There’s nothing more terrifying than securely locking the car door behind you, only to discover well after the fact that you’ve accidentally left your child behind. That fear is never more prominent than during the summer months, when the temperature spikes and being left in a locked car could pose a genuine threat to your child’s safety. Fortunately, you can take steps to avoid locking your kids in the car and needing the services of an emergency automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
Don’t overload yourself
Anyone with an active child (or several active children) understands how hectic the day-to-day routine can get. When you have a lot on your plate, it’s easy to get lost in a series of errands or get focused on another chore you have to complete later in the day. That makes you absent-minded, and when your mind isn’t on the task at hand, you make mistakes. You can avoid this simple problem by making sure you aren’t overloaded with tasks. Take it easy on yourself, and you’ll find it easier to focus on the present.
Have a spare set of keys
If you do lock your child in the car, the easiest solution is to use a spare set of keys to open the door. Most modern vehicles come with a spare set of keys. It’s always a good idea to make sure you have a set handy. It might even be a good idea to make multiple copies so you can have one on your person and one in the house in addition to the one on your keychain.
If you need to make copies of your car key, even those with a chip in them, an experienced automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA can help you out.
Inspect your car regularly
It’s essential to remember that modern automobiles are built with children’s safety in mind. That said, automotive engineers are worried more about keeping your kid in the car while the vehicle is in motion. They are less concerned with making sure your child can get out when the car is stopped. As a result, the auto-lock feature so common in modern-day vehicles can malfunction, causing your child to be locked inside. Periodic inspection of this feature can help you make sure everything’s working as it should.
In case the worst should happen, we’re here for you
Sure, you’re distraught, but nobody is perfect. In the event that you should accidentally lock your child in the car, the first thing to do is act quickly and call an automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA who will rush to your side. In our corner of Virginia and the Washington, DC area, that means placing a call to Artie’s Lock and Key.
We have more than 45 years of experience offering rapid, reliable service to residential and commercial customers throughout the area. Whether you’re locked out of your car or you need to completely replace the locks at your business, one of our highly-skilled technicians can make it happen with minimal hassle and maximum results. Visit us or give us a call to find out more. We can’t wait to help you!
Regardless of which industry your business is in, you are undoubtedly worried about security. Companies in Fairfax, VA are especially susceptible. Experts suggest that the city has a crime rate 76 percent higher than the average of cities and towns throughout the state. A significant portion of that crime involves incidents targeted at businesses.
Whether you are worried about your employees’ safety or you want to make sure that your stock is secured, the first line of defense in any well-secured company is a strong lock. Are your locks secured, or is it time to call in a skilled commercial locksmith in Fairfax, VA and have them changed?
Here are some signs to look out for.
People are always locked out
What price does your company put on convenience? If people are continually having to get out of their chair to open the door to your business because one of your employees is locked out, you are losing valuable productivity. It might be time to change the locks. Maybe there’s a malfunction. Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a better system. Either way, it’s time to call a pro.
Someone was recently fired
One of the most compelling times to call a commercial locksmith in Fairfax, VA to change your locks is in the days following a firing. Regardless of why someone was let go and whether or not you think they would pose the business any harm, it’s always best to play it safe and change the locks. There’s no telling what changes may happen to a person’s psyche in the days following the loss of their job, and it’s best not to take chances.
You moved
If your company has moved into new offices or to a new brick-and-mortar location, one of the first things to do to ensure everyone’s security is to get the locks changed. Regardless of what you’re told, it’s critical to ensure that no one can get into your business but the people you want.
Your locks are old
If you can’t remember the last time you had your company’s locks changed, it’s probably a good idea to go ahead and have them swapped out for new ones. Keep in mind that keys or swipe cards get lost, stolen or copied over the life of a lock. In other words, the longer your lock is installed, the higher risk you run of having the key to your front door land in the wrong hands.
Trust in the best
Don’t take chances by picking a subpar commercial locksmith in Fairfax, VA. Place a call to Artie’s Lock and Key. We use state-of-the-art methods to repair, replace or open your locks. It doesn’t matter if you’re locked out of your car, your home, your office or your storefront—we can help.
That commitment to cutting-edge service is just one of the reasons that Artie’s Lock and Key has built a reputation for excellence since we opened our doors in 1975. You can also count on us for first-rate customer care and quick, reliable service. That’s our promise to you. Give us a call today to learn more.
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.
