Every business owner wants an operation that appeals to all customers. We all know that we’d only be limiting ourselves if we had a business that only some people find interesting or attractive. This is not limited to the services we offer or the products that we sell, however—we also want to make sure all of our friends in the community can physically access our place of business, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lays out guidelines to help facilitate this. At Artie’s Lock and Key, ADA compliance in Fairfax, VA is something we take very seriously and study closely, so we’re happy to provide the following quick tips to our fellow business owners.
What does “readily achievable” mean?
One of the key components of the ADA that business owners should always keep in mind is how it words some of its suggested changes. The phrase “readily achievable” comes up over and over throughout the legislation, and it’s important to understand just exactly what this means for ADA compliance in Fairfax, VA.
In essence, something being “readily achievable” means it’s a change a business can be reasonably expected to make. Cost is not factored in—if there is a change you can make to your store to ensure it’s accessible to all customers, you need to move forward with it. There is some gray area here, however, so be sure to consult a lawyer if you’re unsure whether something qualifies as being readily achievable.
Where to look for compliance issues
Every commercial property has areas that can be tricky to get into compliance with ADA requirements. Most of these won’t come as a surprise—parking lots, curbs and stairways can all create trouble for customers who have difficulties getting around.
However, there’s also the matter of door accessibility – investing in doors that require minimal or no physical action to open and close can go a long way toward ensuring your business is ADA compliant. With relatively recent advances in technology, such as keyless entry systems, lever locksets, automatic doors, power-assisted doors and more, the lock industry has played a major role in forwarding the aims of the ADA.
Artie’s Lock and Key has handled a number of projects over the years to get our customers in compliance with ADA requirements, and we’d love to discuss your options with you.
Why does it matter?
ADA compliance in Fairfax, VA is important for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s just the right thing to do—you want to make sure every single member of your community regards your business as a welcoming and accessible place. Second of all, it’s the law – you can set yourself up for significant lawsuits and financial penalties if you fail to bring your company’s storefront into compliance with these federal regulations.
Finally, it’s just good business. You can expand your base of potential customers by doing everything in your power to expand access. Advertising is one way to get your products and services across to people, but so is making sure your storefront offers a welcoming and accessible experience for everyone. For more information about how we can help, contact Artie’s Lock and Key today.
It’s one of the most commonplace experiences that can really frustrate someone: you’re ready to leave the house, the car is packed and maybe the kids are even ready to go, but you can’t find your car keys anywhere. You wind up spending valuable time tearing the house apart trying to track them down, getting more and more frustrated in the process.
Why go through all of this aggravation? Our experts in car key replacement in Fairfax, VA have put together the following tips to make sure you don’t lose your keys and instead are able to spend your time driving off to fun and adventure:
Put a tracker on them: One of the advantages of living in the times that we do is that there’s typically a gadget for everything. Many companies now make trackers that you can put on your keyring and then access via your smartphone, making it easy to track down your keys via a beeping noise or possibly even GPS.
Get a spare set: As a premier provider of car key replacement in Fairfax, VA, we freely admit that this is our favorite suggestion! Making an extra set of keys has never been easier, and it can really go a long way toward preserving your peace of mind. You can stash the spare keys in a known place and feel confident that you can always grab them and go.
Always put them in the same spot: This one probably sounds obvious, but it can really help. If you have a spot on your counter or near the door where you can toss your keys out of habit, it will become second nature before you know it and you’ll be well on your way to having an easier time remembering where they are.
Put them in a receptacle: Expanding on the previous bullet point, having a designated container for your keys can make it all the easier to remember where to find them. You can find one that fits your home’s décor and your personality as well.
Note to self: Another way technology makes life easier for the customers at Artie’s Lock and Key is that you can easily set a reminder or write a note in your smartphone. If you stash your keys somewhere unusual, write yourself a quick reminder and you’ll have a much easier time finding them when you need them.
Attach them to something: You can easily attach your keys to your other valuables with a chain or with a specialized wallet. This ensures you don’t leave the house without everything you need and makes it certain you’ll be good to go for the day.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, our team of experienced locksmiths is one of the best in the business, and we want our customers to always be able to track down their keys. We do jobs big and small, and have been in the business for over 40 years, so you know we have the expertise you can trust. Car key replacement in Fairfax, VA is one of our specialties, and we know the lock business inside and out—give us a call or stop by anytime and we can help you with all of your locksmithing needs.
We’ve all been there: you’re rushing to get somewhere and you get out of the car, only to realize the doors are locked with the keys inside. The urge to just break your own window to retrieve the keys is tempting, especially if you are in a hurry to get to your next destination. However, you will soon understand why it’s better to call an automobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle.
It’s not as easy as breaking a window
You notice your keys trapped in your car or truck, so you think to yourself, “Sure, I’ll just break the window and get back to my life.” You’ll find this a much harder task than you realize, as most cars, especially those manufactured in the last decade, have numerous security and safety features in place. This means breaking a window isn’t as simple as it sounds, and you’re better off contacting an automobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA instead.
Mistaken for a criminal
Let’s say you are stuck outside of your car and a police officer driving by notices that someone is trying to break into the vehicle. They don’t know that you are the car’s owner. The next thing you know, you are being questioned by law enforcement personnel on the side of the road. You are going to have an especially hard time explaining your circumstances if your driver’s license and/or registration are locked in your car or truck along with your keys.
Injure yourself
Physically attempting to overcome your car’s security and safety features by breaking a window could mean that you inadvertently hurt yourself. Whether the injury is caused by trying to break the glass or the broken glass slices you up as you reach into your car to get your keys, breaking a window is a surefire way to injure yourself, which then requires a trip to the hospital or doctor, on top of needing to replace your window.
Damage your vehicle
In your attempts to break a window to retrieve your keys, you are more likely to cause damage to your car or truck. Then, once you’ve sorted out the situation with your keys, you have to take your automobile to a mechanic for costly repairs. Don’t let a mistake like locking your keys in your vehicle turn into an expensive process that takes your car off the road for a longer time.
Target for crime
As you are doing your best to break into your own vehicle to get the keys, some person with a weapon notices an opportunity. You are distracted and vulnerable. This assailant jumps at the chance to rob you or worse.
You can go through the hassle of trying to break into your own car when the keys have been locked inside—or you can save yourself the time, money and frustration by simply getting in touch with an automobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. This expert will have you back in your vehicle and on the road quickly, without a mess or additional fees. If you are locked out of your automobile, call Artie’s Lock and Key now.
The advances in smart home technology have changed the way we live. Thanks to the new devices available on the market today, disabled individuals find themselves better equipped to access every part of their own homes as well as those of loved ones and friends. One of the most helpful devices is the handicapped door opener in Fairfax, VA.
Mobility with ease
One of the main reasons that client after client have hired us to install a handicapped door opener in Fairfax, VA is that it makes life so much easier. Available in multiple models and designs, finding and installing the right automatic door openers for your home is simple. These door openers can operate with motion sensors or by remote control. As long as a doorway meets ADA size requirements, we can find you a door opener that is within your budget and meets your needs.
Connect your whole home
Automatic door openers paired with other smart home devices bring your residence into the 21st Century. Whether you have automatic openers on entrance doors or doors throughout the property, you can monitor each door’s activity and lock any of them from wherever you are at that moment. You have more control over your abode when you install door openers that are connected to your smart home devices.
Increased accessibility
If there are rooms or parts of your home that are hard to access, automatic door openers can help. Don’t let a door get in the way of using every space in your house. Instead, consider your options for automatic door openers.
Improved privacy
Those limited to a wheelchair often struggle with opening and closing standard doors. This hinders how much privacy these people experience day in and day out. Fortunately, automatic door openers offer disabled users the same amount of privacy as anyone else. By installing door openers in your home, you no longer have to struggle with protecting the privacy you deserve.
Convenience
More than anything, the greatest benefit to automatic door openers is their convenience. With a click or just moving through your home as you would normally, doors open and you can go about whatever it is you were doing. This makes everyday tasks like washing clothes or bringing in groceries easier than ever before.
Simple installation
Too many people dismiss the idea of automatic door openers in their homes because they think the installation process will be too complicated. If you are attempting to put in your door openers, this task can be challenging. However, there are companies that will install these devices for you. You can relax while a team of professionals handles the heavy lifting and dirty work.
People with disabilities are the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States. These individuals have specific needs that can be easily met with new technology, such as the residential handicapped door opener in Fairfax, VA. If you or someone you care about would benefit from automatic door openers, contact us today to discuss your options and schedule an installation.
There’s nothing quite like hopping on your motorcycle at the end of a long week and letting off some steam by cruising down the highway as the sun shines down on your shoulders. It’s a thrill that only those who are addicted to the open road and the feeling of an engine revving between their legs would truly understand. Of course, it’s impossible to head out on a motorcycle adventure if you can’t find your keys.
If you’re not using your motorcycle as your primary means of transportation, lost keys will happen. When the worst occurs, here are some tips for getting a motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA, without also getting a headache.
Work from your VIN
If you have income (and time) to spare, you can locate a dealership and supply them with your motorcycle’s vehicle identification number (or VIN). Most dealerships will also require some proof of ownership, like the vehicle’s title, registration or the bill of sale. If you purchase your motorcycle new directly from a dealership, they should be your best bet.
Once you’ve gathered the paperwork, you can hitch a ride to the dealership, where they’ll supply you with a new key or a new ignition cylinder.
What’s your code?
Several brands of motorcycle have a failsafe mechanism in place in the event of a lost key. On your bike’s ignition cylinder—a silver shaft between your speedometer and tachometer—there should be a three- or four-digit code. You may need to loosen the ignition cylinder to see it.
Once you’ve recorded the code, contact a locksmith that’s equipped to offer motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA. They should be able to get you a new key.
Remove the ignition cylinder
If you’re mechanically-inclined, you can remove your motorcycle’s ignition cylinder and take it to a parts store or a locksmith. Though labor-intensive, there are some benefits to this approach. The biggest is this: in some cases, you may find that three-digit code or the dealership itself is unable to print you a new key. When this happens, removing your ignition cylinder helps you stay one step ahead of any unforeseen hurdles.
If, for example, you find that you can’t secure a replacement key, you may need to replace your ignition cylinder entirely. Having your entire ignition cylinder on hand can save some time in a worst-case scenario.
Your go-to locksmith
There are a lot of strategies you can employ to find a motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA, but the easiest way to get yourself a new key (and some back-up pairs) is to call on the pros at Artie’s Lock and Key.
Throughout the Washington, DC area, we have established ourselves as the go-to locksmith. Whether your needs are residential, commercial or automotive, one of our talented, courteous professionals can come to your aid. For new house keys and car keys, new locks for anything under the sun, new high-security locks, door repair, exit devices, ignition repair, lock rekeying, safe cracking, storefront repair and so much more, you can count on Artie’s Lock and Key.
If you’re locked out, we’ll get you in. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key today. We can’t wait to hear from you.
