WHY HOMEOWNERS NEED A DEADBOLT!

Deadbolts are one of the most undervalued yet fully necessary lock hardware items. In our opinion, every home in Dorchester, MA should have one installed on at least the front door. Our Dorchester Locksmith pros are often asked, which is the best kind of lock to have for home use? As there are many kinds of valuable locks and hardware products on the market, it can be difficult to give one answer that fits all needs yet one simple lock always stands out; the deadbolt! This is true no matter what size or type of dwelling unit you have. Here in the greater Boston, MA area, we find housing that ranges from condos and mobile homes to luxury homes and mansions. Each and every one of these dwellings can benefit almost immediately by simply having a strong deadbolt installed on the front door.

There are more exciting locks

Sure, there are locks that offer more “pizazz” and flair than a simple deadbolt. Our Dorchester, MA locksmiths know that. After all, we install and service those locks all day long. But for the money spent, deadbolt locks can be a high valued item that can do wonders for both your home security and your peace of mind. In other words, deadbolt locks work. When installed correctly and purchased smartly, they work well. There is a catch, though; they must be used in order to be effective. 

What am I missing?

People are sometimes surprised when we tell them all this. They start to wonder if they missed something. They might have invested in an alarm system or special security shutters. Some have added a dog, hoping that it will guard them well. In truth though, their homes are not as secure as they can really be until a proper deadbolt is added.

So, what is a deadbolt?

A residential deadbolt is a lock that is installed in the front door that has a steel bolt that goes directly into the door jamb and strike plate of the door frame. Most deadbolt locks are single cylinder bolt locks with a key slot on the outside and a knob in the inside for twisting the lock open. What makes this deadbolt lock so special? A correctly sized one that is functioning properly will not allow the door to be simply kicked in like you see in so many crime television shows. Since most home invasions or residential burglaries happen to be forced entry occasions, this kicking in the door to gain entry just won’t happen.

Another way that deadbolts help secure your home is by frustrating the crook. Let’s say a would-be burglar manages to somehow pick your main door lock. His triumphant moment is short-lived though. Now, he must bypass your deadbolt, as well. This is often too frustrating and time consuming for the burglar and they usually give up altogether or move on to another, easier to enter property. Still another problem for them is that this deadbolt barrier also buys you time to call for help or even to arm yourself. Seconds count when committing a crime (or preventing one!) and a good residential deadbolt can play a huge role in this.

One big problem!

What? There’s a problem with deadbolts? No, not really; the problem is that many people don’t use theirs. They get lazy and simply use the main door lock, if at all. There was a time, not too long ago, when it was quite natural to NOT lock your doors or windows, even at night. Neighbors freely went into houses, often without knocking. Of course, they also looked after each other’s houses and property. Now, with a majority of homeowners living in cities, people often never meet or get to know their neighbors. It’s not just the men that go to work now; women do too. For many, the act of actually locking the doors is rare or only done at night. Too many burglaries, home invasions, kidnappings and even rapes have occurred when crooks manage to simply walk into a home and accost the residents. Many of these can be prevented by simply having and using good locks on front and back doors. Locking the deadbolt along with the main door lock only takes a mere second but it can make a huge difference in your home safety and security.

I already have a deadbolt!

Is it a solid one that is properly installed? If so, remember to use it. The best deadbolt made will do you no good unless you do. Also, teach the other members of your household how to use it every time they lock or unlock the door. Good habits are developed over time so we encourage all Dorchester, MA homeowners and renters to use their deadbolts whenever possible.

I don’t have a deadbolt!

You don’t have a deadbolt? It’s time to get one! If you are renting, ask your landlord or property manager to have one installed. They should not look at this as an expense; it is an improvement to the property itself and thus increases its value. Also, the cost of buying and installing the deadbolt can be tax deductible so save all receipts for proof. Remember; in order for your deadbolt to work correctly, it must not be a flimsy product or installation. The steel bolt MUST extend fully into the hole in the door jamb. A metal strike plate should reinforce the hole that the bolt goes into. 3 inch screws should be used to reinforce the strike plate into the studs of the house’s frame.

Where to buy your deadbolt

Local stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s and Home Depot sell deadbolts in all varieties. So do most hardware stores. You can also buy online at E-Bay, Amazon and other national retailers. One of the best sources for quality deadbolts and their installations is your local residential locksmith. Most shops offer affordable prices, same-day installations and repair services anytime you need them, including 24-hour emergency help.

IF YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR A COMMERCIAL SAFE, HERE’S WHAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW

If you have a commercial building, it’s essential that you protect whatever’s in your facility ~ the crucial documents, the irreplaceable valuables, and all the critical data of your business. For most businesses, a prime-quality commercial safe is a perfect way to do it.

When you start shopping, you’ll discover that there are many styles and types of safes. How do you decide what’s ideal for you? Before you buy, do your homework. Be sure to ask these questions.

1       Which safe lock is right for you?

There are many different sorts of safe locks, including the combination dial, electronic, redundant, and biometric.

2       How large does your safe have to be?

You could pile up every item you want to put in your safe, and then measure it. But the problem with that is, the safe you’ll need is likely much bigger than you first considered. Ask a professional what you ought to place inside your safe. Then, figure mathematically how much space you’ll need.

3       What’s the rough value of what you’ll be keeping in your safe?

The items’ value will influence the security level required. There are standard categories of safe classes, which play a big part in your insurance coverage, affecting potential insurance claims. Depending on the classification of the safe you choose, your insurance coverage increases. The safe’s class ~ from TL15 (approximately $150,000 in coverage) to TRTL60X6 (around $2 million or more in coverage) ~ is established by:

• time testing (how long it will take a safecracker to break in);
• area testing (how easy it is to get in the front door, or into the sides);
• torch resistance (the level of resistance to a thief’s torch); and
• tool resistance (the level of resistance to picking tools, carbide drills, hand tools, and electric or mechanical tools).

A TL15 rating means that the safe’s door can resist entry for a net assault time of 15 minutes total, with hand tools, picking tools, drills, electric or mechanical tools, grinders, or pressure devices. Business owners often prefer class TL30 or higher, that is, a safe that is time-tested to resist entry for a minimum of 30 minutes or more.

4       Do you desire fire protection?

Besides the standard classifications of commercial safes, there are also formal fire ratings. No safe is fully fireproof; but safes have various levels of fire resistance. They’re tested and certified according to how long they’re able to guard your valuables inside from destruction by fire. A fire rating of 1 hour or higher is ideal. During a fire, safes rated to protect paper stored inside cannot get any hotter than 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

A safe providing excellent fire protection along with major theft protection will have a steel door and steel walls, encased in a layer of composite material that’s as solid as concrete. There has to be a fire seal on the door, to block out most moisture from getting inside the safe, minimizing rust and corrosion. If a fire happens, the fire seal will expand, sealing out flames and smoke, and also preventing water from getting into the safe (because water is likely to be sprayed on the safe by a firefighter to extinguish the fire).

If you purchase a safe with a low-to-moderate fire resistance level, it actually gives minimal theft protection. If you want both fire resistance and theft protection, then get an outstanding-quality composite-fire safe, a burglar-fire safe, or a superior-security TL-rated fire safe.

5       What sort of safe should you have?

·         An office safe is a safe often used by retail businesses and restaurants. Bolted to the floor or freestanding, its fire rating is normally higher. This safe cannot be opened even if dropped repeatedly.

·         A depository safe (also referred to as a drop safe), is another one that’s popular with retailers and restaurant owners. You can drop cash, keys, receipts, and other small items into the safe through a small door at the top, which don’t allow access to the main safe compartment. You open the door by entering the right code.

·         An in-floor safe is hidden in concrete for exceptional security. One disadvantage is that it provides minimal fire protection, since it doesn’t have a fire board for dispersing heat. If you have to protect important papers or cash, get a freestanding composite-fire safe, a burglar-fire safe, or a top-security burglar-fire safe, which has a 1- to 2-hour fire rating. Anchor it correctly with bolts in your concrete floor.

·         A wall safe is very well hidden, because you can conceal it behind a picture frame. Nevertheless, a wall safe isn’t really your most secure choice, since it’s attached to the wall studs, which means it can be pried out by an experienced criminal. Take into consideration that this safe’s only fire protection is limited to the sheetrock in the wall.

·         A media or data safe is for effectively preserving your business information. It’s vital to shield your electronic devices from fire and theft. Computer drives, disks, and all other digital media are sensitive to variations in temperature, so choose a safe whose interior won’t go above 125 degrees Fahrenheit, or exceed 85 percent humidity.

·         A high-security safe will include a significant number of barriers to prevent drilling. Additional locking mechanisms will deploy if a robber attempts to force open the safe. A maximum security level costs a lot more, but depending on your circumstances ~ if you have a jewelry store, for example ~ then it’s smart to keep the heart of your business well secured.

6       Ultimately, how do you choose the right safe for you?

There are so many points to consider before you purchase your commercial safe ~ much more than what we’ve already discussed. Where you decide to place your safe is central, too. To keep from getting scammed, do your research, gathering your information only from reliable sources. If you’re located in Dorchester, Massachusetts, then hire a staff mobile professional safe technician of a legitimate company such as Dorchester Locksmith.