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.

Panic bars; their importance in commercial properties

Every business operator should know about panic bars and how they can affect your Dorchester, MA business. Like any modern business tool, they have benefits and possible drawbacks, but after reading this post, you’ll know better if they are right for your firm or not.

Panic bars aka push bars

You might know panic bars under another name; push bars. They are also known as crash bars, and exit devices; all the same thing. Here at Dorchester Locksmith we’ve heard them called all of the above at one time or another but these different names all stand for those horizontal metal bars on exit doors that you’ve seen and used hundreds of times. In fact, we bet that you’ve used them so much that you hardly notice them at all or how or why they work so well!

Panic bars have been around since the turn of the century; they were designed for people to exit buildings easier and faster. They work so well and so efficiently that many commercial buildings must have them according to building codes and review board regulations.

With panic bars you don’t have to unlock a door, turn the knob and then open the door to go through it and exit the building. You simply push the bar which simultaneously unlocks the door and opens it and leave!

Panic bars everywhere!

Now you’ll notice panic bars everywhere you go in Dorchester, MA or wherever else you may be. Notice how simple they are to use and how effortlessly the public makes use of them. They are always installed on exit doors that swing out and that are locked from the outside. Notice that there are no door knobs on the outside or inside; only the push/panic bar to handily use when leaving.

You can find (and use) panic bars in movie theaters, restaurants, shopping malls, office buildings, government buildings, car dealerships, hospitals, club houses, warehouses, storage rentals, pet stores, home improvement stores, retirement homes, fast food locations and thousands more! Some panic bars open into hallways that lead to other panic bars as in the case of mall shop back doors leading to an interior hallway and then outside.

Are panic bars a requirement?

They can be! If you are a business leasing your store or building, you probably already have one or more panic bars already. If so, leave them in! They not only work well, they are probably required by the codes and enforcement as well as the fire department. If you are building a commercial location from scratch, be sure to check with your local authorities to see if panic bars are a requirement. Even if they are not; seriously consider using them!

Panic bars work; they just do!

Sure, panic bars offer safety and convenience to those exiting the building but they also offer something else that’s important; better crowd control. If your shoppers or clients have to exit in a hurry, panic bars allow them to do that without the hassles involved in two way traffic through a door with locks and knobs and handles. Emergency drills using panic bars always show dramatic improvement in crowd flow and control. During actual fires, medical emergencies or other events that need fast evacuation panic bars have proven over and over to save lives and prevent further deaths or injuries. This is especially important when there are possible terrorist threats or armed gunmen that can trigger a literal stampede out of the premises.

Let’s talk price

It always seems to come down to money so Dorchester Locksmith wanted to include this section on costs and items to look out for. Like any other commodity, panic bar materials and prices can vary from one dealer or manufacturer to another. You can buy panic bars online and from home improvement stores, contractors, commercial locksmiths, local builders, real estate developers and even from property rehabbers. As always, check around for the best prices and don’t forget to ask about labor charges, warranties and installation fees. Don’t forget volume discounts; you may get one if you need multiple panic bars installed so don’t forget to ask about it. Try and get all price quotes and installation estimates in writing and get several for the best deals.

Taxes and insurance

If you add panic bars to your commercial location you might just qualify for a tax break. It is after all, an upgrade to your business and property and since it is built-in it qualifies as an improvement to the real estate. We are not tax experts here so be sure to check with your own tax professionals about how to do this. You might also qualify for lower insurance premiums as major carriers often offer lower rates for having panic bars installed since they are such reliable safety features. Insurance regulators understand that having panic bars installed reduces injury, death, lawsuits and insurance claims for all involved.

Sometimes they stick

Once in a while panic bars get stuck. This may be when in the locked or unlocked position, but when you are trying to close your store for the night and go home, it’s a problem that you don’t want to have. If you are into do-it-yourself solutions you might try and make your own adjustments. In fact there are many videos online that offer help in doing this. The problem is that depending on the brand and panic bar model involved the online tips may be outdated or ineffective. Besides, as a business person isn’t your time worth more than that? Every local firm needs access to 24-hour commercial locksmith service from a licensed, bonded and insured shop. You can call Dorchester Locksmith or a trusted technician that you’ve used before but we recommend dealing with professionals. You’ll get the repair done faster and have peace of mind in knowing that the job was done correctly and by trained and skilled experts. Besides, save the repair receipt and give it to your accountant later!

Security system watches over your home without cameras

by Jon Fingas , @jonfingas

You don't have many great choices for home security systems right now. Conventional systems are expensive and effectively fixed in place, while connected cameras are conspicuous and carry the risk (however small) that someone might spy on you. Xandem thinks it has a better way, however. It's crowdfunding a security system that uses motion-detecting wireless mesh networking (previously the stuff of research) to alert you to intruders. It only requires plug-in nodes to work, and the resulting radio frequency web can both travel through objects and follow subjects. If all goes well, you're getting more complete coverage that stays hidden and reduces the chance of a false positive -- you can even track motion in apps or the web to see if it's a burglar or just a family member who got home early.

Xandem isn't cheap up front: you're looking at a minimum $475 pledge to get a 10-node system, and $575 for 15 nodes. However, early bird buyers get the accompanying cloud service free for life. Even the latecomers skip the $120 yearly subscription for the first year. That's potentially a big discount if you're both aiming for broad coverage and plan to use the service for a long while. You won't get yours until August, assuming the project meets its funding goals, but your patience may pay off if you don't think existing home security technology cuts the mustard.

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