The College Campus Common-Sense Code
College years are undoubtedly some of the best years of life (hopefully). It’s exciting to embark on a new journey away from home. Rules and regulations are less. Curfew is later, and life seems greater. For most of us who have already experienced college chaos, we understand that there are safety precautions that we should have kept in mind. For some of us, it is too little too late. For those who are graciously about to spread their wings, keep them tucked away until you read about the importance of college campus safety. 5 simple ways to avoid dangerous situations Keep your doors locked! It doesn’t matter if you are inside of your dorm, out studying or out drinking with your friends, keep the door locked. Your roommate(s) may become annoyed, feeling inconvenienced. Ignore them, and do what it takes to keep yourself and their ignorant-self safe. This is a most common and most avoidable situation that is too commonly overlooked. It is better to be safe than sorry. Get your nose out of your phone (or in rare cases) your book! Yes, you read that right. Maybe your thoughts are in agreement, maybe you are rolling your eyes, or maybe you are feeling guilty because you know this applies to you. Regardless of your reaction to the statement, a fact is a fact. Mobile devices have undoubtedly become essential to living in the modern time, but don’t let them consume you enough to compromise your safety. Attention bookworms, don’t think this discludes you. Save your studying or personal reads for a time when you can be sure your safety isn’t at risk. It is important to be aware of your surroundings. Buddy up! You may think you’ve outgrown this concept, but part of being an adult is being aware that you don’t outgrow everything. This is not a concept taught at 5 years old to be ditched the day you turned 18. Don’t underestimate the importance of traveling in pairs. It is always best to take a late night stroll with another person, because like you were taught in kindergarten, two is better than one. Don’t venture to parties alone either, even if they are on campus. People do stupid things when they are drunk, don’t be a victim. If you show up alone, chances are you’ll leave alone. If no one will go with you, just stay home. Yeah, it sucks, but at least you know you’ll wake up alive in the morning. Stay smart. Take that self-defense class! At one point or another, I’m sure the thought of self-defense has come up. Don’t ignore that inner conviction, because it could save your life. There are several places that offer a free self-defense class, so don’t money be your excuse. Do the research, and make time to learn the basics. Education could be your strength during an attack (especially if the other person is intoxicated). If you aren’t able to get to a class, talk with the counselor at your college. They will help provide the resources and answers you need. Beware of carpooling! Ask yourself these questions: Where are you going? Do you know the people (all of them, not just one) that you would be traveling with? Is there a chance the driver could become intoxicated? Now that you’ve addressed the questions, think hard. If you don’t know everyone, don’t take the risk if the situation could become toxic. If you are attending a party, ask a friend or a group to walk there with you. The exercise won’t kill you guys! If the party is far away, stay home and stay safe. Becoming wrapped up in potentially dangerous situations outside of your college campus will likely result in much worse consequences than you’ll want to bargain for. If you need any more safety tips give our Locksmiths a call!
The Alarming Truth – Why We Need Fire Alarms
“One house fire is one too many. Every household needs a functioning fire alarm.” -Locksmith Plus, Inc. The USFA reports 50 house fire fatalities in the US between the dates of January 1st, 2017 and July 11th, 2017. All 50 of these households were either without a smoke alarm altogether, or the smoke alarm was inoperable. At Locksmith Plus Inc, they make it a priority to keep as many families safe from this alarming truth as possible. The information provided here is not only to bring awareness to the truth, but also to encourage those who are reading to take the necessary steps in lowering this number. How to protect families and homes from fatality and fire damage: Make sure your home has a fire alarm. Make sure it works properly (Test the system) Keep backup batteries readily available in case of power outage. Why fire alarms are so important: The purpose of a fire alarm is to detect a fire in its early stages, to provide an opportunity to call emergency, evacuate the home, and prevent fire damage. How to test a fire alarm: The lifespan (so to say) of a fire alarm, is typically about 10 years. If you are unsure how long the alarm has been in your home, it may be safest to simply replace it. Some will argue that the testing button is functional, giving off an annoying squeal when pressed. This noise it only letting you know that the batteries inside of your alarm have power. This way of testing a fire alarm doesn’t guarantee that the hardware of the alarm is functioning properly. The most effective way to test a fire alarm is to release smoke into the air surrounding the alarm. If an alarm in your home has not been tested in this way, you can call a locksmith and they will bring a can of smoke to your home, check the hardware, and ensure that the alarm is installed correctly. They will also let you know if the fire alarm needs replacing. You can also order a can of smoke online, or at home improvement store near you. They usually cost only a few dollars. The do’s and don’ts of fire alarm safety: Do not EVER paint over a smoke alarm. Have a professional do the installing (As a property manager, this is highly suggested to reduce chances of liability) Replace the hardware every 8 to 10 years. Clean, test, and examine your system at least one time a year. Call Locksmith Plus Inc to make an appointment. LPI Locksmiths are trained, certified and ready to assist you in securing your home from the consequence of house fires. “Don’t be a victim of a preventable problem. Always have a functioning fire alarm, and stay educated about security.” -Locksmith Plus, Inc. And if you ever find yourself in Need of an Portland Locksmith, give us a call.
Stop… What Home Security Tips Are You Forgetting?
The key to maintaining efficient home security is awareness. In modern times it’s very easy to get caught up in the daily rush, stressing to get to the business meeting, the football game, the parent-teacher conference, etc. The point is that there is so much going on all the time, that lack of awareness is inevitable. There are many facets to keeping with good home security, and knowing what the facets are, will likely challenge you to take the additional steps. There is a long list of things that are important to secure in or around your home, but we will just focus on 5 of the most important ones. 3 things not to forget when securing your home: Passwords and pin codes What does it mean to secure passwords or pin-codes? It means that you have them all in ONE place. There are several storage apps and programs that allow you to save content inside of their system. This is not highly recommended, and here is why… You lose direct control of the content that was saved. Glitchy systems could result in lost information. Hackers! Just because a system is popular, doesn’t mean it’s safe. What can I do to make sure my codes are secure? The best advice to give is simply to write them down. Technology is great, and there is no arguing that programs have come a long way to benefit their users, but for things like passwords and other personal codes, it’s best to have as much control over their whereabouts as possible. Write them down in a notebook, and hide them. For best security results, purchase a high-grade padlock and keep them in a case or a safe. Personal documents Personal documents are just that… personal. Don’t be a victim of identity theft. It’s important to understand what kind of information needs to be secured. Some of them being, passport documents, medical information, birth certificates, Social Security Information, bank statements, etc. Don’t leave these documents lying around. If they can be seen through your window it can be enticing to a potential thief. If you have people frequenting your home, it would benefit you to keep your personal information inside of a locked safe or briefcase. Jewelry and other valuables It’s baffling how many people forget to secure these kinds of items. If it’s high in cost, keep it locked up. Even if the jewelry isn’t necessarily important to you, or you aren’t worried about financial losses, keeping these kinds of items hidden in your home will keep you and your family safe. If a burglar can see it or knows it’s there, that could be the leading cause for a home invasion. Here are some good ways to keep these things secure: Jewelry box – out of sight Locked safe (especially good for family heirlooms) Chest Don’t stop here. There are much more things that need to be secured in a home. Find awareness, and hold onto it. “A number of burglaries have resulted from a lack of awareness. The simple things are what we forget, and sometimes don’t think of at all. This should not be. At Locksmith Plus, Inc we believe it’s important to be educated about security. We also believe in reminders. It takes no time at all to set a reminder on your cellphone or tablet, and taking that initiative will lower the chances of a home invasion.” -Locksmith Plus, Inc And if you ever find yourself in the PNW give one of our Portland Locksmiths a call!
Smart Security Tech & Tips
“Slow down, and SEE the big picture.” How to use your smartphone smartly We live in a time where smartphones are nearly essential to everyday life. Some are bothered by this fact, others are on board. Regardless of stance, there are benefits to owning a smartphone that can be utilized by both sides of the spectrum. Having a smartphone could mean better security for yourself, your family and your home. There are several phone apps that support the safety of loved ones, and there are several ways of communication that will lessen the worries created by our busy and often dangerous way of living. GPS Tracking Systems If you don’t have one, get one. If you don’t understand it, learn about it. There are several tracking systems available through cell devices. Some systems are accessible through downloadable apps, and others are available on the device itself. Some are free, others aren’t. Regardless of the route you choose, it’s good to have some kind of tracking security accessible on your cell device. Here is a short list of options available to those who own and utilize a smart-phone: Popular tracking apps – MySpy, FlexiSpy, Highster Mobile, and more. These apps are suggested for parents who are concerned with the safety of their child or youth. They are a great tool used to track location, messaging, phone calls, etc. iPhone users – In your contact settings, you have an option available to share your location with another individual at any time. Between adults, this is a great feature. If you are planning a trip and want someone to know your whereabouts, you can simply switch on this feature and incase of emergency, the other person will have a way to track you by GPS. Vismo – A GPS tracking system that ensures the safety of traveling employees and is available on several smartphones, including iPhones and androids. Home Security Keyless locks are a great addition to any home. These kinds of locks will allow you access to your door through your smartphone. If you care to monitor all who go in and out of your home, you might benefit from one of these locks. Security cameras can be accessed through your smartphone, and for new parents, this system is very common. This kind of system makes it easy to see inside the home at any given moment, whether you are in another room checking on your kids, or if you are out of the home and feeling uneasy. There are smartphone apps that make it possible to create a safe community. If you have teens in your home, or you often go to dangerous places, this kind of community could be good for you. The apps make it easy to communicate needs through a simple button on your phone. Instead of group texting, with the potential of the message failing to go through, communication happens through an entirely different system that can be accessed even through WIFI. It’s an advanced buddy system. And if you are ever in Northern Califonia give our Locksmiths a call!
Skeleton Key Semantics
“Keys have certainly been updated, but these keys will never be outdated.” -LPI There are two types of keys referred to as skeleton keys. The first is an interesting and often times beautiful key used for old doors and antique furniture. These kinds of keys are no longer created on any regular basis, but many are delighted by their intrigue when old chests, cabinets or music boxes are purchased. There is something remarkably stunning about these keys. Now-a-days we occasionally see them used as props in plays, as necklace charms, or even as decorations. As a clever locksmith once put it, “these keys have certainly been updated, but they will never be outdated.” -LPI The second type of key referred to as a skeleton key is actually a modern and very popular design that many businesses are dependent upon on a regular basis. Another common term for this multi purpose key is the master key. The master key is used to unlock several doors using one key. While this key is popular and helpful, the topic of master keys will be reserved for another day. Brief history lesson: What is a skeleton key, and what were they intended for? Skeleton keys were used in the earlier centuries for front doors, locked chests, and cabinets, among other things. Their unique metal designs were prized during their time, so each one holds a captivating appearance. These types of keys were designed thousands of years ago, beginning with wooden designs, moving into brass designs, and eventually evolved with other metals. The skeleton key was discontinued in the 20th century when more secure keys were created in place of them. So how do skeleton keys work? In all their simplicity these keys are more secure than they appear. Unlike the modern day metal keys that are inserted parallel inside of a lock, these keys are accompanied by what is referred to as a warded lock; A lock with two plates that face outwards, to restrain the door from being unlocked without the proper key. This system gives way for a key to run between the two plates, with the top of the key pointing upwards. The top of the key is held in place by the two plates (inside the ward lock) while the key is being turned, forcing the plates aside to unlock the door. If a skeleton key is lost, can a locksmith replace it? A locksmith may have some pre-cut skeleton keys on hand or be willing to order the key you are searching for. Unlike modern day keys and locks that require millions of differing combinations and systems, during the time of skeleton keys, many keys were created, but few locking systems were invented. This is relieving information for someone who needs a replacement key. Finding the correct cut may not be as simple as desired, but it can be done. If you are in need of services regarding a lost skeleton key, give an LPI locksmith a call, or visit one of their locations. They are trained, educated and ready to assist you. Can a skeleton key lock be opened by a locksmith? Yes. If you are locked out of your house, a chest, or any other system requiring a skeleton key, you can contact a locksmith and they will be on their way to assist you. The cost of this service is no different than the cost of other unlocking services provided. Can these locks be opened without calling a locksmith? The short answer is yes, it is possible. If you take instructions well, a youtube video could be your saving grace. However, if you are uncomfortable with the instructions given and have no prior experience with these kinds of locks, it may be in your best interest to call a locksmith. Attempting to pick a lock without proper training could always result in undesired damage to the lock. And if you ever find yourself in the PNW area give our Locksmiths a call!