Author Archives: Locksmith Sarasota

KeySmart Premium Key Holders: Innovative Key Organizer

The KeySmart Premium Key Holders Innovative Key Organizer

The Gift That Keeps On Giving: KeySmart’s Innovative Key Organizer

This is one of those rare occasions where you’ll thank yourself for waiting until the week before Christmas to finish your holiday gift shopping. If you haven’t heard of the KeySmart key organizer, now is your chance to learn about this innovative product. The KeySmart key organizer is our pick for a great holiday gift this year here at Locksmith Sarasota.

KeySmart Key Organizer

It’s incredibly convenient, stylish, and functional – the ideal gift for virtually anyone. Plus, it’s a steal for around $20! Here’s what you need to know about this exciting device.

The Solution To Jangling, Messy Keys

Loud jangling, mixed up keys, holes in your pants – the KeySmart key organizer solves all of these problems and more. Most people carry around large, bulky key rings in their pockets or purses, taking up room and making unnecessary noise. The key organizer is a slim, stylish device that eliminates metal key rings for good. Instead, your keys attach directly to the organizer, folding in and out as you need each key. No key ring means no jangling, no wasted space, and no fumbling to unlock your doors. It also prevents your keys from poking and stabbing you while in your pockets.

The KeySmart key organizer is a simple yet ingenious device that turns your key ring into a clean, concise single device. Fold all your keys inside and it’s a small, slim, and compact device about the size of your finger. When you need to use a key, slide it out of the device, and you’re ready to go. The key organizer hides the jagged teeth of your keys, exposing the smooth side, instead. On top of organizing your keys and eliminating irritating key rings, the key organizer keeps the key straight and steady while you unlock your doors. It’s truly a one-size-fits-all universal gift that your loved ones will actually want and use.

kesmart-key-organizer

Details About The KeySmart Key Organizer

The KeySmart device frees up pocket space and organizes all your keys into one clean, neat place. The basic key organizer holds two to eight keys – all fitting nicely into the small, compact device. Upgrade to 14, 22, 28, or 34 keys for an extra charge. The KeySmart organizer has an optional expansion pack as an additional purchase. With the expansion pack, the device can hold up to 100 keys. You can also opt for a custom expansion post to fit as many keys as you need.

There’s no need to get your keys cut specially to fit into the organizer – it accommodates all typical keys. It even has a small loop piece where you can attach car keys, key chains, or key fobs. The loop piece takes up one space on the KeySmart device.

The KeySmart frame is made with ultra-light, aircraft-grade aluminum and strong stainless steel hardware. A sleek laser-engraved company logo completes the look. It’s available in metallic red, orange, blue, green, pink, purple, black, or slate gray. Purchase exciting add-ons to make your gift even more memorable. The key organizer can come with a USB drive that can hold eight, 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage. You can also add a bottle opener, pocket clip, and quick disconnect component. Make your gift unique and tailored to your loved one’s needs!

KeySmart Key Organizer Customer Reviews

On Amazon.com, the KeySmart compact key holder has almost all positive reviews. The majority of reviewers gave this item five out of five stars, commending it for preventing painful scratching and poking by keys in pockets. Other reviewers say it’s the “best invention for keeping keys since the invention of the key ring,” it “turns my keys into a Swiss army knife,” and it “saved a ton of pocket real estate.”

Many reviewers speak of the key organizer’s ability to increase their personal safety. With the KeySmart device, there is no loud jangle of keys to give away one’s location or presence in a secluded parking garage or dark alley. The key organizer enables people to get into their vehicles or homes faster, quieter, and with less hassle.

Locksmith Sarasota’s Number One Holiday Gift Choice

The KeySmart key organizer is Locksmith Sarasota’s top choice for a holiday gift. It’s ideal as a stocking stuffer, gift for dad, or anyone who uses keys. The key organizer eliminates several issues the traditional key ring setup presents, including pain from keys in pockets, loud jangling, and wasted space. The KeySmart key organizer is truly a gift that keeps on giving, available in many different colors.

Get The KeySmart Key Organizer From Amazon.com At The Link Below:

KeySmart – Compact Key Holder (2-10 Keys, Black)

Smart Home Security Disadvantages And How To Overcome Them

Smart Home Security Disadvantages And How To Overcome ThemSmart homes are a picture into the future. Different types of technology come together to seamlessly (and sometimes automatically) change functions in your house. When these processes happen without additional human interaction they’re referred to as the internet of things, or IoT (Internet of Things), a term that describes their independent interconnectedness.

Let’s say, for example, that you have a smart watch, digital thermostat, radio, and coffee pot connected to the IoT. When your smart watch senses movement, it sends a signal to the thermostat to crank up the heat a bit and make it cozy for when you step out of the shower. The radio turns on to your favorite morning news station while the coffee pot happily brews your favorite blend. Sure, it sounds like a scene from a science fiction novel, but this is 100 percent possible in today’s world. And technology is only growing more powerful.

home-security-disadvantages

Make The Smart Choice

Although convenience is a big part of smart tech, it’s useful for another important aspect of our lives – home security. The hands-free design and lightning fast response make these devices inherently better for keeping your family and property safe. Some of the most popular products are making their way into more homes, and it’s easy to see why with their benefits.

amazon-echo

Amazon Echo

This gadget serves as a centerpiece for most smart home tech. The intelligent speaker can take direct orders and control other connected smart items. In fact, you can place Amazon orders by simply speaking. Echo and Alexa devices provide astonishing, unique interactions to make your life easier. CNET gives Echo a 9 for features, 8 for usability, 9 for design, and 7 for performance.

wemo-insight-wifi-switch

WeMo Insight Wifi Switch

This advanced plug-in works similarly to Belkin’s WeMo light adapters. Simply plug in any device or appliance to control it entirely from your phone. WeMo Insight allows you to make a power schedule, analyze energy usage, and more. The Insight is easy to move around the house, unlike some other models, so you can experience this flexibility on a variety of gadgets. CNET rates the Insight Switch an 8, 8, 8, and 9 for features, usability, design, and performance.

nest-smart-thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat

The Nest is one of the most revolutionary and power saving smart gadgets. This device learns your habits to keep your home as comfortable as possible. The most interesting feature about the Nest is that it adjusts the temperatures during the day or night to save costs. Instead of a constant 68 degrees in the home, the thermostat allows degrees to fluctuate while you’re at work, then readjust before you return home.

Nest also functions as a diagnostic tool for forced air systems. It monitors output and usage to look for any unusual patterns or readings. This can help you catch problems earlier before they become difficult to manage.

smart-home-console

The Trouble With Technology

Unfortunately, a digital home has its own weaknesses, as with any appliance or home gadget. Power outages affect most of these devices immediately, although some may have a backup source. In the event of a Wi-Fi outage almost all of them will be rendered completely useless. Most notably, smart home gadgets are at risk for being hacked.

Recently, Samsung saw some serious issues with their smart home software. In fact, hackers could unlock doors and remotely set off fire alarms. Naturally, these issues pose a serious threat to a family’s safety. Even when you’re not home, the idea of thieves strolling right through the front door is unnerving.

The security analysis was carried out at the University of Michigan with the help of Microsoft. They carefully examined an entire platform, from lightbulbs to keypads. Many of the items were easy to breach. The team even managed to add a new PIN to the keypad of a backdoor so they could gain access at any time without hacking the system again.

Earlence Fernandes, a researcher at the University of Michigan, said this was the worst-case scenario for some devices. “If these apps are controlling non-essential things like window shades, I’d be fine with that,” he said. “But users need to consider whether they’re giving up control of safety-critical devices.”

Smart Home Security

Fortunately, smart home security is always on the rise. Manufacturers like Amazon and Google continually work to make each device more secure. Updated programming is a huge step toward keeping hackers at bay, and it requires no additional effort from the homeowner in many cases.

online-safety

Going Invisible With Tor

It’s much harder for thieves to find things that are invisible. The Guardian Project from Tor aims to do just that. These new capabilities obscure the location of the servers running dark websites. This keeps your IoT working at full capacity without being visible to others.

Tor also prevents unauthorized access in the unlikely event that your IoT network is located. The intermediary computers can’t make a connection with the destination computer unless the proper password is offered. The program offers a much higher level of security.

The biggest problem with Tor is the setup. Every single device must run the Tor program and include the right code. Setting up new devices can turn into a time-consuming and potentially frustrating setup. However, a few minutes of inconvenience are worth the peace of mind, knowing no remote person can log into your doors, lights, or coffee pot.

Need Help Securing Your Home?
WE CAN HELP KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND PROTECTED:

(941) 888-7518

Locked And Secure: A Complete Home Security Checklist

Locked And Secure: A Complete Home Security ChecklistMany people don’t think they need security systems. They may assume security systems are too expensive and a waste of money, especially if they live in a smaller city or town. However, residents of these areas are not immune to break-ins.

At Locksmith Sarasota, we don’t simply provide locks. We seek to protect our clients any way possible, so we encourage them to invest in security systems before a break-in occurs. We have all the tools you need to ensure your home is a safe place.

What Homeowners Need To Know About Burglaries

The more you know about how burglars operate, the easier avoiding them will be. When most people hear “burglar,” they think of a stealthy thief dressed in black, breaking into their homes in the middle of the night. In reality, most burglaries happen between 10 AM and 3 PM, when most people are at work or school.

Additionally, burglars are not always strangers. You may have seen a potential burglar in your neighborhood, or talked to that person casually. Some of them get to know potential targets and their daily routines.

Be Careful What You Post Online

Social media has made break-ins easier than ever. Please be careful what you post on Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. Vacation photos or trip announcements let burglars know exactly when you’re away. Even if your privacy settings are tight, friends of friends may share your information with someone who’ll use it for a break-in.

Despite what you see on television, most burglars don’t jimmy open windows. An astonishing 34% of them enter by the front door because not all homeowners keep these locked. Another 30% enter using any easily accessible unlocked door or window. A professional burglar can burglarize your house in 10 minutes or less. If your security system isn’t up-to-date, that’s enough time for significant property loss and damage to occur.

Home Security And Police Response

The police are there to ensure safety, which includes tracking down burglars. However, only about 14% of burglaries resulted in arrests in the last two years. Burglaries are some of the hardest crimes to solve, and the chances of recovering your lost property are slim. You should always contact the police in the event of a burglary. However, a home security system prevents burglaries where the police cannot.

Pre-Security System Precautions

Before you install a security system, you should take several precautionary measures. None of your valuables should be visible from the street. When you are not home, keep doors and windows locked and the shades down. Do not keep jewelry boxes, safes, or other containers of valuables open. Do not post passwords or combinations in accessible places.

Home Security Lighting

A lit pathway keeps you safe at night, but may also encourage a burglar. Consider buying automated outside lights you can turn on and off using your phone or other device. When you aren’t home, make sure all the lights are off but keep your porch light, if possible. The porch light illuminates your house number, which helps law enforcement find you quickly.

Give an extra set of keys to someone you trust. When possible, give the keys to someone who lives nearby and can check on your house while you travel. Ask the post office to hold your mail, too. Burglars become suspicious when they see a full mailbox after one or two days.

Your doors should be either wood or metal-clad with keyed deadbolts and secondary locks. Secondary locks are especially important on sliding, deck, attic, or garage doors. These entrances are some of the easiest for burglars to use.

Always keep medications out of sight. Some burglars are also substance abusers and choose homes based on whether they’ll find drugs. Additionally, lock up outdoor valuables, including tools burglars might use to access the rest of your house.

Take personal inventory of your property. Secure your valuables in a safe place. If you leave pets behind, ensure they are in a safe place, too. Your security system should extend to your garage, yard, deck, or wherever else your pet normally stays.

Residential Home Security Basics

Your home security system needs alarms, and these must be tested regularly. Test your alarms at least once every few months. If you travel often, the tests should be more frequent. Keep security codes in your phone, or memorize them if possible. If you must write them down, do so in a notebook you always carry with you. Consider changing codes at least once a year. This way, even if a burglar sees you using one code, there is no guarantee it’s always correct.

A good home security system places your lights and possibly appliances on timers. You need at least two light timers that work in a logical sequence. If desired, set timers for televisions, radios, or computers. These may fool burglars into thinking you’re home. Make sure your security system has floodlights. Burglars don’t want the attention floodlights attract, so the faster your house lights up, the faster a burglar will leave. Check your floodlights regularly.

The garage, pool area, and sheds need manual locks. Don’t rely solely on a garage door opener, especially if that opener doesn’t come with a code. Keep the keys on your person when possible, or in a high, inaccessible location. Never let outdoor locks rust. If you experience a break-in, whether indoors or outdoors, call a locksmith immediately. He or she will change the locks and may help you change codes, too.

Protecting Sensitive Valuables

Most burglars come into homes looking for specific items like computers and televisions. To ensure their protection, inscribe items with legitimate, law enforcement-approved serial numbers. Take photos of these and other valuables. This makes it easier for police to identify and find your valuables if there is a break-in.

Contact Locksmith Sarasota For All Your Home Security Needs

If you live in Sarasota or in the Tampa, FL area, contact us online or by phone about home security systems. Together, we will customize one that fits your needs. Don’t wait until after a break-in. Prepare and protect your home now.

The Top Stolen Vehicles In Florida & How To Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

The Top Stolen Vehicles In Florida & How To Protect Your Vehicle From TheftNo one wants to think about their car being stolen. That’s because your vehicle is more than just a valuable possession, it’s crucial transportation – especially when you have children or face an emergency situation. The unfortunate reality is that vehicle thefts happen quite often. Each year, America sees almost 600,000 automobile thefts.

Top Stolen Vehicles In America

These incidents also involve a variety of machine thefts, including scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles. Some are at higher risk of being stolen than others, however. Across the nation, the vehicles most often stolen are:

  • Honda Accord
  • Honda Civic
  • Ford Truck
  • Chevrolet Truck
  • Toyota Camry
  • Dodge Truck
  • Dodge Caravan
  • Nissan Altima
  • Acura Integra
  • Nissan Maxima

Top Stolen Vehicles In Florida

But here in Florida, things are a bit different. While many of the contenders are the same, there are a few noticeable differences. Vehicles most often that have been stolen in the Sunshine State are:

  • Ford Truck
  • Honda Civic
  • Honda Accord
  • Toyota Camry
  • Nissan Altima
  • Toyota Corolla
  • Chevrolet Truck
  • Nissan Maxima
  • Chevrolet Impala
  • Dodge Truck

Are you surprised by the findings? Many people don’t think vehicles such as the Honda Accord or Camry would be targeted. What’s more concerning is that the Ford F-Series is the most frequently stolen, but also the most popular truck in the nation with more than 750,000 sales annually.

So how can you protect your property?

Tips For Protecting Your Vehicle From Theft

There are plenty of ways to help keep your ride safe, and many of them are easy to integrate into your routine. For example, you should always be mindful of where you leave your keys. You can also park in safer, cleaner areas whenever possible. But this is just the beginning. If you want maximum automobile security, you should:

  • Keep your vehicle in a garage – Thieves target vehicles on the street. They’re easy to find, approach, and ultimately take. If you have a garage, you should use it when possible. If you do not have a garage, building one could be a worthy investment.
  • Maintain the vehicle – Believe it or not, the better care you take of your ride, the less likely it is to be targeted. Thieves know you probably have an alarm if you value your ride. Keep your car clean and cared for, and it will deter criminals on its own.
  • Place an alarm sticker on the window – LED lights work, too. Thieves want vehicles that are easy to swipe, and any sign of an alarm will help turn them away. Even if there is no alarm system, the chance that there could be will make them think twice.
  • Remove your valuables – Criminals are tempted to break into your car if they see something worth stealing. You should always put away mobile devices, navigation systems, purses, and so forth. Even if you leave them in the vehicle, place them somewhere out of sight of passersby.
  • Use a steering club – Installing one of these gives thieves serious pause, even though they’re not extremely effective. It works the same way as the stickers and lights by presenting the impression of a challenge.
  • Lock the doors – It sounds simple, but it’s effective. Many people think locking the doors doesn’t matter since a criminal will break the window to access your car. The truth, however, is that thieves will target cars and trucks that can be easily accessed. Most thieves simply target the first unlocked vehicle they come upon.
  • Use a hidden kill switch – This is far more expensive, but it could be well worth the cost and effort. Once installed, your car won’t run until a secret switch is flipped. The switch can be placed just about anywhere. Most thieves will simply move on instead of trying to figure out how to get the car started.
  • Take the steering wheel –  Again, this is a more in-depth solution, but it works. Criminals are more likely to pass by your automobile if it doesn’t have a steering wheel.
  • Buy a standard shift – Many people can’t drive manual vehicles so these cars are often bypassed by would-be thieves.

When it comes to keeping your vehicle safe, common sense and due diligence go a long way.

A Brief History Of Lock Picking

A Brief History Of Lock PickingThe lock got its start at the dawn of civilization, with early renditions simply using rope. No historian is truly sure who developed the first mechanical lock. Many believe the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians created them separately from each other. More than 6,000 years ago in Egypt, a locksmith managed to create a pin tumbler lock made completely out of wood. The first locks were not very secure, and “perfect security” — the term that security experts use to describe complete safety from intruders — was unattainable. That is, until an inventor named Joseph Bramah came along in the 1770s.

The “Perfect” Lock

A History Of Lock Picking - From Ancient Egypt To TodayIn the 1770s, Bramah arrived to the locksmithing scene in England as a polymath engineer. He created a lock that was far better than any other at that point in history: the Bramah safety lock. His lock had complex layers between the key and the lock’s deadbolt. He believed he’d created the perfect lock. Bramah was so confident in his lock that he even created a contest, offering 200 guineas (about $30,000 today) to anyone who could pick the lock. The British government took interest when the lock proved unbeatable.

The government wanted a perfect lock that would alert the owner if someone tried to open it. Thus, the Chubb detector lock came about, invented by locksmith Jeremiah Chubb. The lock would seize if a lockpicker tried to lift a tumbler too high, so that even the key wouldn’t work. The owner would know that someone tried to open the lock because he or she would have to use a separate key to reset the tumblers. From the 1770s until 1851, civilization enjoyed what is perhaps the only period of “perfect security” in history.

The Lock Controversy Of 1851

An American locksmith named A.C. Hobbs made a living selling his own locks. He generated a great deal of business by showing bank managers how easily he could pick their locks. During London’s Great Exhibition in 1851, Hobbs decided to end the era of perfect security by picking Chubb’s lock. It took him about 25 minutes to successfully get the lock open. Then, he moved on to pick the Bramah lock, which took him about 52 hours total. The feeling of perfect security evaporated.

What Security Looks Like Today

After the downfall of Bramah’s unbeatable lock, locksmiths created with their own renditions. Linus Yale, Jr. mass-produced his pin-and-tumbler locks until it became the world’s most commonly used lock. Yale locks still are available today, and his design likely is the same kind of lock on your doors. Pin-and-tumbler locks are relatively easy to pick if you know what you’re doing have the right tools. Today’s security depends on other more impressive technologies, such as electronic security systems and innovative technological locks.

Modern “lock picking” often involves a crowbar through the window or a breach of a high-tech security system. To protect your home, trust the professional locksmiths and security experts at Locksmith Sarasota.

 

Facts You Never Knew About Locksmiths

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsYou’ve locked yourself out your home and the only keys you have are inside. What do you do? Break down your own front door? Smash one of your windows? Calling a locksmith to come pick the lock and let you inside to get your keys is probably your best option.

Locksmiths provide an invaluable service; one that anyone who has ever needed it was extremely grateful for. However, the industry has some severe issues that people need to know about before they hire a locksmith.

Lax Regulations For Locksmiths

Were you aware that only 15 states in America require locksmiths to be licensed? This is a rather alarming fact, as it means that anyone can claim to be a locksmith without any legal proof of their profession. A person simply has to trust that the stranger saying they are a locksmith really is and doesn’t have some other motive for unlocking the door.

Facts You Never Knew About LocksmithsThe lack of licensing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes it very difficult for people who need the help of a professional locksmith to ensure that they are actually getting that help and not that of an amateur or a person who isn’t a locksmith at all. On the other hand, the abundance of people who can claim to be locksmiths makes it difficult for true professionals to find work.

States That Require Licenses

The only states that require licenses for locksmiths are:

  • California
  • Alabama
  • Illinois
  • Connecticut
  • Nebraska
  • Maryland
  • Louisiana
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma
  • North Carolina
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon
  • Virginia
  • Texas
  • Tennessee

Hiring a professional locksmith is critical. Not only will a professional have the knowledge and tools to properly help you, he or she will have had to have gone through rigorous background checks to ensure he or she isn’t a criminal.

Conditions Are Worse Out Of Country

Outside the United States, conditions are even worse for locksmiths. Very few countries regulate locksmiths at all. Complete strangers are allowed into a person’s private space, but few governments seem concerned with making sure that these strangers do not have any ill intentions toward the people who asked for their help. Japan, Poland, Hungary, and Canada are the only other countries to regulate the locksmith industry.

Expensive Practices

When you lock yourself out of something and need to call a locksmith, the only service you may want them to provide is to quickly pick the lock and allow you inside. However, this may not be the service you get. What little training most locksmith companies gives their employees is usually just about how to perform drills and replacements.

Drilling is when a locksmith drills out the lock in the door, destroying it in the process. Most people want to be able to lock their door afterward, so if the locksmith drills the lock the customer will also have them replace it.

Locksmiths are often trained not to offer any service other than drilling and replacing a lock. Even if a lock is undamaged and could easily be picked, they will still push the other service. This is because drilling and replacing a lock is the most expensive service locksmiths perform, and they know that most of their clients are desperate enough to accept the more expensive service rather than fighting for a cheaper one.

Not only do locksmiths often push customers to accept their most expensive services, the price for those services is not standardized. There is no set price for locksmithing services; a locksmith can charge any customer any price they believe the customer will pay.

What To Look For

So, if there are so many untrustworthy people claiming to be locksmiths, how can people find a good one? Here are some things to look for:

  • Pick a local service. They need to maintain a good reputation, to stay in business, so choose one that has been working in your area for a while.
  • If you live in one of the states that require locksmiths to be licensed, ask to see their certification.
  • Get a complete price quote on the phone before asking the locksmith to come to your location.

Finding a trustworthy locksmith is difficult, but at least knowing these things allows people to be forewarned before the next time they have to hire a locksmith. Remember to find a licensed locksmith, if possible, to make sure you only get the service you need and, above all else, protect yourself and your home.

Sarasota-Area Locksmiths

If you live in Sarasota and are in need of an honest, professional locksmith, you are in luck. Locksmith Sarasota is an expert and reliable family-owned locksmith company that can help most of its customers in less than half an hour.

The History Of Locks And How They Will Impact Our Future

This entry was posted in Locks and tagged , on by .

History Of Locks And How They Will Impact Our FutureLocks and keys form part of our everyday lives, but how often do we stop to think about them? Most of the time they exist only in the background, until something happens to them and we can’t access our stuff. The other time we think about locks is when our security has been breached and someone has damaged or destroyed our things, or taken them outright. All of these scenarios point to the importance of locks in our lives.

A Brief History Of Locks

Locks have been around for thousands of years. From the time the first human had something worth keeping, they were looking for a way to keep that item secure.

The first evidence of a lock designed to keep something secured dates to about 6,000 years ago. It was fashioned in Mesopotamia, which today is made up of modern Iraq, as well as parts of Syria, Iran and Turkey. A wooden pin lock was used during this time to keep possessions secured, as well as a means of keeping track of who was coming and going

First Pin Lock

Modern-day Iraq is also the birthplace of the pin lock. Archaeologists discovered a basic lock and key system while on a dig at the Palace of Khorsabad in the 1800s. The find dates to 4000 BC and its wooden design shares some basic similarities with modern locks.

Here’s how it worked: Pins of different lengths inside the lock mechanism would stop the door from opening unless the correct key was inserted in the lock. Only the correct key would push the pins up and move the wooden bolt holding the door securely in place could be pushed out of the way.

Development Of Metal Locks

Metal was first used to fashion locks using the same basic design developed in ancient times during the Middle Ages. Locks had a keyhole with a cylinder on their far end. The keyhole featured a series of wards, or concentric plates, that would be able to block a key from turning unless it had the correct pattern of notches to match they pattern or wards. If the key turned freely, it would engage the bolt when turned.

Modern Locksmithing Is Born

The Industrial Age of the 1760s saw power-driven machines replacing hand tools. During this period in history, Robert Barron patented a double-acting lever tumbler lock. His design required between two and four separate levers to lift to separate heights in order for a lock to be opened. These locks were more secure than anything on the market to date, but they could still be picked.

In 1784, Joseph Bramah patented his design for a lock that is still in use in London today. It uses a cylindrical key to press a number of wafers inside the locking device. The correct key hits the wafers and will retract the bolt.

Inventors like Chubb and Schlage improved upon these lock designs, adding their own innovations. Linus Yale, Jr. added the flat grooved key with a notched edge that we are all familiar with for residential locks.

The Future Of Locks

Our need for security has not gone away, but the way we keep things secure is ever-evolving. The future of locks will likely involve doing away with a physical key, which can be used by anyone who has access to it and can become lost.

Instead, digital locks are becoming more popular. We already have locks that can be programmed to use passwords, codes or fingerprints for authentication methods. Facial recognition software is now available to open some doors. Lock companies are also experimenting with technology that will allow you to open a lock with your smartphone or the sound of your voice.

In the meantime, you can trust Locksmith Sarasota for all your residential and commercial locksmith needs. Call us today if you want to replace or update your existing locks.

4th Of July Celebrations In Sarasota, FL!

This entry was posted in Local Events and tagged on by .

4th of July - LocksmithSarasotaAll of us at Locksmith Sarasota want to wish you and your family a happy 4th of July! We’ve selected a few events around town to help you plan your celebrations this year. Everything from live music, activities for the kids, excellent food, and of course – fireworks! We haven’t listed everything you can do around town but we’ve put together a list that has a little bit of something for everyone. Happy 4th of July, Sarasota!

July 4th Events In Sarasota And Bradenton

10th Annual Firecracker 5K Run-North Port

Get your blood flowing this 4th of July with the 10th Annual Firecracker 5k run in North Port. The flat, 3.1 mile race is a great way to start off the celebrations on the 4th. The race is well-marked and has a water stations on the course so you can stay hydrated. Entrance fees are $20 for early registration and goes up to $30 on race day. Prizes are handed out immediately following the race. Register and race at the Morgan Family Community center at 6207 W. Price Blvd., North Post. Arrive early for registration, the race begins at 7:30 AM.

10th Annual Firecracker 5K Run-North Port

Selby Gardens’ All American Barbecue And Independence Day Celebration

BBQ and summer go together like Florida and humidity, you just can’t separate one from the other! Selby Gardens’ All American Barbecue is the place to be this 4th for family-friendly fun and the best BBQ for a thousand miles. The Pit-Masters this year will be Michael’s On East, Polo Grill/Fete Catering, Southern Smoke BBQ, Bricks BBQ, and La Dona Donuts. Live music from the Lauren Mitchell Band will get you in the mood to chow down and celebrate America’s birthday. Bring the kids too, because they will have a whole bunch of fun things just for them to do, too. And of course, fireworks over Sarasota Bay to top off the evening.

811 S. Palm Ave, Sarasota. Fun starts at 6PM and runs until 10PM. Tickets are available at $30 for members, $35 for non-members, and FREE for kids 11 and under.

Selby Gardens’ All American Barbecue and Independence Day Celebration

Fireworks By The Bay Of Sarasota: Island Park

Looking for something a little more relaxed and centered on fireworks? Well bring your chairs, blankets, and coolers down to Bayfront Park and Island Park and grab a spot to watch the show, which starts at 9 PM. The fireworks are visible from anywhere in downtown too, so if you want to shop and grab a drink, don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see the show over the bay.

Fireworks by the Bay of Sarasota

Fireworks Over The Manatee River: Bradenton & Palmetto

The City of Palmetto will be putting on a spectacular fireworks show, beginning at 9 PM. The fireworks can be viewed from both sides of the Manatee River, and downtown Bradenton. Grab the family, bring some chairs and blankets, your cooler full of food and refreshments, and head down to the Manatee River Walk for a great spot for the whole family.

Fireworks over the Manatee River: Bradenton & Palmetto

South Venice Jetty And Fireworks Festival

The Venice Beach area has some great viewing spots for the fireworks displays, but be sure to arrive early as thousands will line the beaches. And if you own a boat – you’ll want to arrive early as well to snag a good spot to anchor. The fireworks are launched from the south end of Venice Jetty, so anywhere on Venice Beach, anchored in the Gulf, or in the Intercoastal Waterway, are good vantage points. Fun starts shortly after 9:00 PM.

South Venice Jetty and Fireworks Festival

26th Annual Siesta Key Fireworks

The Siesta Key fireworks show is one of the most popular 4th of July events in Florida. When the weather’s good crowds of twenty to thirty-thousand people are common! The fireworks display is put on from the north end of the volleyball courts, so good spots for viewing are anywhere south of the volleyball courts along crescent beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. If you have a boat, pilot it over to the area and you have one of the best seats in the house, too! The fun starts at 9 PM, but arrive early for good spots.

26th Annual Siesta Key Fireworks

Anna Maria Island Fireworks

Weather-permitting, this will be the 30th Annual Sandbar Restaurant Fireworks Spectacular on Anna Maria Island. Located at 100 Spring Avenue on the north end of the Island, the Sandbar Restaurant will host a VIP party around 9 PM with cocktails, a buffet, party favors, and music. Grab a seat on the beach and enjoy the show!

Anna Maria Island Fireworks

Locksmith Sarasota wishes you a happy and safe 4th of July and holiday weekend. Remember to celebrate responsibly and not to drink and drive.

If you do lock your keys in your car, give Locksmith Sarasota a call, 24/7. We will get you on back on track, fast!

Smart Home Security Just Got Better With Facial Recognition

This entry was posted in Residential and tagged on by .

Home Security Facial RecognitionIf you believe your home is your castle, you’ll want to make sure that you keep it safe and secure, even when you aren’t at home. With the development of modern home security technology, you can rest assured that your home will be closely monitored all the time with facial recognition

Security systems have evolved to the point that it’s possible to buy a camera that cannot immediately be recognized as a recording device. You can hide it in plain sight in your home. These types of devices have sleek, modern designs that make them appear similar to hi-tech speakers. A casual observer would not guess that they are, in fact, a type of input device for a method of keeping your home safe.

Self-Contained Units For Peace Of Mind

These types of systems are self-contained, but they do require a constant source of power in order to run. You will need a USB cable for this purpose. Since they need constant power, you will have some limitations where to set up the camera.

You can use your smartphone to sync coverage, which means you can monitor what is going on in your home from just about anywhere. If you want to check in on your home from the office, on your daily commute, while you are doing errands or any other time of day, you have the flexibility to do so at your convenience. To store the footage taken from the surveillance camera, all you need is a MicroSD card.

Easy To Set Up Your Facial Recognition System

The best place to aim the camera is toward the front door to your home or a main entry point. You can download monitoring apps for iOS or Android phones or tablets.

You will need to enter your WiFi information into the app in order to have it create a timeline of events. This timeline will be trigger by movement in your home and whether it has seen a face that it “recognizes” before.

When a recognition occurs, you will receive a facial recognition notification on your cell phone. Depending on the app, you may receive captured footage or a live feed. There will be a slight delay (usually a few seconds) from the time the activity is recorded to the time you receive the notification on your phone.

System Does Have Drawbacks

The system is helpful, but it is not flawless. There is no battery backup available, for example. If the power to your home is cut, you will no longer have access to the camera. A burglar could cut the cord to the camera, and you would be left without this security measure. If you lose power to your home, then the system wouldn’t work either.

Although Locksmith Sarasota doesn’t offer facial recognition services. Check out Netatmo if your interested in adding this security to your home. We do offer a wide variety of quality home security services. To find out more about your options regarding a home security system, consult with a licensed locksmith. They can look at your needs and recommend a solution that is right for you.

Benefits Of A Mobile Locksmith

This entry was posted in Automotive, Locks and tagged on by .

Mobile LocksmithMost of us are familiar with going to a hardware store to get a key copied from time to time. If you need the services of a locksmith, there may be times when having someone come to your location would be preferable.

Benefits Of Calling A Mobile Locksmith

 

Fast Response Time

If you find yourself locked out of your home or office, can’t find your car key or it has broken off in the ignition, you’ll want to get help right away. All of these are very stressful situations, and you don’t want to put your, or anyone else’s safety at risk. A mobile locksmith can be dispatched to your exact location as soon as you call, and you will not have to wait long before a professional will arrive to provide assistance.

Available 24 Hours A Day/Seven Days A Week

Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are locked out of your home, office or car, you don’t have to be concerned about being stuck if the problem occurs outside of regular business hours. Just call the mobile locksmith for help.

Have Equipment To Deal With Variety Of Situations

Mobile locksmiths’ vans are fully stocked with tools and equipment to deal with a variety of situations. The locksmith arrives at your home, office or wherever your car is parked able to deal with your issue, and without having to wait for any parts to arrive.

Mobile Locksmiths Can Perform Several Types Of Services

If you need to contact a mobile locksmith for an emergency lockout, or you need to have your lock rekeyed, installed or replaced, you can get all of these services from the same provider. Mobile locksmiths can come to you and provide prompt, professional services for your security needs. They can also provide information about and installation of digital and electronic lock systems.

Locksmith Sarasota is your mobile locksmith choice in Sarasota, Florida. As a family-owned and operated business, we understand how important it is to keep your family and your property secure. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, and respond to calls in 25 minutes or less. Call us now!