How to Protect Your CT Business from Theft and Vandalism

Security is a top priority for Connecticut businesses of all kinds. A business may have an inventory of products in a store or warehouse or expensive equipment that is used to provide services for customers. Companies often have property worth thousands or even millions of dollars in one location where it can be an attractive target for thieves.

Connecticut business owners are also concerned about vandalism. A disgruntled employee or customer, or a stranger, can decide to cause destruction to a building, vehicles, equipment, or inventory. Even if the business has insurance to cover damage caused by vandalism, it can disrupt operations for weeks or months while repairs need to be made, which can hurt profits.

Business owners in Connecticut can protect their property from theft and vandalism by making sure they have quality locks in place. If you want to make your Connecticut business more secure, you can do so by installing high-security or keyless entry locks.

How High-Security Locks Can Protect Your Business

High-security locks are strong enough to withstand forces from an attempted break-in. They are made from heavy-duty steel designed to prevent theft. High-security locks also have restrictive keyways that make them difficult to pick or bump. They can keep thieves and vandals out of your Connecticut business.

Benefits of Keyless Entry Locks for Your CT Business

Another option to improve security is to install keyless entry locks. These do not use keys, but rather are opened with a code, access card, or key fob. A keyless entry lock cannot be picked or bumped.

A keyless entry system offers other benefits. You will have a record of everyone who enters and leaves your business and the dates and times when doors were opened. This can help you deter theft among employees and can give you valuable evidence if something does turn up missing.

Since access is controlled through electronic means, it can easily be turned off. If an employee quits or is fired, you can deactivate that person’s key card or fob and he or she will no longer be able to enter the building. This can help you avoid the need to change the locks when an employee leaves the company.

Call All American Locksmiths to Improve Security at Your Business

High-security or keyless entry locks are two effective ways to make your Connecticut business more secure and prevent theft and vandalism. They can keep intruders out and protect your business from expensive losses. All American Locksmiths has installed high-security and keyless entry locks for business owners all over Connecticut. We serve towns that include Fairfield, Greenwich, and Cheshire. Contact us today to schedule an installation.

Benefits of Interchangeable Core Locks for CT Apartments and Businesses

interchangeable-core-locks-benefitsOwners and managers of apartment buildings often use master keys so they can gain access to any unit with one key, rather than needing to have dozens or even hundreds of keys. This makes it easier for maintenance staff to do their jobs and for staff to respond if tenants lock themselves out, but it can also create problems.

When a tenant moves out, the locks often need to be changed or rekeyed. If a master key is lost or stolen, all of the locks in the building need to be changed or rekeyed to prevent someone from getting into apartments and stealing tenants’ property. The costs associated with changing or rekeying several locks can be expensive.

If an employee is fired from a job and has a key, the owner may be concerned about the person breaking in when no one is around and stealing property or committing vandalism. It may be necessary to change or rekey the locks to prevent that from happening. If the business has several locks that are opened with the same key, that can be pricey.

How Interchangeable Core Locks Can Keep Your Apartments or Business Secure

This is why many apartment buildings, condominiums, and businesses have interchangeable core (IC) locks. With an IC lock, the lock can be rekeyed quickly and easily by using a control key to remove the old core and install a new one. This can be done in a matter of seconds by regular maintenance staff, which eliminates the expense of calling a locksmith.

In a place like an apartment building, the staff can have IC locks installed on all of the units so they can be opened with one master key. They can have a set of backup IC locks that are opened with a different master key. If the master key for the locks that are currently being used is lost or stolen, the maintenance staff can simply change all of the cores on the apartments so they are opened with a new master key. The master key that was lost or stolen will be useless.

IC locks are also difficult to pick. It often takes destructive methods to break into an apartment or business with an IC lock. In trying to break in, a burglar can damage the pins, which will make it hard to gain access.

All American Locksmiths Can Install IC Locks in Your CT Apartments or Business

Interchangeable core locks are secure and convenient for places that use a master key to open multiple locks. If a tenant moves out, an employee is fired, or a master key is lost or stolen, the cores can be changed quickly. This can save time and money since a locksmith will not need to be called.

All American Locksmiths can install interchangeable core locks in your apartment building or business. This can improve security and reduce your long-term costs. We serve apartment buildings and businesses in Wilton, Trumbull, Stratford, and other towns across Connecticut. Contact us today to learn more about IC locks or to schedule an installation.

The Pros and Cons of Having All of the Locks in Your House Keyed Alike

key-all-locks-in-house-alikeMost houses have multiple doors in the front, back, and leading from the garage or porch to the living area. All of those doors have locks for security. Some homeowners choose to have all of their locks keyed alike so they can be opened with a single key. There are pros and cons to taking that approach.

Advantages of Having All Locks Keyed Alike

The most common reason why homeowners have all of their locks keyed alike is simply convenience. Having to carry a keychain with several keys to your house, along with keys to vehicles and possibly work, can be heavy and inconvenient. All of those keys would need to be labeled so you would know which fit each lock. You would have to fumble around with all of the keys on your key ring to find the one that fit a particular lock. By having all of your locks keyed alike, you could eliminate these hassles and simply use one key.

Reasons Not to Have Locks Keyed Alike

There are also advantages to having each door opened with a different key. The most important reason to do this is to restrict access to certain parts of your house to specific people. For example, you might want your neighbors to be able to enter the porch to leave a package for you, but you might not want them to be able to walk into your house when you are not home.

Another reason why you might not want to have all of your locks keyed alike is that someone could lose a key. If that happened, you would need to have all of your locks rekeyed to prevent someone who found the key from entering your house. If the locks were keyed differently, you would only have to rekey the lock that was opened with the key that was lost.

It Is Not Always Possible to Open All Locks with One Key

Sometimes it is not possible for a locksmith to key all of the locks in a house alike. If your locks are made by different brands or are of different types, you may have no choice but to use different keys for each one, unless you want to replace the locks with ones made by the same manufacturer.

Eliminate the Need for Keys with Keyless Entry Locks

Another option you might not have considered is installing keyless entry locks. While they are most often used in businesses, keyless entry locks can also be installed in homes. You could open your doors by using a code, access card, or key fob instead of needing to carry one or more keys with you at all times.

Call All American Locksmiths to Discuss Your Options

Keying all of the locks in your home alike has advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage is that it can simplify life and eliminate the need to carry a key ring filled with many keys. The drawbacks are that anyone with a key will have access to your entire home and all of the locks will need to be rekeyed if a key is lost.

Once you have weighed the pros and cons and decided whether or not you want to have all of the locks in your house keyed alike, call All American Locksmiths. We serve locations throughout Connecticut, including Brookfield, Easton, and Monroe. We can key the locks alike or set them up so each is opened with a separate key, if that is what you prefer. We can also install keyless entry locks in your home. If you are not sure about the best course of action, we can discuss your needs and concerns and help you make the best decision for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn more.