Have you evaluated the quality, condition, and effectiveness of the locks you are using lately?  You can rest assured that professional burglars are doing just that every time they pass your property.  Depending on a twenty dollar lock that was installed a quarter of a century ago to protect everything that you own may not be a very good idea, and all too often, homeowners never consider this obvious fact until after they have been the victim of a break-in.

The good news is that there is technology out there that can render your house all but impervious to thieves, and it is surprisingly inexpensive considering the level of protection it provides.  With this in mind, 24/7 Locksmith Services is very excited about a new home protection product that we are now offering called the Sunnect AP501 Digital Door Lock.

This virtually impenetrable deadbolt is the product of years of research and development, and the result is a home security device that is “built like a tank” according to The National Locksmith magazine.  This lock is aesthetically pleasing to behold, pick proof, bump proof, and designed with an optional keyless entry feature.  Oh, and did we mention that it still works even when you shoot it:

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Call at 1-866-450-0383 if you are interested in having the Sunnect AP501 Digital Door Lock installed to protect your home, your loved ones, and your belongings.

News4Jax.com reported on an incident that gives you a true understanding of what is at stake when you do not take the right home security precautions. Two burglars broke into a northwest Jacksonville home and they stole a computer, a purse, and a large screen television. That’s bad enough, but the part that stands out to me is that there was a seventeen year old girl at home alone at the time. She hid under the bed and thankfully the robbers never knew that she was there.

She called the police after they left and gave them a description of the burglars’ vehicle. The police saw the car and followed it into a Wal-Mart parking lot. They captured one of the suspects, but the other one ran into the store. He apparently took some clothes off a rack and changed into them, and he then just blended in with the other shoppers and was able to get away.

The way that the one burglar got away was the focal point of the story as it was reported by News4Jax, but as someone who has a daughter myself, I could only think about what might have happened to the young woman who was home alone. If the house was properly outfitted with bump proof locks on the doors and quality keyed locks on the windows, this intrusion could have been avoided. When you are considering whether it is “worth it” to have a professional locksmith evaluate the security of your home, you may want to keep this story in mind. Locks are not just there to protect your personal property. Locks protect your loved ones as well.

There are things that you can do that make your home off limits to thieves. In most cases, they know their business like anyone else so they look for homes that are vulnerable and avoid those that appear to be protected by security companies. It is amazing that people will pay a landscaper every couple of weeks to manicure their lawns and their bushes (which is great), but they never think about having a locksmith take a look around and install the appropriate security upgrades. They don’t mind performing regular maintenance on their homes, but they don’t consider the fact that locks need maintenance and upgrades just like anything else.

Although it is important to make sure that all of the locks throughout your home are in good working order, the front door lock is extremely important. About 80% of home break-ins involve the front door being compromised in some way. Clearly, having high quality, bump proof locks installed in the front door is a huge deterrent. When thieves see that you have taken the necessary precautions that make it tough for them, they will scratch you off their list.

Have you ever wondered how likely it is that your home will be burglarized? Most people would think that yeah, it happens, but it is very rare and unlikely to happen to me. However, the facts say otherwise. Studies have indicated that about one out of every six houses will be burglarized at some point. In fact, a burglary takes place about every twelve seconds, which is a mind boggling statistic. And if you thought that most home break-ins happen at night, guess again–around 60% of burglaries occur in the light of day.

Another factor that comes into play when assessing how at-risk your home is to burglary is its location. 40% of all homes that are burglarized are on a corner. Houses that are on dead-end streets or cul-de-sacs are statistically at greater risk of a break-in, and if you live close to a major thoroughfare you are more prone to burglary.

These are just a handful of statistics to consider when you are assessing your home security. The main thing to remember is that burglars look for vulnerable locks. A residential security locksmith can install bump proof locks around your property and make sure that the sliding glass door locks and window locks are also up to par. Criminals are not going to target a secure home, and 24/7 Locksmith Services understands modern home security technology inside and out. Keeping your locks up to date is simply a necessary component of home maintenance, and for quality lock replacement at affordable prices, the wise choice is Locksmith Services 24/7.

If somebody took what was in my car right now, it would be a bummer. I would lose a bunch of CDs and a few tennis balls, and I think I may have about forty-seven cents in change. People rarely try to steal factory stereos these days, so my losses would be minimal. Your car is probably similar, maybe the thief would get an umbrella, a jacket, or a baby car seat. Still, we usually lock our cars, as well we should.

But what about our homes? The valuables that you have in your home are truly significant, and if somebody was to break in you would suffer big time losses. Yet, people routinely move into houses that are new to them and never consider rekeying the locks. Even brand new homes are at risk, because many different contractors were holding keys before anyone moved in. Most contractors are honest, but it only takes one bad apple to relieve you of your hard earned property.

If the same locks are in place around your home that the last owner (or “owners” plural) had, there are multiple people running around with keys to your house. This includes every member of their families and anyone who may have been able to lift their keys long enough to have one made.

Rekeying your locks when you move into a new residence is a must, and if you are a landlord, you really owe it to your new tenants to hire a locksmith and get the locks changed or rekeyed. Every individual who owns rental property, whether it is a multi-unit building or just a single home, should have a residential locksmith that they work with to make sure that their tenants are safe and secure.

Once you have rekeyed or changed your locks upon moving in, you really need to be careful about who you give a key to, because all it takes is a few minutes and a couple of bucks to duplicate it. It’s not just a matter of you being sure that your sixteen-year-old babysitter won’t use her key to rob your home. The question is, are you certain that nobody else will get their hands on her keys long enough to have a key made?

Locksmiths are in the business of preventing burglaries, so we are very aware of how risky it can be when there are a lot of keys to your residence in circulation. It’s our job to be paraniod. If you need a lock changed or rekeyed, call the residential locksmiths at 24/7 Locksmith Services and be certain that nobody can get into your home unless you give them a key yourself.

The ideal example of an industry that had an obvious need for keyless entry technology is the hotel trade. Thousands of different people were in possession of a hotel’s keys every year, and the security risk that this situation posed was enormous.  All a crook had to do was rent a room, make a copy of the key, check out, and wait for the next person to be assigned that room.

Additionally, any time a guest lost a key, it was out there in circulation, further breaching hotel security.  Guest safety was certainly a driving force behind keyless entry technology for hotels, but replacement costs were also a concern.  Imagine how many duplicate keys a large hotel had to have made in a typical year before the advent of keyless lock technologies made old fashioned hotel keys obsolete.

Hotels are not the only types of businesses that clamored for keyless entry systems.

Most companies had the need to allow access to many different people, but employees come and go, and sometimes they would take their keys with them (either intentionally or inadvertently).  Also, some employees needed access to areas that others did not, so keyless access systems allowed selective access.  Limited facility access was another factor.  Perhaps the vending machine attendant needed to gain access to the building between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. only.  Keys work 24/7, but with a keyless access system, that vendor could be allowed access during a window of time.  And as an added layer of security, all of the comings and goings of everyone who holds an access card could be recorded in the company’s security database.

High tech locks and keyless entry systems have come a long way since they were first introduced as a largely commercial locksmith solution.  These days, push-button  handlesets, wireless remote deadbolts, hardwired keypads, proximity card readers and even biometric fingerprint technologies are within the reach of the average homeowner.

Affordable keyless entry systems provide a multitude of security advantages, but they may be worth the cost for their convenience alone.  24/7 Locksmith Services specializes in the service and installation of low cost residential keyless entry systems, and we will give you a brief explanation of some of the high tech residential security locks that our customers are using.

Remote wireless deadbolts are an entry level way for homeowners to go keyless in a very simple and affordable manner.  Wireless access systems like the Kwikset Maximum Security Keyless Entry System can be installed by homeowners who are handy with a drill and some simple hand tools.

You trigger the Kwikset Maximum Security Keyless Entry System by utilizing a push button remote control fobs that are commonly used to arm automobile alarm systems, and the fob has a range of about 30 feet.  These units employ a battery powered deadbolt that is compatible with your existing latchset, and the best news is that you can purchase one of these systems for under $150.

Push-button handlesets are another type keyless entry system that is growing in popularity among homeowners as the prices of these residential keyless entry technologies continues to become more affordable.  With these residential security locks a discreet keypad is installed alongside the home’s entrance and it is wired to an electric mortise lock on the jamb or a magnetic lock on the door’s frame.  These keyless systems are powered by a little DC transformer that plugs into a typical wall socket.  Some of these systems can be integrated with home security alarm systems and networked with computer software that records access attempts.  And believe it or not, there are low end push-button handlesets available to the security conscious consumer for as little as $200 (though it may be wise to spend a little bit more to take full advantage of this technology).  Push-button handlesets require professional installation in most instances, and 24/7 Locksmith Services is glad to provide this service to our home security lock customers.

Hardwired keypads are very popular keyless entry systems because they provide airtight residential security in one simple and affordable package.  They are stand-alone units;  the keypad that you use to gain entry and the handleset are part of the same mechanism.  Hardwired keypad systems run on batteries and since they are self-contained, no additional wiring is necessary.  Users punch a code into the keypad to gain access, and some of the more expensive models allow homeowners to program selected codes to allow access only during particular hours or days of the week.  These keyless entry systems are also affordable to most homeowner, starting at just over a hundred dollars and graduating up the line depending on the features that you need.  Hardwired keypads are one of our specialties at 24/7 Locksmith Services, and we can get your new keyless entry system up and running for you as soon as you make the decision to go with a high tech home security lock set-up and give us a call.

Proximity card readers are another popular choice for homeowner who have decided to go with high tech security locks.  Many of us use these systems to gain access to our office buildings or apartment or condominium units.  You simply wave a card that has a microchip embedded in it in front of an unobtrusive reader device that controls the magnetic or electronic strike lock that secures the door.  These readers are aesthetically pleasing because they can be concealed so that you can’t even see them (as long as they are not placed behind anything metal).  They do need to be installed professionally, and they are going to set you back anywhere from around $250 to over $1000.  24/7 Locksmith Services installs and services proximity card readers, and our customers really love them.

The last type of residential keyless entry system that we are going to discuss is probably not something that most homeowners are going to budget for, but if you want to be absolutely certain that your home is completely secure, biometric readers may be for you.

With biometric technologies, access is sitting right in the palm of your hand: literally.  Biometric readers are programmed to recognize unique hand shapes or fingerprints,  so there is no key, no fob, and no code to remember.  You show the reader your hand or selected finger and it’s “Open Sesame.”  This is definitely the high tech keyless entry system that James Bond would have us install in his London penthouse, but then again, he is working with a secret agent’s budget.  These systems will run you anywhere from $1300 to around $3000, a price range that is actually surprisingly affordable considering the extreme sophistication of the technology.

In the final analysis, these keyless entry systems are indeed rendering keys obsolete.  When you look at how easy it is to compromise low end locks with bump keys, and you consider the cost of bump proof locks, it may be a good idea to simply have a professional install the high tech keyless security lock system that best suits your budget.

These keyless systems offer innumerable advantages over the old fashioned keyed locks, not the least of which is that you never have to worry about forgetting or losing your keys.  Some of them can be used with your existing latchset, and depending on the system and its specific features, you can set them to allow selective limited access for say a babysitter or a repairman.

Many keyless entry systems can be integrated with your home security system and/or your personal computer so you know exactly when access has been requested and granted or denied.  Unlike the standard lock that comes with a couple of duplicate keys, high tech keyless security locks offer more possible access codes than you are realistically ever going to need, and they are all unique from one another and can be invalidated or changed whenever you see fit.

Plus, the wide variety of choices provides the homeowner with the ability to select the keyless entry package that best suits the aesthetics of the entryway.  Installing a keyless entry system does not have to be a designer’s nightmare, making your home look like a hotel or a secure business building.  If you so choose, you can install a proximity card reader that is literally invisible to your visitors (and for that matter, potential intruders as well).

Keyless entry systems are not the “wave of the future.”  They are here, now. Our master locksmiths know these keyless entry and access systems inside and out, and we are friendly, courteous, fast, and affordable.  When you decide to take the plunge and go keyless, call the residential keyless entry system experts at 24/7 Locksmith Services.

1.) Have a certified locksmith install your locks in the first place.

We get a lot of calls from customers who tried to install a new lock or keyless entry system, but find that they don’t have the right tools, or that they simply are not able to make it work properly for one reason or another. So there they are with a door swung open, no lock, and a pile of parts scattered about as the sun in going down. We are glad to help, but sometimes when we arrive damage has been done to the equipment or the door, and the job becomes more difficult and costly than it would have been otherwise.

2.) Prevent home, business, and vehicle intrusions before they happen.

You would not believe how many of our customers decide to “shut the barn door after the horse has gotten out.” It’s only natural, but people always decide to upgrade their locks and add layers of protection after they have experienced a break-in. Do yourself a favor and call 24/7 Locksmith Services to take a look at your home security situation and install residential security locks that will protect your family and your belongings before there is an intrusion, not afterward. We want to be your locksmith, but we want to prevent emergencies rather than respond to them if it is at all possible.

3.) Have a professional locksmith install keyless entry systems.

The most common reason why people need a locksmith is because they are locked out of their car or their home. With keyless entry systems, there is no key to lose. Plus, they are surprisingly affordable to purchase, and 24/7 Locksmith Services specializes in the installation of all types of high tech keyless access technologies for your home, car, or business.

4.) Give a spare key to family members and friends.

If you do have conventional keyed locks, be sure to have duplicate keys made and give them to family members and trusted friends who you can call in the event that you are locked out of your car, home, or business.

5.) Carry a spare key in your wallet.

When you look into the window of your locked vehicle and you see your keys dangling from the ignition, it is not a pretty sight. Many of our customers who have been there, done that, simply carry an extra key in a hidden compartment in their wallet. It is a simple but effective solution that gives you peace of mind and an added layer of protection. We want you to call us, but we want you to do it on your own terms, when you want to, not because you have to!

In light of the recent economic downturn, there are people out there who are increasingly becoming more desperate and perhaps more willing to try to take what is not theirs. In the inner-city areas of larger metropolitan areas, home intrusions and business burglaries are always a concern, and it is up to security locksmiths to provide the protection and deterrence that these communities count on for their safety. But the current economic conditions are causing a spike in the crime rates in suburban areas as well, and law enforcement analysts across the country are predicting a rising wave of recession-related crime.

The Police Executive Research Forum recently conducted a survey. They interviewed representatives of more than 200 police departments across the country, and nearly half of them reported a significant and noticeable rise in what they considered to be “recession-related” criminal activity. What types of crimes have they seen increasing at alarming rates? Not surprisingly, these law enforcement professionals report that they are seeing an uptick in thefts, robberies, and burglaries, and they feel as though the sunken economy is the primary culprit.

Experts who have studies crime trends as they rise and fall relative to economic conditions are not surprised to hear the news coming from the nation’s police departments. “There’s little question that crime rates peak during or, on occasion, immediately after a recessionary period,” said University of Missouri-Saint Louis sociologist Richard Rosenfeld, who is an authority on crime patterns. He goes on to say that crime has risen during each of the last five recessions. But there is a double-whammy at play here. During a recession, while crime rates are increasing, public safety departments have to roll back their budgets. When people lose their jobs, they lose their spending power. Sales tax revenues wane, and of course mass foreclosures result in a significant decrease in property tax revenue. Law enforcement budgets are impacted, so there are fewer people comprising that “thin blue line” as the crime rates rise.

This is why preventative locksmith services are so important during a recession. To keep people safe, every good locksmith has to stay abreast of the strategies that the bad guys are using to try to break into the homes, vehicles, and businesses of our customers. It is our job stay one step ahead of them, and that is what we do. The current intrusion method of choice is something called lock bumping, and we will discuss lock bumping in depth here.

“Bumping locks” is a term used to describe a method of manipulating a standard tumbler type lock with a specially cut “bump” key, and this approach is very popular among thieves because it works, it is discrete, and it leaves little if any evidence. The method is also very easy to learn, and the special “bump key” that is used can be obtained cheaply over the Internet for as little as one dollar.

HOW EXACTLY IS A LOCK BUMPED?
The answer to this question starts with the tool used to bump a lock called a bump key. When bumping a lock, the bump key (cut in a special 999 pattern ensuring maximum teeth depth) is initially inserted into the keyway one notch (pin) short of full insertion. Bumping the key inward forces it deeper into the keyway. The specially designed teeth of the bump key transmit a slight impact force to all of the bottom pins in the lock. The key pins transmit this force to the driver pins while the key pins stay in place. What happens next is interesting. Because the pin movements are highly elastic, the driver pins “jump” from the key pins for a fraction of a second, moving higher than the cylinder (shear line of the tumbler), then are pushed back by the spring to sit against the key pins once again. Even though this separation only lasts a split second, if a light rotational force is continuously applied to the key during the slight impact, the cylinder will turn during the short separation time of the key and driver pins, and the lock can be opened. Below is a diagram to help picture the explanation:

The lock bumping techique is a burglar‘s dream come true: it can sometimes take just seconds to open a lock, and it works on over 90% of the locks that are on the market today. The good news is that security locksmiths can protect their customers from lock bumping thieves. With a little bit of education and an upgrade to your household locks, a professional locksmith can easily render your property immune to lock bumping. Medeco locks are known throughout the locksmith industry as one of the most reliable bump proof locks. Primus by Schlage and MUL-T-LOCK locks are also reliable bump proof choices. Master Lock offers bump proof locks that can keep you safe as well, and the video below does a great job explaining how lock bumping works, and how bump proof locks stop would-be thieves in their tracks:

So What Can I Do to Deter Lock Bumping?
The first step to protecting yourself is to understand the risk that is involved when you use tumbler type locks and to then do all that you can to mitigate that risk. It may not be financially feasible to install nothing but bump proof locks throughout your home, because even though they are very effective, they are also expensive–they cost about $150 per lock. But there are some simple steps a homeowner can take to make their property less appealing to lock bumpers.

1. Make sure each of your exterior doors are protected by two keyed locks, with one being a deadbolt lock. When a burglar is casing a neighborhood, he is probably going to bypass a home with multiple locks and look for easier prey.

2. Any valuables that can be seen in plain sight through the windows should be moved to a less conspicuous location. Houses that are burglarized are almost always scouted beforehand to make sure the effort pays off.

3. Use your deadbolts! It is so simple to turn a knob and engage a deadbolt latch, but homeowners are oftentimes too lazy or forgetful to do so. This basic step can mean the difference between a frustrated burglar and one who can gain easy access to your home.

4. Have good relations with your neighbors. You can have the most advanced security system on the block, but nothing beats the watchful eye of a good neighbor. Establish a community watch program if one does not already exist, especially if your area is prone to house robberies. By doing this, you will not only ensure the safety of your home and the homes of your neighbors, but lower crime rates will increase the value of homes throughout your neighborhood.

5. Be proactive. These are simple and inxpensive steps anyone can take to protect their home. If you are not dead-bolting your door, or not even locking it to begin with, you are inviting trouble. Take care of the simple things that are within your control first, and then evaluate how you can utilize your available budget to add security upgrades.

Top Notch Security
If you do have the resources to do all that is possible to make your property virtually impenetrable to intruders, these are the steps that we would recommend.

1. Change out all your old locks. It is well worth the money to replace your older deadbolts, which are almost certainly 5-pinned locks, with newer 6-pinned locks such as those offered by Kwikset under the Titan brand. Six pinned locks are much more difficult to bump open than are five pinned locks.

2. Lighting, lighting, lighting. Make sure your house is well lit and use floodlights where appropriate. Motion sensors should be placed at all entrances to your house and the lights should be timed accordingly.

3. Security. Home security systems have come a long way over the last few years, and the current state-of-the-art systems have become extremely sophisticated. Advanced home security systems are now linked directly to police stations and mobile command units who are immediately alerted when your property is compromised. But remember, a home security system won’t do you much good if it is not armed and online, so you still have to be proactive in doing what is within your power to keep your property secure, even when you have the right equipment.

4. Use a security sign out front and in the windows to alert potential robbers that your house is not easy pickings. This alone will deter most casual burglars, but if you follow the other steps that we outlined as well, it is very likely that your home will be safe from intrusion even if the signs alone don’t do the trick.

These are some simple steps to protect yourself and your home from bump locking. You should now understand the significant threat that lock bumping poses and have a good idea of how you can protect yourself from this effective but preventable burglary technique. Having a certified security locksmith install bump proof locks around your home may sound expensive when you first hear a quote. But if you can afford the investment, it is surely less costly than a home intrusion that results in the loss of your most valued and prized possessions.