Areas, like a garage or a shed, that aren’t really at the heart of our homes sometimes get neglected in the security department. Which, is strange considering that you’ve probably got some pretty valuable items stored in them: tools, cars, sporting equipment, etc.

Regardless of the reasons these areas of our home may be overlooked, if you realize that you’ve got a poor system for securing your garage or shed, read on for some helpful tips.

Lock Exterior Doors

First and foremost, lock up exterior doors! Any doors leading to the outside should be treated the same way you’d treat your front door. Install a deadbolt on these doors that is good for houses.

Sheds, however, may not have sturdy enough doors for such a lock. If this is the case, place a traditional lock and key, like you would in a public storage unit, on your shed. There are different grades of locks, so make sure to pick one that’s good for what you’re trying to protect. Be sure that the screws in the locks hardware go in at least 1.5 inches to make them harder to kick in. 

Install Security Lighting

Make sure that there are lights around all entrances of your home – which we’ve established includes your garage and shed. Well-lit areas are less likely to be broken into. Motion sensor lights are even better as they can startle away perpetrators. 

Provide Window Coverage

Being able to look into your shed or garage just provides more incentive to burglars. If they can see valuables just behind the door it’ll make the job that much more enticing. One standard tip in making your home more secure is keeping valuables out of sight. This includes covering windows with curtains, installing frosted or security glass, and reinforcing windows. 

Use a Security System

If you’re already utilizing a home security system in the main part of your home, it’s a no-brainer to extend it to other parts of your home. Check with your provider whether or not you can place security system components in areas that aren’t attached to the main house. So, if all else fails and someone actually ends up breaking in, at least it will sound the alarm and hopefully shew them away before they do any real damage. 

Organize with Safety in Mind

Organizing your shed and garage with safety in mind is one more huge deterrent for burglars. Use storage systems with locks to make items that much more difficult to take off with. Also, store dangerous tools like chainsaws, bolt cutters or crowbars out of sight. Keeping ladders out of reach is another safety precaution. If a burglar were to get their hands on one they’d have a better chance of entering your home through top floors our high windows. 

Other Garage and Shed Precautions

• Don’t leave garage remotes attached to car visors
• Keep your garage and shed doors shut even when at home
• Secure doors leading from the garage into the home as secure as you would your main entries
• Trim bushes and shrubs around the home trimmed
• Join neighborhood watch organizations

The steps outlined here are simple to adhere to and potentially damaging if ignored. Take these precautions in your own home and lower your risk of being burglarized. 

We’ve all been there. Digging through your bag searching for keys that aren’t there. It’s a horrible inconvenience to lose your keys. Not only are you locked out of your car, home or business but you have to go through all the necessary steps to secure your surroundings after the fact.

Our recommendation? Try not to lose your keys in the first place! This is, of course, is easier said than done. But, we’ve got some great tips to help you keep track of your keys and avoid the pitfalls that come from losing them.

Make your keys noticeable

Keychains are more than just for ornamental use. Having a noticeable adornment or one that is fairly large without becoming cumbersome is a fun and simply way to help you keep track of your keys. For women, attaching large “puff ball” keychains is fashionable and will make it nearly impossible to not notice it’s missing from your purse. Men, try a high quality bottle opener or utility knife.

Keep keys in the same place

In addition to making your keys noticeable, keeping keys in the same place in your home, office, or bag will help prevent you from losing them. Install a key ring inside your door or designate a drawer in your office to keep your keys. Rather than digging through bags, place your keys in an inner or outer pocket in your bag or purse so that you’ll always know where they are. 

Attach your keys to something larger

The problem seems to happen once keys come loose and are in our hands. But, if you affix your keys to something you surely won’t leave behind, like your purse or belt buckle, your chances of misplacing them are slim to none. Many bags have loops inside of them for just this reason. Purchase a key ring with an easy open latch to make attaching it to yourself easier.

Take advantage of technology

So, what happens if you do everything you can to try and not lose your keys, but you lose them anyway? There’s an app for that…Phone applications have made our lives easier in countless ways and their help with keeping track of our keys is just one more perk of living in the high-tech era. Applications, such as the Tile app, help you locate your keys once they’re lost. By attaching a tracker with Bluetooth capabilities to your key chain, you’re able to find your keys using the application on your phone. Other applications you can check out are HipKey, Cobra Tag, Stick-N-Find Stickers and Zomm.

Get a smartphone operated lock

Another solution to the issue of lost key is to get a smartphone operated lock for your home. Equipping your home with smart locks enables you to utilize your smart phone to literally unlock your house with the click of a button. So, even if you lose your traditional keys, you’d still be able to access your home using your smartphone.

Whichever method you choose, choose at least one so that you can prevent lockouts. If you do end up locking yourself out, contact Kenny’s Lock and we’ll help you out!

With school starting again soon, there are safety issues that are important for all homeowners to take note of. Since back to school means more routine and empty houses, it’s essential to secure your home more than before. Here are some tips for keeping your home, apartment, and dorm room secure.

Rekey Your Home

If you’ve recently moved into a new home or apartment, consider rekeying your home. This will ensure that no one else has a key to your place. One of the most secure locks for your home is a deadbolt but, depending on your needs, make sure that you get the right kind of deadbolt.

Install a Phone Operated Lock

The fear of losing your keys or getting locked out of your house is real, which is why so many people try hiding a key outside their house. Unfortunately, this puts your home at a higher risk of a break-in. Instead of hiding an extra key where someone might be able to find it, consider installing a phone operated lock for your home. Phone operated locks will allow you to enter your home or apartment, even if you’ve lost your key. These locks are also helpful if you need to let your children into the house when you’re not home.

Be Mindful of Contractors and Technicians

Going back to school presents safety concerns for college students that are living in apartments and dorms who will be getting cable and internet services installed, as well as families who are renovating or winterizing their homes. Remember that contractors and technicians are still strangers, and should only be given access to the necessary rooms in your homes. When people come over, don’t allow them to wander around your home or check closets without your knowledge and permission. If you know that someone is going to be coming to your home for repairs or installation, place your valuables out of sight and in a drawer somewhere away from where they will be working.

Install a Safe

If you have roommates, it is a good idea to get a safe to hold your most valuable possessions, and choose a fireproof safe based on your needs. Here are some tips on how to choose a safe for your home.

Make Sure Your Apartment is Safe

Whenever you go somewhere, whether it’s for a quick errand or on a vacation, secure your doors, close your windows, and lock your home and apartment. As you’re leaving, double check the door to make sure it’s fully locked from the outside, and make sure that your home, apartment, or dorm is safe and secure.

The time to go back to school is quickly approaching, but it’s never too late to make your home more secure! If you have any questions or want to work to make your home more secure, contact us today!

Locking yourself out of your home can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you don’t have a backup key readily available. Add in inclement weather and you’re probably ready to kick yourself for making such an easily avoidable mistake. But, it’s ok! If you plan ahead, the next time you lock yourself out may not be such a dire situation. Here are a few tips to consider before calling a locksmith:

Use a Buddy System

Got a good friend in the building? A trusted coworker or family member in the area? The buddy key system is a classic way to keep you from being left out in the cold. Trading keys with someone you’re comfortable with (and who would come bail you out when you’re in a jam) is the most basic way to keep a set of keys on the ready.

Check for Open Windows

If you live in a ground level home, take your chances and cross your fingers that you’ve left a window unlocked. You may feel a little like a cat burglar, but it’s better to crawl through a window than be stuck outside all day. Sliding doors are good for this as well. If it’s a little loose, you could shimmy it open. Have a doggy door you can squeeze through? Give that a go!

It’s important to note that if any of these tricks work, we’re glad you’re back in your home, but you have a home security issue! Your next step in this situation is to make your home more secure  because if you can get in, your home will pose no problems for professional burglars.

Call Your Landlord

Living in an apartment building could be advantageous in this predicament. Chances are, your landlord or management staff will have a skeleton key for all the units in the building. They may require you to show your ID before allowing you into your apartment, so hopefully you didn’t lock your wallet in the house too!

Call a Locksmith

If you don’t have a buddy system, can’t break into your own place without damaging anything, and don’t have a property manager you’re going to need to call a locksmith that you can trust. But, don’t fret! This is a great opportunity to do a couple of things.

After losing your keys, that means that they’re out there in the city for anyone to find. In this case, you’ll need to have your home rekeyed to prevent just anyone from walking in unannounced. Also, think about upgrading your home with a keyless entry system using a phone operated lock . Let’s face it, you may be careless with your keys but we’re willing to bet you’ve got your smartphone glued to your person at all times. Installing a phone operated lock could eliminate your need for a traditional key altogether.

Locked out of your apartment or home? We can help—get a free quote for getting back into your house.