When Should Your Locks Get Replaced

You may think that it is too soon to replace the locks in your home. Really, you can replace locks when you feel like. It is your money and time. Most importantly, it is your security so no one should be able to tell you when you should have your locks changed. You may have experienced a break-in and this is when you decided to change your locks. In fact, this may be the only time you would even consider changing your locks. If you’re looking for some direction in this regard, keep reading. At Braselton Locksmith in Braselton, GA, we can offer our insight and suggestion as to when you should change your locks. This is information offered to you from the experts.

Here is when our locksmiths suggest that you change your locks:

• When You Locks Are WornWhen you move into a new place, it may still have the locks that were there since it was build. This means your locks have been used a lot. This might become obvious when you start having problems with opening and closing your doors and windows. Older locks will give you trouble from time to time. When you move into a new place, the owners are supposed to change the looks. If you are buying a new home, this is still supposed to be the case but if you want to veer on the side of caution, we would suggest that you do this on your own to ensure the job is done.
• You Have Lost Your KeysSomeone else might have your keys and you may not realize it until you reach in your bag or pocket to unlock the door. If you have lost your keys, this puts your life in jeopardy and that of your loves. Whether you have lost your keys or they have been stolen, this is one of those times that we would strongly suggest that you change the locks. You can look for the keys but go ahead and have the locks change while you’re doing this to prevent anyone coming in when you least expect.
• When A New Tenant Moves InWhen you have someone moving into a property that you are renting you should always change the locks. Listen up! If you are someone who is moving into a rental property, change the locks! This is something that we suggest is done on both ends. Sometimes the property manager or owner will say they have done this but they didn’t. If you want to be sure that the locks have been changed, do it yourself. Another option is to have them changed and give the owner or manager the bill. Again, then you’ll know for certain the locks have been changed. A previous tenant may just decide to check to see if the locks have been changed. You wouldn’t want this to happen.
• When Someone Has Moved OutThis should seem pretty logical but believe us, not everyone thinks so or even thinks to do so. Even if you are parting ways with an old friend, still change the locks. They may be leaving on good terms, it doesn’t matter, CHANGE THE LOCKS! We have seen it where someone thought they were still on good terms with someone and the person came back and robbed them blind. Don’t allow this to happen to you, instead, contact a local locksmith to change your locks.
• You Experienced a Break-inNo doubt you would already know to change the locks. This isn’t anything that we ever thought we would have to tell anyone but apparently, we do. Surprisingly, when someone has had a break-in, not everyone thinks it is necessary to have their locks changed. This is a problem because the person who broke in may come back again, knowing you didn’t have locks that were good enough to keep them out. They are banking on your thinking that sense they already broke in once they wouldn’t dare come back again. Don’t give them the benefit of knowing this is exactly what you thought. Instead, have your locks changed as soon as you’ve discovered someone has broken into your home.

Read more of this article by clicking here

How to get started with DIY home alarm and security systems

By David Cardinal on August 5, 2016 at 9:10 am

While cybercrime is growing, and grabbing most of the headlines recently, physical crime hasn’t gone away. Over 2 million homes and apartments in the USA are broken into each year. The price isn’t just whatever is stolen, but is also the emotional cost of both sentimental items and the sense of violation. With the growth of credit card fraud and identity theft, burglary can also lead to cybercrime. In one recent case, a homeowner’s credit card was used by the thieves within minutes after the break-in.

A security system is one of the best lines of defense in protecting your home. There are many well-known options for turn-key, monitored alarm systems that come with a professional installer and a monthly fee. Being ExtremeTech, we’ll skip past those and talk about some options for rolling your own.

Security systems you can install yourself

DIY security systems either start with a focus on security itself, like iSmartAlarm and SimpliSafe, or start as home automation products and add on security functionality, like Samsung’s SmartThings. Each company tends to have a unique pitch, so scrolling through their product listing will help give you a sense of which one will be best for you. For example, iSmartAlarm has really focused on internet-connected cameras. I’ve been a customer since they were a KickStarter project, and their iCamera KEEP and Spot are both clever ways of keeping an eye on your home without monthly fees. However, they are far behind on delivering many of their promised product line extensions, so for now you’re limited to motion and contact sensors to complement cameras.

SimpliSafe has taken a nearly opposite approach. It has a broad line up of sensors — including freeze, water, smoke, and carbon monoxide — and security features, but no cameras (and have put their first promised camera on indefinite hold). Being able to “look in” via a camera when a sensor is triggered is incredibly useful, as otherwise if you are traveling, it is hard to know how panicked to be about an alert. I also like that SimpliSafe uses Lithium Ion batteries for its sensors, giving them an estimated five-year lifespan. The button batteries used in my iSmartAlarm contact sensors seem to go out at least once a year.

Both iSmartAlarm and SimpliSafe provide mostly closed systems. They are purpose-built for security and are not general purpose home automation systems — although we have been able to teach our Amazon Echo to let us control iSmartAlarm using voice activation. If instead you really want a full home automation system with security features, Samsung’s SmartThings may be right for you. It takes more work to set up, but Samsung’s hub supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave in addition to the more typical IP interface. Samsung has also built a large collection of compatible products sold by partners, so you’ll have the most flexibility over time.

Related Video:

Read more: How to get started with DIY home alarm and security systems

Related article: Choosing Business/Home Surveillance Equipment

Doing it yourself can be a great experience, but you want a professional to handle, you can go to www.braseltonlocksmith.net