can be used as a form of access control. Number sequences and key cards can be assigned to key employees and authorized staff members and fraud or misuse can be cut down and almost eliminated by adding CCTV cameras to verify identification so that users are not swapping cards or codes for fraudulent use.

More benefits

If keys are lost, broken or worn, new ones need to be made. With keyless entry, you can simply re-assign the code or change it to fit your needs. Instead of cumbersome key chains to mess with, your “keys” can instead be a thin plastic card or simply a series of letters or numbers.

Advanced forms of Atlanta, GA keyless entry can even include biometric entry systems that work off of fingerprint lock technology. Retina scanners for more high-tech and specialized use are also extensively used in some local applications. As technology advances, expect more and more uses for keyless entry as well as additional forms of it.

Find out more

Can keyless entry add enhanced security and benefits to your life? It just might! Atlanta Fast Locksmith encourages you to find out more. You are always welcome to phone our shop and speak to our full service locksmith staff. They are helpful, knowledgeable and well versed in all of the latest keyless entry methods and technologies. Other local lock and key shops offer keyless entry services, too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to get additional details on keyless entry for your Atlanta home, auto or business. Many local locksmiths offer free consultations, free price quotes and professional services that can include all forms of keyless entry available to date.

Keyless remotes and keyless entry are established and emerging technologies that offer enhanced convenience and security for your work, driving and living conditions.

Tuesday 21 February 2017

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Atlanta, Georgia locals appreciate safety and convenience – that is why they live in this great city. Those who own residential or commercial properties, or even a vehicle, should look into the solutions offered by Atlanta Fast Locksmith. Services we can be hired for vary from lockout assistance 24/7 and lock replacement to key duplication and rekeying locks. 

No matter what you are looking for as it relates to locks and keys, trust that we are the absolute best in Atlanta, GA for quality solutions and affordable prices. Dial (678) 255-8555 so we can send someone to help you. Atlanta Fast Locksmith wants to make sure that if you are in the area, your property is protected. Call our team: (678) 255-8555

Friday 17 February 2017

More Consumers Are Keeping Up With Technology by Installing Electric Home Locks





Electric Locks provide a faster and more convenient way to unlock and open a door. Many consumers are opting for this new technology for both convenience and safety. 

Consumers don’t mind paying convenience. Perhaps this is why so many are choosing to have more high-security locks installed, such as, electric locks. Gallup reported that approximately one year ago, property crimes in the United States decreased by 7.5 percent from the previous year. This decline is due, in part, to the increase in the number of electric locks being used by homeowners today.  
Two of the most widely used residential electric locks installed by Atlanta Fast Locksmith are the push-button lock and the wireless lock. Without the need for a key, a push-button lock requires that the exact code be entered into the keypad. Upon entering the correct code, an electronic signal is sent to the lock, which allows it to open. This type of lock is designed with magnets or internal motors that engage the lock feature. It is a popular choice for consumers because it is easily programmable. Whenever you need to prevent someone with the current code from gaining access, you can quickly change the code on the push-button lock. 

Wireless locks are just as popular as the push-button lock since no key is required. It is a battery-powered mechanism that uses Bluetooth technology. This type of lock requires a key fob in order to disengage the lock. Once the key fob is programmed with the specific lock, it only requires the user to wave it in front of the lock in order for it to open. Wireless locks were once only used in commercial establishments but with recent advances in technology it is just as practical for home use 

Wes Anderson of Atlanta Fast Locksmith says, “Even though most consumers are aware of the higher price tag of electric locks, they do not seem to mind, as the advantage of having such a lock gives them a greater sense of security.” “Consumers receive value for their money,” Anderson continues. Many locksmith services are seeing an increase in requests for electric locks. Atlanta Fast Locksmith helps consumers by explaining the many options that are now available to them. With over 25 years of service
experience, atlantafastlocksmith.com can assist with any lock or key emergency, rekey locks, provide lockout assistance, and install high-security locks and more. Their services are offered 24-hours a day.