Johns Creek Mega Locksmith LLC - What to Do in Different Lockout Situations

Are you locked out in Johns Creek, GA? Well, it’s not the worst place to be locked out as it’s quite nice here. But that doesn’t mean you want to or should have to deal with being stuck outside of your house. Lockouts happen to the best of us. They are not always easy to prevent. Did you lose your key? Did someone steal your key? Did you break your key? Is your lock rusted and falling apart? There are so many things that can go wrong. Most often, we get calls from locals who have a key stuck inside their lock or who altogether can’t find their key. Of course, systems can malfunction too. In some cases, people opt to ditch their traditional locks after a lockout and go with keyless entry because this is becoming more and more popular today. If you have ever used a keyless entry system then surely you realize why.

Whatever the reason for the lockout, one thing is common ground: the situation is not something you want to be stuck dealing with, nor do you have time in the day to deal with such a set-back. In addition, a lockout can be very dangerous. If you are locked out of your car in a dark parking lot, you might fear for your safety. If you are locked out of the house, or your commercial property, you might feel safe sitting in your car until help arrives. At the end of the day, you need to know what to do in different lockout situations. We want you to avoid getting injured or damaging your property further, so we are here to discuss the different types of lockout situations and what you should do if they happen to you.

Lockout Risks

The problem with lockouts is not that they happen necessarily, but when they happen. If you are locked out and it’s dark outside, you might feel unsafe. Make sure you get to a safe place, such as in your vehicle if possible. If you are locked out of your car in a parking lot, go inside a building or store. You can even call the local police to wait with you until a locksmith arrives. Always, always, always put your safety first.

Don’t put yourself at risk and take the chance of looking like a criminal if you opt to try to get in through a window, either. Don’t take risks, when you can simply call a locksmith for help.

What to Do – Automotive Lockout 

Locked out of your car? If you experience an automotive lockout, you should do your best to take a deep breath and don’t panic. If there are any kids, adults or animals in need of immediate help, call 911, of course or break open a window in this case if necessary. In just minutes, temperatures can rise very high, to unhealthy levels – this is especially true in a southern state like Georgia.

If there is no one in the car, try to find the spare keys. You might have a copy locked away or maybe you gave your neighbor a copy. Bear in mind, if you can’t find the spare, most if not all locksmith companies work 24/7, so you can get help even in the middle of the night – no matter the time, help should be available to you. Don’t damage your car if it is not necessary – just call for a free price quote for lockout help from a locksmith, because it is sure to be cheaper than paying to replace a broken car window.

What to Do – Residential Lockout 

If you can’t get into your home, assess the situation and try not to worry. Most people tend to panic in these situations. If you feel that something is not right, as in someone might be trying to hurt you, call for help and wait for law enforcement to come to you. Try to go inside a neighbor’s house if you feel this is necessary. If there is no danger, see if you can find the spare key. Is it under the front door mat? Outside in the back of the yard? Under a rock? Your only other option might very well be to call a locksmith. Don’t worry because there are many locksmiths who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Do – Commercial Lockout 

If you own a commercial property, then you are lucky because this is a great place to work. But, be sure to avoid damaging your property if you are locked out, even if you own it because you will be stuck paying for it. Be sure to avoid trying to force the door to open. The alarm system could detect an unauthorized entry and just cause even more problems. What you should do is try your best to stay calm and call a locksmith. Many can get to you very fast so you can carry on with your day without a delay. The professional locksmiths who work for us can help you to unlock any door safely. Also, they are licensed and insured as all locksmiths should in fact be. Remember that it will probably cost you more to replace the door or window that you break than to pay the cost of an emergency locksmith provider.

Who Will Help With Your Lockout? 

If there is any kind of danger, you need to call 911 immediately as we mentioned earlier so that the local police can wait with you or assess the situation. Don’t forget that if someone is locked in a car to call for help or do break the window. Keep in mind that people and pets locked in a vehicle is in fact life-threatening at times. If there is no danger to you or someone else, contact a locksmith. These professionals can help you unlock any door. The locksmith can also make a new set of keys for you and replace the damaged locks, if there are any. Johns Creek Mega Locksmith LLC is here to serve you so call us today!

Johns Creek Mega Locksmith, LLC: When to Replace Locks

As you are probably already aware, the locks on your doors are some of the most important parts of your security system. If you are a homeowner, you surely want to make sure your family is safe and secure. If you are a business owner, you want to make sure your items and your staff are safe at all times, even during the night. And of course, as a vehicle owner, you want to make sure nobody can break into your car. The most important part that you need to consider is the lock. We won’t go into the details of what a lock is and how it works. There are many types of locks, suited to various types of doors. What matters more is that you become aware that locks need to be replaced periodically or when there is a problem with them. Why? Because a malfunctioning lock is more dangerous than you think. 

Dangers of Malfunctioning Locks 

Did you ever think about how dangerous it can be to spend the night with a damaged lock on your front door? Or how dangerous it is to use faulty locks on the doors of your company? Of course, a malfunctioning lock offers any potential intruder a way to get into your property. Any thief or burglar will have an easy time forcing the door to open. Remember, thieves and burglars know exactly how to spot weaknesses in your security system. And a damaged lock is very easy to spot. Keep in mind that once the thief manages to open the door, he or she can quickly disable the rest of your security system. A home invader breaking into your home at one in the morning is not something you should take lightly. A thief gaining access to your commercial property should not be taken lightly. This is why you absolutely need to make sure that the locks on all your doors are in perfect working condition. There is no way around it if you want to make sure your family, your valuables, and your staff and wares are safe. 

There is another danger that you expose yourself and your family to when you decide to not replace damaged locks. Damaged locks are prone to getting stuck. And they tend to do so at the most unfortunate of times. You may experience a lockout at two in the morning. It is very easy for a malfunctioning lock to simply stop working. Your key may get stuck in the lock and there is no way for you to remove it from there. If you are a business owner, think about how frustrating it can be to not be able to get into your commercial property one morning. And when the key gets stuck in one of the locks of your vehicle, you will be unable to get into your car. Why risk a lockout when all you have to do is replace the malfunctioning locks? 

Top Reasons to Replace Your Door Locks 

There are many reasons why you would want to replace the locks on your home’s doors, commercial property’s doors, or vehicle’s doors. Of course, as we explained above, a damaged lock is a danger. You are basically inviting home invaders, thieves and burglars onto your property. And your vehicle is at risk of being stolen or vandalized. There are also a couple more reasons why you want to replace the locks today. First of all, all locks should be replaced once every two years – or sooner, if possible. Doing so helps you minimize the risk of experiencing a lockout. 

Another reason why you want to replace the locks is that newer locks offer better security. Lock technology is always advancing, which means newer locks are a lot more difficult to break or circumvent than older ones. In addition, newer locks can come with many bells and whistles. For example, wouldn’t you like a sturdy electronic lock? Or perhaps you want a keyless entry system. These new types of locks are almost impossible to break, which makes them invaluable to business owners. 

Of course, you should replace the locks as soon as you notice that somebody may have gotten access to your keys. This means that you must replace the locks immediately if you lose your keys. Remember, copying a key takes mere minutes. Don’t risk giving a thief or a home invader that chance to enter your property. And if you rent your property, they you must absolutely replace the locks as soon as the tenant leaves. You can never be sure that he or she did not make a spare key. In this case, rekeying the locks is also an option. However, a brand new lock is definitely the better choice. 

How to Replace Locks for Maximum Security 

Replacing locks is not an easy task. The truth is that installing a new lock is not something everyone can do. Of course, you may try to replace the locks by yourself. But be aware that you may make a mistake. And a mistake, when it comes to locks, can cost you a lot. Failing to install the locks properly makes them weak. Improperly installed locks can be easily circumvented or forced to open. You definitely don’t want this. So what are your options? The best thing you can do is get in touch with a locksmith. 

A locksmith is the best person you can call upon when you need to replace locks. He or she knows exactly how to remove the old locks and install the new ones. A locksmith from JOHNS CREEK MEGA LOCKSMITH, LLC in Johns Creek, GA can make sure that each one of the locks is properly replaced and that it works perfectly. Of course, a locksmith also guarantees the quality of his or her work. In other words, you can be sure that our locksmiths will do an excellent job and that the locks on your residential, commercial or automotive property will work perfectly. Replacing all the locks is as easy as calling a locksmith service provider.

Problems with Transponder Keys

A transponder key is a security feature found on older vehicles that utilizes a transponder chip in the key fob. This transponder chip is encoded with a unique number code. When you insert your key into the ignition lock, an electronic signal is sent that matches the key code to that of the engine. If they don’t match, the engine won’t start. If they do, the interaction goes seamlessly and you never notice. If an issue happens anywhere along this system, it can cause problems with your car that can impede and even prevent it from functioning. If this happens without you noticing prior hints of anything being wrong, it can leave you effectively stranded and requiring an emergency call to a locksmith.  

Although for many years considered an effective antitheft measure, transponder keys have fallen out of favorite in recent years due to being replaced by keyless entry systems and remote starters. However, many vehicles on the road.

  

Problems that Can Occur With Transponder Keys   

Of course, even if your car utilizes a transponder chip system, it’s possible that your vehicle issues may not be due to transponder key problems. By ruling out problems with your transponder key system first, you can then proceed with the more costly process of having your vehicle evaluated by a professional mechanic.  

#1: Transponder Key Gets Stuck 

Your transponder key fits into your lock, but when you try to turn it or take it out, it gets stuck. Maybe it gets stuck before you can even turn the car on. Or maybe you can run the vehicle, but when it comes time to shut it off and take the key out, the key is hopelessly stuck in the ignition lock. Trying to twist it or budge it inevitably only makes the situation worse. In these scenarios, professional locksmiths actually recommend that you do not try to manipulate or yank on your key very much to extract it. Usually this problem is caused by warping or damage to the key or the makeup of the wafers inside of the lock cylinder itself. This type of strong-arming will usually make the damage worse. It’s best to call in a locksmith if you can’t get your key out after trying to twist it back and forth multiple times.  

#2: Transponder Key Breaks  

You may not think it possible but sometimes without warning your transponder key can break off, with half of the key inside the lock and the fob in your hand. This can prevent you from using your car even if you have a spare key in the vicinity because the lock is blocked. If you are at home, you can try to use tweezers, needle-nose pliers, or another similar implements to pull out the broken piece (or pieces) of metal. If, however, you are away from home, or if this technique doesn’t work due to the metal being stuck inside too deeply, it’s best to contact a local locksmith like Johns Creek Mega Locksmith, LLC. This can also occur if you have a so-called “switchblade” transponder key, which opens with a flick.  

#3: Transponder Key Stops Working 

In this scenario, your key appears to be in fine shape and it fits into the lock and turns fine, but it seems to have stopped communicating with the engine itself. It’s possible that this problem can be traced to a battery in the transponder key. This doesn’t happen often but if your car is over fifteen years old or has seen heavy mileage occasionally this issue can arise where it the transponder chip seems effectively scrambled and loses its programming. In this case, often all the key will need is to be reprogrammed. This can also be caused by a manufacturer’s defect, especially if your vehicle isn’t that old. In that case, the key will need to be replaced.  

#4: Transponder Key Gets Lost  

Transponder keys can be lost just like any other keys. Even if you’re very careful with your keys, it only takes one wrong moment of distraction to lose your keys or leave them behind somewhere. If you misplace your transponder key, contact a locksmithto have it replaced. It’s always best to have a spare key handy, whether you keep it at home or with a friend or family member, so that you don’t have to call in a professional if your keys are lost. Otherwise, it usually necessitates an emergency call, which can take time out of your day.  

#5: Your Transponder Key is Stolen  

If your transponder key is stolen, locksmiths actually recommend that you change or rekey your vehicle door locks and your ignition cylinder locks entirely. This is because even if you have the key replaced, someone else has a key out there that fits your locks. With that key, they could easily start your engine and drive off with your vehicle. Rekeying is a service wherein the lock cylinder is removed, the pins or wafers rearranged to fit a different key, and then the same cylinder placed back into the lock hole. It can sometimes be less expensive than a full lock change, especially in regards to vehicles. Contact a locksmith to inquire whether or not lock change or rekeying is best in your situation if your transponder key is stolen.  

Replacing a Transponder Key 

If you’re in need of transponder key services, such as needing a transponder key replaced, turn to a qualified local locksmith instead of the dealership. A locksmith like the experts at Johns Creek Mega Locksmith, LLC in Johns Creek, GA can program a new transponder key or fix problems in your system for much less than the dealership and usually in less time, too. If you find yourself facing a transponder key issue with your vehicle, contact your local Georgia locksmith ASAP for assistance.  

Access Control

Access control systems are physical or electronic systems that are designed to control access to a network. Limiting people to one side of the door is the result of using an access control system, and these kinds of systems are used for several different reasons in several different places and businesses and even residential properties.  

These control systems are normally used for businesses, which makes sense since businesses have to know, and have to limit who can and can’t go into their business for of course security reasons. Sometimes these systems are actually best used for home use. For example, there are several apps that keep your house on lockdown, whenever you are gone and alert you if someone is at your door. These systems are best used whenever you’re someone who is not normally at your residential property, so you can always be cautious about what occurs next.  

There are several different versions of access control systems, that range from electronic, physical, and biometric which scans fingerprints so the system knows right away that you’re the person selected to get inside. No matter what access control system you think about getting, just know that all of them have their use, it’s just about finding the one that’s perfect for you and your situation.  

Using Access Control Systems:  

Each access control system has its own purpose, and sometimes going through each one is difficult, and depending on what you’re trying to protect whether it’s your business or your family there is a system made for you that will make your life a lot safer then it currently is.  

Electronic versions of these types of doors are called network security, which limits users based on the choice of the person in charge of the system. So, with a security system, you can be the person behind the curtain who chooses who gets to enter and who doesn’t.  

In a lot of cases, physical access control systems are integrated with electronic ones. A door may be unlocked with a swipe card, and RFID keyfob or through biometric means which is your own fingerprints. A card access control system is one of the most common types of electronic door control and is extremely effective for hotels because they can be used to make room keys that are temporary. These cards use a magnetic stripe which can be swiped through a reader on the door.  

These cards are also perfect for situations for when you want to limit the number of people who can get into a place, by simply just allowing only certain people to own the key. This can be extremely helpful depending on the size of the organization, especially if the organization has a lot of people coming in and out every day. Sometimes its really hard to keep track of everything inside of an organization like that.  

Physical access control systems inside of a building may be linked or standardized as is the case with a key that opens all the doors inside of a building. Each access point may be controlled individually if chosen to do so. The use of electronic systems allows administrators to define the access privileges for each user and also instantly updates them within the system.  

Network security is also important especially in a company that handles sensitive data, for example, a bank. In order to get to certain access points inside of a bank should be difficult and shouldn’t be something that’s given to each and every person who get’s inside of the bank.  

That’s why access control systems that verge with computer networks are administered in a central location, and each user is given a different identity unique to that user. This makes it easier for an administrator to grant access privileges to personnel on a case by case basis which can be programmed inside of the access control systems software.  

Going back to the example of a bank, that’s why access control systems are sometimes risky, and programming the system at an individual basis makes it a lot less risky, and just simplifies your entire security system in one swift move.  

When installing these systems that’s something companies should be thinking about, like who is going to use the system, and how it will be used? Or about how a larger amount of guests who enter the area makes the security less reliable, especially if you own a bank that has a large staff, and a customer base that needs to enter a couple their accounts. The access control systems need to ensure that the large base of customers will never be able to reach the safe.  

To make sure that any unauthorized staff can’t reach the automatic teller machine and other areas inside of the bank.  

Smaller businesses might just need a single key to get inside all of the doors in the building, and this can be distributed to the employees who are allowed to have access. This is just another example of how depending on your business will make it easier for you to make decisions on what kind of system is best used for your business.  

Where Can I Purchase an Access Control System?

There are several different businesses across the internet that sell access control systems, the problem is trying to find the right ones who will sell it to you at an affordable price, and also finding ones they work well at the same time.  

Amazon has thousands of different access control systems that you can purchase, and have sent to your door in no time, but depending on the size of your business, a lot of these choices don’t make sense at all. So, in order to find which, one will do the best for your business you need to go through each one.  

The next problem comes with installing these security systems, if you have a small business then installing them yourself might take a couple of hours, but in the end, it may be worth it. So, if you think you might struggle and you don’t know what to do when it’s good to know that there are some other businesses like locksmiths in Johns Creek, Georgia like Johns Creek Mega Locksmith LLC that can help you install the systems as soon as your order one.  

So, you can have the peace of mind that you control the access of who comes in and out of your property.