Car Security

West Hollywood is a very beautiful and vibrant city and a lovely place to live but the unforeseen can always occur, especially if you happen to be burgled or your car broken into or even worse being locked out of your car in some desolate place.
These could be very traumatic experiences and coping with it the best way possible and knowing where you can seek help when in a situation like this is very important.
With many companies in the locksmith services, selecting the company that you think will be prompt in service and reliable in their workmanship, is not a very difficult task.
West Hollywood Locksmith with our excellent record in the locksmith services business, over many years and backed by an unprecedented service record is the one you should trust with and of your security concerns.

We Take care of all of your Locksmith Needs

Locksmith West Hollywood is specialized in all security related work that we carry out and with leadership in the security market place, having serviced government, commercial and private entities, for many years our locksmith services have gained the confidence to remain on top.
The many reviews that we have received and which we cherish, speaks volumes for the very efficient locksmith services that we have provided our customers over the years.
With our 24 Hour Locksmith emergency call service you are at ease that even in the late hours of the day, or early hours of the morning if you have a locking problem Mobile Locksmith West Hollywood are just a phone call away to serve you fast and efficiently.
With adequate service points spread over the city, we are able to be with you as fast possible, to get you out of any locking mess that you have inadvertently got into.
Our technologically advanced locksmith services are only carried out by experienced locksmith professionals who are trained and capable of executing the responsibilities.

Always There For You

Our fleet of well equipped 24 hour service vehicles responds promptly for any on the spot locking problems and we would find the solution, and ensure that you are satisfied with our workmanship that would be nothing but par excellence.
Locksmiths West Hollywood continually strive to keep ourselves abreast with all the new developments in the locking industry which keeps us in good stead when it comes to providing the best service we can to our customers.
Locksmiths Guild of West Hollywood have some very strict codes set for all their member companies, these codes are adhered to the letter by all members, which in turn safeguards both the customers and service personnel alike.
Locksmith West Hollywood are members of the Locksmiths Guild in West Hollywood and all our technicians hold the Certificate of Practicing Locksmiths, issued by the Guild and are trained professionally to serve you.

We being armed with this important certification, you can be rest assured that you are in good hands and that you are dealing with the best professionals in the locking business, and we want our customers to know that we care about them and have their best interests in our mind.

 

 

Holiday Home Security Tips – Locksmith West Hollywood

Most thieves will wait on a chance where you are distracted, giving them more incentive to commit a crime at a certain time, during the holiday season anybody’s mind could be elsewhere making it easy to leave a door or window open without being locked. Our team of home security Locksmith West Hollywood recommend to use this checklist when leaving your house unattended just to ensure that no wrongful doing comes your way this holiday season and every season of the year. Below is a brief checklist of things to keep an eye on.

Make sure your home is secure

• Be sure all doors are locked and secured before leaving the house, most break ins occur because of unlocked doors
• Invest in a home security system (also makes a great gift)
• Never store your spare keys outside of the home ( keep them with a neighbor or close friend)

Hide your presents and belongings!

• Many thieves will try their best to inspect your house before a crime, if they see something they want in plain sight that might give them more incentive to steal!
• Keep storage locked

 Decorate Smart!

• Never run extension cords through windows into the home this will allow easy access for anyone interested in breaking in
• Try keeping your lights on when youre not home, letting people know someone is home

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood |HOLIDAY HOME SECUIRTY TIPS  (323) 306-5221

Locksmith Tools – Locksmith West Hollywood

Every locksmith should own their own tool set that they use to deal with everyday locks. A locksmith needs a set of tools to tackle tough lockouts, auto car lockouts, even working on car ignition systems when a key is jammed inside. A locksmiths tools must be up to date and in good conditions. Lets look more in depth on the specific tools that a locksmith uses.

• Professional Lock Picking Tools– Locksmiths heavily rely on these tools to get them through very difficult jobs. Lock picking tools include a complete set of tension wrenches that are designed specifically to fit each set of unique locks. Each tool is custom tailored to pick through all types of vehicle door locks without any problems.
• Slim Jims– These tools are designed to unlock car doors without the use of a key. Professional locksmiths use these tools on a daily basis. The slim jim is placed between the window and rubber coating to carefully unlock the door.
• Key Duplication Machniery– Complex and custom built key duplication machinery is what every known locksmith carries in their trucks. This particular machinery is used to build brand new car keys or house keys within minutes. Locksmiths also carry laser key cutting machinery to match the existing key copy with a new one.
• Bolt Cutter– Ideal for cutting locks that have been jammed. Bolt cutters come in handy when you need to open a padlock or a chain to access your garage doors or closed property. Locksmiths use these tools with extreme care, since they can damage items as well.

Each Locksmith Tool Serves a Purpose

As you can see, there are many various tools that a locksmith uses each day. Locksmiths usually carry a belt with various wrenches, lock picking devices and power tools. A tension wrench might be the only object used in a lock picking situation, while a full set of drills and extensions might be used to install a home alarm system. Locksmiths use the tools every day and will be able to determine the best tool suited for your specific situation. A locksmith will usually never leave his vehicle without his set of tools. Creating keys requires precision and skill, so you need a good locksmith to create a quality key, give us a call today!

Contact Santa Monica Locksmith for Expert Lockout Coverage

Locksmith West Hollywood is the most relied on locksmith in all of Los Angeles, our veteran locksmiths have decades of experience in the locksmith field and if they cant do the job for you, no one can. Count on our 24/7 roadside specialists for all of your locksmith needs and give us a call for any security services you might need.

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

 

How To Open A safe – Locksmith West Hollywood

If you’ve lost your keys, forgotten your code and can’t get inside your safe, it may need to be cracked. Perhaps the safe is malfunctioning, somebody tried opening it and in doing so left it defective. Whatever the reason,  Locksmith West Hollywood can solve the problem, we can crack whichever kind of safe with any type of lock. We will be able to give you your code you had lost or forgotten so that you and only you could regain access to the safe.

Cutting and Prying

These are two methods of opening a safe that are usually common with thieves, however most of the time they are not successful. However, we mention these methods because, in rare cases, they may still be the method of choice for safe-cracking by a professional locksmith. Only “light duty” safes can be pried into, such action will of course ruin the safe but if the keys to such a safe have been lost their owners may choose to allow a locksmith to pry their safe open. If it’s a safe that can be pried, it’s simple and quick. Cutting into a safe is always possible as long as its composition allows it. Safe manufacturers take measures to make it impossible to cut into their safes, it may be a layer of copper which dissipates the cutting torch’s heat, a layer of tar which fills the room with smoke or different materials making it impossible to breach. Those that can be cut open, we advise against this method of opening a safe because it takes much time, is very difficult, and can be very messy.

Cracking Combination Safe Locks

Combination safe locks need to be cracked when the combination code is unknown, this is a common situation among safe owners as it is easy to lose or forget the number code required to open the safe. Cracking the code to a safe is a well respected technique used by highly experienced locksmith techs who must possess intimate and lengthy knowledge about the specific safe they are working with. Using stethoscopes a professional skilled locksmith can open safes efficiently, without harming the safe at all. It may be a lengthy process but we will ultimately open the safe for you leaving it in perfect working condition and giving you the code you had lost.

Scoping and Drilling

Drilling is the most common practice among locksmiths to open general safes. A locksmith using the drilling method must be extremely precise and aware of the composition of the lock. Safes may possess properties which must be taken into account when drilling into them. For instance, there may be a glass plate built in order to shatter when hit by a drill bit causing iron rods to fall into place making the safe ten times harder to crack. Sometimes it is useful to drill a small hole in the safe providing a “borescope”. This is called “scoping” a safe and will allow our techs to see changes in the safe’s locking mechanism while manipulating them from the outside. Professional safe-cracking is an art requiring wide scale know-how and a variety of tools. At Santa Monica Lock our locksmiths are seasoned veterans in the art of safe cracking, so do not hesitate to give us a call.

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

Wanting to protect our homes, businesses and schools from intruders is a given but in weighing up security needs, a balance must

always be struck between keeping out that which poses a threat and allowing those inside to exit safely and quickly in the event of an emergency such as a fire or terrorist attack. For this reason, most public buildings have push bar egress doors fitted as standard to facilitate fast evacuation – but what about your home?

A fire can spread with frightening speed and reach over 1000 degrees in just five minutes. Often lives are needlessly lost because people cannot exit quickly enough; people die as the result of smoke inhalation or from their injuries and children are especially vulnerable. Therefore it is crucial to bear in mind that whatever measures you use to keep your property secure, must also allow for easy egress should you and your loved ones need to make good your escape.

Aside from taking sensible precautions such as installing a smoke alarm near bedrooms (and testing it regularly) and planning your family’s escape route in the event of fire, from a security perspective there are two things you can do today to greatly enhance your safety at home.

 

• Window Bars

If your property has metal window bars or door gates, it is essential that you install a quick release mechanism to each set. Such devices save lives without compromising security from the outside, and most can be activated with a simple push-button action. Those fitted with deadbolts which require a key or specialist knowledge in order to be opened are dangerous and put lives at risk, as well as hindering firefighter rescue.

To this end, many states among them California, Washington, South Dakota and

New York have adopted fire and building codes which stipulate that any burglar bar device fitted to a bedroom window must be easy to open from the inside and without the need for special tools or excessive force – a view readily endorsed by reputable locksmiths, who can advise on retro-fitting existing bars or installing newer, more safety-conscious options.

NB In certain states e.g. New York window guards are a standard requirement for some dwellings e.g. in apartments where a child under ten is living. Window guards are small barriers designed to prevent children from falling out and injuring themselves. For this reason, it’s vital they are not attached to any window used to access a fire escape.

 

• Double cylinder deadbolts

During an emergency there isn’t time to hunt around for a key, especially in a fire where smoke and debris may be such that you won’t be able to see to find it. For this reason, double cylinder deadbolts (that is a lock with a keyhole on both sides of the door) should NEVER be locked from the outside if anyone is inside the property, unless a key is left in the lock on the interior side.

To minimize this risk altogether, on the interior side of exit doors consider fitting a sliding bolt which requires no tools or keys. Ensure the sliding bolt is fitted high enough so that children cannot easily reach it and accidentally lock themselves in (or others out). Use the deadbolt only on those occasions when you are certain the house is empty.

Further information and advice can be found on the US Fire Administration

 

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

According to FBI statistics around 70% of burglars enter the home unauthorized via a first floor door so it is imperative external

doors are as secure as possible. In addition, side doors e.g. to a yard and any connecting doors leading to the house from a garage should be accorded the same level of security as your main door. If intruders encounter difficulty, they will invariably move on to an easier target.

Choosing a door lock which will afford the most protection against a break-in is a crucial part of home security planning but given the bewildering selection available at hardware stores and home improvement centres, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. As well as seeking advice from a reputable locksmith, bear in mind the following when choosing a robust door lock to help keep you and your property safe.

 

• Looks Aren’t Everything

While it’s natural to want attractive door hardware that complements the design of your home, the most important feature to consider is the lock’s mechanism. Obviously a lock set which is aesthetically pleasing and also affords superior functionality is going to cost more than one which offers good looks alone, so be prepared to pay more for quality.

• Multi-Lever Deadbolt Locks

A deadbolt requires a key in order to open. Two or more grooves on the key indicate the lock has multiple levers and is therefore much harder for a thief to copy. To that end, a deadbolt lock with seven or more levers made of brass or steel is recommended.

• Saw Resistant Bolts

Some deadbolt locks have anti-saw pins fitted inside so that when a saw is used to try to cut through the bolt, the pins rotate back and forth thus inhibiting the saw’s cutting action.

• Key Controlled Locks

Whereas most keys can be easily duplicated at any hardware store, key controlled locks have keys that can only be copied by certain locksmiths or the lock manufacturer, and thus provide an added safeguard in the event that keys are lost or stolen.

• Anti-drill locks

These are lock sets containing reinforced steel chips within the lock housing that hinder attempts to drill out the lock (a method commonly used by some thieves). As the drill comes into contact with the chips, they tear up the bit hampering progress and damaging the drill.

• Bolt-Assembly Protector

This device is similar to a collar which fits in between the cylinder and the bolt assembly of a deadbolt lock. It covers the lock’s internal parts and provides protection against manipulation from a lock pick.

 

ANSI Ratings

For deadbolts fitted to external entry points including exterior doors, garage doors and internal doors which connect garages and living spaces, insurance companies and locksmiths alike recommend locks with an American National Standard Institute (ANSI) rating of 1 (the highest level). Some insurance companies also recommend a Grade 1 deadbolt for garage doors even if they aren’t attached to the house.

Locks with an ANSI rating of 1 and 2 are usually found on commercial premises and offer the homeowner an enhanced level of protection against lock picks, key bumping and attempted forced entry by kicking down or prying open the door. They are more usually available from a specialist locksmith.

Grade 3 locks are among the most common in residential use and are generally sold in hardware stores and home improvement centres. Despite their popularity, they offer the lowest protection against break-ins.

 

Remember: the best door lock can only go so far in protecting your property if the door or its frame is flimsy or in poor condition. The easiest way for a thief to enter your home is by battering down the door, bypassing the locks altogether! To prevent this you should:

 

• Make sure your door can withstand a beating and replace hollow doors with ones made from a sturdy solid wood core.
• Alternatively, install a metal door which won’t break even with the force of an intruder’s repeated kick.
• Consider reinforcing the door frame with steel stripping behind the interiormoldingto help prevent the door from snapping under sustained pressure.
• Install a heavy duty four-screw strike plate with three inch screws. Not only does this reinforce one of the weakest points of the door, it also ensures the screws are deeply embedded into the steel stripping, providing even greater resistance to prying.
• Ensure door hinges fitted to external doors are in good repair, especially if the door swings outwards. In such instances, the hinge pins are usually exposed on the outside of the house. This creates a security risk whereby an intruder can tap the hinge pins up and out and simply lift the door from its hinges so gaining access to your property. To counteract this, replace existing hinges with those that feature non-removable pins, safety studs or crimped pins. Such hinges can also enhance the security of external doors with hinge pins that face inwards.

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

Training to become a locksmith

Keeping our loved ones safe and our property secure has always been a top priority but post-9/11, security has taken on an even

greater importance whether at home, at work, at school or at play. And while the recession continues to affect many industries with thousands being laid off, as a locksmith you are more or less guaranteed a steady income irrespective of the economic state of the nation – the only determining factor is how hard you want to work. Demand is always there because inevitably people will get locked out of their properties, cars and businesses, and similarly, locks will need to be renewed either because they have become worn or in order to comply with new insurance regulations and safety protocols. As a certified locksmith you can literally open the door to a brighter future, unlock superior earnings potential and enjoy the security that comes from having a regular income.

Why Become A Locksmith?

• EXCELLENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
  Locksmithing is a service industry which is growing.  People will always require help in the event of an emergency and advice with their security needs day-to-day.  Unlike other professions which can suffer during an economic down-turn, locksmithing is virtually recession-proof.
• FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY
  As your own boss, you determine the hours you want to work and the areas in which you decide to specialize.   You can choose to update your skills through an ongoing programme of training to offer an even wider range of services, with income to match.
• UNLIMITED EARNINGS POTENTIAL
  Depending on your location, the hours you are prepared to work and your commitment to the profession, you can reap substantial rewards.  Locksmithing can also provide an excellent part-time or retirement income.
• HIGH PROFITABILITY
  Few professions offer such high earnings so quickly after training coupled with such low outlay.  Some training programs are structured so that you can begin to “earn as you learn”, even before you have completed the course.
• TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
  Once qualified, you need no longer be tied to one location – your job can move with you.  With locksmithing, you are virtually guaranteed to find work wherever you choose to be, even overseas.
• REWARDING CAREER
  As a locksmith, no two days are the same.   Each day brings fresh challenges and the satisfaction that comes with having helped people, often in difficult situations.   As you develop your skills, the more experienced and efficient you will become enabling you to take on more work and increase your income.

For further information please visit The Associated Locksmiths of America (http://www.aloa.org) for advice on training and certification.

Assured Locksmith Training (http://www.assuredlocksmithtraining.com) offers a comprehensive, ALOA-recognized on line program run by professional locksmiths and is geared towards helping applicants become certified in as little as two months.  As well as teaching the mechanics of locksmithing, the course also covers the practicalities of running your own business from planning, selling your services, maintaining an inventory, customer service and advertising, all based on proven methods used by the experts.

Assured Locksmith Training also provides the most up-to-date Automotive Locksmith Training program available, enabling you to capitalize on this highly profitable sector.  Assured Locksmith Training is the industry leader when it comes to training security professionals; its Maintenance Locksmith Training program covers all aspects of security and is aimed at building maintenance and engineering personnel, enabling businesses to have their own on-site locksmith professional.

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

 

When it comes to your personal property and the safety of your family, you spare no expense. Of course you will want to add an

alarm system to your home, but is that enough? You may be surprised at the answer.

Many police departments report that a large majority of home alarm calls are nothing more than false alarms, which has led to home alarm calls to become a lower priority in most neighborhoods. In 2001, the Seattle police department estimated that it answered nearly 80 false alarms during the course of a day due to malfunction, user error or misuse. In some larger cities there are reports of the average response time from the police department being 30 minutes or more for unverified alarm calls. A lot of things can happen in 30 minutes, things that can be avoided.

A well secured home with sturdy locks and other devices can mean all the difference when it comes to someone breaking into your home. The typical burglar is not looking for a challenge, that is the stuff of movies and romantic fiction. A burglar is a criminal looking for an easy in and out. Often times, if the first couple attempts to enter the house are unsuccessful, the burglar will leave. The more time he stands outside your home trying to gain access, the more likely he is to attract unwanted attention. Simply put, the longer you can keep them outside, the less likely they are going to make it inside.

What if someone is home at the time of the attempted break in? A strong door or window with the proper locks can give you important time to react. The time it takes an intruder to get into a well secured home can give you the time you need to call law enforcement.

An alarm system can be a useful and important part of the security of every home, but why stop there? Would you not use a seatbelt just because you have an airbag? The alarm system should be your last line of defense. Nothing can substitute for properly securing all the doors and windows of your house. Be sure to buy and properly install high security locks on all entry points of your house to ensure the safety of your property and loved ones.

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

An auto locksmith is a specialized individual within the locksmith industry. These individuals specialize and focus only on opening
locked cars or creating new keys for vehicles. Unlike other locksmiths, auto locksmiths use special decoding machinery in order to complete their work. This is because new vehicles from the mid-1990s to current have keying systems that work differently from older vehicles. These cars use electronic system, which only a qualified and specialized auto locksmith can change.

These modern systems use a key that has a transponder code embedded. These keys are known as transponder keys. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the code is read and the car can only be started when the correct code is read. This new system was designed to minimize or even completely stop the incident of hot wiring vehicles.

Auto locksmiths have special decoding machines that find the specific code needed to open the door of your car. With this code, the auto locksmith is able to reprogram a new transponder key that will be able to open your car doors or start your ignition. This is often more efficient than manually opening a car and it is certainly a faster option. Often an auto locksmith can have your car unlocked in just five minutes.

If you find yourself locked out of your car then there are plenty of professional auto locksmiths to choose from. You can always find an auto locksmith in your area so you want to be careful when choosing one. Make sure they have the expertise and knowledge necessary to get you into your car.

 

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221

The services a locksmith offers will vary depending on the individual locksmith you hire. However, you can generally expect a

locksmith to give you expert advice and excellent services provided you have hired a qualified locksmith. Consider some of the basic services offered by a typical locksmith.

Auto locksmiths specialize in providing you’re with emergency locksmith services when you lock your keys in your car. However, they can also help when you lose your keys or break a key in your ignition. These locksmiths have the tools necessary to help with any car lock related problems. These locksmiths can also provide you with key replacements for your vehicle ignition or doors.

Then there are emergency locksmiths who provide the same type of services as an auto locksmith, but can also assist with home and business needs. If you are locked out of your homes then these individuals have the tools necessary to help you gain access to your home. These locksmiths also offer the service of repairing broken locks. As an emergency locksmith, they can be called upon for fast service and immediate response whenever you need them.

Lastly, there are residential and commercial locksmiths. These individuals are focused on installing residential and commercial locks. These locksmiths have the knowledge of the best available locks and can help you find the most suitable lock for your home or business needs. They also offer installation, repair, change and upgrade services to meet any of your residential or commercial lock needs.  These are the locksmiths that most individuals call when they need assistance during regular business hours.

 

 

 

 

Locksmith West Hollywood  (323) 306-5221