Regardless of which camp you fall into, it’s not too late to improve yourself or set some goals for improving in the upcoming year. Security is one area many people don’t think about, but peace of mind is something you can’t replace. Since this area is our specialty, here are five security-related New Year’s Resolutions to consider.

1. Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Car or Locked Out of Your Home

We humans can be forgetful people. Whether it’s your house keys or your car keys, it just takes one mistake to cause an unfortunate, stressful and potentially dangerous situation. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that you are never locked out of your home, car or business. 

Here are a few ideas to help with this resolution:

• Get a duplicate key made and keep with a trusted friend or family member.
• Upgrade to smart locks that let you use a combination or code to access.
• Buy a wireless key fob that won’t lock inside a car.
• Set up reminders for when you leave to include a reminder about keys.

2. Create an Emergency Plan

Another low-hanging fruit in the world of resolutions, an emergency plan can give you peace of mind about your loved ones and employees in the event of an incident. Consider creating an emergency plan for fires, thefts, shootings and other adverse situations. Document that plan and go through training with your family or employees to ensure everyone knows what to do.

3. Security Monitoring

If you don’t have a security system or video doorbell, a new year is a great time to invest in one. Security monitoring is becoming more and more affordable while packing on new features. It’s never been easier to monitor your home or business when you’re on the road or out of town. 

4. Find a Locksmith You Trust

Many people search for “locksmith near me” without knowing who is reliable and who’s not in an industry that’s known for having its share of fraudulent operators. Having a professional local locksmith that you trust is an easy security-related resolution. Just as you have numbers for doctors, plumbers and electricians, a “best” locksmith number should be easily accessible. At A-1 Locksmith, we guarantee our customer satisfaction and will do our best to ensure we’re your ideal security partner.

5. Upgrade Your Security System!

If you’re already set with the different types of security solutions that make sense for your home, business or vehicle, an upgrade might be all you need. There are likely better or newer versions of every piece of security equipment you own, so at least look into your options.

If you’re looking to improve the security of your home, vehicle or business, contact A-1 Locksmith or visit any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today. 

Take security upgrades, for example. 

If your home has a security system, do you really need a safe? What about the opposite scenario? Isn’t only one of these options good enough? Let’s take a look at which security option is better for you, or if investing in both is the best decision.

Advantages of a Safe

Home safes are ideal for keeping valuable belongings secured. At the top of the list are firearms, ammunition, jewelry, cash and important documents. While a security system will alert you to suspicious activity, it won’t do much for physically protecting your most important belongings. Here are some of the other security advantages a safe provides:

• Portability: A safe can be delivered and installed in the location of your choice
• Flexibility: bolt down the safe to the floor or wall, or leave it freestanding. 
• Variety: There are a wide variety of safe sizes and features available today.
• Superiority: When it comes to protecting belongings in a fire, flood or burglary attempt, nothing provides safety and security like a safe (especially with the right safe rating). 

Advantages of a Security System

Security systems don’t physically protect belongings, but they do give you awareness and an extra layer of support in the form of a monitoring company. Using your preferred settings and features, you can set up your home security in a way that gives you superior peace of mind—both at home and on the road. Here are some of the other security advantages a security system provides:

• Visibility: you can install cameras and point them anywhere you’d like.
• Safety: A team of professionals will be ready to alert the authorities should something suspicious happen and trigger an alarm on your property.
• Affordability: Many security systems are more affordable than large or advanced home safes and there are different levels of systems for different budgets.

Benefits of Both

Of course, as a professional security company, we’ll recommend that you invest in both a safe and a security system, if your budget allows. This isn’t just bias; you’ll be able to keep your most precious and valuable items locked away in a well-rated safe while keeping the rest of your home monitored and ready to alert you (or the team monitoring your system). A consultation with a professional locksmith is all you need to determine what your situation requires, and they’ll be happy to recommend certain models, brands or systems.

If you’re in need of a new safe or security system, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today, or visit any of our DFW-area locations. 

You’re good at what you do and we’re good at what we do. Security systems are just one of our many areas of expertise, so today, we’re here to help you research, set up and/or install yours. Read on to learn more about the basics of security systems.

Security System Components

First, you should know what all is involved in a typical security system and how each component works. A professional locksmith or security professional can give you a more detailed breakdown (or answer specific questions), but here are the general areas you need to know:

• Cameras: Obviously one of the most important components of a security system, the cameras give you views of your home or business. But did you know that you have options when it comes to aspects like placement, number of cameras and features? You can even install cameras with high definition, motion tracking and recording capabilities. Cloud vs. local storage are also important considerations for your security cameras.
• Controls: Signals, lights and motion detected by your security system components go to the control panel, where they’re interpreted and the system determines whether an alarm should be activated or not. This is also where you can set up security system monitoring and maintenance services.
• Sensors: If the sensors for one area of your security system are down, it could compromise your entire building. This is why regular inspections and maintenance are important. Security system sensors can get dirty or dusty and need to be cleaned, so make sure you know where they’re all located.
• Signals: If an intruder trips your security system alarm and the system isn’t being monitored, it won’t do you any good (other than offering a mild cosmetic deterrent to would-be burglars). Test that the signals of our system are working properly and call your monitoring company to ensure they’re receiving them. 

Installing and Monitoring Your System

Knowing about a security system and working on one are two different things, so if you don’t have much security or electrical knowledge, we recommend trusting an expert to install and/or monitor or maintain the security system of your home or business. At A-1 Locksmith Security and Safes, we sell, install and maintain security cameras, burglar alarms, card swipe systems, mobile access control systems, electronic/automatic locks, keypads, on-site security surveys and more. We even provide full security monitoring services, so we have all of your security needs covered.

If you have more security system questions, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.

Let’s discuss why it’s important to add your security system to your building’s regular maintenance repertoire.

Seeing What You Need To See

First, revisit why you got your security system in the first place. Wasn’t it to monitor every area of your business? If your cameras are out, there are blind spots or the entire security system is down, your business is at risk. These are after-the-fact problems, however. To prevent them from happening in the first place, it’s important to be proactive.

We recommend regularly scheduling security system inspections and audits for any signs of trouble (e.g. loose wires, blank screens, etc.) and be sure to take both internal and external criminal activities into account. Also, make sure you have enough cameras and that they capture vulnerable areas like the entrance, exit and security or safe room. 

Monitoring Irregularities

Second, routine security system maintenance ensures there is a quick response for any irregularities or concerning behavior. By regularly maintaining and inspecting your security system, you can quickly find out if any cameras are not functioning, if they’ve been tampered with and if there are any gaps in the feed. These are all warning signs that indicate you either need to upgrade your security system, maintain them more regularly or have another security issue. (The latest security systems will let you monitor them remotely adding convenience to routine recording auditing.) 

A Professional’s Opinion

Lastly, a discussion with a professional locksmith / security expert can give you more confidence about the security system maintenance your business requires. Even better, you can get a commercial security inspection to more thoroughly and accurately diagnose your security system (and building security in general). 

Commercial locksmiths have the training and experience to identify issues that might go unnoticed by you and your staff. They are also aware of the latest security equipment, standards and features you can benefit from just by obtaining this expert consultation. Whatever you do, at least give your security system a once-over to replace any cameras or parts that need it—or to see if a new security system is in order. 

If you’d like additional security tips specific to your business including the aforementioned comprehensive security inspections, contact A-1 Locksmith today!

Quality Window & Door Hardware Matters

Replacing window and door hardware that is designed to keep unwanted intruders out with a high-tech home security system is not recommended. Rather than replacement, a home security system should be a supplemental addition.

The right hardware does more than just act as a basic lock; rather, advanced lock systems on doors may be stronger than deadbolts, lock out intruders (even those that have a key) with the touch of a button, and be reinforced with strike plates and security pins. Windows can also have advanced locking systems, and security windows that are burglarproof are also available.

The Benefits of a High-Tech Home Security System

However, the benefits of a high-tech home security system should not be overlooked; a high-tech home security system can provide video surveillance, electronic access control, sound alarms when a break-in does occur, and notify emergency personnel. The most high-tech home security systems will provide surveillance of your entire property, so you can always see what is going on and know in advance if a threat is approaching.

For those who live in risky areas, have high-asset properties and valuables, or are concerned about security for other reasons, investing in both quality door and window hardware and an advanced home security system is recommended.

Learn More About Hardware and Security Systems Today

To help you understand the benefits of quality hardware and high-tech home security systems, how to choose which option is best for you, and pricing, call a service professional near you today. Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the team at A-1 Locksmith can assist you with all of your home security needs. Reach out to us today to take the first steps towards protecting your home and family.

But even with a home security system in place, many professionals still recommend that homeowners install a home safe, as well, to shield the most valuable of items that deserve extra defense. One question remains: is this an excessive amount of defense bred from unnecessary worry, or should homeowners truly consider the benefits of this doubled protection?

Why It’s Smart to Install a Home Safe and a Home Security System Together

Some may see the input of both of these systems as nonessential, a pointless overlap in home security. In reality, however, the installation of a home safe together with a security system is a relatively cost effective way to protect your valuables, items that you could not bear to lose.

To be sure, home security systems provide a solid defense and needed layer of protection. With a home security system, you can feel comfortable in your home, and safe from intruders and anyone or anything else outside your front door. That being said, a scenario may arise wherein the security system is temporarily compromised, or you may even invite visitors into your home in whom you cannot completely place your trust. Here, if your valuables, such as family heirlooms, jewelry, or other high-worth items, have been placed in a safe beforehand, you can possess additional peace of mind knowing that your most prized assets are still out of reach.

Ask for Help from a Professional

If you are considering the installation of a home security system or a home safe, reach out to the professionals at A-1 Locksmith today. Our Dallas-Fort Worth locksmith professionals have decades of experience serving clients in the area, and we are happy to assist you immediately.

Surprisingly, however, a number of people forego this concept when installing a home security system, instead choosing to purchase one through the mail in order to put it in themselves. But while this may save the trouble of contacting a professional, pursuing this path could lead to further problems, and even compromise the security of your home.

Flaws of Mail-Order Home Security Systems

Perhaps the greatest flaw of mail-order home security systems, that may not be immediately apparent, is the difficulty the user may face when attempting to integrate the system across a number of devices. To be sure, many home security systems are meant to alert homeowners to a security breach through a web browser on a computer or smartphone; however, if the system is not installed correctly, it loses its purpose altogether.

Furthermore, installing a home security system without the assistance of a professional provides you with no assurance that it was done correctly, and, thus, leaves you to question the protection provided to your home until it’s too late.

Finally, unless you purchase a home security system from a reputable online company, you may, in fact, be susceptible to a scam that leaves your home unprotected.

Contact a Professional Who Can Help Protect Your Home

In reality, there is no reason to avoid contacting a locksmith or home security professional to help you install a security system. A skilled professional can first advise you on the best security system for your house, and can continue by both installing it for you, as well as educating you on how to use it correctly should the need arise. Of course, this should provide you with the peace of mind knowing that your safety is in the hands of a professional.

If you need help with a home security system installation, contact us today at A-1 Locksmith. Our skilled locksmiths have been serving the Metroplex area for over 60 years, and we are happy to assist you today.

But while these dedicated parents may think they are only acting with the best interests and safety of their child in mind, in reality they may be putting both themselves and their entire family at risk. In fact, a recent article shows that lagging security within the “Internet of Things” can have serious consequences for those families with baby cameras in their homes.

Internet of Things and Security – Dangers of Web Cameras Inside of the House

According to a January 2016 article published by Ars Technica, a new search engine for the Internet of Things, named Shodan, allows users to browse vulnerable webcams without any password authentication in place. Specifically, by searching on Shodan, a user has the ability to peer into the homes and lives of those families or other individuals with cameras in place.

But how exactly does this work? Ultimately, according to the article, these cameras use the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP, Port 554); and if no password authentication is in place while in use, anyone who searches using the filter “port:554 has_screenshot:true” can peruse a wide list of open webcam views showing the lives of unsuspecting victims.

In some cases, this can be harmless, albeit uncomfortable; a viewer may simply be curious in this type of safety defect and explore it for him or herself. Of course, on the other hand, it can put families at risk if the insides of their homes are examined and studied by unscrupulous would-be burglars… or worse.

Protect Yourself by Speaking to a Professional

You should never put your children at risk by broadcasting a view of your home without a password authentication in place. Before setting up a web cam to watch your kids, make sure that a password exists to ensure that only you have access to the feed. If this concept seems foreign to you or if you would like to have our home security experts provide a consultation, please contact A-1 Security Group today.

But no matter where you live, there are certain tactics you can employ that will help prevent burglars from entering your home, and that may even make them think twice about even attempting to break in. Consider these three simple things burglars don’t want you to know that will help keep you and your home safe from intruders.

1. Make the House Look Occupied

One of the best ways to deter potential burglars from breaking and entering into your home is by making it look as if it is occupied at all times. In reality, it is unlikely that a burglar would be interested in targeting a home with a family inside; instead, he or she may look for another house that looks uninhabited.

How can you make your home look alive, even when you’re gone? Consider leaving one or two lights on when you leave the house, or utilize an automatic timer that turns on lights when it gets dark. And if you plan on leaving for longer periods of time, have friends or neighbors pick up your mail and newspapers each day, as well.

2. Ditch the Old Locks – and Install a Deadbolt

If a burglar does decide to target your home, one simple way to stop him or her from getting in is by ensuring that all of the doors to the outside can be locked with deadbolts. Many modern burglars are aided by the existence of pushbutton locks on doorknobs; it is much easier to enter a home installed with these, even without a key. By installing a deadbolt on all of your doors, you may, in fact, help the burglar decide that he or she should try elsewhere.

3. Install a Security System

Finally, even the most daring burglars may not turn away from an occupied home with a deadbolt on the door. And in this scenario, it is imperative that you have a security system installed by a skilled locksmith. A number of security systems for your home, including smart home features, video surveillance, and even alarm monitoring, can keep you notified of any illegal entry, and will alert law enforcement as well if your home is being burglarized. This is truly a necessity for those residents who wish to protect the valuables in their house.

By following these few simple tips, you can help ensure that burglars won’t target your home. Contact a professional at A-1 Locksmith today; we are prepared to assist you do everything necessary to protect both your house and your family within.