Category : Safes

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Safe
Posted on May 18th, 2021 0 Comments

Safes are essential pieces of equipment that help to protect valuable property in your home or business. However, to the average layperson, safes represent complicated and intricate pieces of machinery that might prove confusing. In this blog entry, the security experts here at Chicago Locksmiths will detail some of the important questions to ask yourself before purchasing a safe.

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Safe Fun Facts
Posted on October 31st, 2018 0 Comments

Safes are items that almost every layman is familiar with, however very few people actually understand the in’s and out’s of how they actually operate. These delicate, intricate, and (hopefully) durable pieces of equipment have many variable factors that affect their successful operation. Here’s a guide to some essential facts about safe operation, as prepared by the safe experts at Chicago Locksmiths.

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Home Safe Evaluation Guide
Posted on April 18th, 2018 0 Comments

Buying a home safe can be a confusing process due to the massive amount of safes available on the market today. The huge variety of price ranges, makes, and models can be overwhelming for the average consumer. In this blog post, the safe and security experts at Chicago Locksmiths will help you figure out the right steps to take when figuring out what home safe to purchase.

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Gun Safe Safety Basics
Posted on April 18th, 2017 0 Comments

There’s many reasons to maintain a gun safe at your home or business, as it helps you maintain strict control of who can access your firearms. This is a fully necessary precaution once you think about the amount of people that might pass through your home on a regular everyday basis.

Most states have strong laws that require access restriction for firearms. This also provides insurance against the possibility of losing your guns during a break-in – which can provide it’s own slew of anxieties and severe dangers.

Safes and Firearm Insurance

Safes are a good alternative to firearm insurance, as insurance offers requires an appraisal, a rider to cover the firearm’s value – and it won’t cover the replacement value in the end, just the market value. If it’s a family gun, you will not be able to recover the sentimental value of the gun. Additionally, many insurance companies even require that guns be kept inside alarmed and certified safes.

Gun safes last for life. Other items of furniture can wear out or go out of style – this even includes cars or tools! This is why it’s necessary to buy a size of gun safe that can practically last for your entire life – you can’t just buy one that fits your current firearms, but has extra room in case you eventually buy more. Gun safes are usually bolted to the floor – which might not be a possibility if you live in a home that you’re renting.

Fireproof Gun Safes and Additional Security Measures

It’s also necessary to make sure that your gun safe also operates as a fire safe. If a fire breaks out inside your home, you will have to quickly rush out, and won’t have the time to open safes to collect your valuables. Gun safes that are also fire proof can hold other important things – and are often the only item left standing if the fire is particularly extreme. The majority of gun safes don’t have fire safety – as the majority of them are purchases simply for access restriction – so it’s absolutely necessary that you pay particular care when you’re purchasing one, because if you’re spending money to ensure the safety of your guns, you might as well really ensure their safety. It’s also necessary to use gun locks and trigger locks as a method of access restriction. The absolute best way to keep your guns secure, besides fire proof gun safes, is to make sure your house is fully primed for full security – which includes an alarm system, reinforced doors, deadbolts, secure windows and garages, and a bevy of other security tactics that a licensed, talented locksmith can help you implement at your home.

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Keep this information in mind while buying a safe.
Posted on April 3rd, 2016 0 Comments

Here at Chicago Locksmiths, we make our primary objective the long-lasting safety and security of your household or business. The safety and integrity of your household also includes material objects – family heirlooms, important documents with vulnerable information, jewelry, and electronics are all of primary importance to be protected. Even when the perimeter of your home or business can be made secure with door and window locks, it’s wise to stay aware of the exposed and vulnerable nature of any valuables that may be left out in the open inside the home. If any of these objects are truly cherished and important to you, it’s important that you get a safe for the inside of your home or business. Due to the extensive variety in brands, sizes, and constructions of safes, Chicago Locksmiths provides you with a critical range of tips in order to help you understand exactly what your needs are, and what kind of safes can help you meet these needs.

What belongings need protection:

Not only do you have to consider the monetary value of all your items, but also what their size is and what kind of material they are made of. Documents with pertinent personal information, jewlery, photos, and small and expensive electronics are all items that are commonly put into storage inside safes. Some safes are heat resistant, which is an excellent option when you’re dealing with paper. This is a wise option for any digital hardware or software that you’re storing as well, as digital information is vulnerable to heat. If you have a particularly priceless object or heirloom, it may be wise to store it in a floor safe that obscures even the safe from view. Whatever kind of item you need to store will help provide you some sort of guidelines as to what safe to invest in.

Compare the price of the safe to the value of the objects that you’re storing.

Even if you’re certain that you need to purchase a safe, the solution isn’t to simply go outside and purchase just any safe. You’re going to need to consider the full monetary and sentimental value of what objects you want to store. If the value on either end is very high, you should consider getting a high security safe, which are often somewhat more expensive. If the objects are more valuable along the sentimental end of things, rather than monetary, a regular safe will suffice.

How big is the inside of the safe?

This might be somewhat implicit, but on a sheerly practical level you want to make sure that you can buy a safe that fits all of the objects that you want to store; in fact, Chicago Locksmiths recommends that you purchase a safe that’s larger than you originally estimate for your needs; it’s likely that once you have a safe you’re going to acquire more items that you’re going to want to store in the future. By anticipating future needs, you will always stay ahead of the curve.

Where will you place your new safe?

The area in which you plan to keep your safe will help determine what the style, material, and size of the safe needs to be. First, if you have an idea of where you want to keep the safe, measure the area precisely – and use those exact measurements to purchase a safe that’s the exact right size. Additionally, figure out what sort of environmental mitigating factors are present in the space you’ll be keeping the safe; is there excessive heat (or the risk of heat) present? Is there excessive moisture (or the risk of moisture, like a wet basement in a flood prone area) present? Answering these questions will help you determine exactly what kind of material the safe should be made of – whether you want it to be heat proof (and at what level), water-proof, or both.

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Buying A Safe
Posted on July 6th, 2015 0 Comments

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Safe

Keeping your possessions safe requires utilizing multiple layers of solid security. While your house may be kept safer from break-in by having strong locks on the doors and windows, it isn’t guaranteed to stop everything. You need to make sure that the valuables you have inside your home are also safe, even if a burglar does happen to bypass your perimeter locks. This is why a safe is so valuable, as it offers extreme protection for those smaller items with high value. These are things like pieces of jewelry, important documents, guns, heirlooms, and whatever else is important to you. If you really want to keep these things secure, then it’s important to invest in a safe for your home. One problem is that there are tons of different types of safes out there, all of varying size and complexity. Let’s take a closer look and see just what you need to know before buying a safe.

A Safe’s Price Versus the Value it’s Protecting

Items you want secure and kept safely away from thieves have wildly different values. Safes have different values too, so make sure that you carefully consider just how valuable the items you’re trying to protect are. You want to spend money on a safe relative to how secure you want your possessions.

What Will the Safe Need to Hold?

In addition to the actual value of the items you want to keep in your safe, you also need to consider what sort of material they’re made from. Things like family photographs and security documents are prone to heat damage. Not every safe is fire resistant, so if you’re storing paper products, make sure you research a good safe that has proper heat resistance.

Size

While this seems to be the most straight forward consideration to make, it’s one that shouldn’t be overlooked. You want to ensure that the safe you’re buying is big enough to hold whatever you need. Check the inside dimensions rather than just the exterior to determine if what you have will fit. In addition to that, make sure your safe is small enough to get it to whatever room you want it in. It’s also important to do the opposite as well. If what you need protected is only going to take up 50 to 60 percent of the interior size of the safe, then you’re not getting the full benefit from the safe.

Safe Location

The placement of your safe is important as well. You want to ensure you have the amount of room it requires, as mentioned above, as well as ensuring that it’s not close to any areas with moisture or heat issues or places where it can be easily stolen.

Overall, purchasing a safe is a fantastic investment to make that will help ensure your priceless items and valuables will remain safe from theft and harm throughout your life. The above checklist of considerations to make is a great step in the right direction that will significantly help you choose a safe that’s ideal for your needs.

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Home Security In Chicago
Posted on February 12th, 2015 0 Comments

You have probably heard FBI statistics suggesting that a burglary occurs in America every 15.4 seconds. But did you know the city of Chicago recorded more than 14,500 burglaries in 2014? The burglary rate last year may have dropped 19% from the year before, but that does not mean Chicago residents can let their guards down. Each of us must remain diligent in order to protect our families and properties.

The most important thing for you to know about home burglary is that burglars want to get in and out as quietly and efficiently as possible. Anything you can do to slow them down will increase the chances of them abandoning their efforts. Let’s start slowing burglars down starting with first-floor entry points.

Doors and Locks

The easiest points of entry in any home are the front and rear doors. If you are not currently using steel or solid-core wood, the first step is to replace your doors. Don’t want to do it yourself? Enlist a professional Chicago Locksmith company. The second step is to attend to your locks and strike plates. Make sure your first-floor doors are equipped with four-screw strike plates and heavy-duty deadbolt locks with 1-inch throw bolts. While you’re at it, install a heavy-duty peephole that allows you to see anyone standing at your door.

Sliding glass doors and windows are also vulnerable due to inherently weak locking mechanisms installed at the factory. Block your sliding glass doors with a piece of dowel or another commercially available product. As for your windows, you can purchase very effective locks that allow them to be open a crack without compromising safety.

Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points
Use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt or preferably a high security locks.
- Use a quality, heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
- Use a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
- Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches
Home Safes

Since the prices of good home safes are falling, having a safe in your home is a wise investment. Home safes are designed to keep the smash and grab burglar, dishonest butler, nanny, nosey kids or housekeeper from gaining access to important documents and personal property. Home safes need to be anchored into the floor or on permanent shelving.
- Use the safe everyday so it becomes routine
- Protect the safe code and change it occasionally
- Install it away from the master bedroom or closet
Lighting and Alarms

Lastly, consider lighting options and home security systems. Exterior lighting serves the dual purpose of allowing you to see potential threats while you’re outside and illuminating your property so it can be easily observed from the street. Keep in mind that burglars don’t like to be seen. They despise exterior lighting that takes away their ability to hide in the shadows.

Where alarm systems are concerned, noise is good for scaring away burglars who don’t want to draw attention to themselves. Combining an alarm system with a monitoring service is even better. The two together give you the benefit of using noise as a deterrent alongside faster response times as the result of a monitoring center personnel alerting police.

Effective home security in Chicago is not a matter of dumb luck. By employing the simple strategies we have listed here, you can make your home safe.

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Understanding Your Options for Upgrading Mechanical Locks in Chicago
Posted on November 26th, 2014 0 Comments

As criminals become smarter, the various mechanisms used to safeguard buildings must be upgraded from time to time. Furthermore, aging hardware must also be replaced due to the threat that wear and tear poses to the safety of industrial and commercial buildings.

Understanding the process of replacing your old locks ensures that your business can stay secure while keeping time required for the installation of new locks to an absolute minimum.

Below is a very brief look at some of the lock replacement options available to you in the Chicago area.

Additional Lock Functions

While you can generally expedite replacement of your old locks by choosing locks from the same manufacturer, you may want to first consider the variety of features available to you when upgrading your locks.

Most of the functions available are meant to fulfill special needs of unique situations. Locks that have a heightened degree of vandal resistance and locks designed for use in school environments are just two examples of the extra functions that locks can have.

These functions tend to conform to ANSI standards, which allows a comparison between the various locks available.

Cylindrical Lock Replacement

While cylindrical locks are some of the most common types of locks, there are still a number of considerations that must be made when replacing a cylindrical lock.

1. How much door preparation is required?

Most cylindrical locks locate their bolts at the 12 or 6 o’clock position that utilizes a 5/16” to 3/8” diameter cross bore, but different manufacturers may have a different setup. Some even allow more modular design that allows for the bore to be adjusted to match existing door prep work.

2. How do lock cylinder dimensions in the exterior lever compare?

The diameter of lock cylinders tend to be unique to the manufacturers’ masterkey system. Competitive keyway replacement lock cylinders may be available from certain manufacturers, while other manufactures may provide interchangeable exterior levers for the sole purpose of matching equipment lock cylinders of other manufacturers.

3. How well does the diameter of the rose match?

If the upgraded rose of a lock is smaller than the rose from the previous lock, then you may need to add paint or a finish ring to your door to make the lock both secure and aesthetically pleasing.

It’s worth noting that this is not a problem when upgrading from a knob lock to a lever cylindrical lock, as most knob locks have lock roses that are significantly smaller than those used in most current cylindrical locks.

Mechanical Pushbutton Locks

Pushbutton locks off an alternative way to unlock a door. They offer this advantage while being of about the same difficulty to install as a keyed lock.

Most pushbutton locks use a 3- to 10-digit code to enable a greater degree of secure keys that can be memorized for use. Many pushbutton locks are ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or 2 certified, and offer the option to use a key as an override to the code if something goes wrong.

Cylindrical locks can be upgraded using a solenoid or a motor to make a lock change states when the keypad is used. The option for request-to-exit output is also available with some pushbutton locks.

Understanding Similar Lock Replacement Options

Other options that haven’t expressly been covered are available when replacing a lock, but most considerations for these types of replacements are similar to the considerations already mentioned.

For example, mortise locks carry many considerations similar to cylindrical locks.

When replacing your locks, it’s wise to have your local Chicago locksmith go over the options for functions and lock replacement that you have available to you. New exit devices, electronic control system integration, and even locks that use standalone electromechanical features to create a stronger security environment exist.

To this end, it’s vital that you choose a lock replacement that works best with your facility. This will give you the largest degree of security while deterring malicious individuals from trying to vandalize your commercial or industrial business.

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LISCIO Electronic Keypad Leverset with Bluetooth Programming
Posted on August 19th, 2014 0 Comments

Looking for the latest and greatest in home entry systems? Throw away that key and check out the LISCIO Electronic Keypad Leverset with Bluetooth Programming from Emtek. This sleek, simple system will enable you to enter your home conveniently with the simple touch of a few discreet buttons. The LISCIO keypad employs Bluetooth programming from your Smartphone, taking advantage of the latest technological advances to provide you with secure and simple access to your home. Take a look at this era’s keyless entry system.

Specifications and Features

The LISCIO keypad leverset features a beautifully sleek design that won’t detract from the curb appeal of your home. The security buttons are smoothly integrated into the handle. This integration provides a discreet system that will prevent you from having to look at an ugly, glaring keypad such as those found on warehouse sets. The leverset is available in a polished chrome finish, an oil rubbed bronze finish and a satin nickel finish in order to match a wide variety of design styles.
The set has an adjustable latch and can fit doors ranging in thickness from 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches. The leverset can be used on both exterior and interior doors and has been weatherproofed specifically for outdoor conditions. You can install one on each exterior door as well as on any interior doors that require extra safekeeping. A low battery indicator light lets you know when it’s time to replace the batteries on your unit.
Additional features include a small lever footprint that measures just under three inches by just over four and a half inches on the exterior, with interior measurements of two and a quarter inches by six and a half inches. A standard 9-volt battery system can be found housed on the interior trim of the set. The leverset also comes with an exterior key cylinder for backup entry, just in case, making it a versatile and functional set that works under any circumstance.

How it Works

Setting up this leverset is a simple process with the help of your Apple or Android phone. After installing a free app available through the Apple store or Google Play, the app wizard will direct you through the steps of setting up your set. This system allows multiple user codes, which you can add, edit or delete through your Smartphone app.
The app also enables you to view a log of which user code has been entered at what time of day, allowing you to keep a close eye on the security of your home. Additionally, you can manage multiple locks from one device, and all of your existing information can easily be communicated to a new device should you change or update your phone. Safe, smart security has never been so simple.

Conclusion

Your home is your castle. It’s important to safeguard it with the best security system available to you. With the LISCIO Electronic Keypad Leverset with Bluetooth Programming from Emtek, you’ll be able to rest in the knowledge that your home is secure.

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Choose the Right Safe for Your Home
Posted on June 10th, 2014 0 Comments

Every home should have a safe for storing valuables. Many people associate a house safe with protection from theft, but safes can also protect your possessions and records from fire and water damage as well. Here are some tips on how to determine the home safe that is right for your needs.

How Big?

Before you go shopping for a safe, gather up the material you feel you need to put in your safe and then measure it. A safe of roughly one and a quarter cubic feet will hold about a foot of normal sized papers commonly used for business letters. Once you determine how many cubic feet of space you need, you can shop for a safe with the confidence that you won’t accidentally buy a safe that’s the wrong size.

Protection From Fire

Most buyers of safes are rightfully concerned about losing valuable documents, photos or collectibles should the house catch fire. The risk of fire is not a remote one, with one in four people at some point in their lifetime experiencing a fire in their home that requires calling the fire department. What degree of fire resistance you need depends on what you intend to store in the safe. Paper is generally safe up to temperatures of 350 degrees, but more delicate items like photos, DVDs and computer files can be damaged at half that temperature. Check the safe’s exterior or packaging to determine how much heat your safe can endure.

Theft Protection

Unfortunately, it is more difficult to determine the degree of safety from theft a safe provides. However, simply putting something in a box with a lock will by its very nature provide at least some protection. Part of this protection comes from the weight of the safe. An average home safe weights about 100 pounds before you even put anything into it, which makes it hard for a routine burglar to run off with it. You can also get kits that will bolt the safe to the floor or wall. Consider hiding the safe in a wall or beneath the floor.

Water Protection

It is foolish to buy a safe that is not waterproof, since you never know when a flood may strike or water pipes may break. Check to be sure before buying whether the safe is waterproof. Safes that are water sealed also have the advantage of being air tight, thereby protecting your valuables from smoke that may fill the room the safe is located in, even if the room itself doesn’t experience the actual flames.

Buying a home safe can enhance your peace of mind, but do your homework first so you know what type of safe you’ll need.

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