Month: December 2022

When it comes to protecting your valuables, both at home and at work, a safe is a necessary investment. Not only do safes keep your items secure from potential burglars, but they also protect against fires, floods, and other disasters. But with so many different types of safes on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your needs. In this blog post, we will go over some of the most valuable items you should consider storing in a safe, as well as some tips for choosing the right safe for your needs.

Valuables Fit for a Safe

One of the most valuable items that you should consider storing in a safe is your important documents. This includes things like your birth certificate, passport, social security card, and other identification documents. These items are not only valuable in their own right, but they are also essential for proving your identity and accessing various services. By storing them in a safe, you can ensure that they are protected and easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Another valuable item that you should consider storing in a safe is your jewelry. Whether you have a collection of priceless heirlooms or just a few sentimental pieces, your jewelry is likely worth a significant amount of money. Storing it in a safe can help protect it from theft, as well as prevent damage from fire, water, and other disasters.

In addition to your important documents and jewelry, you should also consider storing other valuable items in a safe, such as your cash, firearms, and sentimental items. Your cash is an obvious choice, as it is both valuable and easily portable. Storing it in a safe can help protect it from theft and damage. Firearms, on the other hand, require special consideration. Depending on where you live, you may be required to store your firearms in a specific type of safe, such as a gun safe, in order to comply with local laws. Sentimental items, such as family heirlooms, photos, and other keepsakes, can also be worth a great deal to you emotionally and should be protected in a safe.

How to Choose a Safe

When it comes to choosing a safe, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost, you need to consider the size of the safe. It should be large enough to accommodate all of your valuable items, but not so large that it’s difficult to find a suitable location for it. You also need to consider the type of lock on the safe. Most safes come with either a combination lock or a keyed lock, and both have their pros and cons. Combination locks are generally more secure, but they can be difficult to open in an emergency. Keyed locks, on the other hand, are easier to open, but they can be picked or bypassed by a skilled burglar.

Another important factor to consider are the fire and water protection ratings of the safe. Fires and floods can destroy not only your valuable items, but also the safe itself. Look for a safe with a high fire protection rating, ideally one that is rated to protect your valuables for at least an hour in the event of a fire.

Finally, you should consider the overall build quality of the safe. A well-made safe will be more secure and more resistant to burglars and disasters. Look for safes that are made from heavy-duty materials, such as thick steel, and have multiple locking mechanisms to provide additional security.

A safe is a necessary investment for protecting your valuable items. Some of the most valuable items you should consider storing in a safe include your important documents, jewelry, cash, firearms, and sentimental items. When choosing a safe, consider the size, type of lock, fire protection rating, and build quality. By taking these factors into account, you’ll be well equipped to protect the things that matter in the safe that best fits your needs. 

If you have a commercial safe that you can’t open, be sure to contact Pop-A-Lock’s commercial safe unlocking professionals to regain your much-needed access to your valuables!

There are a few different types of car keys on the market these days. Some are the traditional, physical keys that have been used for decades. Others are the newer, “push-to-start” keys that are becoming more popular every year. So, which type of car key is better?

Traditional Car Keys

Pros:

• Cost. The primary benefit of using traditional car keys is their affordability. Car keys are relatively inexpensive and can be found in most hardware or auto parts stores. Traditional car keys are also reliable and easy to use, having been the standard for decades until recently. Older cars may also be more likely to have problems with their electronic key fobs, making traditional car keys a more reliable option. 

• Durability. Metal keys last a long, long time. Although they can still get worn down after years of use, they will likely outlast the vehicle itself. Smart keys often require upkeep and maintenance, such as replacing the battery regularly or opening and cleaning the interior chip boards. 
• Ease of use. Some push-to-start systems involve entering a code into the door or following a series of steps to enter or start the vehicle in the name of security, which you have to do every single time you get into your car. With traditional keys, just insert the key into the door or ignition and be on your way. There’s a reason they’re the longstanding standard.

Cons:

• Easily lost. Traditional keys almost never have tracking devices built into them, while many smart keys, especially more recent ones, do. This makes them prone to theft or misplacement, and if that happens and you can’t find the key you may need to pay to have the entire ignition system replaced before your car is usable again. Aftermarket trackers exist to help solve this problem, but it’s hard to beat having this feature built in from the start. 

• Inconvenient. If you’ve ever been carrying groceries, luggage, kids, or anything else that requires two hands and then have to somehow free up one of them to open your car, you know where we’re coming from with this one. Many new cars equipped with push-to-start systems also have sensors to open your car doors hands-free, and even if they don’t it can be much easier to just have to open the door rather than also get the key out of your pocket to unlock your car. In extreme cases, traditional keys can even get stuck in the ignition and require professional services to remove them.

Push-to-Start Car Keys

Pros:

• Convenient. No more fumbling around for your keys. Most push-to-start keys can stay in your pocket or bag from before you get in your car till after you finish your trip, and some can even be connected with your smartphone for ultimate convenience.

• Increased security. While traditional keys can be easily duplicated, push-to-start car keys offer an extra layer of security by requiring a unique code and authentication protocol with your car to start. This makes your car much more secure and less vulnerable to theft. Although you can still duplicate your smart key to get a spare if you want one, it’s much more difficult for a thief to do so than simply making a copy of a metal key.
• The “cool” factor. This is certainly more of a soft benefit, but it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t look and feel cool to push a button to start your car. 

Cons:

• Required maintenance. If the battery in your smart key dies, you’re going to find it difficult to get into or start your vehicle. The circuit boards inside smart keys are also often more delicate than in traditional key fobs, meaning that drops or dings are more likely to damage them.

• Cost. Push-to-start keys themselves and the ignition systems in their cars are more expensive than their traditional counterparts, both in terms of purchasing the vehicle in the first place and when making repairs. The ignition systems in push-to-start cars are more complicated and have more intricate electronics than in traditional ignition systems, so if there’s ever a problem you might be on the hook for a hefty repair bill.

Weigh the Benefits

Traditional car keys and push-to-start car keys each have their advantages and disadvantages. Traditional car keys are more durable and reliable, but they are more easily lost or stolen. Push-to-start car keys are more convenient and have added features, but they are more expensive and have a greater chance of malfunctioning. Ultimately, the choice between traditional and push-to-start car keys comes down to personal preference and budget. Luckily, Pop-A-Lock can service and maintain both types of keys, so definitely reach out if you’re having any problems with yours!