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Why Smart Locks Are a Must Have for the Holidays
Why Smart Locks Are a Must-Have for the Holidays
Holidays are synonymous with visiting family and having fun, often in places away from home which require accommodation. Whether you are the renter or the visitor of the holiday lodgings, having the property kitted out with a smart lock will ensure fewer problems with entry keys.
Is a smart lock a good idea?
Smart locks allow for convenient access to your home. Whether you want to access your own home or are renting a holiday home, smart locks remove the necessity for a physical key to open the door.
The smart lock opens the door with a signal transmitted over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth without needing a key.
Various models of smart locks are available, depending on your preference of which technology you trust the most. You can get locks that open by using your phone or a code you need to punch into a keypad. If you don’t want to ditch the key completely, there are smart locks that act as key safes mounted next to your front door that allow you to access a physical key when you punch in the correct secret code. A definite safety upgrade of “the key is hidden under the third plant under the window, counting from the left” type of scenario.
What are the benefits of smart locks?
As you allow technology to automate various functions in your home, installing smart locks is the next step to a safer, more convenient home.
There are different smart locks available on the market, and you can choose according to what you need the lock to do. For instance, you may want to keep tabs on who enters and leaves your home while you are not there.
A smart lock can record every time the door is opened or closed. Each person allowed to enter is given a specific code, and as the codes are recorded throughout the day, you will be able to see who has entered your home and how long they stay. This feature is especially helpful when you have a cleaning or dog walking service you pay for by the hour. Not only does it prevent those service companies from overcharging you, but it also provides peace of mind that your home has been cleaned and your dog has had his walk.
A smart lock allows you to open and close your home remotely. If you have visitors renting out your holiday property, it saves them the inconvenience of picking up and looking after a physical key. A simple code you send to their phone can open the door and allow them access to come and go throughout their stay.
Smart key technology has made our homes more secure and easier to enter. The various smart locks available are relatively easy to install, but to be sure that the installation is done professionally, it is a good idea to consult your locksmith.
Artie’s Lock and Key locksmith services are always ready to help if you need a new smart lock installation or need to sort out some issues with your existing smart lock. Call us at (703) 273-2177, or visit Artie’s Lock and Key, 11204 Lee Hwy Fairfax, VA 22030.
Important Tips on Keeping Your Home Safe for the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, it is now more necessary than ever to figure out the best ways to keep your home safe and secure. Many people travel during the holiday season, as such, this means your home might be unattended. There are tons of ways to make sure your home is safe and secure this holiday season, and we are here to help.
How Do I Prepare my House for the Holidays?
One of the best things that you can do is make sure that you are not putting your travel plans up so that just anyone can see them. Putting your plans online can give burglars an insight into when your home is unattended and when the best time to strike might be. Another great tip is to let your neighbors know if you are leaving for a trip. By letting them know when you are going to be gone and who might come by your home while you are gone, they can help keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.
You also want to be sure you are hiding your packages and gifts that might be left out. If you have a mailman that is going to be dropping off packages you want to ensure that you are either having them delivered to the back of your home or out of sight so that people that want to steal them off your porch cannot see them.
How Can I Increase Safety in My House?
When it comes to the safety of your home as a whole, you first want to check your furnace and chimney. You will likely switch on the heat or use the fireplace, so making sure that both are in good shape and safe to use is a must. If you have a chimney that needs to be cleaned, it should be taken care of before you start using it. Your furnace should also be serviced to help prevent fire and to ensure that it is going to work properly this winter.
You also need to make sure you inspect your Christmas lights and take down any that pose a fire hazard. Lights that have frayed plugs or cords, lights that are very old, or lights that are not working properly should be taken down and replaced. If you notice that any lights are getting hot or that you smell an electrical smell, you should take your lights down and inspect them thoroughly.
Your home is a huge part of your life and keeping it safe is a must. During the holidays it can be easy to forget things. Taking the time to check all the boxes and make sure your home is safe can help make this holiday season safer than ever before.
The Advantages of Hiring a Professional for Your Commercial Door Problems
Commercial door problems are something best left in the hands of professionals. It’s not something that you would want to work on as a DIY project, especially because the general public is accessing it.
A broken commercial door is not only inconvenient but is also a real source of liability risk. If any one of your patrons gets injured in some way because of the broken door, you could find yourself facing a real problem if they claim liability damages.
That’s the worst-case scenario, though, and one that doesn’t have to happen to you! As long as you stay on top of the maintenance and repair needs in your commercial property, you should be able to ensure the safety and security of your visitors.
Why hire a professional to fix commercial doors?
Many commercial property owners find themselves asking, “Should I hire someone to fix my business door?”
The short and straight answer to that is a definite yes! There are many benefits to calling in a professional to fix this problem for you.
Technical Expertise
For one thing, commercial doors are the same as the typical doors you have in your home. Depending on what kind of material you chose, it can be heavier, more complex in its mechanism, or even automated.
If only for this, you should leave it in the hand of experts who have the technical know-how to handle doors like this. Not only can they get a proper diagnosis of the problem, but they can also easily repair or even replace it as needed.
Cost-Efficient
Because commercial doors play such an important role in your business storefront, it makes sense that you will invest in them as well. This includes giving it the proper care and maintenance it deserves.
Although it may seem costly on the surface, hiring a professional to work on your commercial doors is actually going to prove more cost-efficient in the long run. Getting a professional for the job ensures that it will be done right the first time.
There’s no need to undo and redo mistakes, which can certainly add costs the more you do it. Doing it DIY also increases the risk of worsening the problem. What started out as a simple repair job can quickly turn into a replacement job. You can avoid this scenario right off the bat when you hire a professional.
Better Peace of Mind
Ultimately, you just want your commercial doors fixed. There’s no need to complicate or prolong the process. A professional will have the tools, the skills, and the know-how to take the appropriate steps in order to fix the door.
Let the pros do their job so you can focus on doing yours.
The Ultimate Guide To Making Sure Your Business Is ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that equal opportunities are created for people with disabilities and the general public by non-profit organizations, businesses, as well as state and local governments. This means that public spaces and companies must be accessible to everyone.
All types of businesses need to be ADA compliant, according to the law, and this includes any business that deals with the public. Business owners can take a few steps to ensure that their business and property are ADA-compliant.
What Is ADA Compliant Store?
An ADA-compliant store is a store that ensures that all areas of its premises are accessible to those with disabilities.
This includes the entrance to the building, having sufficient ADA signage that is visible to everyone, ensuring that there is adequate parking for persons with disabilities close enough to the entrance of the building, ramps to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs and that any elevators on the premises are accessible to persons with disabilities.
How Do I Make Sure My Business Is ADA Compliant?
You will need to incorporate a few changes to ensure your business is ADA compliant.
Signage
You should have signage at each relevant point in your business. The International Symbol of Accessibility must be displayed. The signage should contain braille and tactile characters. It should be displayed at all accessible entrances, parking, bathrooms, and elevators. And, more importantly, the text must be a contrasting color from its background.
Building Entrances
Assess the entrance/s to the building. There must be an accessible entrance that is available during business hours. In the event that there is more than one entrance to the premises, the company may have both accessible and non-accessible entrances provided that there is clear signage indicating where the accessible entrance is. Door handles and doorbells must be accessible to people with mobility issues.
Parking
The law requires that there is at least one handicapped or accessible parking space for every 25 parking spots in a parking area. The parking spots should be closest to the entrance and have an access aisle five feet wide for cars and eight feet wide for vans.
Elevators
If there are elevators on the premises, the elevators must be able to accommodate persons with disabilities by being both wide and long enough. The elevator’s entrance should be big enough so that individuals with mobility scooters or wheelchairs can easily access the elevator. In addition, the elevator door must reopen immediately if someone is obstructing the entrance.
Ramps
Ramps should be available for people with disabilities. The ramps should meet the slope requirements, which indicate that the slope should be at least 36 inches wide.
Additional steps include going over the policies of the company to ensure that they are not discriminating against anyone. Ensure that proper terminology is used in the company and that there are no discriminatory practices in any of the departments. Incorporate an employee training program that teaches other employees how to help employees with disabilities in the company.
In addition, assess all areas in the company in the event that you may need to rearrange furniture so that it is not blocking the way for anyone.