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.
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 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.
Moving into a new home can be equal parts exciting and worrisome. It takes time to be able to move all your belongings into your new house and make it feel like a home. When you move into a new house, one of the first things you should do is update the locks, and here is why.
Why Should You Change Locks When Moving to a New Place?
When moving into a new home the first thing that many people stress over is getting their belongings where they want them. However, replacing the locks should be the top priority. This is because you have no idea who has a copy of your key. You may get the copies that the owners have on their person, but that does not account for the other copies that some people may have. The entire extended family of the previous owner could have a copy of your key and could have access to your home.
Another reason for changing the locks is that your key may be in the hands of a service provider. While this is not a terrible thing if you are the one that handed over the key, if you are not, however, you may want to change the locks so that you have more control over who can get into your home. Your new home may also be the center of a family dispute. Not all homes are sold simply because the previous family is upgrading or moving to a new place. A homeowner that was forced to sell due to bankruptcy, divorce or foreclosure may still be contentious, and making sure that the former owners cannot come back in is a must.
Now, not all reasons for a lock change have to do with the previous owners. You may be purchasing a home that was broken into at one point or a home where the locks are old and worn out. In these cases, it is beneficial to change the locks as well.
Should You Change All Locks When Buying a House?
Long story short, yes. New locks are going to give you the security of knowing that you are the only person that can get into your home and that you are the only one that has access. It will also allow you the chance to pass out keys, or not, to those you want to have them. It also allows you the chance to get new locks that are going to be secure and that are going to work well.
Changing locks is simple. You can either do it yourself with a kit, or you can hire a contractor to put in new locks throughout your entire home. If you have multiple doors or exterior access, you must change all the locks so that you can feel safe and secure in your new home.
Locks are an essential part of your home’s security. They keep you and your family safe from burglars and intruders. However, locks are not immune to damage. Over time, they can become worn down and eventually stop working as they should. When this happens, you’ll need to determine whether a repair or replacement is the wisest choice. Should I repair my lock or get it replaced? Read on to find out.
When to Repair Your Lock
Lock repair is less costly than replacement. That’s why many homeowners opt for this route when their locks start to malfunction. But just because the repair is less expensive, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. There are only certain circumstances in which you should consider repair over replacement. Here are some of them:
Turning the key becomes hard: If you have to put a lot of effort into turning the key, it’s likely that your lock is just dirty. Over time, dust and debris can build up inside the lock, making it difficult to turn. In this case, repair work should do the trick.
The key gets stuck: Nothing can be more frustrating than having your key get stuck in the lock. Sometimes the inside parts of the lock can fail and trap the key inside. A professional locksmith can take the lock apart and fix the problem, so you can get your key back and continue using the lock.
Jammed locking mechanism: Locks are prone to jamming. You put in the key and when you try to open it, nothing happens. Get a locksmith to take a look at your lock and repair any jammed parts.
When to Replace Your Lock
Do locks need to be replaced? Even though this option is more expensive, there are certain instances when it’s the best course of action. Here are some of them:
The lock is old and worn out: If your lock is old, it may be time to replace it. Over time, locks can become worn down and stop working as they should. Rather than risking a break-in, it’s best to replace the lock before it fails completely. If your lock is more than seven years old, it’s probably time for a replacement.
The lock is extensively damaged: As we mentioned, locks are not immune to damage. If your lock has been damaged extensively, it’s best to replace it rather than try to repair it. Extensive damage can weaken the lock, making it more susceptible to break-ins. Even if you repair it, you’ll spend a lot of money.
You’ve had a recent break-in: If your home has been broken into, it’s crucial to replace the locks right away. This is because burglars may come later thinking they can easily get back in. Replacing the locks will give you peace of mind. Consider upgrading to a higher security lock as well.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand when to repair or replace your lock. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult a professional locksmith. They will assess the damage and recommend the best course of action. Don’t take chances with your home’s security. If your lock is damaged, get it fixed right away.
