kennyslockinc – Page 12

Four Benefits of High Security Keys

December 14, 2016 by kennyslockinc Leave a Comment

Whether you’re unlocking the doors to your home or managing the keys for an entire business, you expect that your keys will keep you and your property secure. What you may not know is that not all keys are created equal. While traditional keys and basic locks serve the general purpose of locking and unlocking your valuables, high security keys and locks provide an extra level of protection.

What are high security keys and why should you use them for your business? High security keys and locking systems can include restricted keys, master key systems, and hitech locks. Each of these offers unique benefits for ensuring the safety of your home and business.

1. More difficult to duplicate

You may have seen keys with “do not duplicate” stamped on the side. These keys are not high security and are actually duplicated all the time. Restricted keys on the other hand are designed with a unique patent that prevents them from being duplicated at your average hardware store. In fact, these keys are only allowed to be duplicated by certain locksmiths. If you are re-keying a new home or an apartment you just moved into, work with the locksmith to opt for high security keys and locks.

2. Tamper-proof locks

Locks used with traditional keys are fairly easy to pick using materials you can buy easily online or at a hardware store. High security, restricted key systems on the other hand are nearly impossible to pick. This is because the locking mechanism corresponds with a specific pin on your high security key. Only a locksmith with special tools can get these locks open after they’re locked.

3. Ability to control access

You can control exactly who has access when using a high security key system. In business settings, a master key system allows only authorized personnel into pre-approved areas. This not only helps prevent unauthorized use of the building and specific areas, it can also help prevent employee theft. Another great use of a master key system is if you have a housekeeper who comes during the day, but who you don’t want to have access on other days.

Have your master key keyed to both your deadbolt and your doorknob lock while your housekeeper’s key is keyed only to the doorknob lock. On the days your housekeeper is coming, lock only the knob. On the days your housekeeper is not coming, lock both the knob and the deadbolt and feel secure that no one else has access.

4. Monitor your home or business remotely

Technology has given us the ability to change the way we think about keys entirely. Hitech locks enable you to lock, unlock, and alarm your home with a smartphone. You’ll also get alerts if an alarmed is tripped and some versions even allow you to contact your local police department to respond quickly.

Questions about what kind of locking system is right for you? We can help! Contact us to schedule an appointment to make your home safer.

Holiday Gift Guide for Home Security

December 2, 2016 by kennyslockinc Leave a Comment

One of the most exciting aspects of the holiday season is the opportunity to give and receive thoughtful gifts from loved ones. But, after years of exchanging presents you may be coming up short on ideas for this year. In lieu of standard stocking stuffers, consider gifting your close friends and relatives the gift of home security! Check out our home security holiday gift guide and help protect the ones you love in the coming year.

Light timers

This particular gift works two fold. One, they create a lovely ambiance if placed correctly around the home. Two, lights in and around the home do wonders for warding off would be trespassers. Light timers can be for both indoor and outdoor use. Set lamps and other indoor lighting as well as porch and outdoor lights to come on automatically for an effortless security feature. Light timers are a basic and fundamental safety feature everyone should consider in their homes, especially over the holidays.

Personal safe

A gift that can be used for years to come is a personal safe to keep your valuables secure. Regardless of all the precautions taken, there’s still a chance someone could make it into your home looking to do some damage. If that happens, having a safe can keep the items you cherish out of harm’s way. Best used to store small valuables or important documentation such as passports and birth certificates, a safe is a practical gift ensuring your loved ones can sleep more soundly.

Key finder

Misplacing keys and other important items can cause a huge disturbance in our daily lives. Why not help stave off this frustrating experience for a loved one by purchasing a key finder this holiday season? The most popular key finders sync to apps on your smartphone allowing you to easily track down your missing items. There are different types of key finders but all serve the same purpose, to keep you from losing your belongings and your mind!

Home security systems

You don’t have to invest in a high-tech security system for someone else’s home to make a huge impact on their overall security. Plenty of security devices act as a means to protect and alert you against unwanted visitors without the heavy monthly dues associated with traditional home security services. For instance, purchasing a doorbell equipped with a security camera, like the Ring Wi-Fi enabled video doorbell, allows the homeowner to see who’s at the door without even having to be home! Or, home security cameras like the Nest Cam with night vision options can be setup around the perimeter of the home providing a 360 view of the entire property.

Smartphone enabled locks

If you’ve ever been locked out of your house you know just how infuriating the experience can be. But, having a smartphone enabled lock can quickly solve this issue and more. The August Smart Lock is one such product which not only allows you to open your doors remotely via Bluetooth technology but also helps you grant access to other individuals for a set period of time. This is especially helpful if you have out of town relative staying who need regular access to your home or for anyone else, like babysitters or handymen, who need temporary admittance to your place.

Any of these security gadgets would make the perfect gift for your loved ones this season. Looking for installation help or more information on home security measures? Contact Kenny’s Lock!

Hands-Free Door Kits for Boston Businesses

November 23, 2016 by kennyslockinc Leave a Comment

Certain places of business can benefit from a hands-free door kit, especially those which handle sensitive materials or cater to people who will have their hands full.

Employees who come into contact with harmful substances or who have their hands occupied may find it difficult to move around a building outfitted with traditional hardware kits. In this post we’ll go over how hands-free doors work and the best uses for them in Boston.

What is a hands-free door?

A hands-free door is exactly what it sounds like. I door which operates without having to physically touch it. Generally, these doors are operated using a ‘wave to open’ sensor, like on automatic doors, to activate doors without coming into physical contact with anything in the process. This goes a long way in preventing the transmission of substances which should be handled with care.

Best places to install

Hands-free mechanisms should be used around any area where you’re going to have people entering or exiting who cannot use their hands. Hands-free mechanisms are also good for helping prevent people from coming into accidental contact with something that may harm them such as healthcare professionals and hospitals or people who work in laboratories. Aside from installing in rooms where employees are handling dangerous elements, nurses caring for elderly patients or babies who keep their hands full can move through doorways with ease.

Are hands-free door kits useful for any type of business?

Yes! Every business could use a hands-free door kit in the one place no one wants to touch anything or if you have a business where people are carrying things. Examples of good businesses for hands-free door kits include shipping locations, hotels, hospitals, laboratories, physician offices and warehouses. Laboratories, medical facilities or any other business in which people are handling potentially dangerous materials should consider installing hands-free door kits. Warehouse workers would also find value in using hands-free door kits. Constantly having full hands and pushing around dollies stacked sky high with boxes can make it incredibly difficult to get through a doorway without third party assistance. A hands-free door would come in handy in this scenario.

What comes in a hands-free door kit?

Hands-free kits are power operated which means your best bet is to hire a professional to install. The kit requires the wave-to-open sensor and the physical mechanism which opens and closes the door. Several variations are available depending on the type of lock installed on the door (mortise, cylindrical, etc) so be sure to procure the version most suitable for the door it’s being installed on.

If you’re interested in a hands-free door kit, contact Kenny’s Lock for a professional opinion and installation assistance!

Holiday Security Tips for your Home

November 18, 2016 by kennyslockinc Leave a Comment

The holiday season brings all of our favorite things with it: great food, time with family and friends and often times travelling. But, while the rest of us may be off getting into the holiday spirit, predators see this time of year as the perfect opportunity to get themselves on the naughty list.

With so much distracting us it’s not uncommon to overlook basic security measures in the process. Here are some useful tips to keep your home and your family safe this holiday season.

Secure your home while on vacation

If you’re planning to leave town it is imperative that you take proper precautions to make sure your home will be well protected. Before you leave the house, don’t forget the basic areas provide easy entry into your home for unwanted visitors.

Lock all doors including garage doors
Lock and secure all windows, including upstairs
Lock side gates
Close and lock dog doors

Security Systems and Outdoor Lighting

Something as simple as motion sensor lights can be enough to keep burglars off your property and the best thing is that they’re not expensive to install. Placing motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your home, especially nearest to doors and windows, will literally shine a spotlight on anyone getting too close for comfort.Also, if you’ve already got a home security system installed, double check that everything is working properly. Hopefully the system has never had a reason to sounds off, but, if you’ve never heard it in action that also means it may have experienced a glitch or two over the years and therefore may not be working quite right.

Don’t make yourself an easy target

Some homes just look more enticing than others so do your best to be sure you’re not the most attractive target on the block. These tips are good for securing your home year round and especially during the holiday rush.

Keep high value items out of sight
Trim shrubbery around windows
Provide ample exterior lighting
Invest in good exterior doors and locks
Hide holiday gifts from plain view
Close curtains and blinds before leaving the house

Secure apartments too

Sometimes we feel like living in a multi-dwelling building we’re safer than people in single family homes. Not so. As a matter of fact, people living in apartments experience more foot traffic around their homes and have less control over security precautions taken for the entire building. But, just because you’re not the home owner doesn’t mean you can’t secure your Boston apartment.

Check your doors and windows and if something seems off, contact your property manager and put in a work order before the holiday season is in full swing. Also, unless you seriously trust your neighbors, don’t mention to anyone that you’ll be leaving town for a few days. Living in close quarters can make it more convenient for people with bad intentions to take advantage of your absence.

What safety tips do you use to keep your home secure around the holidays?

Key Finders: For the Things You Can’t Afford to Lose

November 14, 2016 by kennyslockinc Leave a Comment

Losing small and important items can be a huge pain in the neck. Scrambling in the morning to find your keys, wallet and smartphone or finding yourself at the office without the notebook you live out of can create havoc.

Luckily, technology available from our smartphones has enabled us to organize our lives in a more effective way. Key finders are a simple and practical way to solve the issue of having to remember where you drop your valuables throughout the day and are incredibly convenient, too.

How do key finders work?

Key finders are typically no larger than a standard sized key chain. So drop them in your work bag, attach them to important folders, to your key rings or anything you deem necessary! These transponders are compatible with your smartphone and trackable using the manufacturer’s app.

Types of key finders

The standard key finder works as a GPS tracking system for your important items. Synced up with the smartphone app, you’ll be able to track your lost valuables in a hurry. There’s also another version which will alert you if you’ve gone too far from any of the items you’ve synced to your device. This can be especially helpful if travelling and are about to walk out of your hotel room minus your briefcase or if you’re leaving your house without your wallet.

Use at work

Often times, businesses will allocate certain electronic devices to their employees. Just like changing the locks when those individuals leave the company or if they’re out of touch for long periods of time (think long term sick leave or vacation) you’ll be able to track down company assets without having to contact out of touch or long gone staff. Electronics are expensive so developing a tracking system is crucial. Key finders are a simple and effective way to accomplish this.

Key finders are useful when tracking items that maybe aren’t on par with expensive electronics but are replaced so often they’re starting to cost the same as a tablet! Sync up bathroom keys and office supplies to cut down on your repurchasing frequency. That stapler may only cost you $10, but replace it ten times per year and that starts to add up.

Key finder technology

Key finders come in two basic types of technology: RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth. RF devices require you to affix a transponder to the item you wish to find and are usually good for up to about 100 feet. To put this into perspective, it works much like a cordless phone. If you recall, cordless phone docking stations always had a ‘find’ button if you couldn’t locate the cordless phone. You’d press the button and the phone would start beeping to alert you to it’s location. This type of technology is best used in your home for items like house keys, shared family devices or even your pets.

The Bluetooth technology is what you want if you’d like to track via a smartphone app. Most applications will alert you when you’re close to the lost object when you come within 50-100 feet of it. There’s generally an audible sound which comes from the transmitter to make finding it much easier. Unfortunately, key finders won’t help if you’re locked out of your house and the keys are inside, but they’ll definitely go a long way in preventing you from getting in that situation in the first place.

Alternative to key finders

If you’re just sick and tired of keys in general, there are other ways to get in and out of your house without relying on keys. Smartphone enabled locks work by locking and unlocking your home or business straight from your smartphone. While we don’t recommend using these locks instead of keys, they’re a good alternative to using a key finder.

No matter what you use, make sure that it’s a system that works for your home or business. Lost your keys and need help getting into your home or business? Contact Kenny’s Lock and we’ll help you out!

Dorchester, MA

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