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

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