IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GUN SAFE; HERE’S WHY

It’s a fact! Anyone with firearms and other weapons needs a gun safe. Keep reading to discover some of the pros and cons involved in having a gun safe. Chino, CA like most other places many homeowners have weapons at home. No matter how you feel about the rights of gun owners, you need to know how to have fast access to your weapons whenever they are needed, as well as knowing how to store and protect them when not in use. Having a gun safe accomplishes this and also provides additional safety for your loved ones, including family members, guests, visitors, and even your pets.

What Exactly Is A Gun Safe?

Here at Chino Fast Locksmith we refer to them as gun safes, but you may also know them as gun cabinets. These safes come in many forms and are usually made of metal or wood. They keep your weapons safe. In case you’re wondering, safe from whom? The answer is safe from everyone! We’ve all seen the news online, on TV, or in the newspaper where children accidentally shoot themselves or others after suddenly discovering a fully loaded, easily accessible gun. Even adults can be injured or killed if the gun is not handled properly. All too often, domestic problems, home invasions, and innocent parties can get out of hand and having fast and easy access to a loaded gun can spell disaster! Many people foolishly think that having a loaded gun is safe as long as it is out of sight. But this is simply not true. Many well-meaning people store a loaded gun under a pillow, in the closet, under the bed, or behind a door presuming that nothing will happen. Most of the times, this is true. But all it takes is one incident and tragedy can happen!

Gun Safes Offer Protection for Your Guns

Having a locking gun safe offers better protection for your loved ones, friends and guests. It also protects your guns and other weapons from theft and from other forms of unwarranted use. Other threats to your weapons include weather, fires, moisture, floods, rust, scratches, and even dust. You can also use your gun safe or cabinet to store other valuables like family heirlooms, cash, important documents, flash drives, photos, jewelry and anything else that is important to you. Here in Chino, CA we often have heat waves and moisture in the air. A good gun safe can protect your handguns and other weapons from excess dampness and rust while still giving you quick access to them should you ever need it.

What About An Emergency?

Here at Chino Fast Locksmith we are often asked “ What if I need my guns fast/” Many folks think that if your firearms are locked up in the cabinet, you can’t get to them quickly in case of an attempted burglary or home invasion. After all, what if a crook breaks into your house and you awake to the sounds of breaking glass? You start to panic as you hear the sound of footsteps in the dark! Then your mind goes blank – where are the keys to the gun cabinet? You just can’t remember where you put them or even the combination to the lock! Who could with all this stress? Your guns are safe but are you? It is for this very reason that many people forgo using a gun cabinet and instead place a loaded gun behind at a desk or on a shelf. Our Chino Fast Locksmith experts advise customers to simply call our shop and discuss your many options with our friendly and helpful lock professionals.

Can I Afford A Gun Safe?

Like any other appliance or piece of furniture, a gun safe can be very inexpensive or quite costly. Many Chino, CA locksmith shops and safe stores offer gun safes in a wide range of prices. See for yourself – look online at sites such as the Ebay, Craigslist, Amazon, Back Page and others. You’ll see a wide range of prices and choices. You can also check national retailers Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes and Sears. Many of these companies have toll free numbers to call in case you have any questions. One smart thing to do is to search online for a model or type of gun safe that piques your interest. Do a Google search for this gun safe model and check prices and reviews for it. If you find one you like be sure to check with your local stores as many price match now to stay competitive. Don’t forget additional options like extra keys, warranty protection, shipping, and installation charges.

Diversion Gun Safes

This is a new specialty type of gun safe. They are unique because, like the name implies, they are in plain view but not usually noticeable by anyone that is not looking specifically for it. Diversion safes are often built into a bookcase, located behind the stairs, in the wall or in the ceiling, and even hidden inside the furniture! They don’t look like traditional gun safes often do. They don’t have large metal doors with highly complicated locks like you’d expect. Diversion safes are usually located in a part of the house where you wouldn’t expect them to be; even right in the family room where no one would think to look!

Biometric Gun Safes

Another option for you is a new technology in the gun safe industry called a biometric gun safe. Chino Fast Locksmith offers these and many other models to our local customers so be sure to ask us about these when calling. Do you remember our earlier scenario about a possible break in and not having keys or combination codes handy? A biometric gun safe would be perfect in this situation as you simply use your fingerprint or thumbprint for lightning fast access to your guns! There are no keys to find and no combinations to remember! Seconds count during an emergency so keep this option in mind when shopping around for the right gun safe model for you!

Article source here: IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GUN SAFE; HERE’S WHY

MAXIMIZE YOUR HOME’S SECURITY

Your property will become more attractive to a burglar if you forget to pay attention to keeping your home safe. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to safeguard your home from break-ins and theft. A professional thief will always find a way to get in, so of course you can’t foresee every possible vulnerability. Still, you can take a good number of reasonable measures to effectively prevent most scenarios in which a robbery could take place.

Set up some simple household rules.

• Keep doors and windows locked anytime you leave, and also before everyone in the household goes to sleep for the night.
• Keep your garage door in good working order, and keep the garage door closed and locked if you’re away.
• Don’t answer your door to strangers. (If you don’t have a peephole yet, it’s time to install one.)

Store garage-door remotes and your keys and in a discreet location.

It’s not a very good idea to keep your keys and remotes on display near the door, where anyone could peek through a door window. Instead, keep these crucial objects hidden inside a cupboard or drawer.

Keep all valuables well hidden.

• Stash jewelry, cash, and other treasures in uncommon locations.
• Rent a safe-deposit box at your bank for any exceptionally valuable items.
• Consider purchasing a home safe, especially one that’s anchored to the floor.

Don’t keep a “hidden” key outside.

Most thieves will easily find your key under the welcome mat, or quickly locate the one you left inside the mailbox. Even if you have a keyholder disguised as a fake rock, professional robbers will probably already recognize it. Instead, give an extra key to a neighbor you trust.

Do not leave any ladders outside.

A burglar could pretend to be a handyman or contractor, and might try to use your ladder to gain easy entry through a window on your second floor, or use it to get up to your balcony if you have one.

Put up warning signs and insignias.

It may sound silly, but it takes very little effort to put up a sign or window sticker from a security company near each door, even if you do not really have a security system. Be creative if you like. Post a “Beware of Dog” sign, or a sign that says “Trespassers Will Be Shot.”

Keep your air conditioning unit secured.

You don’t want a criminal to get through an unsecured window using an air-conditioner bracket, corner braces, or a sliding window lock.

Use lights effectively.

Install outdoor lighting with infrared motion detectors near each of your doors. Motion detector lights help to discourage trespassers. They can even be connected to your smart device, so you can quickly detect any unwelcome activity, and respond immediately. Some are made to respond to changes in temperature, light, or sound. Be sure also to make it a point to keep some of your indoor lights on if you’re going to be gone.

Install timers.

You can put your porch lights on timers. When you’re out for the day, or gone for an extended period, you can make it look like someone is still at home by putting timers on your lights, TVs, computers, and radios.

If you have a smart light timer installed, you can actually monitor and control everything with a mobile app. Thus you can make your home look as if it’s occupied the whole time you’re away.

Get rid of potential intruder hiding places.

Keep your hedges, shrubs, trees and all other plants trimmed. If they’re too tall, ungainly, or not well spaced, a potential burglar can easily hide.

Additional Affordable Ways to Boost Your Home’s Security:

There are other good ways to augment your home’s security that can take a little more effort, but they are still reasonably priced. To learn more about all these options and more, if you’re anywhere in Chino, California, you may want to schedule a free consultation with a staff professional at Chino Fast Locksmith. Below are some measures to consider that don’t take too much effort or money.

Reinforce your doors.

Inspect all your outside points of entry. A hollow door is of lower quality, and therefore easier to penetrate. Replace it with a solid-core door made of metal or of wood.

Check your front and back door locks. If any of your doors’ locks are weak, you can fortify them by replacing the strike plate (the stationary piece where the bolt enters), and mounting an extra solid metal plate on the doorjamb for the sliding bolt. If there are short mounting screws, you can replace them with longer screws, which will reach the door’s studs. This will add extra strength to the doorframe.

Make a sliding-glass door more secure by placing a wooden dowel cut to size, or an adjustable safety bar, in the floor track. You might also add a floor bolt.

Use better locks.

Deadbolts always provide extra security. Be sure to get a grade-2 deadbolt lock, which penetrates the doorframe. Heavy-duty is tougher and better.

Smart or digital locks are electronic devices which provide more security for your front door. With some, you can synchronize your smart lock with your smartphone, so you don’t even have to carry a house key at all.

Install surveillance cameras.

Surveillance cameras will obviously keep you aware of what’s happening around your property’s perimeter, so that you can contact the authorities immediately if you see any indication of foul play. If you decide to purchase a top-of-the-line surveillance camera, it can take video footage.

Use high-tech home automation.

If you have a bigger budget, nowadays you can monitor all home activities with a smart app. You can actually manage your whole house with a smart alarm system. From simulating routine habits, to checking your property anytime you wish while you’re not home, your properly can almost take care of itself! If any unwanted activity is detected, you’ll immediately be notified by an alert on your smartphone. With such a smart home security system, you will enjoy across-the-board safety.

Article source here: MAXIMIZE YOUR HOME’S SECURITY

The Benefits of a Home Safe

We believe that all homeowners in Chino, CA, (and everywhere) deserve full peace of mind when it comes to their documents and valuables. Installing a safe is still the best way to protect and secure all of your belongings. In fact, home safes nowadays are very affordable and will help you keep your residential safety in check in more ways than you could imagine.

At Chino Fast Locksmith, we are confident that we can help you find the ideal safe to protect your valuables. But before we get into that, we would like to explain why homeowners should consider getting these installed. So, without further ado, here are some of the benefits homeowners should expect from these invaluable home security assets.

 Enhanced protection

This may sound obvious at a first glance. But do you really know the type of protection that you can get from a brand new safe?

Obviously, a safe will deter thieves from trying to access your contents. Especially in the case of amateur burglars, who are simply looking to get in and out of a property as quickly as they can. For these petty thieves, trying to pry their way into a safe is less than ideal as it would greatly slow them down.

But actually, there is much more to a safe’s protection than that. Different types of home safes are especially designed to protect your valuables from natural and man-made disasters. For instance, safes could spare your items from getting destroyed in the case of a house fire, or they may protect your documents from water damage if your house gets flooded.

 Which nicely brings us to the second benefit that comes from a reliable safe.

Durability

No matter what type of home safe you choose to have installed in your property, you can always count on them to withstand some of the toughest conditions.

In order to truly make the most of your safe’s durability, pay attention to whether it has been tested and certified by an independent organization. Common names to look out for include Underwriters Laboratories and Intertek, both of which use ETL marks to indicate that the safes are compliant with US safety standards.

Convenience of accessibility 

Why spend money on a bank’s safe deposit box when you can have the same amount of protection for a cheaper price, right at the comfort of your home?

With a home safe, you get a single storage space that you can access anytime you want. It’s a security feature that provides you with more autonomy and control over the protection of your valuables – especially since you can easily check up on your safe with much more ease than you would using your bank’s repository.

Control over who has access

This is an obvious benefit of safeguarding your valuables in a safe that is rightfully yours. You can create your own combination, which you decide whether or not to share with others.

If you think about it, many people may come into your property on any given day – babysitters, plumbers, tradesmen, family members, friends or neighbors you have entrusted with copies of your key. So having that extra security will ensure that your valuables do not get misplaced, misused, or even taken away. This is not a matter of not trusting the people who enter your property, but a way of knowing where everything is while you have visitors in your home.

Additionally, homeowners who have younger children may need to keep some valuables out of their reach. This tends to be quite obvious when you think about dangerous objects like guns, but other valuables like documents and jewelry could benefit from this added protection too. Think of small objects that could easily be swallowed by toddlers or paper valuables that a small child could naively tear into pieces. Once again, we’re not saying not to trust your children, but every bit of protection counts when it comes to home security.

Making it yours

Personalization is another strong selling point for these protective devices. Safes come in various sizes and functionalities, enabling you to get as much security as you need.

For instance, if you need to store paper documents a fire-resistant safe may be the best choice for you. Usually, fires tend to travel through homes at an average rate of 20 minutes per area. This means that, ideally, you should choose a safe that gets no hotter than 350 degrees during a fire and offers a 30-minute fire protection threshold.

Choosing the right safe

Sure, there are many options around – but how do you know which safe is the best for your home?

This is where the help of a credible, locally-based locksmith business can do wonders. A good residential locksmith will know all about this great security asset – from their features to the best practices when it comes to installing them.

Consider hiring the licensed and insured team members at Chino Fast Locksmith if you’re in the area, for your home safe installations. We are all locally-based, meaning that we can provide affordable installation services at a very fast turnaround. To help you make the best security investment, our team is at your disposal for free consultations, and we will give you a full price quote at no cost for all your requests. We will gladly answer all questions, and we will make sure to explain the exact type of protection that each of our safes has on offer.

A home safe has many benefits, and a reliable locksmith will make the whole installation process that much easier. With such accessible installation services and an array of home safe options to choose from, there is simply no excuse to not protect your most valued assets.

Regain full peace of mind over the protection of your valuables by scheduling a consultation with a locksmith. Then you too will be able to reap the benefits that come with this great addition for all Chino, CA, homes – and homes all over the world.  Trust us, the investment will be worth every penny.

Article source here: The Benefits of a Home Safe

Transponder Key Programming

Transponder keys are anti-theft devices, which make it difficult for someone to break into your vehicle without the proper key. There is a computer chip inserted into the key that syncs with a mechanism that will start your cars ignition. Without the transponder key in the ignition, your car will be unable to start. Today, most new cars are designed to utilize a transponder key. Using this type of key reduces car theft. Thieves are aware of how difficult it is to take a car that requires a transponder key and will simply move on to a car that doesn’t use a transponder key.

If you own a transponder key and you lose it, you can rely on the services of a locksmith like Chino Fast Locksmith in Chino, CA to get a new key. They have the proper equipment to make you a new key and program it. Rather than contacting a dealership, consider using the services of locksmith, not only are they able to handle this for you but the service fees are less expensive. If you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a new transponder key, rely on a local locksmith for your new transponder key. The fees for this type of key can be more expensive that what you would typically pay for a standard car key. A transponder key requires more than just properly cutting the key. It requires some level of difficulty to make. When you consider using the services of a dealership to program your new transponder key, also consider that they have to charge more than a locksmith to offset expenses due to sales discounts. This happens with most of the services that re provided to you via a dealership. Save big when you have your transponder key programmed by a qualified locksmith. Locksmith services do not offer discounts and do not have to add markups to their services fees. This is why you can be sure that having your transponder key made and programmed by a locksmith is always going to be less expensive than if you have it made or programmed by a car dealership. A professional locksmith service has everything that is needed to program your new transponder key, regardless of the type you want and need. Not every locksmith will have this capability, therefore, you will need to find out for sure before counting on your local locksmith to handle the job for you.

Available Transponders

There are two basic transponders, cloneable and fixed. With the fixed transponder, a mechanism is connected to a port connected to your car. It has an encrypted transponder that is unable to be cloned. A cloneable transponder has a code that is also located on the chip. The chip has a compatible transponder. A key can only be cloned if there is a cloneable transponder. Don’t worry if you do not know which type of transponder you have, a qualified locksmith will be able to determine this for you. There is a part number associated with the transponder, which indicates whether it is a cloned transponder or fixed. This is possible if you have the type of key that encased in plastic. Another way your type of transponder can be determined is by evaluating the shape of the key’s head. Today, a cloned key can be obtained more easily than before. Since they are duplicates of a key that has previously been programmed. By cloning a key, the key that is programmed isn’t affected. The cloned key will work as long as your master key is operable. Locksmiths do not need a PIN code to clone a transponder key; this saves time. Perhaps this is one of the reason cloning a transponder key is so popular today.

There are different transponders utilized in order to clone keys. The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) chip and the circuit board. With an OEM chip a ceramic ampoule is inserted into the key head. When programming this type of key, your key blank wouldn’t be needed. It can be sold separately. This chip can only be inserted into the key head if there is enough room. Some manufacturers make the key head with different components. When a circuit board is used, it might or might not use a battery. This means that the key is powered with the car antenna ring. This is found near the ignition lock. If it does use a battery, the power comes from an internal battery.

Cloneable Keys

There are manufacturers who design clonable key blanks. They also make their own equipment, which enables them to clone keys. While some have make the equipment used to clone keys, they may not actually be the manufacturers of the actual key blanks. If a manufacturer has a stand-alone machine that can clone a key, this doesn’t mean that it is possible for them to clone aftermarket keys since the transponders are not identical. There are a variety of cloneable transponders available today. There are some which can be cloned a specified amount of times, while others can only be cloned once or several times. Some of them have a cloned value and some do not. This pre-cloned value helps to avoid destroying your cars computer system. Once the right transponder key is cloned, the value will change. A fixed value transponder key blank is less expensive than a cloneable key blank.

 Understanding what you are offered when you are shopping around for a new transponder key may help you decide which type to purchase. If you are familiar with what is offered today, you will also know what questions to ask your local locksmith. Utilizing the services of a qualified locksmith enables you to learn as much as you need to know about transponder keys and how they are programmed. You will find out that not every locksmith is able to provide you with the same type of services. Make sure you inquire about the services they do offer.

Article source here: Transponder Key Programming

WHAT TO DO IN DIFFERENT LOCKOUT SITUATIONS

We all hate that feeling of being helpless, surprised and somewhat scared after a lockout. Emotions can range from annoyed to absolute panic and no matter how careful you are; these lockout situations still occur! We know as our locksmith shop deals with them on a regular basis. Chino Fast Locksmith gets calls at all hours of the day or night from locals that were quietly going about their business when they suddenly found themselves in a locked out position.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A LOCKOUT?

As you can surmise, a lockout means just that; you are on the wrong side of a locked door, gate, wall or vehicle. It’s only natural to feel awkward for a moment and then you start to look for alternatives. Whatever you do, don’t smash a window or turn to self-vandalism; it’s not worth the expense and added danger of cuts from broken glass and possible shock from security and alarm systems. Often, people resort to this in order to save money over calling a locksmith and wind up spending triple on repair bills and doctor visits!

HOME LOCKOUTS

It’s easy to get locked out of your own home. You go out for the mail or to bring in the newspaper and the door closes and locks behind you. We’ve had customers call us in their bathrobes and pajamas from doing this very thing. Our Chino, CA locksmiths do NOT recommend hiding a spare key under the mat or in the mailbox! Don’t make it easy for crooks to gain entry into your home by resorting to these methods.

So what do you do? If you have a neighbor that you trust, you might leave a key with them. If not, try checking the house for an open back door, window and side door. Do you have a pet? Pet doors are often used to gain entry again (unless you have a Chihuahua!). Here again, we urge caution! Chino, CA burglars have been known to think the same thing and gain entry into your home by crawling through doggie doors. Sometimes they even have a child go through it and run to unlock the front door!

AUTO LOCKOUTS

This is our most common form of lockout situation and it happens daily all over Chino, CA. You might be loading groceries in the trunk and set your keys down for a moment thinking that you’ll remember to pick them back up. Or, your mind is occupied by something else and you park and go inside for a pizza pick up or for the dry cleaning and come back to your car and see the keys dangling from the ignition. Of course your vehicle is locked tight and you are left standing there holding lunch or a week’s worth of clothes! Most modern vehicles have auto locks on them so that when you lock the driver’s door, they all lock! Again, don’t resort to window smashing or other forms of forced entry – the resulting damage is just not worth it.

COMMERCIAL LOCKOUTS

Yes, they happen! Many a store or shop owner has gone out to set up a sign or to raise their flag only to find themselves locked out of their own business. It can be quite embarrassing to explain to your arriving customers that you have no way to gain entry back inside your restaurant or beauty shop. Sometimes in the case of a strip center, the rental office is nearby and they might have a key but this depends on whether they are open or not and they need to recognize you too. If this happens on a weekend or holiday or if there is no management office nearby then you need an alternative.

LOCKOUT DANGERS

There are many situations that can take a turn for the worse. Lockouts can leave you stranded with no way to get back to children or pets at home or at school or day care. We know of one customer that had an elderly mother inside the house that needed medical attention while she was locked outside the home on a Sunday. Children can lock themselves in bathrooms, bedrooms or garages while playing and during times like these, minutes count! The time spent on trying to gain some kind of access could be spent having a professional locksmith drive to your location and provide expert help. There are cases of restaurant employees locked in a walk in refrigerator or freezer all while their co-workers try to call a manager or custodian.

BEWARE OF THIS SCAM!

Not only is this practice illegal; it is unethical and still used from time to time. It’s a form of bait and switch and preys on stressed out folks needing a locksmith fast. It works like this. A person gets locked out and in their stress and vulnerability they call for help. All locksmiths are NOT alike or the same! Some people are actually unlicensed, not bonded, carry no insurance and freely quote a low rate to help you only to suddenly raise it once they get to you.

So how can you tell who’s the “real deal?” Do your homework in advance and have a licensed, bonded and insured Chino, CA locksmith professional ready to call upon for lockouts, lock-ins, lost keys, lock replacement and any other sudden lock and key need! Add this shop to your smart phone contacts for easy access anytime needed. Make sure these locksmiths offer free price quotes and don’t practice poor ethics.

THE RIGHT LOCKSMITH CAN SAVE YOU MONEY!

You don’t have to fear the right locksmiths! We are trained in lockout situations of all kinds. When you call Chino Fast Locksmith we want nothing more than to let you back inside so that you are safe and ready to get back to your routine and scheduled plans. Our locksmith technicians offer mobile service that is available 24/7 including holidays. With affordable rates, honest service and ultra-fast response times your lockout situation will soon be history!

Article source here: WHAT TO DO IN DIFFERENT LOCKOUT SITUATIONS

When to Replace Locks

Obviously, keeping your home secure is of utmost importance. You want your place of residence to be a sanctuary where you always feel safe and comfortable. Accordingly, you ought to keep your home’s locks in tip-top shape. You’ll want to make sure your front door locks ~ and all your outside locks ~ are always functioning properly, with superior durability. You’ll continuously keep your family and valuables safe when your locks are solid and reliable.

Sometimes things do go wrong with locks and keys. Although a good locksmith will be available even in the middle of the night in Chino, California ~ such as the mobile professionals here on staff at Chino Fast Locksmith ~ it’s still better to make the effort to be pro-active instead. That way, you’ll prevent most mishaps that could occur.

When is it time for lock replacements? Here are the important points we recommend that you consider:

Normal Wear and Tear

Worn-out or rusted locks are a serious weakness in your home security. Old or rusted locks are easier to pick and break, and they simply grow more difficult to open as time goes on. If a lock has bad tarnish, rust, or is showing additional signs of wear, it may be time to replace it. If your lock is becoming increasingly difficult to open with the key, especially when it’s cold, you ought to replace it.

Rusty Locks

You and your family members go in and out your door countless times every day. Over time, locks can become worn-out or even rusted, which means they’ll break more easily. If there are any visible signs of rust, you’ll notice that you’re starting to have trouble getting the key in the lock mechanism, or getting the key to turn. If so, it’s time for lock replacement.

Damaged Locks

If the worst happens, and your locks have been vandalized, tampered with, or otherwise damaged, it’s time to get new locks. Don’t take any risks! Just replace your locks right away. You ought not to keep a damaged lock for an extended period of time, because it will just make you susceptible to further problems and make it easier for someone to break in.

Break-ins

If you are unfortunate enough to have experienced a burglary, it is imperative that you replace your locks. The force involved in a break-in can easily compromise the integrity of a lock mechanism. A damaged lock will put you at a greater risk of another robbery, and mechanical malfunction could leave you locked out. You never know if your keys may have fallen into the wrong hands. Don’t risk it! Replace all your locks as soon as possible.

Lost Keys

Did you misplace your keys? It may take awhile to admit it, but if you’ve realized that your keys are truly lost for good, then your locks should be changed as soon as possible. You don’t want a stranger to have access to your home without your knowledge. All your outdoor locks, which would give an intruder access, should be immediately replaced. After you’re fully secured with your outdoor locks, then it’s time to replace any inner locks in order of your personal security priorities.

Combination Locks

Do you often lose your keys? You might want to consider replacing your regular lock with a combination door lock instead. Combination door locks can be opened by inputting a code. Most combination locks also have a keyed lock, in case the combination input ever malfunctions, or for you to gain entry if you ever lose the code. Remember to change the combination if you ever feel that its access may have been compromised, just as you would replace a traditional lock if you lost your keys.

Deadbolts

If you’re feeling particularly vulnerable at your place of residence for whatever reason, replacing your locks with deadbolts can give you a feeling of augmented security.

Stuck Keys

It’s not common, but it can happen: A key can actually get stuck or even break off in a lock mechanism. When there is any issue with the internal mechanism, the keys won’t slide as effortlessly into the lock. Also, if there is any resistance when you turn the key, this can be a sign that it’s time to replace the lock.

New Roommates or Tenants

Do you rent out space in your home or apartment? Do you have any rental properties of any sort? You absolutely must replace locks every single time you change tenants. Even if the last occupants returned their keys, you cannot be totally sure that they didn't make copies. If a break-in ever were to happen, you certainly don’t want to have any doubts about former residents. Keep your property secure and protected with the most dependable and reputable locks.

A New Home

Did you just move into a new home? The same rules that apply to your rentals apply to your residence. It’s vital that you get your locks changed. You simply never know who may still have an old key to your place.

Peace of Mind

Locks don’t necessarily have to show any visible signs of damage for you to want to replace your locks. After awhile, you may forget how many friends, family members, and neighbors have copies of your keys. You may want to replace locks periodically as a way to regularly maintain your home, enhancing your security. You’ll thus have much-needed peace of mind when you know you’re keeping your family and possessions extra safe.

Going Digital

Perhaps you’d prefer to go high-tech. You can replace your conventional locks with digital door locks ~ an ideal way to secure your home without the need for keys at all. Keyless locks, some that work with remotes or with smart devices; keypads; alarm systems with remote codes; etc. have opened new horizons in home security technology. Once you get used to it, they are simple and easy to use, most including an attractive selection of features that provide additional convenience and security.

All you need to know about transponder keys

For the most part, car keys are very reliable. They are designed with automotive security in mind, using the latest technologies to provide car owners with the best possible protection. Unfortunately, nothing is ever fully immune of damage and glitches, and issues may arise when you least expect them. 

That is why we are going to spend some time educating you about some of the most common automotive key problems you may encounter along the way. For this post, we will pay particular attention to transponder key issues, as these tend to be quite common. But we will also provide you with all the information that you need to know about what to expect from professional automotive locksmith services too. After all, a reliable professional should be able to provide expert care for all car key types, no matter the car manufacturer, make or model.   

We want all car owners in Chino, California, to be able to understand the basic key issues they may be faced with.  A top notch locksmith service such as Chino Fast Locksmith will be able to effortlessly attend to any issues that arise with your car keys, especially transponder keys. This includes key programing, duplications, extractions, chip replacements, battery replacements and so much more. In fact, you should be able to rely on a locksmith to provide you with fast and easy to access assistance for all issues, big or small. After all, nobody wants to be waiting several days for new car keys nor should they suffer in distress in the case of an automotive lockout. If in need, call a locksmith, and they should be able to get things figured out in the most time efficient manner. 

But we are getting ahead of ourselves. So, here is an overview of everything you need to know about your automotive keys.   

Let’s start with the basics

Most vehicles today use transponder technology or embedded chips that are very difficult to duplicate. A locksmith in Chino, CA, will have all the required equipment needed to duplicate and program new types of keys for car owners whenever they need an extra copy or a replacement for a malfunctioning key.

There are various car key types, with varying levels of security. These include:  

·         Mechanically cut/flat metal keys – the most common type of car key, these are mechanically cut and are made of ridges on each side. These keys can easily be duplicated using a metal cutting machine, and can only be inserted into the ignition on one side. 

·         Laser cut/sidewinder keys – much more secure than mechanically cut keys, lasers are used to cut these in a very precise manner. These are comparatively difficult to duplicate, requiring specialized machinery to do so, and can inserted into the ignition on both sides. 

·         Smart keys – not widely used because this is still a new technology. This type of key allows car owners to remotely access their cars from a distance, and in some cases to start their vehicles. 

·       VAT keys – a type of key that contains a resistor chip on its blade which acts as an anti-theft mechanism. These resistor chips, which are different from what you would find in a transponder key, are very difficult to duplicate. 

·         Valet car key – this key, as the name suggests, has been created to be handed to valets for the parking/retrieving of a car. These are modified to only allow the operation of ignition and door locks, and are usually issued alongside a transponder key. 

·         Transponder keys – a combination of the words transmitter and responder, these keys include an embedded microchip in its plastic head, which sends a signal to vehicle. Simple transponder keys work with ID numbers, whereas newer keys may use encrypted code. Some transponder keys will have in-built remotes, independent of the key system, and are very difficult to duplicate without specialized equipment.  

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s focus on some of the main transponder key issues.

When should you change a transponder key battery?

We are focusing on transponder key battery malfunction because these are a common locksmith request.

Not all transponder keys will be microchip and battery operated. But if yours has a battery, here is what you need to know. 

Most batteries will last a few years. So if you are experiencing issues with a brand new transponder key, it may actually be a glitch in the programming of the key itself. That’s why some issues like having to press a button multiple times to open your car door can just as likely to be the result of battery failure or a programming problem. 

The best way know if you are experiencing a battery issue is by using an alternative key. If another key works, then you need to replace the battery. To be certain about a programming glitch, rapidly turn your car on and off eight times in less than ten seconds to try and reprogram the key. If issues persist, contact a locksmith for transponder key programming.

How can a locksmith help with transponder keys? 

With locksmiths based in Chino, CA, car owners can get timely assistance for persistent issues. If you are locked out of your vehicle because of a dead transponder key battery, a broken key, a broken door lock or any other issue, you should be able to call them for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Not only will a locksmith provide round the clock emergency assistance, they also have all the equipment required to duplicate all transponder keys, and to quickly replace all transponder key batteries. We don’t recommend you trying to perform any fixes yourself, as it may incur more trouble than you bargained for. Remember, transponder keys may be especially encrypted to work with your car so a DIY job may lead to loss of access to your vehicle. 

Simply put, a locksmith can give you full peace of mind about all car key issues – and you won’t need to fork out huge amounts of cash. Locksmiths in Chino, CA, will have all the machinery and components to handle all car key types, and all battery replacements for all types of vehicles.