Sturdy Key Box Stops Lock Outs

"Just ran out to grab the mail!"  "The dog or my child pushed the door shut!"  "I set my keys down while I picked up my bags!"  Whatever the reason, now you're locked out.  This never happens at a convenient time.

Now, how do you get back into your house?

Do you try to find a locksmith?

1. Find a phone.
2. Find a locksmith that can come out right now.
3. Wait for the locksmith to arrive.
4. Prove that you belong there so the locksmith will open the door.
5. Wait as the locksmith tries to open the door. (Which may require destroying the lock.)
6. Pay for the emergency service and any replacement parts.

Or, have you prepared for this ahead of time?

1. Collect your spare key from the key box and let yourself back in.
2. Put spare key back in the key box for next time.

Obviously, hiding a spare key in a sturdy locking box is the simplest solution. It is readily available and difficult to open if you don't know the code. You might want to put an extra car door key in there too.

GE Security Tamper Resistant Combination Keyboxes or Shurlok Key Storage Lock boxes are durable all metal construction with a combination lock you can set to any four digit number you can remember.

As cars get harder to open and lock manufacturers try to make their locks unpickable these locking key boxes make more and more sense.

Locking Mailboxes Deter Identity Thieves

I never thought about identity theft very much until it happened to me. It is an easy crime to commit. All you need is a little information about a person or business to create checks or apply for credit and do a world of damage to the victim's financial and credit history.

Mail is a likely place to find that information. Criminals either put through a change of address for you or steal mail right out of your mailbox.

To deter mail being taken from your mailbox you can buy a new mailbox that has a lock with a key,

install a mail slot in your door or rent a Post Office Box.

An article you may find informative: Your Risky Mailbox: Identity Theft 101 http://idtheft.about.com/od/identitytheft101/a/Mail_Theft.htm

Gardall general purpose safes protect against Burglary and Fire.

What have you got to lose? Important documents, birth certificates, insurance papers, deeds or titles to property? Cash for a rainy day, coin collection, camera, computer, jewelry, treasures handed down in your family?

Fire/Burglary Safe Gardall FB 2013

• Outside Dimensions 27" High x 20" Wide x 20 1/2" Deep
• Inside Dimensions   21" High x 14" Wide x 13" Deep
• Approximate Weight  312 lbs

 Standard Features

• Heavy duty construction 2" thick door, 3" thick body
• Composite construction door and body
• Independent glass re-locking system
• 3 spoke chrome plated vault handle
• 1 hour UL 350 Fire Label
• UL RSC residential Burglary Label
• Center bolt down for ease of installation
• 1 1/4" chrome plated locking bolts
• Attractive two tone paint for increased durability
• UL Group II combination (S&G) lock standard. Electronic Lock optional.
• Gardall Lifetime Replacement Warranty on Fire damage.

Ratings

• UL 350/1 Hour Label - One Hour exposure to severe fire with an exterior temperature to 1700 degrees F and an interior temperature that does not exceed 350 degree F (paper chars at 405 degrees) for one hour and cool down. (For more information see our previous article on fire ratings.)
• UL RSC Labeled Residential Security Container.

We offer in home/business delivery within our service area or in store pickup.  (We do not ship safes.)

Waging war on shady locksmiths

John Kelly, columnist for the Washington Post, writes that Mark Baldino of Baldino's Lock & Key is spearheading an effort to get search engines to remove questionable locksmith listings.

Since 2004 we have seen the internet used by questionable companies, including locksmiths, to fool consumers. They are gaming the search engines with incorrect information and posting their own rave reviews. This causes thousands of listings to pop up on searches, many with business locations that do not exist. Phone calls are switched to call centers in various states. In many cases, consumers think they are contacting a local company. When they receive poor service or feel they are over-charged, trying to physically find the company becomes a problem.

Real locksmiths are trying to convince the search engines to clean up their listings and provide quality search information to their users. Mark Baldino, the locksmith in the Washington Post story is making some headway.

In the meantime, Buyer Beware. Illinois requires all locksmiths to be licensed. Ask questions to identify the locksmith. Write down the name, address, phone and license number. Ask for the complete price and confirm that price in writing before allowing the locksmith to do any work. If you think you are being scammed, don't be afraid to call the police. The Il. Attorney General and the Il. Dept. of Professional Regulation have prosecuted scammers claiming to be locksmiths.

You should never, ever be asked to go to a cash machine with the locksmith. Real locksmiths take credit cards. If you have a problem, you can call the credit card company to reverse the charge (not on debit cards).

This is a growing problem and will probably move into other service industries. Consumers with an emergency situation are less likely to question or shop around. That is why the locksmith industry was a logical place for the scammers to start their deceptive practices. I've heard they have branched out into carpet cleaning, housekeeping, furnace and duct cleaning. Buyers Beware!

Chicago Winter and frozen locks

Freezing temperatures and freezing rain are here again. These conditions are perfect for frozen locks.

You may be able to prevent freezing by lubricating all of your outside locks before they freeze with WD-40, Tri-Flo or another spray recommended for lock lubrication. Use the straw that comes with the can and spray deep and long into the lock. Then put your key in and out a few times working the spray into the moving parts of the lock.

If your lock is frozen, you may or may not be able to insert your key. The key will not turn. At this point the moisture inside the lock has frozen and must be either warmed or evaporated with a de-icer.

If you can reach the lock with an extension cord and a hair dryer warming the lock is easy. Lubricate after opening.

Lock De-Icer is available at most hardware and locksmith stores. You must spray it all the way back into the lock where the key goes in. It usually takes a few minutes to work and you may have to do it more than once. The alcohol will evaporate the ice, but it also removes any lubrication in the locks. Make sure to lubricate your locks after you use a de-icer or your locks may be damaged.

Using a torch on a lock is NOT a good idea. If there is any lubrication in the lock, you will cook it and make it sticky. The lock will not work and probably have to be replaced.

Or you can call a locksmith who will have a good de-icer and lubricant or warming method to open your lock and get you going. However, if it is a good freeze there may be a waiting line.