We all have questions. Sometimes, these are related to home safes and security. Other times, they’re related to what type of sandwich we want for dinner. 

When it comes to safes and security, we’re here to provide answers. (Though we also may have a sandwich recommendation or two, if you’re really interested.)

Let’s answer a few common safe questions.

1. Should I Keep a Safe in the Car?

Many people debate whether they should keep a safe in the car, especially when it comes to gun safes and storing firearms legally. While you should confirm it’s legal to transport a firearm (and that you have proper licenses and permissions), you are free to keep a safe in your car to protect valuables. 

Security companies will usually recommend you don’t leave valuables in the car, as they could tempt thieves, but if it’s hidden, disguised or otherwise not visible from the outside, it could be a smart way to provide another layer of protection for items you don’t want to carry with you.

2. Can Safes Be Anchored Down?

Whether for your car, home or business, you may want your safe attached to (or anchored on) something. The good news is that safes can be anchored down and many models have the mounts and hardware needed to do so. At A-1 Locksmith, we even provide bolt-down services for many of the safes we sell, deliver and install. 

3. Are Safe Ratings Important?

Yes! Especially if you have any concerns about criminal activity or fire hazards. The main types of ratings are fire ratings and burglary ratings. Both vary in the amount of protection they provide, so be sure to consult with a professional locksmith or safe expert to determine how high of a safety rating you need.

4. What is the Difference Between a Gun Safe and Home Safe?

Gun safes are designed specifically for firearms and ammunition, and tend to provide superior protection against blasts and misfires. Home safes can potentially provide the same protection, but you should look at ratings, features and double-check with a professional to make sure a safe will fit your needs. As a rule of thumb, you can store other valuables and items in a gun safe, but think twice before storing firearms and ammunition in a standard home safe.

5. Which Type of Safe Should I Choose?

There are a wide variety of factors to consider when making your first safe purchase. For starters, how big does it need to be? What ratings do you need for protection? Where will it be placed? What is your budget? What will you be storing in the safe? The list goes on. Again, we recommend consulting with a professional safe and security company to determine which safe will best meet your needs.

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Here are six security-related lessons you should consider teaching your kids, if you haven’t already.

1. Know How To Call 911

Any important phone number is beneficial for kids to know, but it starts with the easiest and most obvious one: 911. Even toddlers can be trained how to dial 911 if anything happens to mom or dad. Teach your children when it’s appropriate (and when it isn’t) to contact emergency services to help. It’s also wise to have a professional locksmith’s number on hand in case of a lockout, as well as other emergency service numbers.

2. Memorize Important Information

Another safety tip for parents is that it’s wise to have your children memorize your address and any other important info. They should ideally be able to recall this info under tense circumstances, such as if a person’s life is in danger. Other important information that is helpful to know includes things like blood type, non-emergency phone numbers and medication protocols. 

3. Don’t Talk to Strangers

This is an obvious security tip, but especially important to reinforce. When you’re at home, make sure your kids know not to just open the door to a stranger. They should confirm their identity first and shouldn’t open the door if they are home alone. (These days, you might want to make sure an adult answers the door at all times.) Kids should also avoid talking to strangers in public spaces, obviously, and be aware of kidnapping warning signs.

4. Practicing Security Tips Makes Perfect

Do you have an emergency plan in case of a burglary, fire or natural disaster? If not, it’s time to not only create one, but practice it with your family. Make sure your kids know where to go, what to do and who to contact.

5. Be Careful About What You Share Online

Many adults know not to freely share sensitive information like social security numbers and credit card info online, but do your kids? It’s also important to remind them that people can see their posts, so they know if you reveal information like your family being on vacation or when you’re at home alone. Be careful!

6. Know How to Use Security Equipment

Finally, do your children know how to use your security system or video doorbell? This can provide an extra layer of protection, as your kids can avoid direct confrontation with any visitors or potential intruders. Even better, if they know how to trigger an alert in case of a security incident, it will be as beneficial as learning how to call 911.

Not sure where to start with teaching your children about home security? Want more security tips for parents? Visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today and one of our friendly and helpful technicians will assist you.

Well, in a way, your home’s security level is another area you need to maintain.

How often do you inspect or walk through your home to check for security issues? While getting a professional’s opinion is a great idea, there are several benefits to conducting one yourself. Here are four of them.

1. Discover Unknown Issues

One of the biggest benefits to a home security walkthrough—especially if you haven’t performed one before—is that you get to thoroughly inspect every area of your home and discover issues you might not have even known about. For example, you might have wiring from an old security system that you no longer use, or you might discover a vulnerable access point to your home. You can’t fix what you don’t know about.

2. Identify Needed Upgrades

Once you’ve established a lay of the land, a home security audit can help you track and organize your security equipment—including which need to be repaired or replaced. If your front door doesn’t have a video doorbell, for example, that’s an area of improvement. Or, you might realize your security cameras aren’t giving you as clear of a picture as you’d like. Figure out what is most important to you and do a walkthrough to identify needed upgrades.

3. Establish an Emergency Plan

A side benefit of walking through your home to identify security issues is that you get better information for planning in case of emergencies. You can determine the quickest or most efficient route to exiting the home, as well as where home or gun safes are in case firearms are ever needed to protect against an intruder. If you’re just guessing or estimating aspects of your plan, there’s likely a better method waiting for you.

4. Gain Peace of Mind

Ultimately, you’ll have a better understanding of what will and won’t protect you in your home (and what is an issue you need to address) after a security walkthrough/audit. If everything looks to be safe and secure, you’re all set. If there are areas of improvement, a professional locksmith can be a great second set of eyes and give you further advice and guidance.

Whether you find something concerning during your home security walkthrough or if you’re interested in a security audit from a professional locksmith company, contact A-1 Locksmith today and we can give you the guidance you need.

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!

Whether you’re locked out of your car on the side of the road or you broke your only house key in the middle of the night, there are a variety of emergency locksmith situations that are best handled by someone experienced with a cool head. Here are seven of the most common ones we’ve seen.

1. House Lockout

One emergency situation we see often is when you’re locked out of your home. This often happens when you don’t have access to a cell phone or other keys and can be especially problematic if anyone is still inside (particularly young children). As long as a 911 call isn’t warranted, an emergency locksmith can handle this situation in a jiffy.

2. Auto Lockout

Likewise, an emergency locksmith can travel to your location if you’re locked out of your vehicle. This can be annoying if it’s at your home or business, but it’s more dangerous when it happens on the side of the road. Get to a safe distance from traffic before you call a professional.

3. Business Lockout

People get locked out of their businesses just like they do their homes. While many businesses have backup keys and access points, this can create an emergency situation if there are time urgencies resulting from needing to open your business on time or from having an immediate need to access something inside.

4. Broken/Lost Key

Keys break for a variety of reasons, but it usually happens while the key is inserted into a lock, thus breaking off and rendering the lock temporarily unusable. Unless you’re a lock-picking expert, call an emergency locksmith to get a new key and access the lock again. 

5. Broken Lock

Similar to the above situation, locks can break just like keys. But it’s more difficult to fix a broken lock than retrieve a broken key, so consider giving a professional locksmith a call before a DIY repair attempt (especially if it’s timely). 

6. Access to Important Items

If you have a safe, drawer or other area where you keep important items/documents, an emergency locksmith may be a good solution if you can’t access them. This is especially true if you need to use the items or documents the same day.

7. Safety/Security Concerns

Finally, other scenarios can benefit from the convenience of having an emergency locksmith check it out. For example, you might be on vacation and are alerted to a security concern. Or, you might see signs of a burglar’s attempt to enter your home or vehicle. Either way, immediately changing out locks or keys can give you peace of mind, even when you aren’t there physically.

If you’re in need of an emergency locksmith, contact A-1 Locksmith today!

Read on to discover why a DIY re-entry might not be a good idea.

Consequences of DIY Re-Entry

There are certain things that are totally fine to do when you’re locked out of your home, such as looking for a spare key, calling friends or family and contacting an insurance company, a locksmith or the authorities. But what you shouldn’t do is attempt a DIY re-entry that involves property damage.

Breaking your window, for example, might seem like the easiest solution, but it comes with several negative consequences:

• Damage: Obviously, you’re damaging your property in this situation, which you’ll need to repair later (costing time and money). Some people break doors and hinges, but windows are where it gets problematic.
• Injuries: Why are windows a bigger issue? Because when you’re dealing with broken glass, the risks go up exponentially. You can cut your arms, hands or wrists, potentially severing an artery in the process. Do you want to risk that?
• Security: When you create a new access point, you’re not just creating a new opening for yourself. As long as the window is broken or the door is unhinged, thieves will have an easier opportunity to take advantage of you and loot your property.
• Legal: Finally, the police may be involved if a neighbor or passerby sees you breaking into your own house. Even if you’re the rightful homeowner and can prove it, you might be looking at an arrest and/or other legal issues.

Benefits Of Partnering with a Local Locksmith Instead

Home security is so important to many of us, which is why partnering with a local locksmith is so valuable if you’re ever locked out of your home (or vehicle). In addition to solving the issue with minimal damage, injury, security and legal risks, you enjoy the peace of mind knowing a professional is just a phone call away. 

Of course, you should contact the authorities if anyone’s safety is compromised, but a local locksmith can handle emergency services like this with ease. You’ll be paying for a DIY re-entry anyway, so why not put that money toward a solution with less damage and stress instead?

If you’re interested in more security tips like these, contact us today at (972) 284-7500.

Whether the door won’t stay closed or it won’t latch, door problems can be frustrating. Fortunately, a locksmith can help with everyday inconveniences like this and is often a better option than a handyman or general contractor. Let’s discuss why doors stop latching and what you can do about it.

Reasons Why Doors Stop Latching

Simply put, the reason a door won’t latch is because the latch isn’t aligned with the hole. Doors usually get out of alignment for two reasons: the foundation has shifted or the hinge on your door is sinking. Foundations shift due to weather-related incidents or the natural passage of time. Hinges sink when the door is too heavy or the door is pulling on the hinges for some reason. Either way, something needs to be fixed if you want your door to latch again.

Solutions for a Door That Won’t Latch

The best solution is to call a professional locksmith, but if you’re going to attempt a fix yourself, you have a few options. Here are some solutions for a door that won’t latch:

• Tighten the screws to make sure the hinge is tight.
• Remove one hinge screw and adjust the position until it’s correct. 
• Reposition or replace the strike plate.
• Replace the door or door frame entirely.

How a Locksmith Can Help

The most common solution for a door that won’t latch is to replace the strike plate. These can be complex and frustrating, however, so you might want to call a professional locksmith for help. Not only does a locksmith have experience replacing strike plates and repairing doors that won’t latch, but they can identify the cause of the problem quickly. If you attempt a DIY fix, it may take some time to diagnose the problem and you may make mistakes with strike plate placement or other elements of the repair. A locksmith can fix it right the first time, or point you in the right direction if locksmith services aren’t necessary.

If you have a door that suddenly stopped latching and are in need of assistance, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today for a consultation.

Unfortunately, if a car owner misplaces his or her key fob, or wants to make an extra copy, the dealership may claim that they have proprietary rights over the device, and, as such, only they can make a copy and program it, which comes with an absurd fee. In reality, however, while creating a new key fob, as well as programming it to work with your car, may require the assistance of a professional, a skilled locksmith can aid you with this effort without requiring you to head back to the dealership for help.

But Wait – is it Against the Law to Make a New Key Fob without the Dealer’s Permission?

Some dealers may even assert that creating a new key fob is against the law if this task is not performed by a licensed operator. But while this may be the case with a leased or rented car, it is likely within your rights to make as many copies as you would like with the help of a professional.

And getting a key fob programmed to operate with your car is certainly not an extensive task, either. While you should not attempt to make a copy yourself, with the help of a professional locksmith you can have a new key fob in relatively short order.

Contact A-1 Locksmith Today – We Can Help You with Your Key Fob

If you have lost the key fob to your new car, or you would like a new one made to give to a friend or a family member, don’t head back to the dealership. Instead, reach out to the professionals at A-1 Locksmith today in Dallas. We have experience programming key fobs, and we have been offering our expertise to residents of the DFW for over 65 years. Call us today and learn how we can be of assistance.

In many cases, smartphones have also allowed us to research and avoid possible scams before we fall victim, or even during their commission. But can the same be said for locksmith scams? Have smartphones helped to eliminate this fraud, or is it just as pervasive as ever?

Locksmith Scams Throughout the Country

Here, it is important to understand the prevalence of locksmith scams across the nation. In fact, this type of fraud is so commonplace that the Federal Trade Commission has even published a report on potential locksmith scams to avoid, and how to pick a reputable locksmith in the area. And the FTC is not alone; numerous other agencies and organizations have made attempts to advise U.S. consumers on how to spot a fraudulent locksmith.

In light of this, it can be gleaned that locksmith scams do still occur within the United States, and have not been eliminated, even in the era of smartphones and ultimate access to information. But why is this?

Smartphones Put Everything at Our Fingertips – Including Scams

Why, then, have smartphones not eliminated the existence of locksmith scams? To elaborate, with such a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, why is it that regular consumers are unable to spend the time to find a reputable locksmith in the area, and instead still fall prey to fraudsters?

Although many factors may contribute to this truth, one is readily apparent: smartphones put everything at our fingertips, including locksmith scams. If an individual is looking for a locksmith in the area to help get into his or her home, he or she will likely conduct a quick internet search on the topic. Of course, here, the individual is presented with a choice: spend more time researching a trusted locksmith, which may involve wading through a number of professional and consumer reviews; or simply select the first number that pops up and hope for the best. Unfortunately, far too many consumers opt for the latter, selecting a convenient local option instead of performing due diligence to find someone reputable.

And what is the result? While some lucky consumers may find professional locksmiths by blindly selecting one online, too many fall into the trap of a locksmith fraud.

How to Avoid Locksmith Scams

It is unfortunate that many consumers still find themselves victims of locksmith scams in the area. But if you are searching for a skilled and reputable locksmith to assist you, don’t put your trust in the first result of an internet search. Instead, contact A-1 Locksmith in Dallas; our trusted professionals have years of experience and will find a solution for you today.

If you find yourself facing this question, then, how can you decide whether to re-key or replace your locks? To understand the benefits and drawbacks of both options, read through the following guide, and consider speaking to a professional for help.

Cost Considerations

When facing the choice of either re-keying or replacing the locks in your home or business, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of the project. And here, in nearly every situation, you will find that it is less expensive, perhaps significant, to choose to re-key. By choosing to re-key, you will only need to make slight modifications to the existing locks on your structure; choosing to replace the locks entirely, however, requires the purchase of new equipment, which can be costly.

Simplicity of Re-Keying

In addition to allowing you to save money, re-keying also happens to be a much simpler process, as well, potentially one that you can facilitate at home with the help of professional instructions. To be sure, an individual in need of re-keying a lock may be able to do this at home; however, when in doubt, it is always a smart choice to contact a professional locksmith in the area who can provide assistance.

Of course, you may also be able to replace your locks yourself, yet doing so requires a significant larger investment of time, and is, again, best left to a professional who can ensure the locks are installed properly.

When is it Necessary to Replace the Locks?

There are, undoubtedly, very clear benefits to re-keying a set of locks over replacing them, including the cost and simplicity of the process. When, then, should an individual consider replacing the locks altogether?

Ultimately, you should opt to replace a set of locks entirely if the lock has sustained damage, has become worn over time, or is not working properly for some other reason. In this case, re-keying the lock may not provide a solution to the problem, and you may instead be required to replace the set.

In turn, this begs an additional question: how can you tell if a faulty lock can be re-keyed, or if it needs to be replaced? To find the answer to this question, you should consult a locksmith at A-1 Locksmith in Dallas. By speaking with a professional locksmith you can find answers to this and any other questions you may have, and pursue the best option for your specific circumstances.