Friday, November 22, 2013

Home Lockout Prevention

Getting locked out of your home or car is an unfortunate occurrence, but it does happen from time to time. There are a few great, and a few bad things, you can do in preventing yourself from being locked out. Many burglars will enter a home through an unlocked door or break a window, they rarely take the time to search for keys.

The right ways to prevent getting locked out:

  • Leave a key with a family member, co-worker or neighbor that you trust.
  • Stash a key in your briefcase, car or even your desk at work.
  • You can lock a key inside your exterior electrical panel, and place a padlock on the panel door. Just don't lose the padlock key.


The wrong ways:

  • Under the doormat is the worst place to hide a key. It's the first place everyone and their mother will look. Not to mention with Florida's weather conditions the doormat may blow away and leave the key in plain view for all to see.
  • Flower pots are similar. It doesn't matter if the key is under it or in the soil, it is still obvious.
  • Don't leave one in your mailbox. Actually the United States Postal Service frowns on leaving anything in your mailbox.
  • Fake rocks. If you think the rocks look real you are sorely mistaken. Any fake lawn ornament is more apparent to a burglar than anything else. 


Even with all of these precautions it is still possible that you will lock yourself out of your house. In that case you'll need to contact a 24/7 emergency locksmith service. Local Locksmith provides emergency lockout service to Keystone Heights FL, as well as the rest of Clay County FL.

Local Locksmith
13997 Beach Boulevard 
Suite 3 
Jacksonville, Florida 32224

904-821-9935

Friday, November 15, 2013

Dead-bolt Locks in St. John's County

Dead-bolt locks are often homeowners first line of defense against intruders. But there are somethings to keep in mind when considering what to look for in a new deadbolt. Although deadbolt locks are better than the standard key-in knob variety they are still susceptible to kick-ins, which happens to be the most common way intruders will enter a home. You need to keep these things in mind when looking for a new dead-bolt:

  • Parts are often inadequate – Mainly the strike plate that comes with the dead-bolt. These are often too flimsy and will not stand up to a kick-in. It is a good idea to find a sturdier strike plate that you can find in most major retailers. The resistance of most locks will improve greatly with an upgraded strike plate.
  • Drills easily open most locks – Most locks are susceptible to being drilled out. It's unfortunate but true. There are brands of locks out there that use a hardened cylinder. The drill will ruin the lock, but the lock will deny access. If this happens, it requires you to buy a new dead-bolt lock.
  • Keep up with new technologies – It is smart to keep up with the new technologies that are out there, because the criminals do. 

If increased home security is something that you are looking for, it is a good idea to contact a company that specializes in home security systems. Local Locksmith is a premier locksmith in St. John's County FL that can assess your home and the best security system for your needs.

Local Locksmith
13997 Beach Boulevard 
Suite 3 
Jacksonville, Florida 32224

904-821-9935

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Silver Thief Caught

Recently famed cat burglar, “The Silver Thief”, was arrested in Hilliard, Florida on charges out of Georgia. Blane Nordahl, 51, has been a thorn in the side of law enforcement agencies all over the East Coast for nearly two decades. Despite being arrested dozens of times, Nordahl admitted to a detective that he has committed over 144 burglaries.
How did he get the name “The Silver Thief”? The name may lead you to believe he has a taste for valuable silver jewelry, or even a reflection of his age. But you would be mislead in believing that. Nordahl has a pension for high-quality silverware. Yes, silverware. Retired detective Lonnie Mason began investigating Nordahl in the 1980's, and now leads a crew of retired law enforcement officers. All of them have tracked Nordahl in their active law enforcement days, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Conneticut.
Nordhal's infamous career has been documented on the TV show “Masterminds” and in a New Yorker feature 12-page story that was subtitled, “The Story of a Burglar Who Was Too Good for His Own Good”. Burglaries are not uncommon, despite the technological advancements in home security, many home owners still rely on their front door lock.
If you want to take home security seriously, contacting a trained and professional locksmith company such as Local Locksmith it your first step. They will install complete home security systems and offer complete Nassau County FL locksmith services.

Local Locksmith
13997 Beach Boulevard 
Suite 3 
Jacksonville, Florida 32224

904-821-9935

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Legal Requirements for Florida Locksmiths

Recent Florida legislature has redefined the legal requirements for locksmith services throughout the state. Unfortunately, the locksmith trade is one where legitimate companies are being damaged by the actions of unethical “locksmiths” who seek to prey upon customers in their hour of need. By knowing how to protect yourself from scams and fraudulent locksmiths who will do anything to take your money.
  • Locksmiths must always be licensed and provide this licensing to a customer before every job.
  • License renewal requirements mean that valid locksmiths should be up to date, or license can be denied.
  • Locksmith companies must accept certain methods of payment, including cash.
  • New penalties and violations are in place to cut down on deceptive or dishonest practices, and if you believe that you are being scammed do not hesitate to contact an authority.

This hints are provided by Local Locksmith, the local locksmith Duval County, FL. We are highly skilled and reliable practitioners of best practice methods for any client on every job. Do not fall victim to a scam, but instead come to a locksmith you can trust to do the job you want at the price you agreed to.

Local Locksmith
13997 Beach Boulevard Suite 3
Jacksonville, Florida 32224

904-821-9935

Monday, November 4, 2013

Locksmith Tips For Home Security

At one point or another in life we will all need to rely upon the knowledge of a locksmith to help us out of a jam. Whether having a new lock installed, re-keying our doors or getting the keys out of a locked car before work, there are some things that only a local locksmith can do for us. The experts at Local Locksmith, the local locksmith in Jacksonville, FL, have provided the following tips that can help you gain some valuable insight into what is important when you need a locksmith.
  • The best lock you can have is a dead bolt lock. These locks should be properly installed to go all the way into the door frame. If this lock is installed wrong, it is useless.
  • When you are buying a new home, you should always have the locks re-keyed. A good locksmith can also offer high-security keys that hardware stores cannot replicate to further enhance the safety of your locks.
  • If you need to buy a lock from the store, do not buy one with less than grade 2 security. Most locks are mass produced and the cheaper the lock the more unreliable it can be.
  • Car dealerships are never the only place to duplicate car keys. Search for automotive specialists to do this work for you at a cheaper rate.
  • WD-40 can help with stuck locks or pins that won’t operate.


While these tips might help you to be informed about what you need to consider for safety and security, there is nothing better than consulting with an actual locksmith. To learn more about home security tips, call Local Locksmith today at 904-821-9935.