What You Need to Know About Commercial Safes

Many businesses these days are opting to stow away their valuables using a commercial safe. Whether you are a retailer looking for a way to safeguard your cash float, or a large corporate wanting to protect your important documents from any kind of damage, safes are always worth including in your commercial security checklist.

If you haven’t considered getting a safe for your business, we are here to provide you with everything you need to know before you get to the point of purchase. These come in various options and provide different levels of protection, so it pays to do a bit of research about each of the choices that are available for you.

With that said, let’s give you an overview of these sturdy repositories.

The many benefits of installing a commercial safe

There are obvious security advantages that come from these. A commercial safe will only permit those who know the combination to access the contents inside, giving your business more control over your valuables. More than that – keeping everything locked up and sealed away ensures no items will be at risk of getting lost at some point.

It’s always worth remembering too that thieves don’t like spending a lot of time trying to get to their desired loot. Breaking into a safe is not something your usual burglar will be willing to do, so the contents inside will likely be left unscathed if an intruder gets access to your commercial building.

Safes are also designed to endure some really tough conditions. Some models offer full fire protection, while others are designed to sustain water damage from floods. So if you’re ever in the unfortunate situation of a fire or natural disaster, your valuables should be able to survive inside.

Like we said previously, not all safes are created equal. Usually, a fire-resistant safe will not provide water protection, and vice versa. There are also different protection classifications to be wary about, as safes are usually tested and rated by specialist bodies. We highly recommend that you talk to a commercial locksmith in Des Plaines to find the right protection for the items you need to secure. On that note, we move on to our second point.

Different types of commercial safes – and the protection they provide

To make your decision-making process a lot clearer, here are some of the most popular types of commercial safe options in the loss prevention industry:

Media or data safes. These are the best choice for businesses who rely on electronic storage. Hard drives and other electronic devices are not very heat resistant, and, consequently, the information stored in these can be wiped at relatively low temperature levels. As such, data safes are designed to protect digital media from smoke and fire damage.

Deposit safes. Also known as drop safes, these are quite commonly found in retail stores and restaurants. As its name suggests, these are best suited for money and smaller documents. You can drop items into it through a hopper-like door, without needing to actually open the safe itself. Only when you enter the correct code will you be able to fully access the contents inside.

Office safes. Again, very common in industries that deal with a lot of cash. Office safes can be free-standing or they can be bolted to the floor. These actually come with quite a few benefits, including being fire-rated and drop-tested to ensure maximum resistance.

Fire-rated safes.  The name says it all – these are your best choice when the priority is to protect your assets from fire damage. Now, you need to keep in mind that, just as different safes have different classifications, there are also different categories for fire-rated safes – with safes being rated according to the amount of time they can protect their inner contents from a fire.

High security commercial safes. The most robust models available for businesses – and, quite often, the most expensive. The price is justified, though: with high security safes you get multiple types of barriers and additional locking mechanisms that prevent people from trying to break into them in any way.

In-floor commercial safes. Very popular with businesses because of the additional security they provide. These are highly inconspicuous, tucked away inside a concrete slab under the ground. Different layers of protection you get from an in-floor safe include a false floor, file divider, deadbolt and hinge block.

Installing a safe into your commercial property

Now you know what types of safes you can choose from, it’s time to get in touch with a trusted commercial lock and key professional in your vicinity. They will have access to some of the best security technologies around, and will install these for you at an affordable price. Not only that, you should expect a locksmith business who has been operating in your area for several years, and is actively involved in the industry, to know everything about these – from the pros and cons of each selection to installing and setting up the combination.

Never had to do this before? Don’t worry, we’ll help you. The first thing to do is try to get recommendations from people you trust. Keep in mind that some locksmiths tend to focus on specialist areas – so make sure to check that the companies you’ve been referred to actually offer commercial solutions.  Call them and ask how long they’ve been operating, whether they can provide a list of client references in the area, as well as your standard information about licensing, insurance and a full price quote for their commercial solutions.

If you happen to be operating in Des Plaines, Illinois, consider discussing some options with the licensed and insured team at Des Plaines Locksmith. We are more than happy to help you make the best security decision for your commercial property.

Don’t rush into hiring an expert – shop around, check their credentials and references, and read up on online reviews if need be. Never hire a locksmith without a physically traceable address and be wary of anyone who changes their price quote upon arriving on your property.

Many commercial locksmiths go beyond installing safes – they will be your port of call if any glitches happen along the way. So keep the number of your chosen company handy in case you need their help again.

Aricle source here: What You Need to Know About Commercial Safes

Your Ignition Key Is Stuck – What Do You Do Now?

It happens; ignition keys become stuck. There’s no need for panic; just follow these simple tips and you’ll soon have all under control again! One thing to keep in mind before you start urgently calling all over Des Plaines, IL, looking for help – just stay calm. Remember that you are in a very heavy metallic vehicle that moves at terrific speeds and needs to be controlled at all times. The fact that your key is stuck tight frightens many as this makes your ignition unable to function, hence; no working car! Is your car running but the key is stuck? This too causes problems as you most likely won’t be able to turn your car off. Either way, a stuck ignition key demands immediate attention so read on and see our Des Plaines Locksmith tips on how to best handle this situation.

What To Do First!

 Always remember to stay calm and not panic. Auto problems are always better solved when drivers keep a clear head and calm nerves. Now, firstly, put on your parking brake. While that won’t remove your stuck ignition key, it will keep your car from rolling forward or backward while you work on the problem.

Is your brake on? Good! Now, gently try turning your ignition key back and forth. Put some pressure on it, but not too much; you don’t want to snap it in half! See if this action dislodges the key. If yes; you are good to go! If no, let’s try something else.

This next step may sound silly, but bear with us and try it. See if your car is in PARK and not in DRIVE or NEUTRAL. While most people know this, it is very easy to simply find your car’s automatic transmission in the wrong gear. If you are busy or distracted, a wrong gear move is not that farfetched. Automatic transmissions are designed so that cars won’t release the ignition key if in the wrong gear. Check yours now.

How’s that? Did your key come out? Not yet? Try cleaning out the ignition lock cylinder. Here at Des Plaines Locksmith we recommend spraying some electrical contact cleaner on the switch. Follow this with a small spritz of lock lubricant like silicone. This helps lubricate the lock and they key might come out. One thing though; keep the car windows open if possible – the fumes can be hard to take.

If your key is still locked up, then try gently moving your steering wheel back and forth in an effort to unlock it. While you are doing this, see if the key is able to be removed.

Be sure to check to make sure that your car battery is not dead. See if your radio or windshield wipers turn on. If your battery is dead or drained, you car’s computer will not be able to read the chip in the ignition key and that alone could be your problem.

Other Causes Of A Stuck Ignition Key

 Here at Des Plaines Locksmith we always tell our customers to make sure that the right key is inserted in the ignition. Believe it or not, many folks force a key into the ignition and it’s not even the correct one. This alone causes many keys to become wedged in too tightly and difficult to remove. Some locksmiths recommend that you lightly hammer the top of the key and see if that loosens it enough to pull it out. Feel free to try this but bear in mind that if it breaks off, you not only have a stuck key, you have a broken one, too.

Every time you start your engine or insert your ignition key, you place a little wear and tear on the wheel lock cylinder. Sometimes, after much use, it simply comes to the end of its life cycle and stops working. Gripping your ignition key is often a result of this.

Have you ever heard of a worn out key? It’s happens. Many times auto keys are used for other things like opening boxes, prying open bottles, puncturing surfaces and even opening cans! Just because keys are made of metal it doesn’t mean that the key edge is not eroded by this use. If a wrong key or worn out key is used, the lock’s interior pins may not drop and the key may become stuck or not usable. In Des Plaines, IL many people turn to their car dealer to replace or program their stuck transponder key. This small task can be very time consuming as well as expensive. If your ignition key won’t come out, your car won’t run and your dealer will insist that it be towed to them. Not only is this expensive; it is also time consuming as you can find yourself waiting for the tow truck, the car dealer intake process and then your actual service work!

Why Not Call A Locksmith?

 There are many automotive locksmiths in Des Plaines, IL to choose from. You can start calling for prices and service times but it’s best to choose a shop that offers affordable rates, 24-hour emergency help and fast, responsive mobile service. Des Plaines Locksmith offers all this and more. We offer free price quotes, free consultation help and fast relief from stuck, worn out and broken off keys of all kinds. You can save money and time by using our service. Since we come to you, no towing is ever needed. All technicians are fully licensed, insured and bonded and our mobile service vehicles are always stocked with high quality key making equipment, tools and locksmith hardware so that your service job is handled professionally and expertly at all times.

If your ignition key is stuck; try the above tips and see if those help. You might just save some money and stress! If not, give Des Plaines Locksmith a call and we’ll get be on the way to you before you know it!

Aricle source here: Your Ignition Key Is Stuck – What Do You Do Now?

How to Keep Your Home Well Protected At All Times

No matter where you are moving to, you have to make sure you take the necessary precautions to ensure your home is safe. If you do not want your home to become the target of a burglar, there are certain things that you should do to avoid becoming the next victim of a home intrusion. You may actually be doing something that will attract attention to your home when you’re not at home. You may have enough on your plate already, why add the problem of experiencing a break-in to the other things you’re already dealing with. At Des Plaines Locksmith in Des Plaines, IL, we help our customers plan ahead to so that they can avoid a break-in.

If there are burglars in your area, they just might be looking for their next victim. You don’t have to make it easy for them. In fact, you should make it as difficult for them as possible. Avoid coming in and out of the house without locking the doors behind you. In fact, make sure that you shut all of the windows in your home and that they are also locked upon leaving the house. You should make this a habit, if you don’t already. The problem is that a would-be burglar may be looking at your home to see if anyone in the household has a habit that can gain them access into your home. Create habits that will make them think twice about breaking into your home. They usually want an easy way to gain entry without being detected. You can do your part in making it difficult for them to get inside your home by simply locking up the house before leaving. It might surprise you to know how many people leave a door unlocked when they are away.

Don’t Become a Target

You might be leaving your home susceptible to home intrusions without realizing it. Perhaps there are things that you are doing regularly that you may not realize are leaving you susceptible to a home invasion. Even if you know you have bad habits, such as, leaving doors unlocked, you may not understand that this is what makes you a target for a home intrusion. Our Des Plaines locksmith technicians would like for you to know the things you can do to distract a would-be burglar.

Don’t Leave Windows & Doors Unlocked – We don’t want to continue mentioning this but it is one of the main reasons your home may become the target of a would-be intruder. One of the doors that you may leave unlocked is your sliding glass door. This is the door that most people tend to leave unlocked. Windows are occasionally opened and not closed and locked. Remember when you leave your home, double check to make sure that your windows and doors are all locked.

Install an Alarm System – If you have a security alarm but do not have signage to let a burglar know, it could be making your home a target for a would be intruder. Having an alarm system does not allow a burglar the time needed to break into your home. Even if you do not use your alarm, you should still make sure you have some type of signage posted outdoors. A burglar is less likely to target your home if they know that you have a security system. Just having a sign posted somewhere can be all that they need to see to pass your home and go to the next one.

Don’t Let Mail Pile Up – If you’re away from home for an extended amount of time, allowing mail to pile up might alert a burglar to the fact that there is no one home. Mail piling up is a sign of no one being around to get the mail. Instead of allowing your mail to pile up, ask a neighbor or family member to get the mail for you. If you’re expecting packages, you should do the same thing. Ask someone to pick up the packages and keep them until you return. You can even contact the courier and ask them to hold all of your packages until you return home. Do not let mail pile up or packages to be left in the front of your home. This makes your home a target.

Put Window Coverings Up – If you do not have anything hung up at your window, others are able to see everything that you have inside. If a burglar knows what you have inside, this is all the motivation they need to try to break in and take what belongs to you. Don’t make your home a target by allowing others to see inside your home. Instead, put curtains or blinds up. A burglary is less likely to occur when the intruder doesn’t know what is inside.

If you have a garage door with windows, you should also make sure that you tint the windows or put some other type of covering up so that no one can see what you have inside. You may have valuable things stored in your garage. It is your responsibility to make sure that you protect them by keeping your home from becoming the target of an intruder.

Don’t Post Too Much on Social Media – By posting too much information about your vacation on line, you might be making your home the prime target of a burglary. When they know that you are going to be away from home for an extended amount of time, this gives them the chance to break into your home. Instead of posting your vacation plans on social media, why not consider sharing your pictures after you return home.

It is up to you to do your part to make sure that you’re home is not broken into by an intruder. By heeding the suggestions listed above, there is a good chance that you’ll be able to avoid the experience of a break-in.

Aricle source here: How to Keep Your Home Well Protected At All Times