“If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That’s the attitude many of us have in life, which is fair. After all, most of us are trying to save time and money where we can and want to maximize our investments in the equipment, tools and devices we use daily.

The truth is, making a change with the items you use most often can make your life easier in the short run and even help you save money in the long run. Your car key is one such change. Should you stick with a traditional key or upgrade to a push-start version? Let’s discuss.

Traditional Car Key Advantages

These are the tried-and-true keys we’re all accustomed to using. The design has always been pretty simple, focused around a metal part that you manually place in the ignition barrel to release the locking mechanism and open the door or gate you’re trying to access. Here are some of the benefits that come with traditional car keys:

• More people are comfortable with using them and they’re easy to use in general.
• They tend to cost less than other car key options.
• They are durable and last longer than other keys, especially electronic ones.

Push-Start Car Key Advantages

Push-start car keys are known by a variety of terms, such as remotes and fobs. But they basically involve sending a signal to your vehicle to start it remotely. You don’t even have to be in the vehicle and these keys also usually won’t let the car lock while they’re inside. Here are some of the other benefits that come with push-start car keys:

• They’re much more convenient, as they can stay in your bag or pocket.
• You can warm up or cool down your car remotely before you even enter it.
• It’s more difficult to duplicate push-start car keys.

Dealership or Locksmith for Car Keys?

Whether you go the traditional or push-start route, you have to decide where you’ll get your keys the next time you upgrade, duplicate or swap them out. While a dealership will know the design of your vehicle and be able to provide factory-standard key and fob options, prepare to pay more. With a professional car locksmith, on the other hand, prices are usually a bit more affordable and you partner with someone who has your vehicle security and safety in mind.

If you’re ready to upgrade to a push-start car key or are interested in going over your options, stop by any of our DFW-area A-1 Locksmith locations today.

Similarly, a door handle is more important than you might think. After all, it’s likely an entry or exit point for your home or vehicle. Let’s discuss reasons to replace these door handles and how a professional locksmith can help.

When to Replace Car Door Handles

Your car only has so many handles. (Usually, there are only four or two total.) As such, a broken or missing handle is a big inconvenience. But there are other reasons to replace car door handles beyond functionality. Here are a few of them:

• You don’t like the look of the factory handles and want to improve their appearance.
• Your handles are damaged or broken after an accident or mishap.
• The existing handles are challenging to use, due to their type or your mobility issues.
• You want a more convenient entry option, like a combination or fingerprint. 
• Handles have rusted and worn down over time, or get stuck.

If any of these reasons speak to you, give a professional auto locksmith a call and they can help you figure out the best solution for your handles and identify other potential security issues.

When to Replace House Door Handles

Your house is another area where door handles are important, as your access points are where your home is most vulnerable. To protect your family and belongings, all your handles need to be working properly and connected to high-quality locks. Here are a few other reasons to replace household door handles:

• You just moved into a new home.
• There have been higher incidents of crime in your neighborhood. 
• The security level of your existing locks is lacking.
• Your doors keep getting stuck or jammed. 
• You want a more convenient entry option, like a combination or fingerprint. 
• Your handles are worn down, broken or unsightly 

Again, a professional residential locksmith can help you with replacing door handles and every other security aspect of your home.

Regardless of where you need handles replaced or repaired, A-1 Locksmith can help you out with all of the automobile and residential security insights you need. Contact us today!

From locking the doors to parking in well-lit areas, here are some general best practices for keeping your car safe in Dallas.

Lock Doors and Windows

Back to basics! Get into the habit of locking all doors and windows whenever you’re out and about in Dallas (or at home, for that matter). Folks from smaller towns might be used to lower crime and not having to worry about their vehicles, but in large metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, making a mistake here can have consequences.

Ditch the Spare Key

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to rely on your spare key in situations when you’ve lost your key or locked it in the car. Key fobs are rising in popularity these days, as many of them won’t let your vehicle lock while the key is inside. There are also digital and combination entry methods available, but the fact is, a spare key is a liability to your vehicle’s security.

Park in Well-Lit Areas

Traffic may not be popular in North Texas, but it’s a good thing when it comes to parking your vehicle. When you park in an area with proper lighting and regular foot or automobile traffic, it decreases your chances of being a victim. Thieves don’t like being seen!

Invest in Automobile Security Upgrades

Alarms and other anti-theft devices can be a smart upgrade if you work or live in an area of Dallas with higher crime. Or, if you’ve experienced your fair share of automobile security issues, this can save you some headaches down the road. A professional auto locksmith can give you recommendations to secure your specific vehicle. 

Stay Vigilant

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do when it comes to vehicle safety is stay defensive. This applies to when you’re driving, but also applies to where you park, what you leave in your car and how you treat others on the road. Stay vigilant when it comes to your automobile and you’ll avoid many security problems that others experience.

For the best auto locksmith in Dallas, trust A-1 Locksmith. Contact us for a quote today!

1. Survey the Scene

Make sure everyone is safe, first and foremost. (You don’t want to be calling your insurance company or an auto locksmith if the burglar is still in the immediate area and a potential threat.) If there are any injuries or the situation is dangerous, call 911 or the appropriate authorities first. Only if you’re sure that the scene is safe should you proceed to the following steps.

2. Take Photos and Notes

For insurance purposes, you’ll want to document the scene once you determine it is safe. That means taking photos and notes for anything that was damaged (e.g. windows) and/or stolen. This is also helpful in case you need to file a police report… which we encourage you to do.

3. File Reports

Both insurance and police reports are important to file, even if there was no major damage or danger. Insurance companies often require police reports before they’ll pay any expenses for theft claims. If you have time to gather them, be sure to have your driver’s license, insurance card, vehicle registration and any photos before you contact the police or insurance company.

4. Get New Keys

If your keys were stolen, you’ll need to make new ones. Even if they weren’t, it’s a good idea to get a new key made from a professional auto locksmith, as there’s always the chance the criminal made a copy of your key if they had access to it. You might also want to think about canceling your debit or credit cards (if they were vulnerable) and sign up for an identity protection service depending on what personal items were stolen.

5. Reconsider Where You’re Parking

Finally, use this incident as a reminder about where to park moving forward. You can’t do much about vehicle break-ins at home, but you can at least make sure you park in good lighting and that you keep all valuables hidden from plain sight. Also, make sure to do the common-sense things like locking your doors and securing your windows and you may even want to consider a car alarm for added peace of mind.

If you’re interested in more auto security tips, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.