Blog - Toowoomba Locksmiths

SALTO Systems – Access Control

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 04:12:00 GMT

SALTO Systems – Access Control

With its headquarters in Spain, SALTO now has offices in 24 countries worldwide. SALTO access control solutions can be found in over 90 countries on more than 2 million doors.

Mechanical key management can be costly, insecure and a hassle. Upfront costs of replacing master keys, drilling out locks, plus indirect costs like maintenance can often add up depending on the age of the lock.

SALTO eliminates a lot of these issues as there is no hardware replacement when keys are lost. It can reduce maintenance costs by having better control of important information like battery status etc. An internal operator can quickly and easily implement the access plan updates on the system to ensure the safety of the building. There is no rush to organise a locksmith to attend to rekey the whole system if a fob is lost, simply delete user.

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SALTO has developed a wide range of innovative products such as the SALTO Virtual Network and XS4 access control platform, while their electronic escutcheons, wall readers and on-line and off-line control units now control security access for a growing range of end-users from Airports to Hospitals, Banks to Government Buildings and Universities to Hotels.

Toowoomba Locksmiths would like to introduce the new technology and way of access contr

SALTO Systems

With its headquarters in Spain, SALTO now has offices in 24 countries worldwide. SALTO access control solutions can be found in over 90 countries on more than 2 million doors.

Access Control System

SALTO provides the flexibility for an access control system to grow from a small number of doors and users to a large number of doors and users as required.

Security measures in universities and schools need to be vigorous and effective but inconspicuous. Parents need to trust educational institutions to look after their children, so it is vital that they provide effective 24/7 security and ensure both students and staff are safe and protected at all times.

This is especially true in a campus housing environment, where many of the students are living away from home for the first time. Building entrances, classrooms, lecture rooms, libraries, laboratories, staff rooms, sports centres, student housing and more can all be protected by smart access control that allows access to specific rooms or areas for selected periods only, with doors auto locking at prespecified times as necessary. And, if required, you can also incorporate special features that enable classrooms and facilities to be quickly locked down during a security or other emergency event.

Our Experience with SALTO

Last year Toowoomba Locksmiths installed a SALTO system onto two buildings for a local school, this gave them the possibilities of testing the system and then slowly upgrading the system onto other buildings and eventually the whole school. We have had nothing but praises from the school on how easy it is to use and the functionality of it all. Staff members just carry a circle fob about the size of a 50-cent piece on their lanyards and it gives them easy access into multiple doors. There is also the availability of swipe cards and in phone access.

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

If you have any questions about SALTO, or would even like a demonstration or quote please don’t hesitate to call the friendly team at Toowoomba Locksmiths .

What you didn’t know about locksmiths

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 03:57:00 GMT

What you didn’t know about locksmiths

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Becoming a locksmith requires extensive training and skill, and most people don’t even think about locksmiths until they require one.

When you hire a locksmith, you want to feel safe and trust the person who is assisting to gain entry into your house or vehicle and rekeying your locks. You can sometimes feel nervous putting trust into a stranger but locksmiths endure extensive training that not only just gives them knowledge but also scrutinize the apprentices for trustworthiness.

What you didn’t know about locksmiths

To be a fully qualified locksmith you have had to complete a 4-year apprenticeship participating in theoretical and practical learning through Technical and Further Education (TAFE). During their apprenticeship locksmiths learn how to fit, pick locks and cut keys, they learn everything from electronic locking solutions, security access like alarms and security cameras as well as automotive locks, keys and safes.

Toowoomba Locksmiths

Here at Toowoomba Locksmiths, all our locksmiths hold a security providers licence. To apply and hold a security licence you must undergo a criminal history check and must be fingerprinted by the Queensland Police Service. Locksmiths also work with the Police, Fire and Ambulance services. Locksmiths are often called to assist with welfare checks and assist with the opening door when criminal activity is suspected in a facility.

Locksmiths also have access to selected products that the general public may not have access to. It is always best to contact a locksmith if you are looking for a specific lock or would like some advice on locks. Locksmiths are security experts and can steer you in the right direction on what lock is best for your needs and which will have the best security and longevity.

Our Services

Locksmiths not only work with locks and keys but also safes. In our Toowoomba Locksmith shop, we have plenty of safes on display, from brand new to old refurbished safes. We have access to different suppliers that stock a wide range of Gun Safes, Key Safes and Domestic and Commercial safes. Locksmiths are going to stock and supply the best quality safes, any generic safe from a hardware store may not be very secure compared to a safe locksmith have access to and supplies.

Locksmithing is also an ancient skill and profession, some say it may date back to the Egyptian era 4,000 years ago. The first locks and keys were made out of wood until the 1700’s when metal locks became the standard.

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

Contacting a locksmith to assist with any lock fitting, key cutting and any security issues is the best path in making sure your house and belongings are secure. Contact the knowledgeable team at Toowoomba Locksmiths .

What to Consider When Purchasing a Safe

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 03:31:00 GMT

What to Consider When Purchasing a Safe

Security Safes Vs Fire-Resistant Safes

Generally, there are two different types of safes, security safes and fire-resistant safes. A fire resistant safe is entirely dedicated to protect papers in the event of a fire. The insulation releases moisture when exposed to heat keeping the temperature low and stopping the paper from catching a light. The other is theft resistant safes also known as security safes. These safes are designed to protect against theft, but it is also vital to know these safes are intruder proof. There are also safes that specialise in having both security and also having a certain amount of fire rating time.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Safe.

When purchasing a safe it is important to consider what you are wanting to store and protect. Items like jewellery, cameras and personal documents like a passport should be kept in a decent security safe. Where as records and wills should be kept in a fire resistant safe.

Often enough when researching a safe or talking with a locksmith they will mention a cash rating. A cash rating is the level of cover that an underwriter, insurance company, will give to the contents of the safe, a cash rating is therefore also a very good indication of the security level of the safe, the higher the rating, the more security is offered . Your insurance company can also advise you on what cash rating they require to provide you with coverage.

Affordable Safes

The price of a safe can often scare people away from purchasing a good quality safe, while there are cheaper safes, they can also be nasty and not reliable. It is important to remember a safe is an investment not a purchase and if you purchase a good quality safe can last years and be passed down through the generations. You will also need to think about the size of the safe, depending on what you are wanting to store in the safe will help you decide. But please keep in mind if you buy small and down the track find more things you would like to protect you may have run of out space. It is better to buy a slightly larger safe in the beginning to allow room for of growth of your personal items.

Fire Resistant Safes

Location of a safe is also a major factor that goes into purchasing a safe. How much space do you have in your desired location? Can your floor support the weight of the safe? Can your safe be bolted to the floor? Toowoomba Locksmiths also recommend to bolt down your safe, this ensures that a home intruder can not just pick up your safe and run in a hurry. A safe bolted to the floor will deter an intruder as it takes time to open the safe and unbolt it from the ground.

If you are unsure where the best place to install a safe is, it is always best to ask a professional. They will be able to tell you if your floor is concrete or timber and how the installation of the safe would proceed. Toowoomba Locksmiths do offer the installation of safes and can install a safe without hassle.

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

Come in, visit the team at Toowoomba Locksmiths , they have a wide range of safes in their showroom and more that can be ordered from their suppliers.

Security Cameras – Wireless vs Hard-wired?

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 06:18:00 GMT

Security Cameras – Wireless vs Hard-wired?

Posted by admin in CCTV, Home Security | 0 comments

When deciding on security cameras, there is always the debate between hard-wired or wireless.

Toowoomba Locksmiths always recommend hard-wired and here’s why –

A hard-wired security camera system conveys data to the NVR (recording device) and monitoring system via a cable. This system may take a little longer to set up, but in the end, it has various benefits compared to the wireless systems.

Security Cameras

Security Cameras – Wireless vs Hard-wired

As the hard-wired systems are connected to an NVR, they can store a lot more data. A wireless cameras system, only has a sim and SD card to store data on. The hard-wired systems also have a better picture quality, as they do not have to run on radio frequency. Criminals will have difficulties trying to jam hard-wired security cameras compared to a wireless system which runs on a radio frequency. To interfere with a hard-wired system, a criminal would have to cut the cord running directly to the camera which is a very hard task as it is typically in the roof and walls.

Compared to a wireless system where a routine battery change is vital to have the camera recording 24/7, the hard-wired systems are powered by a cord. But what happens when your power is out? Don’t fret you can purchase a backup battery to power your cameras if you were to have a power outage. This allows the camera to still record data and store it on the NVR.

A hard-wired system is also ideal for all home types, no matter how big or small. You can have from 2 to 10 plus cameras on a hard -wired system.

There is also the option to view the hard-wired security cameras on a tv, computer and smartphone. With the flexibility to watch what is happening on holidays and while a work. You can always feel safe your house is being protected.

Hard-wired security camera

Hard-wired security camera systems are also the best options for business, with needing to reach multiple angles of a space and have the reliability for over the weekend and night when the store is empty.

No you know why we recommend the hard-wired option. Contact Toowoomba Locksmiths now to organise your quote!

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:46:00 GMT

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

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We are your local locksmiths in Toowoomba, and have been operating for over 26 years. As a locally owned company, we pride ourselves in serving and protecting our local community. Our Toowoomba Locksmiths team is committed to ensuring the protection and security of businesses, schools and homes all around the region.

At Toowoomba Locksmith we offer a range of services to meet all your locksmithing needs. We supply commercial and residential locks as well as fit them. We can supply timber, glass and security door locks. As well as garage door locks and remotes, window locks and padlocks.

As your local locksmith in Toowoomba we also offer the service of restricted and Masterkey systems. These locks allow you to have security, as restricted keys are only allowed to be cut at a locksmith that holds the system ensuring copies of key can’t be made without permission.

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

Safes are also our passion at Toowoomba Locksmiths, our safe techs have a keen interest in restoring & selling old and new safes. We have a wide range of old restored bank and personal safes as well as new fireproof, high security and gun safes available in store.

Locksmiths in Toowoomba

As a local locksmith in Toowoomba we also have multiple mobile locksmiths available to conduct work onsite, well-stocked vans with many different products as well as key cutting facilities we are sure to meet all your needs.

Contact or visit us today ! Toowoomba Locksmiths is based at 6 Neil Street, located close to the CBD in Toowoomba. Just past Chalk Drive in a red building we are located central from all parts of the Darling Downs. You can also contact one of our dedicated staff by calling 07 4632 6060 or emailing us on info@toowoombalocksmiths.com.au

where your security is our business

Step N Pull – Contactless Door Opener

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:11:00 GMT

Step N Pull – Contactless Door Opener

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Step N Pull Contactless door openers are the best way to reduce the spread and transmission of germs and diseases. With the Covid19 pandemic, these are the best way to ensure that you are safe from many of the germs that can be spread on door handles especially on bathroom and toilet doors.

Step N Pull – In action

The Step N Pull is a contactless door opener that is secured to the bottom of a door and can be easily opened with your foot allowing you to keep germ free. Schools, shopping centres, and businesses are often high traffic areas, with a lot of surfaces being touched by customers, staff, and students. One of these high traffic areas is the bathroom and toilet door handles on swinging doors, the Step N Pull can limit the contact made to these areas and reduce the spread of germs.

To combat the spread of the germs, Toowoomba Locksmiths have recently started to supply a contactless door opener – The Step N Pull.

A lot of people will use some paper towel to pull the door open, a contactless door opener doesn’t just stop the spread of germs, but can also limit you carbon footprint but limiting the amount of paper towels used to open doors.

Locksmith in Toowoomba

The Step N Pull, is also easy to install and any handyman or maintenance person can install. However, the team at Toowoomba Locksmiths can also assist with the install. Secured to the bottom of non-latching timber or metal doors they are a great alternative to create a safer space.

Step N Pull

It is also very easy to use! As you approach the door, position your body as though you were going to use the door handle, press down just enough to gain traction, and pull your foot and leg back as though you were taking a step. Simply step and pull!

Are security and CCTV cameras worth it?

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 07:13:00 GMT

Are security and CCTV cameras worth it?

Posted by admin in CCTV | 0 comments

Are security and CCTV cameras worth it

You cannot have your eyes looking over your home 24/7, this is where home CCTV cameras come in. Security cameras are designed to be looking at all angles of your property all day and all night to protect you and your home from vandals and intruders. Cameras will deter any suspicious people from your home, as it is clear evidence that can be used against them. Authorities consider video footage recorded by security cameras to be valid evidence of crime. Security cameras can therefore help your case in the courtroom. CCTV cameras on a home have proven that burglars/intruders are likely less to target a house with cameras. If a burglar noticed surveillance cameras 50% of offenders said they would not continue the robbery and run.

Home Security Cameras Options

There are so many different options of home security cameras, it can be very overwhelming. If you talk to the right people, they can assist you in choosing the best option for your home. The main two home security options are wireless cameras and CCTV (closed circuit television) systems. Wireless systems are a cheaper way to keep an eye on your property, but sometimes aren’t the most reliable. We would prefer to install a CCTV system; these systems are hard wired and use an NVR (network video recorder) that is a lot more reliable with footage and tampering. The CCTV systems can be tailored for everyone’s different situations, they are also outdoor friendly. The cameras are built to withstand vandalism and severe weather conditions.

CCTV for Businesses

Security cameras systems are also worth installing for a business. Small businesses need to have surveillance systems to protect their inventory, technology, and employees. Small business security systems usually include several cameras, which makes them more complicated than typical home security systems.

Every business has customers walking through the door, browsing at your products and basically have free reign of the store. Sometimes they can get out of the view of the employees and steal items as they know you can’t see them. A security camera system allows people to capture the people who come into your store with bad intentions. The footage can sometimes allow you to identify the thief’s and get your products back.

Break in often enough happen at night when no one is in the store and a camera can again help identify the intruder and assist the police in their investigations.

When you next get a Toowoomba locksmith to your home, ask them to have a look around your exit and entry points of your property to identify weak security points and any lock or padlock upgrades that may be needed.

Can I Purchase Garage Door Remote Replacements?

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:41:00 GMT

Can I Purchase Garage Door Remote Replacements?

Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments

Replacing an old garage door remote can sometimes be daunting as there are some many different garage door remote replacements, but if you have the right information it isn’t actually that hard.

Can I Purchase Garage Door Remote Replacements

How to Replace Garage Door Remote

The easiest way to replace a garage door remote is if you have the old remote you are wanting to replace. Most of the time in this case, we are just able to look at the part number and brand to recommend the replacement that will work with your garage door motor.

If you are unable to supply a current garage door remote, we can then sometimes find some information on your garage door motor to help assist us. We are able to search the serial number or part number on your motor to find a new garage door remote.

Universal Garage Door Remote

There is also the option of purchasing a universal garage door remote. When purchasing a universal garage door remote, it may seem unnecessary to be knowledgeable about the door’s manufacturer, but it’ll avoid unneeded frustration it’ll determine if the replacement remote is compatible with your garage door. Universal remotes are able to be used with most motors, so it is an easy way to achieve a new garage door remote replacement without the hassle.

Missing or Stolen

A missing or stolen garage door remote is serious, but it isn’t something that should send you into a panic. If you are proactive and take necessary steps to prevent a thief from using the remote, your home and all your valuables will remain protected. Many homeowners assume that if a garage door remote is lost or stolen, they have to replace the entire automatic garage door opener.

They don’t have to do that. All automatic garage door openers have a disable feature that allows you to completely deprogram all remotes for a specific garage. Once the remotes are deprogrammed, they will not open the garage door. you will just need to reprogram the garage door remotes back. Moving to a new home ?

This can be diagnosed by contacting any of the knowledgeable staff at Toowoomba Locksmiths .

Security Surveys – Don’t be caught out when you least expect it

Is my sliding door lock secure?

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Is my sliding door lock secure?

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Sliding glass door detail and rail embed in floor

Is my sliding door lock secure?

Sliding glass doors and French doors are a beautiful addition to any home. Most people love the natural light and views their sliding glass doors and French doors let in, but sometimes it’s those very views that make the doors unsafe. They offer a wide-ranging look into your home so anyone can see what you have and what might be worth taking. That is why it is vital you have secure and a good quality sliding door lock.

A sliding glass door lock often is just a small latch that hook onto a piece of metal in the door’s frame. These latches are generally operated by moving a small lever and are extremely easy to open. There are steps you can take to ensure the security on your aluminium sliding door locks are up to standard. Often enough a sliding door lock is just locked with a snib or small turn lever, you can in most cases install a new lock that is locked with a key this can provide some extra security on your sliding glass door lock.

Patio Bolt

Another option is to install a patio bolt, they are locks that can be attached at the top or bottom of the door. These key-operated locks have pins/bolts that slide into the floor or upper door frame and keep the door from sliding, even if the sliding glass door lock is damaged etc.

Screen Door

Aluminium sliding door

Aluminium sliding door locks can also be found on sliding screen doors. This is also an alternate option to ensure security on your home. A screen door adds an extra layer of security before your average sliding door lock on a glass door.

It is always recommended to lock your sliding door locks with a key, this is an easy step that can taken to provide that little bit of extra security. Locking your doors with keys instead of just the snib or lever can eliminate people poking holes in your screens or opening your doors by reaching around some glass they may have broken.

It is easy to mistake a broken Screen Door Lock with a repairable fault. The best way to establish if you need a new security lock or if the lock can be repaired is to contact one of the Knowledgeable locksmiths at Toowoomba Locksmiths .

What are the different types of door locks?

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:25:00 GMT

What are the different types of door locks?

Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments

There sometimes can be a lot of confusion with all the different types of door locks . There are a few of variations and capabilities of locks for front doors, glass sliding doors and security screen door locks.

Types of Door Locks

Locks can vary with depending on what door you have. Front door lock types can be overwhelming. The most common front door lock type is just a standard knob set or lever set. These are used to latch your door shut and provide one locking point. Recently we have found that a lot of our customers are wanting extra security on their timber door locks, we recommend installing a deadbolt. A deadbolt can provide an extra locking point on your door, it puts a solid bolt into the door frame and cannot be jimmied opened.

Security screen door

Security screen door locks are a very important part of the security of a home. These door locks are the first barrier to a home. Security screen door locks allow you to have a secure home, but still allow you to have fresh air following through your house. These door locks are sometimes the most used door in your home, if you think about it every time you want to enter your house you have to open the screen door whether or not the timber door is open or closed. If you wanted extra security on these door locks you can sometimes install a triple lock kit onto your screen doors.

Triple locks on a security screen have three points of locking on the door. One bolt at the top, bottom and middle, when all three of these locking points are locked a screen door can be very hard to pry open. Want to Learn more about home security. Click Here

There are a lot of different types of door locks but a knowledgeable locksmith will know all the front door lock types as well as the different security screen door locks and will be able to assist and guide you to the right door locks you require.

Got questions about your locks? Let us help you

Door locks|Broken locks

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 04:52:00 GMT

Door locks|Broken locks

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Unfortunately, door locks weren’t made to last forever. Eventually, all door locks will break depending on the quality.

Door Lock

When a door lock breaks it could be crucial that you fix it as soon as you can. A broken door lock can compromise the security of a property as it isn’t functioning to its full capability.

You may need to replace a broken lock or sometimes you can just repair your lock. As locksmiths in Toowoomba, we carry a lot of spare parts for locks in our service vans and workshop. Or replacement locks where required. There are a lot of little moving parts inside a lock, occasionally there is just one simple broken part stopping it all from working together.

A common occurrence in a lot of older style homes, especially in Toowoomba where we have stunning Colonial and Queenslander homes, is building or house movement. The foundations of a house can often move and shift causing a door to not meet up with the striker plate on the frame of the door. Weather can also play a major part in house movement, colder months versus summer months there is always a slight adjustment in the ground. All these causes can give the user the impression that they have a broken lock but this may not be the case . This can be a simple fix where a locksmith can make an adjustment to the part that the lock actually locks into.

broken door lock

A factor of a broken door lock could also be that it is faulty. Sometimes there are faults in the manufacturing of the lock, there are a lot of moving parts that make a lock work. If one of those small parts isn’t doing it job correctly it can cause the whole lock to not work. Depending on the situation it could cost more for a locksmith to pull apart the lock and try fixing the broken lock.

Many people would worry that if their lock cannot be repaired, they will have to buy a new lock that might not match the rest of the doors on the house or business premises. There are plenty of options on the market that you will be able to source the exact same or very similar fitting lock. Toowoomba Locksmiths have a number of suppliers with all different products, the chance of not finding what you are after for a replacement lock is slim to none.

Matching New Lock

The new lock could also be changed so it can match a current key for your house. This just involves the lock being taken apart and the internals of the lock being rearranged, for example: the same key will operate both the front and back door. This eliminates having a different key for every door in your house, it is one universal key.

Garage Door Remotes | Garage door

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 04:19:00 GMT

Garage Door Remotes | Garage door

Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments

Whether you have a roller door remote, tilt-a-door remote, or a panel lift, all Garage door remotes come in a huge range of brands and frequencies. It is imperative that you choose the correct remote for your motor and receiver, purchased from a reputable stockist. Buying Garage Door Remotes online can be costly if the incorrect remote is selected for your requirements.

Adding and deleting Garage Door Remotes can be a simple process, and providing the correct remote is selected it can be a DIY job to reprogram. Or for peace of mind have a trained technician from Toowoomba Locksmiths to clear your receiver’s memory and add remotes as necessary.

Garage door

The Garage door is often overlooked when changing locks on your property which can mean anyone carrying old remotes may have unauthorised access to your home or garage. Be sure you know who holds remotes for your garage door – Old tenants or property owners, unwanted family members or old tradespersons may have these garage remotes and could potentially access your property without your knowledge.

Deleting old remotes is Easy and highly recommended whenever you are unsure who may have remotes, anytime you move into a new home, or if someone you know has a remote unlawfully.

Remotes can operate a large range of openers. For instance, Roller door remotes, tilt-a-door remotes, panel lift remotes, and even some auto gates, could possibly all use the same remote. Selecting the right remote means you could have one remote that operates different garage doors and gates without having to carry more than one remote.

If your remote is no longer working it can be due to a few reasons:

The battery is old and may need replacing
Sometimes there may be an issue with the receiver or motor
You may simply need a new remote if there is an internal fault

This can be diagnosed by contacting any of the knowledgeable staff at Toowoomba Locksmiths .

Security screen and Security Door Locks

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 03:44:00 GMT

Security screen and Security Door Locks

Posted by admin in Home Security | 4 comments

Security screen, commonly known as screen door locks are often the most heavily used doors in your home. Each time your main door is used the security screen is often used as well. Not only do they offer additional security to your home when locked in conjunction with your main glass or timber door but they offer the ability to secure your home while still offering fresh air to flow through.

There are 4 main brands of security Screen door locks commonly used in the Toowoomba Region, these are Whitco, Lockwood, Doric and Austral . Toowoomba locksmiths stock a wide range of these brands for both Sliding Security Screens and Hinged Security Screens. Whitco and Lockwood are the most common and longest used brand of Security Door Locks and although are no longer manufactured in Australia are still both high quality and affordable. It is important the correct brand and model is selected to ensure smooth replacements and correct security requirements.

If your Security Screen Door Lock stops working, there can be many reasons for this. Like any mechanical item, Security Door locks are not designed to last forever however with care and servicing, you can be sure they will keep your home secure for many years. There can be many reasons why your Security Door Lock has stopped working, these can include but are not limited to:

Reasons your Security Screen Door Lock May stop working

Ground movement causing the lock to no longer meet its strike correctly
Attempted or successful break-in
Incorrect fitting
A build-up of dust or foreign objects either inside the lock
More commonly inside the hole in the frame of the door

If you are replacing one of your screen doors locks and want to use the same key with the new lock, this can usually be easily achieved as the cylinder can most commonly be removed from the old lock and work well in the New Security Lock.

Why you should change locks on your house

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 02:47:00 GMT

Why you should change locks on your house

Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments

Meet the Team

Have you recently had concerns about the security of your house, but don’t have the funds for replacement locks?

A common misconception to house owners is that to change locks on their house, the only option is replacement locks. However, you don’t have to replace the whole lock to maintain confidence that your house is secure, simply rekey your lock cylinders.

Changing locks may seem like a large and expensive task but actually, for a knowledgeable locksmith, it is quite fast and efficient. Changing lock barrels is significantly cheaper than replacing locks as you can reuse the lock handle etc. We simply just take apart the lock, adjust and rearrange parts inside ensuring the old keys will no longer work and therefore be able to unlock the door. A new set of keys are then cut to work with the reconfigured lock on the inside.

Why you should change locks

There are several reasons why you would want to change your locks. We commonly have people contact us when they have their keys lost or stolen. Lost keys may be able to be tracked back to your property, leading to you feeling that your house and family are not secure and safe. We recommend changing locks in this situation to stop any intruders being able to possibly gain access into your property.

Moving into a new house

Moving into a new house maybe another scenario why you might consider changing your lock barrels. You can never be 100% sure that previous owners and tenants have returned all the keys. Builders and subcontractors from a newly built house might be a factor as well. More commonly then not builders and subcontractors would have at some point in time, required keys into your house to perform tasks. Changing the locks will eliminate them from gaining entry later.

Unfortunately, there are also sometimes family break downs in play, with upsetting circumstances. Sometimes a broken family may have some issues where you no longer want to have a family member to have access to your house for whatever reason. Rekeying your locks will eliminate this person being able to access the property with old keys they may still have, ensuring the safety of your family.

Replacing garage remote

Don’t stress about a garage remote in the wrong hands either. A garage remote and motors can be easily reprogrammed. You can eliminate remotes that may be in the hands of someone you wish not to have access. We reprogram the motor to no longer recognise any remotes, then re-introduce the remotes possessed by the homeowner, meaning any old garage remotes that use to work that haven’t been reprogramed will no longer be able to open the garage door.

Got questions about your locks? Let us help you

Security Surveys – Don’t be caught out when you least expect it

Fire Resistant Safes Toowoomba

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 05:14:00 GMT

Fire Resistant Safes Toowoomba

Posted by admin in Safes | 3 comments

There are 3 types of Fire Resistant Safes in the Guardall Safe range and here we will go through them so you can better identify which may meet your current and future needs for better security.

The BFG range is all rounder Fire resistant safe, it is also Grinder proof, the initials stand for Burglar, Fire, Grinder Proof, it is a robust beast and will serve to protect valuables as well as data from fire. The cash rating it offers is a reflection of how well built this safe is, from the thickness of the walls and door, the grade of security it offers and when anchored and supported with an alarm or CCTV system you can inquire with your insurance company how that may increase the cash rating of the safe.

Fire Resistant Safes

offer a fire rating starting from 30 minutes up to 2 hours.

The next range of Fire Resistant Safes are the Data Safes , these are ideal for office/business situations where there is sensitive and valuable data that needs to be secured from theft and fire. They offer a 1hour electronic lock fire rating, which is huge, and a 2hour data and paper fire rating for this range.

The Guardall GD series of data safes are specially designed with a second layer of fire protection to safeguard valuable data storage devices from hazards such as moisture, humidity, heat and magnetic fields.

Guardall Safes FP range Data safes are your small fire safe range, great for the home and personal documents such as passports and sensitive paperwork to be kept secure.

A house fire is over within a very short amount of time, the FP range offers a 30minute rating for fire.

For Guardall Safes to be able to get the fire ratings for their safes, in the initial design phase that Guardall and any safe manufacturer has to go through is similar to this demonstration of a test.

Buying a safe is like buying a home in a way, it is something that you are not going to want to look to replace anytime soon. So make sure you identify the core needs you are looking to satisfy with your safe and whether the one you are looking for meets your needs now and in 10-15 years time. That is usually the lifecycle of buying a good quality safe the first time.

Speak to one of our Security Specialists to help you identify the best security solutions for your home/business.

Why You Should Ask For a Security Survey From Your Locksmith

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 03:58:00 GMT

Why You Should Ask For a Security Survey From Your Locksmith

Posted by admin in CCTV | 7 comments

Security Surveys – Don’t be caught out when you least expect it

If you are security conscious, you may wish for one of our Local locksmiths to visit your home or commercial premises to conduct an in depth security survey which will outline any current flaws in your lock suitability and will highlight our recommendations to improve the overall security of your premises. We can quote for a complete lock overhaul and will take care of all the installation required to fully secure your home or office or warehouse.

Crime Prevention

Crime prevention in Toowoomba is the first step to making your home or office a safer place. For residential properties that are often vacant for long periods, you need to make sure your locks can withstand an attempted break in. We will advise on the latest locking systems available to you whether manual or digital and only use the most trusted and well tested brands on the market. Security is certainly and area where you do not want to cut corners however our locksmiths will work accurately within your stated budget to provide the most cost effective solution.

Offices and warehouses are quite regularly left unattended over weekends and throughout the holidays so security needs to be tight. We can offer expert advice not only on locks but also on digital security systems to best suit your needs and level of protection required. For more information on our security surveys or to book one of our experts, call us today on 07 4632 6060 or use the contact for to your right.

Lock Upgrades

You may require your locks to be upgraded or replaced for many reasons. Perhaps you have been in the unfortunate situation where your property was broken into – our local locksmith is on hand 24 hours a day and will be able to secure your premises and change your locks where required.

If you are moving to a new house, we would always advise that you get your external locks changed the day you move in. Not only for added peace of mind you are the only key holder but also to make sure the locks are up to standard and working properly – one less hassle for you to worry about during the stressful time of moving. Give our locksmith a call today and arrange to have your locks changed the day you move in, here are a few things we can do to upgrade your home security.

Install deadlocks on all external doors and internal door between garage and house.
One key for all your door and window locks.
Install key operated window locks.
Install keyed patio bolts to ranch sliders and French doors.
Make sure all out buildings are secure.
Secure valuable possessions and documents in a safe, that is secured to the wall/floor in a concealed spot in your home.
When you next get a Toowoomba locksmith to your home, ask them to have a look around your exit and entry points of your property to identify weak security points and any lock or padlock upgrades that may be needed.

What Does Cash Rating Mean?

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 07:01:00 GMT

What Does Cash Rating Mean?

Posted by admin in Safes | 0 comments

When you are looking at buying a safe, most specs will involve the cash rating of a safe; $2000 (cheap and nasty safes usually), $5000, $10,000 up to $25,000. A cash rating is the level of cover that an underwriter, insurance company, will give to the contents of the safe, a cash rating is therefore also a very good indication of the security level of the safe, the higher the rating, the more security is offered .

In the UK they are called safe grades, same thing, they go up to Grade 13 and insure for a value of three and a half million pounds. Yes there are safes, strong rooms, that can offer this value of cash rating in Australia.

Image source; Burton Safes

But what most people do not realise, especially if you go to Bunnings or Masters to look at their safes with staff that have a general knowledge about what is in their section, is that this can be improved by installing a supportive system. A supportive system is usually what insurance and safe manufacturers mean to be a CCTV and/or Alarm system.

This Guardall KS2 (business deposit safe)

“Recommended insurable cash rating in an unsupported situation $50000.00”

You will have to speak to your insurance company on what specifications are needed to be met when they say this; self installed system or a system installed by a professional, or even a monitored system which is monitored 24/7 with 3 contacts on the list if the alarm system goes off as well as direct contact with Police services.

There are many levels to security and every home and situation is different.

We have had way too many sad outcomes of people being under covered due to a cash rating of their safe that is below the value of the items stored within them. When this is the case, the insurance company will see that the items were not secured adequately, plus other measures; broken locks, open windows, spare/lost keys used in break in.

To find out how these extra measures can add to your cash rating speak to your insurance agency and others to get an idea within the marketplace of how insurance companies are able to not only provide higher cash ratings but also over premium discounts because you have lowered your security risk.

Remember security is not just one action, it is a building upon small measures which leads to making your home and the valuables; family and high priced pieces, more secure.

Good Quality Gun Safes

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 00:29:00 GMT

Good Quality Gun Safes

Posted by admin in Safes | 3 comments

There are a lot of safes out there, Bunnings sell them, Masters sell them, gun shops sell them, but there are safes and there are safes. Some may offer a great comfort to you just because you have one, but is it secure, does it have a secondary locking system if they manage to damage and open the lock? How much time will it take for someone to break into your safe? This last question is the key, no safe can guarantee 100% security, with time and the right tools every safe is crackable. But a good safe is what buys you the maximum amount of time.

Does it have secondary locking bolts that will not release when it detects the first locking system; the combination lock or key lock has been tampered with?

How thick is the door and sides, does it have cement component in the lining of the sides; this makes grinders useless on them or does it offer a 10mm of higher thickness = more time to cut through?

Is your safe positioned in a space where a crowbar can not be used to leverage the door open?

Is there no swinging room for a sledgehammer? Yes they do, if you are asking whether they would.

There are two types of criminals, the opportunist who does little to no research on your property before attempting a breakin and the professional. If you are targeted by an opportunist and you have a Masters or Bunnings safe for your rifles, guns or ammunition, then you may have a 50/50 chance of keeping your possessions, if they don’t find your safe, if they are disturbed or they are the really stupid kind of opportunist criminals. But…. if you get an opportunist who can scratch two sticks together, forget it, they are gone, in most cases these safes can be broken into in under 5 mins – 10 at a push. There are many videos of kids cracking cheap safes.

Now among the best of the good quality gun safes, we recommend Guardall gun safes.

Guardall Safe range all come with internal carpet to protect your firearms and has a separate ammunition storage compartment in all of the gun safe range. They also sell a small range of ammunition/hand gun safes.

This is the Guardall G2 and it can store up to 7 rifles

the G3 sells for approximately

and G3E for around

The ammunition safes range; variation in sizes to this model

Guardall G4E it holds 8-16 rifles and weighs 224kgs.

Please talk to us, Nathan is the man to ask for, about the gun safe range.

How To Prevent a Break In at Home

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 03:51:00 GMT

How To Prevent a Break In at Home

Posted by admin in Home Security | 1 comments

We never expect to be broken into, we always think that these things happen to other people and honestly we hope you never have to experience a break in. The main comments made by people is that they feel like they have a sense of invasion, that someone they don’t know has gone through their home and things.

Nothing we suggest to you here will guarantee that you won’t be broken into, but it will definitely decrease the possibility of it happening, the main things that amatuer crims are looking for are easy and quick money, so what we offer is deterrants and inhibitors.

How to prevent a Break in top tips;

Cheap doorlocks = quicky entry, so the money you think your saving by buying a cheap lock won’t be worth it in the end, deadlock is what you will need to be insurance compliant so keep that in mind when upgrading your main entry point security.

Sensor lights – anything that reflects human behaviour will scare most amatuers, along with the front door being visible from the street.

Visible security camera – there has been much talk online that even a fake camera will work, and yes it will to a degree and for some people this act alone will be enough of a deterrant. But depending on your security concerns the technology in cameras are increasing and the prices are becoming more competitive. So choose the solution based on your needs.

Spare keys – if you are not interested in having a digital door lock for your home so everyone has their own code, then we have solutions that can allow you to securely hide the spare key. Check out our Key Safes post, these are little iron nuggets, they can try and break into but they will loose. (insert belly laughter)

Security Screens – on both the doors and the windows, especially the ground floor and keep shrubs away from ground floor windows, unless they are thorny, then keep those ones definately.

Dogs – ok so there is a debate on this one, a good guard dog looks scary and does not wag its tail at just about anyone who uses that tone of voice that we all use to say hello to dogs. If they respond like that then your dog will not suffice to be a guard dog. Don’t be fooled by big dogs either they can sometimes be the most gentle, we had a story of how a Doberman not only let a thief in but the thief took his collar for a bit of a cheeky call out. Criminals will assess your dog prior to a break in to determine whether they are a threat.

Neighbourhood Watch – being close to your neighbours is one of the best security measures. They know your habits, the sound of your car, if you are away and help you with your security measures while away. (click image below to go to Toowoomba Police Neighbourhood Watch page.)

Another measure is to keep valuables away from the windows; computers, large TV’s, handbags, things that make your home become a target.

We did a little search around the web to find some other tips from different countries and some were hilarious and we should have kept the link but we were looking for quality. This blog on how to prevent a break in, has some great tips that we haven’t mentioned that may be a worth a read.

Guardall Safes Toowoomba

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 03:31:00 GMT

Guardall Safes Toowoomba

Posted by admin in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Guardall safes are built with premium security and ease of use in mind. The BFG range and the KCR range are the two most secure home safe models in the range; KCR having the highest cash rating of up to $35,000, more with a supported system.

The key thing to consider when buying a safe is to understand what the value of the things you wish to secure are now and for the next 10 years as a safe is a long term solution buy. So it has to have a ‘cash rating’ =’s the value of your products. The well publicised story of the war veteran who put most of his earnings into Gold and then went and bought a $400 Bunnings safe with the cash rating of $4000 for nearly $200,000 worth of Gold Bullion. Which the thieves picked up and took with them and opened it obviously in some remote location at their leisure with no possible way of being tracked. Heartbreaking but true.

So if you have cash, diamonds, watches, documents like; your will, ownership of your home, or items of sentimental value that you store in your safe, take a moment to consider how can I add time to the factor of criminals trying to take my valuables?

a. location of your safe , put it somewhere that won’t be the first thing to mind; main bedroom wardrobes and under the stairs or in the garage are the top 3 locations where safes are stored and criminals are more than aware of that. There are stats, infographics and images all over the web that identifies these facts and even opportunistic criminals will research online to find out these facts. A fixed to the ground or wall safe reduces leverage so thieves can not pry the safe open as easily, great placement is your number one time factor.

b. the quality of your safe is the next biggest factor in the time factor of security; a safe that offers only one form of access; digital or combination lock will make it easy to crack, one with a backup autolock of with bars like the ones above offers excellent reinforcement as it would need a lot of leverage to get into one. The next factor is making it angle grinder proof; yep, a great home reno tool is a regular feature in a semi-professional thief. Noise is not a factor if the value in the safe is high enough and if they have a way of entering and exiting the property without detection = high fences, no dogs, no street lights, your away and you posted it on social media!! Oceans 11 is not an over exaggeration when they used special explosives to access a safe. Albeit it isn’t as common in Australian suburbs in general but again if there is a big enough reward for their risk they will take it.

c. a supported system also known as a CCTV/Alarm system. Either of these will act as a deterrent and also reduce the time spent on site for those who choose to break in anyway.

Security is a long game and if you are always vigilant then you reduce your risk of a break in and increase your insurance pay out if you are broken into. Nothing is an absolute guarantee to prevent break ins, but you can make it is painful and as difficult as possible so that they will go away empty handed and, if they are identifiable, get caught and charged.

d. use your safe properly ; don’t leave your valuables out overnight, get into the habit of putting the items you wish to keep secure. The ease of use that Guardall safes offers allows you the best of both worlds; security but easy access because you still want to use on a regular basis.

Home security measures are one the most increasing factors to convictions in Australia. More and more Queensland and National Police rely on residential security measures to help them convict more criminals and have less unsolved cases than in any other time in our social history. Every little measure counts.

Talk to one of the team about your security concerns.

This is why we think that the Guardall safes Toowoomba Locksmiths offers are the best in Home safes on offer inhouse.

Mobile Locksmith Toowoomba

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 09:43:00 GMT

Mobile Locksmith Toowoomba

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Are you busy and can’t make it into a locksmith or do you have a number of jobs that need doing at home as well some key cutting or replacements. We can do it all when come out to your home or business to cater for all your security needs. We have 3 mobile locksmiths in the mobile locksmith Toowoomba division of our business and our everyday number is also our 24hour number so in any emergency situation ring our land number and one of our technicians will be there to help you out, anytime.

Whether it is emergency or everyday we can help you;

Broken into during the day; rest assured we can get there to change your locks fast, so your security is improved.

Lost your keys; we can cut new keys out on site or we have an accessible store front in Neil St.

Locked yourself outside; we can get you back inside without damaging your existing locks, fast.

Moved house?; need to replace your locks, we can do that the same day.

Our mobile locksmiths are professional, uniformed and skilled in all locksmith service requirements, we always do our best service first time, because we know how important feeling secure is.

Just Been Robbed? What To Do Next.

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 03:28:00 GMT

Just Been Robbed? What To Do Next.

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

What to do when you have just been robbed, here is what we advise our customers to do next.

Call the police and don’t move anything

Get out of the house just in case they are still inside, wait in the car and lock the doors if you are there on your own woman/man.

Police will check for signs of forced entry, finger prints etc…

Find out if any keys have been stolen e.g house keys, car keys, work keys etc…

Call a locksmith and organise them to change the locks as soon as it is possible but this does have to be done after the police have been, you can organise this while the police are at your house or even call the locksmith and let them know you are waiting for police to attend and will need someone straight after (also let the Locksmith know if any other keys have been stolen)

Ask your locksmith for security tips while he is on site (things such as a sticker in your window stating your house is protected by Toowoomba Locksmiths, the best type of lock to suit your door, CCTV cameras etc…) Remember increased security measures lowers your chance of experiencing a break in, it does not guarantee it. Although increased security can give you peace of mind with; correctly positioned security cameras, engraved or documented evidence on and of your valuables = an increased chance of the crims being caught and convicted. Security is a long game, but one that is winnable.

For insurance purposes; do a quick assessment of what is missing, keep the list somewhere you can easily access and add to it as you notice more in the coming days.

Remember all assets can be replaced, people can not.

Cutting Keys From Cylinder Numbers

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 04:01:00 GMT

Cutting Keys From Cylinder Numbers

Posted by admin in Locksmith, re-key | 3 comments

Cutting your keys from cylinder numbers are usually on the lock that is in your door, car etc., many lock manufacturers record the cutting depths and details to enable companies like us to reproduce keys without the need to replace locks. In most cases the key number will be stamped on the front of the lock next to where the key enters, in some cases the number may also be stamped on the original key as well.

The next step we take is to make sure that each key has smooth edges after key cutting, the reasons are as follows;

1. Most commonly finishing the new copy to ensure when the key is used in the lock it does not leave any scores or imperfections on the leavers/detainers inside the lock,

2. If the levers or detainers were to get scored this could result in more than one lever/detainer lifting inside the lock in operation causing a potential lock out situation.

3. The same applies to deburing cylinder type keys or any type of pin tumbler or wafer style lock as swarf (tiny fragments of metal) can get into the lock and cause issues with tolerances or reliability of that lock.

These are actions and practices a licensed locksmith would take as they have a great understanding of what goes on inside the lock once the key is entered. That is why you should always have your keys cut at a professional locksmiths and not the hardware store as the extra measures we take to ensure you keys will not damage your lock will save you in the long term.

While your with us, take just an extra 5 minutes to chat to us, we are full of handy tips that may increase your security measures where you need it. Call Toowoomba Locksmiths today for any key cutting solutions or extra lock security you may require.

Security Doors Toowoomba

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 03:20:00 GMT

Security Doors Toowoomba

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 3 comments

Security door screens are usually installed to offer that extra bit of security when you are home on your own or when someone comes to the front door. But this doesn’t deter break ins especially as opportunistic thieves rely on our complacency of leaving our keys in the door once we get home on the inside after we have locked the door.

There has been a spike of late in Brisbane and out lying areas creeping up to Toowoomba of people cutting through the screen doors to gain access, especially when the keys are left in the door. Security doors can be fitted with a device that offers extra depth and protection around the key area. When we attend break and enters that have either gained accessed via doors or windows, we offer upgrade advice for their situation. One of the key deterrents for security screen breakins is by installing one of the security screen protector ‘ad a guard’ (see final image) which is a plastic sheeting, this extends the security if someone tries to cut the screen to reach in and open the handle, this is a common trick that is used. This extra protection acts as a deterrent to this kind of crime.

A high number of victims (60 per cent) in the ABS research cited a door or window had been damaged or tampered with in attempted break-ins, so it pays to invest in strengthening these defences. A solid core door with a deadlock, for example, is harder to force, grilles and shutters prevent burglars from breaking in through windows, and a peep hole or lockable security screen can help keep burglars out. Alliance; Tips to Secure a Home

Mistakes That Compromise Your Home Security

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 03:21:00 GMT

Mistakes That Compromise Your Home Security

Posted by admin in Home Security | 0 comments

The fact is that criminals are getting more creative in identifying houses that have weak links in their home security not only by what they can see by driving by your home, but also by what you do online, what you talk about out and about and key signs that someone is about to go on holidays or works away from home, and your every day patterns.

Alarm systems, sensor lights, good security screens and not leaving your spare keys in obvious places are all simple steps to upgrading your home security. This all has to be taken into consideration in relation to your neighbourhood, whether you live in a cul de sac or a busy street.

What are the easiest steps you can take to improve your home security?

Sensor lights; solar powered is ideal or hard wired by an electrician.

Security screens without the keys left in them and a security guard on your screen door so the fly screen can not be cut for easy access. Also look at improving the security on the ground floor windows of your home if they do not already have bars on them. Although at a recent security event we were told how some crims cut the bars off to gain access to the home, so it is a networked security solution that is definitely required.

An external/internal alarm/cctv system that allows you to turn on the sensors in the part of the home you are not in, controlled through your smart device; tablet or phone.

Digital Door locks; with custom codes for trades people, visiting extended family members, the kids, with an app notification to your phone which also allows the ability to revoke access anytime.

If you have spare keys for visitors or tradies, consider a Key Safe – link to blog post here.

ALWAYS LOCK YOUR GARAGE; no matter what, lock it. Opportunity = risk.

For security solutions when you are travelling please consider these suggestions;

holiday security tips

The biggest things to remember is, don’t leave things on the front deck or with the windows open (curtains/blinds open) so that opportunists can’t easily identify if your home is a worthwhile risk.

If you have some concerns with your home security, we would love to nut out some solutions that are custom to your lifestyle and location.

Call Nathan and the team at Toowoomba Locksmith, we have an inside view of what is going on in Toowoomba, night and day in regards to security.

Home Security; Kids and Security

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:40:00 GMT

Home Security; Kids and Security

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

As our children grow they get to have more and more responsibility added to their plate to prepare them for not only becoming a teen/young adult but also in providing them with opportunities to develop confidence in themselves. Engaging our kids in more and more of the household daily gigs, gives them the ability to know how to handle different situations in not only home life but in personal life and security as they become more independent.

Every home has different levels of ‘normal’ and we know that transition from child to young adult is differnt for each family. As our children mature, their world is filled less and less with fairies and turtles that can do awesome ninja moves to zombies, boys/girls, getting home on public transport, riding their bikes to and from school or getting a lift with other families. Whatever the situation the time will come when the talk and solution for home security in regards to keeping keys safe, not allowing strangers into the home and the responsibility of having friends over without parents being home. Key and home security is an important conversation and strategy that each family will eventually develop into the smooth running of your household.

As kids have a tendency to overshare in their younger years, which was once an endeering part of being a kid has to take a different perspective as they get grow. This is especially relevant in the context of taking care of the house keys. The beauty of evolutions in industry is that today in the market of Locksmiths and home security there are some super basic solutions up to the digital evolution of home security.

Here are some of our suggestions on key security for your kids and family.

Some solutions in key security;

A well placed key hider/safe which is coded with a 2-4 digital combination that can be kept near the front door and allow your child to have the freedom to let themselves. We have written a blog about Key Safes if you wish to investigate this option further.

Digital Door Lock;

The Kevo Digital lock is installed to easily replace the standard door key, Kevo, Lockwood and other digital security companies are developing digital door locks to piggy back on the growing trend of home automation.

Lockwood Wireless Deadbolt; be aware that the locks that you buy at Bunnings and hardware stores are no where near the quality that we buy for Locksmiths. This lock can be integrated with Z-wave a very popular system in Australia for home automation. The key to digital locks for security for your children, is that every person in your household gets their own code and when that code is entered you will get a text to your phone to notify you that your little version of you has made it home. That is a peace of mind that is worth every bit of your time to look at for an option for home security.

If you are either looking to upgrade your home security, make a system of entry for your kids that will allow you peace of mind please talk to Nathan or the boys at TL and we will give you our advice based on your situation that empower you to make the right decision for home security. We are locksmith nerds and love what we do.

How To Choose The Right Home Safe to Buy.

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:16:00 GMT

How To Choose The Right Home Safe to Buy.

Posted by admin in Safes | 0 comments

[rev_slider bgfsafes]

Each home and reason to buy a home safe and where to put it, how to secure and then of course how to choose the right safe to buy once you have figured all this out. When it comes to choosing the right safe, first you need to understand the current and future value of the goods that you are putting in the safe. This will determine the ‘cash rating’; what the safe is insured to protect, of the safe. Then you will consider other factors like, whether your home is brick or timber, this influences whether you will need a fire rating safe for your home. Please note here; there is only fire resistant, not fire proof safes, most safes are between 30mins to 1 hour at extreme heat, any safe under extended times will not survive.

Coming back to how to choose the right home safe to buy, another consideration is the size you can purchase based on the place and space within your home that you wish to put the safe. Then comes the final consideration, will you install and secure the safe; under a certain weight; 150kgs, the safe must be secured to the floor or wall, if the safe is physically stolen then it will not be considered an adequate enough deterrant by some insurance policies (loophole). A phone call to your insurer will put to bed any of these doubts, although these policies are prone to change over time, it is good to aim for the highest security measures from your particular insurer. We sell floor safes, jeweller grade and collectables safes, grinder proof safes, large, medium and small safes. We can advise you on the best safe for any situation whether it be for your home or business, we also offer installation tips if you wish to install it yourself or we can install it for you to give you extra peace of mind.

Once you are armed with this knowledge, then we at Toowoomba Locksmiths can recommend the right safe for your home.

If you have valuables and collectables to secure then we recommend the BFG range from Guardall safes as they have just released drawer inserts that are such a great extension of this already superior safe. Most of the range has a cash rating of $25, 000. Or for a budget range of safes we have the Chubb safe range which has something for every price rang.

Home CCTV Solutions That You Can Check In On Remotely.

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:22:00 GMT

Home CCTV Solutions That You Can Check In On Remotely.

Posted by admin in CCTV | 1 comments

Home CCTV systems are being pushed more and more by insurance companies in a bid to lower the chance of you making a claim and they reward you for your installation of a home CCTV system, that you can check in on remotely or has a recording facility, by lowering your annual premiums. Although in saying this, the increase in conviction in crimes has increased in Australia with the Federal and State Police attributing this outcome to the use of home CCTV footage. This makes a lot of sense, as criminals are quick to identify government and business security systems and adjust their crimes around that, but to be adept with each homes security systems in the area would be near impossible.

So with this demand there has been an influx of systems that are DIY’s from JB HiFi and JayCar and Ebay, but most times there is a little twist to installing it, this ends up being installed by a locksmith or not properly at all. We get it though, if you are savvy enough to set up the camera system, position the camera and get everything going smoothly on your own these systems are great, the only concern after that would be replacement parts and upgrading of technology. This leads to a long term issue with these systems is that it is tricky for locksmiths to be able to adequately service a store bought alarm/CCTV system and replace parts that will support it, so sometimes (when the main port of the system is compromised) the system may need to be replaced. With our experience in the security industry we have seen a lot of these DIY camera systems come and go.

A product that we have been excited to use is the ABUS CCTV security systems.

We install and service the ABUS 7″/3″ MONITOR & 1xIR DIGITAL WIRELESS CAMERA 2.4GHz; it has a high pixelation in that cameras, can record to an SD card and can be used through an app on your phone or ipad. This system supports a 4 camera usage system that will allow adequate external and internal visibility of your property whilst you are home or away. This system is ideal for private homes, restaurants, offices, and small businesses. This system allows remote access wtih the image and sound being transmitted between the camera and monitor on a secure basis. This excludes the possibility of third parties viewing the images or listening in.

We can install any part of the ABUS security range, for further options for what you may need for your home we have included a link to the main supplier site.

Then contact us to inquire about what would be the best solution for your home or small business.

Features

Complete set consisting of an IR wireless outdoor camera, monitor, and docking station.
Video transmitted using encrypted digital radio.
Compact IP66 outdoor camera with infrared night vision function and 640 x 480 pixel resolution.
7″ colour touch-screen monitor (operates on rechargeable batteries).
Easy to operate.
Mobile access via iPhone, iPad app.
Remote access via LAN using the docking station (battery for monitor charged at the same time).
Can be extended to include up to four wireless cameras (TVAC16010).
ABUS 7″ monitor system; TVAC16000 User Manual

Key Hiders and Key Safes

Sat, 23 May 2015 07:09:00 GMT

Key Hiders and Key Safes

Posted by admin in Locksmith, Safes | 0 comments

[rev_slider key]

The simplicity of Key hiders and Key safes allow you to have a place to store the spare key for staff, family or the kids with peace of mind that no one will be able to find and use the key if they happen upon it. These key safes are not based on technology but simple robust back ups for when you need a place to store the spare keys.

It can have a 2, 4 or 6 digit passcode and is easy to set and change. It takes a drill and screwdriver to fix it to the wall anywhere outside the house and it even if it is knocked off the wall it is made of robust materials to make it a delayed entry to access the keys. The key to keeping your house secure is to make it as unappealing as possible for want to be criminals to try and break into your home. This is the best measure for home security, deterrence, rather than solely a good insurance policy. Making it challenging and disruptive for criminals immediately makes your home less appealing for opportunistic break ins.

Smart Investors, Buy a Good Safe

Sun, 03 May 2015 03:36:00 GMT

Smart Investors, Buy a Good Safe

Posted by admin in CCTV, Home Security, Safes | 0 comments

With the announcement of a deposit tax by the Abbott government in recent weeks this will see an influx in demand of home safes. Not because we are all going to keep our money in the safe but because the time to look beyond the bank for investment purposes has just become more prevalent. It will not only be inspired from this tax but in protecting our investments in the future as savvy investors will be keeping their eye on the horizon for any other changes to taxes and super contributions. To be on top of this, smart investors will not only be looking at what to invest in but in determining what factors meet the criteria for keeping those investments safe, hence we are advising you in this post on how to buy a good safe.

The opportunity to look beyond cash, to invest in good stock items that will accrue value without you having to watch the stock market are a good way to diversify your investments and with that you need to look at a good sturdy safe. Now, any safe that can be picked up and taken with the would be criminals offers you not much extra security either. What is recommended when you choose a safe that fits your items, cash rating requirements and fit for your home, is to make sure it is fitted by one of our licensed technicians who will fix it to the wall or floor to ensure optimal security. We do sell angle grinder proof safes, Guardall BFG range, that have been tried and tested to deter any semi or professional criminals, you will be confident that you have given your home security the best options.

We also advise that you look at home insurance policies and excesses and premiums, as this is also a good idea to look at the idea of also installing a CCTV or alarm system in your home. There are some great DIY alarm installations on the market like the Yale DIY Alarm system, ask us about this system for your home. When a safe is installed with a supported security system, CCTV or Alarms or both, then your insurance premiums will reduce, please check with your insurance company to compare the price points.

Call us to talk about what you may need for security for your valuables and investments.

07 4362 60 60

Read the article here about Abbott’s Deposit Tax; don’t forget to go through the comments as this will clarify the impact that this tax will have on Australians.

Re-keying Locks

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 00:10:00 GMT

Re-keying Locks

Posted by admin in change locks, Home Security, Lock Install, Locksmith, re-key | 0 comments

Thinking of changing your locks?

Did you know that instead of replacing the entire lock you can save money by re-keying locks existing on your premises?!

Re-keying locks is when a locksmith alters the lock in order to make sure that only new keys can operate the lock.

If you are concerned about that someone may have a key to your home you can consider re-keying existing locks! This ensures you know who has a key and is a cheaper alternative to replacing the locks, therefore SAVING YOU MONEY!

Toowoomba Locksmiths has a team of professional locksmiths that are happy to help with any questions you have regarding changing, replacing, or re-keying your locks!

Call us today on 07 4632 6060.

Changing the Locks on a House

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:01:00 GMT

Changing the Locks on a House

Posted by admin in change locks, Lock Install, Locksmith, re-key | 1 comments

When you have moved in to a new home that is the best time to consider changing the locks on a house. You cannot be sure who may have a copy of the keys to your house unless all locks are re-keyed or replaced!

If you are worried about people gaining access to your home or breaking in, talk to our locksmiths about our different systems that can help increase the security of your home. Toowoomba Locksmiths is passionate about home security! We have options that restrict who can cut keys, digital locking systems, bump resistant options and CCTV camera systems that can be used in order to create extra home security. These systems may initially cost more than off the shelf locks, however the added security helps ensure no unwanted visitors can enter your home!

We also recommend that you change the codes to any alarm or locking systems that require codes as soon as you move in, as well as, on a regular basis.

We suggest adding other forms of security such as, CCTV, door chains, and deadbolts. This will help enhance home security and will deter intruders. The harder it is to get in the less likely an intruder is to try.

After we install your new security system ask us about obtaining a

“MY HOME IS PROTECTED BY TOOWOOMBA LOCKSMITHS”

sign or window sticker to help deter intruders.

Home Security Window Sticker

What is a Transponder Key?

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:07:00 GMT

What is a Transponder Key?

Posted by admin in Automotive, Locksmith | 0 comments

I am sure you have heard Locksmiths referring to Transponder Keys, but you may not know exactly what a Transponder Key is!

Since 1995 the majority of new cars have used transponders within the key, which works by sending a radio signal needed in order to start the vehicle. The transponder is a small microchip in the head of they key and if a key for the vehicle is cut without programming the transponder the key will not allow the vehicle to start, although it will still turn the engine over. This is because the immobilisers will still be active.

The transponder creates additional security for new vehicles, but it does come with the disadvantage of high costs and long waits when a key is lost and a new one is ordered through a car dealership. A transponder key is essentially a key with a code transmitter embedded that sends a unique alpha-numeric code to your ignition. When received, the transponder in the ignition tells the car that it is okay to start. Programming or reprogramming a transponder key depends on the make and model of your vehicle. For domestic cars with a vehicle identification number (VIN) that starts with 1 or 4, the keys can be reprogrammed by simply taking the keys out to your car and entering the program mode.

This is where, here at Toowoomba Locksmiths, we can help! With Automotive Locksmith technology we can cut and program 90% of transponder keys using your current key! This way you can store your additional key in case you loose your current key. Using a local locksmith will significantly reduce the cost of additional keys and ensure you are supplied with a copy of your key instantaneously, bypassing long waits.

As your local locksmith in Toowoomba we always recommend keeping at least two transponder keys on hand because, if no current key is present, dealership replacements are generally expensive and incur long waiting periods.

A transponder key is essentially a key with a code transmitter embedded that sends a unique alpha-numeric code to your ignition. When received, the transponder in the ignition tells the car that it is okay to start. Programming or reprogramming a transponder key depends on the make and model of your vehicle. For domestic cars with a vehicle identification number (VIN) that starts with 1 or 4, the keys can be reprogrammed by simply taking the keys out to your car and entering the program mode.

Lock Installation

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 02:10:00 GMT

Lock Installation

Posted by admin in Lock Install, Locksmith | 1 comments

Just a reminder that, when we you have a lock installation via Toowoomba Locksmiths, we service and repair all our locks so that the lifespan of your lock is extended beyond a lock that you would buy and install from a hardware store.

We offer a wide range of locks for business and commercial use with our services including:

The Lock Installation Services We Offer.

Keyed alike locks
Lock restoration
Lock servicing
Door knob sets
Door locks
Security screen locks
Patio and sliding door locks
Window locks
Deadlocks and deadbolts
Keyless entry and electronic entry for your home
Padlocks
Pin code entry gates
Roller door locks
Safes and Safe locks
Aluminum door locks
Hinged door locks
Sliding door locks
Tilt door locks
Automatic door locks

Kevo

Lockwood 001 Touch

Lockwood Paradigm Deadlock

Lockwood Digital DX

Carbine – their entire range.

Call the team at Toowoomba Locksmiths on 07 4632 6060 to talk about what lock will best suit your need!

Lock bumping; The Facts.

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 21:29:00 GMT

Lock bumping; The Facts.

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Lock bumping is becoming a real security risk and is a quick way for criminals to break-in or enter your home undetected. Lock bumping is a risk to security and can be hard to detect until the owner re-enters their home because it shows no signs of forced entry!

To be sure your home is secure; Toowoomba Locksmiths have a range of bump resistant security options. Digital key locks, electronic locks or keyless entry are becoming a more secure way to protect your household. In addition, surveillance cameras can provide further security and comfort in knowing who has attempted access to your home and at what time.

Due to the design of digital key locks, electronic locks and keyless entry, they are unable to be unlocked using a bump key, giving you piece of mind that your home is secure.

Here at Toowoomba Locksmiths we love to help and protect our community. As a local locksmith in Toowoomba we are passionate about local security. We are happy to organise security assessments, provide advice and supply quotes regarding our bump proof security options.

Unsure about the risk of lock bumping? Please watch the attached video!

We are passionate about your security. Here at Toowoomba Locksmiths, your security is our business. We are looking forward to arranging a quote for our more secure digital locking systems. Please call Nathan, Mitch or Nick on 07 4632 6060 to find out about products that will best suit your needs and your budget!

HOME SECURITY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 21:28:00 GMT

Home Security Review And Recommendation

Posted by admin in Locksmith | 0 comments

Here at Toowoomba Locksmiths, your security is our business! We want to make sure our customers are aware of the best security options for their home!

Is your family protected?
Is your home secure?
Do you know who has access to your personal life?

When moving into a new residence it is impossible to know who has been supplied with copies of the keys to your new home! This can be a security concern and here at Toowoomba Locksmiths we provide home security reviews and recommendations to ensure our customers have access to the best available security lock options for their home! Not only do we provide a range of traditional locking and digital locking systems, we also provide surveillance camera systems to ensure you know who is attempting access into your personal life! We have a range of novelty keys that can be provided for existing locks or supplied in addition to standard keys on new locks. They also make the PERFECT GIFT.

It is always recommended to change all locks on your home when moving into a new residence to ensure security! Make sure you are in control of who accesses your personal life! Call your local locksmith today on 07 4632 6060 and organise your home security review.