10 Things Your Locksmith Won’t Tell You

The information following reprint was found in Readers Digest and all of the contributors were locksmiths from around the country.  I found it interesting and a bit surprising, so hopefully will you.

1. A lot of us do undercover works for the cops.  We make keys for them to get into places at 3am so they can set up surveillance equipment or put bugs into place.

2. Contractors stink at installing dead bolts.  I can’t tell you how many times I go out to rekey one or let someone in and I find problems.  If its not installed right it will not protect you.

3. The best lock is a dead bolt that properly installed. It should have at least a 1” throw and on the strike side, there should be a security plate with screws at least 3” long that go all the way into the door’s frame.

4. If you have a window near on or your door, a thumb turn will not do you any good.  They knock out the glass, stick in their hand, and turn.  Get a double sided dead bolt that needs a key on the inside.

5. Think twice before you buy a locked safe at a flea market or garage sale.  It’s probably going to cost you $300 or more to open it, and chances are, all’s you’re going to find inside is mouse poop.

6. When you buy a new house, always have your locks rekeyed.  Otherwise, there’s probably a master key out there that can easily open your home.

7. Keys stamped Do Not Duplicate are duplicated all the time.  Ask me about High Security locks that can’t be replicated at the hardware store.

8.   You’re suppose to check ID before you open anything.  But half the time when someone is locked out of their house or car, where do you think their ID is?

9. The biggest mistakes people make with their safe; spinning the dial too fast, trying to open it before its unlocked, and forcing it closed when there’s obviously a problem.

10. Its easy to defeat the cheapo locks from the big box stores.  Most are mass produced by reputable manufacturers but to very low standards.  Look for at least grade 2.

These are all topics that locksmiths deal with on a daily basis.  As your trusted locksmith, Pop-A-Lock seeks to 1) educate consumers about best practices in locksmithing , 2) provide secure solutions at an affordable price, and 3) identify and take steps against the scammers that prey upon consumers.