If Your Car Key is Stuck in Your Ignition, Here’s What to Do Next

It’s a situation that you probably didn’t see coming that has the potential to be a nightmare that ruins your day. Whether your key had already been sticking a few times in your ignition lock when you tried to start your ignition, or there were no warning signs preceding the problem, having your key get stuck in your ignition lock is always frustrating. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your work’s parking garage, a random parking lot after shopping for groceries, or your own driveway, a stuck car key always requires immediate attention. Before attempting any of the following moves, make sure your parking brake is engaged to prevent your vehicle from moving.

Step One: Keep Calm

It’s not unheard of for a car key to get stuck in the ignition, but if it happens to you, it might cause you to become anxious and even panic. This is especially true if you’re not sure what to do next and you’re stranded, such as in the middle of the night. However, panicking will only lead you to think and act irrationally. There’s no need to damage your ignition cylinder or steering wheel column, even if you’re in a time crunch. Instead, take a few deep, centering breaths and keep reading.

Step Two: Check to Ensure the Transmission is Set to Park

Most vehicles have a safety measure in place that prevents your key from being removed from the lock if your transmission isn’t in park. If your vehicle is older and your ignition system is beginning to wear down, this setting may become a little finicky. Ensure that your ignition is set to park and not hovering between two settings. If you’re lucky, this will be all it takes for your key to free itself. If not, move on to the next step.

Step Three: Check for a Locked Steering Wheel

Another safety feature of most modern vehicles is to lock the key in place when the steering wheel is engaged. If you were applying pressure to your steering wheel at the same time that your ignition system shut off, there’s a chance that the steering pin is still keeping the lock engaged. This protects your vehicle from moving at the wrong time. If you suspect that a stuck steering wheel might be the root of the problem, trying wiggling the wheel back and forth while applying a moderate amount of pressure to the key itself, using any free space you may have around the key to move that as well. This might kick the mechanism loose and free the key.

Step Four: Try to Identify Any Obstruction

Use your phone or a flashlight to look around where the key is inserted into the lock in order to determine if you can see any visible dirt or debris that’s causing the key to get wedged inside. Sometimes, dust and dirt can transfer into the ignition lock and compact, causing an obstruction that can get your key stuck. Usually you won’t be able to reach this obstruction and may need to contact a locksmith.

Step Five: Use Moderate Force to Free the Key

If all else has failed, your last attempt before calling a professional involves using a moderate amount of force to free the key. If you have a pair of pliers or a wrench handy, you can enlist one of these tools to help give you additional leverage. Grip the key and try wiggling it back and forth, putting a significant amount of pressure on it in each direction. It’s important not to use too much force, as keys are more delicate than they look and may snap off in the lock itself. 

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Importance of Panic Bars for Commercial Properties

Panic bars are a common installation on many commercial properties due to the many factors that make them a cost-effective, injury-preventing safety device. A proper building emergency plan should include having panic bars on all of your doors. This article aims to explain what panic bars are and why they’re to integral to a building’s emergency prevention measures. There are many factors that make panic bars a cost-effective, irreplaceable investment for your business.

What Are Panic Bars?

A panic bar, also known as a crash bar, is a door opening device that is commonly found on the doors of many commercial properties in Glen Ellyn, IL, and all around the country. It’s a horizontal metal bar containing a spring mechanism that is affixed to an exit door. You’ve probably seen and used them many times without realizing what they were called. The purpose of panic bars is to allow the door to easily open when the bar is pushed. A panic bar allows for a faster and easier exit than traditional door handles or knobs. Some panic bars have an alarm system attached. This type is generally restricted to emergency exits. Many buildings utilize panic bars on all of their exits, because they also offer.

Panic bars not only allow for an easy exit, but they also work on aspects of human psychology. During an emergency situation, it’s crucial that people be able to exit quickly and safely, no matter how many people are in the building at the time. Panic bars allow for the free flow of traffic out of your building. In an emergency, this prevents panic because people can see that those ahead of them are exiting the building quickly, without impediment, they will be less likely to panic. It’s important to prevent any panic or unnecessary anxiety that may lead to a stampede. These reactions are built into our basic instincts as living creatures, just like many animals. Stampedes have caused many injuries and even deaths in the past, and so panic bars were created to prevent this from happening. Since the widespread use of panic bars began, these types of incidents have drastically decreased.

Why Panic Bars Are Necessary

There are many reasons why panic bars are so important for your commercial property. Here are just a few of the reasons why these simple devices are so crucial if you want your business to be as safe as possible. It’s no fluke that you see panic bars on most commercial properties nowadays, from restaurants to shopping centers. No matter what type of exit door your business uses, panic bars can be installed on them, including double doors. It’s recommended not only to install panic bars on your emergency exits and front door, but every exit in your building.

They allow for many people to exit quickly to safety.

In the event of a fire or another emergency that requires evacuation of your commercial property, panic bars can allow many people to easily exit in a fast manner. If your building has more than ten or twenty people in it at any given time, panic bars are strongly recommended. During an emergency, every second counts, and anything preventing people from quickly leaving is a potential hazard. Most panic bars a feature that allows them to be “dogged,” which allows the door to swing open no matter where on its surface a person applies pressure. 

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Keyless Entry System Benefits

Many people are familiar today with keyless entry. This is becoming more and more popular as technology continues to advance. Often times, apartment buildings or condos will require one to enter a passcode or scan a card to gain access. Some offices use keyless entry. Even vacation resorts take advantage of keyless entry – did you know that Disney World now uses a device called a “Magic Band” to allow access to their theme parks? The primary idea behind keyless entry systems is that a key is no longer required. 

Locksmith Glen Ellyn is based in Glen Ellyn, IL and offers keyless entry as a service to customers. There are certainly pros and cons to this sort of system, but it seems as though the pros outweigh the cons. Here, we will take a look at some of the benefits of keyless entry systems. This will provide insight as to why this system is so popular today!

Why Go Keyless?

There are many reasons why keyless locks are so popular and why one might consider going keyless. It’s actually relatively affordable. You might be looking at just over $30 for a vehicle security remote start/keyless entry locks plug install, for example. A Kwikset electronic keypad deadbolt lock might run just under $80 on Amazon. People are often impressed with how low-priced keyless entry systems are. So, now that you know keyless entry could fit into your budget, let’s take a look at why so many people are going keyless. 

1.      This system offers additional security.

Keyless entry allows for only specific persons to be able to enter a property, so unauthorized individuals are prevented from gaining entry to your property. With keyless entry systems, you don’t have to remember who has a key, and you don’t have to worry about a key being stolen and copies being made. The peace of mind offered by keyless entry is wonderful.

2.      With keyless entry, you don’t have to worry about scratching up a car door or front door.

It is so easy to scratch up your car if you go to put the key into the lock. If it’s dark out, you might not be able to see well enough to avoid scratching the car. The same can be said about building entry.

3.      Keyless systems offer convenience to those who use them.

Carrying around several keys presents numerous problems. Let’s say that the average person walks around with a house key, office key, mailbox key and gym key. Too many keys can put weight on your ignition cylinder while you are driving. Too many keys can mean that one is easily misplaced. That’s one type of inconvenience that having too many keys presents. Now let’s say you are fumbling around with your keys to try to get into your car while it is pouring rain. You don’t want to get soaked! If you have keyless entry, you can simply enter a code or scan a card. Doesn’t this seem like a much more effective solution than digging around for keys? With cars, you can push a button and the car door is unlocked. You don’t even have to remember which key is for what.

4.      Keyless entry can let you know where your employees are, and when.

Keyless entry systems do more than just keep unwanted persons out of your property. They can also help you to keep track of certain individuals. This might be useful for a business. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you own a large commercial property and have many employees to keep track of, this is one way you can do this. If something were to get stolen, you might have a better idea of who was in that specific room. 

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How You Can Find a Good Locksmith in Glen Ellyn

Whenever you are spending your hard-earned money, you want to be sure you’ll be able to receive the best service possible, especially someone dealing in security. A locksmith should be chosen very wisely. Make no mistake about it, there are some really bad locksmiths out there. You don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. You need an efficient and trustworthy locksmith that you can trust will be able to handle the job. You don’t want a service provider that could care less and all they want is your money. When you start looking for a locksmith, there are some things that you should definitely consider and Locksmith Glen Ellyn in Glen Elleyn, Illinois. You may not know the process for finding a good locksmith and this is where we come in. Here are some simple guidelines to help you find a good locksmith, no matter where you live. 

One thing you might not realize when you begin looking for a locksmith is that one locksmith company might place several ads to make it look like they are a different company. In actuality, you are contacting the same locksmith company. So think about it. When you contact a locksmith company in another area, it is probably the same one that you contacted closer to your area. 

They also use a call center when responding to your requests. Unfortunately, when they send a locksmith to your location, it is usually someone that has had very little experience. They are able to get customers because they entice you by offering very low prices. However, you soon discover that this was just a way to draw you in. Once their locksmith is at your home, they will begin to go up on the price. This is called the bait and hook method of getting business. To make matters worse, there are some that will insist you pay with cash only and will not take credit card as a form of payment. You may not want the cheapest locksmith but you certainly don’t want the most expensive. What you want is a locksmith who will be efficient in their duties. Here are some things to look for when you seek the services of a good locksmith.

Look for Local Locksmiths

• When contacting a company, listen for the company name when they pick up. If you’re contacting a call center they will not say the name of the company. If they don’t, this is not a good indication that you’re contacting a good locksmith service. 

• Check company reviews before using their services. Look at different customer review sites, not just one. It will give you a better picture of the type of service you will receive.

• You might not know this but the address of the business is important. It actually is an indication as to whether or not the service is legit or not. It there isn’t one listed online ask them if they can verify their physical address. A legit business will provide you with one without hesitation.

• If you ask for an estimate and they hesitate, run! Any legit business will be happy to provide you with a quote. Most will offer you one to show you how much they want your business. When they do offer you an estimate, make sure it also includes the fees for the following:
  1. Labor
  2. Service Call
  3. Parts
  4. Mileage fees, surcharges, emergency call fees
  5. Get it in writing
  6. Ask about licensing
  7. Ask if they are registered in their state
  8. Ask if they have insurance to cover any damages or losses

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Keep your home safe and secure - and reduce insurance costs

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

Summer is on the way, and with it comes a rise in open windows, houses left empty for a week and plenty of other signals to attract would-be burglars.

Making your home safer and deterring unwanted guests, especially when you are likely to spending some time away on holiday, need not be a troublesome thing to do as long as you take note of some simple steps.

Is burglary prevention working?

The good news is that most of us are not at immediate risk. The Crime Survey of England and Wales found that in 2016 domestic burglary was at a rate of 27 per 1000 households, down 7% on 2015’s figures, with a total of 664,000 incidents.  However, there was a 4% increase from 2015 (to 200,659) in the number of actual theft offences recorded by the police through domestic burglary.

Tips to protect your home from burglars

• Fit your front and back doors with five-lever mortice deadlocks with kitemark BS3621, and an automatic rim latch lock (a nightlatch). You can find locksmiths here
• Use window locks for those downstairs - keep the keys safe but close by in case you have to make an emergency exit. Lock doors and windows when you go out, even if it is just for a few minutes
• A British Standard approved alarm system can cost up to and above £1000 to install but can not only make your home safer but also help reduce the cost of your home insurance.
• The back of a wardrobe, or in a drawer in a children’s room is conversely likely to be one of the first places a burglar will look for valuables, so try to think again. Don’t leave keys close to where they could be ‘fished’ out of the letterbox or reached from a slightly open window
• Ladders and garden tools are especially useful for burglars, so try to keep them well out of sight and locked away
• Take photos of valuables and serial numbers so you have evidence of your possessions if necessary, and use invisible markers to help identify stolen items - the police have started using Smart Water in many areas

How can I protect against the risk of identity theft?

While burglars often want only small items they can carry, like jewellery, they can also be after paperwork, documents, cards and files they can sell on. With just your name, address and date of birth cyber criminals can steal your identity and accounts or even passports could be opened in your name.

• Try not to write down or list PINs or passwords in a place burglars may find
• Keep an eye on post you’re expecting in case it goes missing
• Using web-only bills & statements can mean you’re less likely to have the documents on show
• If you can, back up important documents, files and photos on the Cloud so that if a laptop or a hard drive were to be taken, you still have them to hand and could change passwords quickly.
• Keep a record handy of quick contact details you would need for swiftly cancelling and replacing bank cards, credit cards and other important documentation

How to keep my home safe while I’m on holiday

• Ask a neighbour to keep your letterbox free from clutter and overspill, or to use your driveway if possible to make it look occupied while you are away
• Some people use timer switches for lights to give the impression you are at home, or you could have a system that operates it remotely
• Try to avoid ‘broadcasting’ your absence on social media (“I’m at the airport and I’m off for two weeks, yay!”), and protect against unwanted people monitoring you online by ensuring your social media settings are private
• Smart cameras (or CCTV) that connect to Wi-fi, and can be viewed by remote from anywhere in the world, can be found in major high street retailers now and could help you improve home security and keep an eye on your home while you are away

Improving home security can bring down home insurance costs

Insurers may give you better home insurance quotes if you have a quality burglar alarm installed, secure locks on doors and windows, and lock jewellery and other valuables away in a safe. Joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme can often get you discounts too. It’s important to be transparent and up to date, as if your home were burgled and your security was not what was listed on your policy, some or all of your claim could be invalidated.

Without proper home insurance, a break-in at home could mean not only damage and lost sentimental possessions, but also mean the high cost of replacing them. Your home is probably your most valuable financial asset so it is vital to have the right cover in place should the worst happen. 

Get peace of mind and easily compare cover with quality Telegraph Home Insurance

Article Source: Keep your home safe and secure - and reduce insurance costs

Related Article: 10 Security Tips to Prevent Home Invasion Robberies

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If you need professional assistance in installing your home’s security system, visit www. locksmithglenellyn.net