Are Traditional Keys and Locksmiths Soon to be a Thing of the Past?

From the first evidence of locks and keys in ancient Egypt through the various improvements over the ages, the metal key has certainly stood the test of time but is its reign coming to an end?  Around 80% of vehicles now use a keyless fob, card or keyless ignition and hotels ditched the humble key years ago so what does the future hold for homeowners, car owners and the people who provide the emergency locksmith services when one of these keys goes missing or gets broken?

As long as there are doors, we will need ways to secure them.  Perhaps the metal key will be superseded by more modern devices but with this sidestep from what has so long been the norm is sure to come a lot of teething troubles.

Take for instance car theft.  There has been a lot of press recently about keyless ignition cars being targeted for theft – with the revelation that it is possible to copy the ignition codes using devices bought on the internet.  With this new type of key ‘replacement’ it seems the vehicle is less secure than if it featured a traditional metal lock and key.  Though this would not sit well aesthetically with a new gadget-filled car, would it at least offer more security and peace of mind for the car owner?

Some are saying that the next step would be an app on a mobile phone that can unlock your vehicle, thus eliminating the need to carry a separate keycard or fob and ensuring as long as you have your phone with you (which most people always do) you can lock and unlock your vehicle.  How this will meet with the consumer’s approval has yet to be decided. There is already a great deal of distrust in smartphone payment apps that simply allow you to swipe your phone and make a payment and perhaps this same scepticism will tinge the arrival of the key app.

Whatever happens with keys one thing is for certain.  Locksmiths will be advancing their own services.  Already accustomed to dealing with many different kinds of locks and keys – for residential and commercial premises, cars and other vehicles – locksmiths are used to developing their services to meet the needs of the modern vehicle and property owner.  Many auto locksmiths, for instance will be familiar with transponder keys and will have the necessary equipment to access the Pin numbers needed for replacement car key programming.

So what is next for the humble lock and key? 

Some schools and hospitals use biometric cards which can be swiped across wall mounted devices for safe and easy access to various parts of the building, however it will be a long time before any of this technology is rolled out at a domestic level, if at all.  The key is safe for now as there are still so many different doors and windows that we need to lock and unlock every day and if we feel safer using a metal lock and key, it only signals that this age old pairing will be around for a long time to come.

If you want to find out more why not visit Advanced Locksmiths who offer auto locksmith services in Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex.

What To Do If Locked Out Of Your House?

Most of us have been locked out of our house at some point, if only for a few minutes whilst we wait for someone to arrive with keys. Needless to say, no matter how short a time you are locked out of your house, it can be very inconvenient. For many of us, being locked out comes at the worst time thinkable, such as in a heavy rain storm, or when we are in a rush.

If you are lucky enough not to have been locked out of your house, it is important that you know what to do should you find yourself in this situation:

First of all, if you find yourself locked out of your property, you should check around your property to see if there is a way to get yourself back in. If you can’t get in without causing expensive damages or endangering yourself, you should try and get in touch with somebody that has a copy of your house key; you may have given a spare key to a family member, a friend or a neighbour for us in case of emergency, or if you go away on holiday and pets need feeding or plants need watering.

If you have no way to get into your house, then you should find a local locksmith service. Many locksmiths promise to be with you within as little as half an hour, providing that you are within a certain radius of their base. By breaking a window to get into your house, you not only face injuring yourself, but also will have to pay considerable repair costs. As a locksmith can access your house without causing any damages, this is a much cheaper option.

If you are locked out of your house late at night, outside of normal office hours, it is important that you check that you find a 24 hour emergency locksmith to help you. Whilst some locksmiths will only be available during certain hours, an emergency locksmith service are ready to take your call at any time of day or night so that you can get into your property as soon as possible.

If you are worried about being locked out again, there are a few measures that you can take to prevent this:

• Replace your locks with roller rim locks. Rather than locking automatically when a door is closed, they require a key to be turned in order to be locked from the outside.
• Door restrictors can also be fitted to stop your door from slamming shut behind you.

You should also contact a locksmith straight away if you find that a door is starting to stick, or a key won’t properly turn a cylinder all of the time. It is best to solve a problem before it gets worse.

To find out more about 24 hour emergency locksmith services, you can visit the Advanced Locksmith website.

The Importance of Always Being Accessible When You Are a Locksmith in Southampton

It is never a good experience to be locked outside of your premises or your vehicle, however, at some point in your life this is likely to happen, and in many cases, such situations result in you having to call a locksmith to help you out of your predicament, rather than breaking a window or door and having to pay further repair costs.

Understandably, there is no telling whatsoever when you may end up needing locksmith services. Although there is never an ideal time to be locked out, some circumstances can be worse than others, and more often than not, this happens in the worst circumstances possible. It could be in the middle of the night, in the middle of a storm, or when you are in a mad rush to get to an appointment.

Due to the completely unpredictable timing of getting locked out, it is important that locksmith services are available at all times. As well as being available 24 hours a day, it is just as important that a locksmith in Southampton can be at your premises or your vehicle in as short a time as possible. Many local locksmiths promise that they can be with you within a certain time range, providing that you are within a particular distance of their base.

Locksmiths understand that you will need to be able to get into your building or vehicle as quickly as possible, and so they will aim to be at the scene promptly to provide a quick and professional service, causing you as little inconvenience as possible. Locksmiths will look to help you unlock your lock, and provide replacement locks or lock repairs in a clean and efficient manner.

In this day and age, it is important that locksmiths are multi-skilled in providing a number of different services and working with a variety of different locks. For example, uPVC locks for doors and windows are a common problem, so it is essential that locksmiths can cover all kinds of uPVC lock repairs.

It is also important to remember that vehicle keys and locking systems have changed considerably over the last decade or so. A simple key has been replaced with an electrical transponder key that links to a vehicles security system. Locksmiths are now expected to be able to provide replacement vehicle keys quickly.

For more information about finding a 24hour locksmith in Southampton, you can visit advancedlocksmiths.co.uk.