BestSecurityBlog

Have you ever been in the situation where you are locked out of your house or office? It is a common problem faced by those who seem to be unfortunate at keeping their keys in order. It can also become very costly when you have to bring a locksmith out to your location to get you inside. This is a frustrating issue for anyone caught in this situation but there is a solution–keyless door locks.

When it comes to keyless locks, combination locks are preferred over most types, but if you are a person with a poor memory there could be an issue with remembering the combination. You must make sure that the combination is something that you will not forget while also making it a combination that others will not easily figure out. Keeping your combination written down in a safe place or giving it to a trusted friend can also be useful if you are a forgetful person. The selection of combination keyless locks available on the market is very wide and the options are different for each, making them a popular choice for those with different needs. There are locks that even allow you to generate a code from a website to allow instant access to your lock.

Another option of keyless locks is the remote control door lock. These locks utilize a remote control that can be used either from the inside or outside of the location. This type of keyless lock can be great for those with disabilities who cannot move around easily to let someone inside the house. The only negative aspect to remote control door locks is that the remote can be just as easily lost as a key can. Many of these locks also come with a key override and some also have a digital combination keypad so there are multiple ways of entry.

There are also biometric, or fingerprint, keyless door locks that use the process of matching the fingerprint of the person with the one recorded in the database of the keyless lock. These types of locks do not require any accessories like a key, magnetic card, or remote control to activate or deactivate the lock. These types of locks have been on the market for a little bit now and the cost has gone way down from what they use to be, making it an affordable alternative to the other types of keyless door locks.

The good thing about biometric locks is that you do not have to rely on someone else having a copy of your key and you will never have to remember a combination for your lock. The lock relies on your unique fingerprint therefore making it extremely difficult for someone to gain access to your lock. The negative aspect of biometric locks is that sometimes, especially with the elderly, the fingerprint is not easily read. The technology has greatly improved over time and this issue is not as frequent, but it still does happen from time to time.

The different types of keyless door locks give consumers a wide selection, each with different options to cater to individual requirements. If you are one who easily forgets numbers and combinations, then the biometric or remote keyless door locks may be your best solution. The great thing about all the types of keyless door locks is that most do come with the option of multiple ways to access the lock, such as a combination and a key, so that you have extra protection and don’t ever have to worry about being locked out of your home or office again.Visit www.bestkeyless.com to purchase one today.

We all remember the wonderful gadgets of James Bond, MacGyver, Magnum PI, and even Inspector Gadget. In the past, spygear was only used by private investigators and police officers. Now spygear can be used by anyone and there are different uses and reasons for these products. The availability and selection of spygear has grown immensely over the past few years. In order to find the right product to fit your needs you need to know what your primary purpose for using spygear will be. There are many categories of spygear and many products can be used for more than one application. There are products for child protection, elderly protection, computer spy software, counter surveillance, and marital surveillance to name a few.

 If you are looking for child protection spygear the majority of items available are covert cameras, also referred to as nannycams. These cameras come in many forms such as teddy bears, clocks/alarm clocks, smoke detectors, books, artificial plants, lights/lamps, DVD players, and even mp3 player docks. These covert cameras can also be useful for surveillance of your loved one in an assisted living situation. Other useful spygear items to use for child protection are PC keystroke loggers and SIM recovery readers. The keystroke logger will log all of the keystrokes your child uses on the computer for up to a years worth of data so you can conveniently monitor your child’s computer and internet usage. Another item is the SIM recovery reader which downloads all cell phone activity from your child’s phone such as text messages and calls last made, as well as address book. You can also program the reader to only allow the phone to dial certain numbers that you permit.

If you are looking for spygear to detect if your significant other is being unfaithful there are a few options available. Covert cameras and computer monitoring software can be used in this scenario as well. There are also detection kits that you can purchase that will detect semen, even if invisible, on unwashed surfaces. Some of them can even detect stains as old as 30 years. There are also many voice recording devices, such as a pen voice recorder, that could be useful in investigating an unfaithful partner.

There are also many counter surveillance spygear gadgets available. These products are used if you are suspecting someone is invading your privacy and you want to catch them doing so. There are detector devices that can detect cameras, telephone wire taps, bugs, and metal. There are also spygear devices called audio jammers which generate a masking sound that will desensitize any microphone that are nearby. Covert cameras can also be used as counter surveillance. For example, you can use an outdoor camera system to catch a neighborhood nuisance or to just keep an eye on what is going on around your property.

There are a number of GPS devices available that can be used for many purposes. There are models specifically for tracking your child which comes in different forms such as a wrist watch. GPS trackers can come in handy for checking to make sure your children or spouse are going exactly where they say they are going. These devices can give turn by turn details of the vehicles location. They can also be good to just leave inside your car should it be stolen.

As stated earlier, many of these spygear products can be used for a multitude of different purposes. Whether you are looking to purchase products to make sure you child is safe, your spouse is faithful, your privacy is not being invaded, your home is protected, etc.; there is a product to fit that need. Prices range from very affordable to expensive which gives buyers a greater opportunity to find a product that can suite their need without spending over their budget. You don’t have to be a police officer, detective, or private investigator to benefit from the use of spygear products. They are readily available at your fingertips for all of your spying needs. 

Check out www.absolutespygear.com for a wide variety of spygear products.

There are many tell tale signs that your nanny is doing her job and doing it well. It may be the reaction your child has when the nanny first arrives. Is the child happy to see them or does the child shy away? This, of course, depends on your child’s personality to begin with and may not be a great example to determine the nanny’s capabilities. I have heard from several parents how they love that their nanny will give them good details of the events done during the day with the children. If your children are old enough to talk, a good indicator of how your nanny is doing would be what your children say about them or how they talk about them in general. Good nannies will also alert you if they feel there are issues with your children and ask for advice. This shows how seriously they take their position and also that they truly care about your children’s well being.  

As there are signs of good nannies, there are also signs of unfit nannies. A nanny that is frequently late is giving off the impression that they do not respect your time and schedule. This also indicates a lack of structure and dependability. If there seem to be frequent accidents, this could also be a sign of a poor nanny. Children do get hurt and accidents do happen, but when they start to become frequent and a pattern emerges, then you should start to look further into the situation. It could be that they are not being attentive with your children or the worse alternative; they are actually hurting your children. Do not overestimate your intuition. If you feel that something it just not quite right, then you owe it to yourself and your children to investigate further into the situation.

There are a few options to try when you want to determine the ability and trustworthiness of your nanny. You can ask a neighbor or friend to randomly stop by your house to check in on the nanny. You could come home early without notifying the nanny first. Another option if you want to be absolutely sure of what is going on with no outside forces involved is a hidden camera; also know as a nanny cam. Nanny cams come in many forms and vary in cost. Some of the more common nanny cams are in the form of teddy bears, books, fake plants, wall clocks, and mantle clocks. They are also available in clock radios, mp3 player docks, DVD players, motion lights, lamps, and even calculators. Prices for these items range from around $100 to $600. Having a nanny cam that also has the true functionality of the item aside from the camera can cost you more but will it be more realistic and thus better hidden.

Nanny cams have become increasingly popular but this popularity has also caused some to question the proper use of these devices. While it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and your child’s safety, there would be an obvious loss of trust if the nanny cam was found. Many prefer to inform a potential nanny during the hiring process that they use cameras. They feel that if the nanny is informed they are being watched then the nanny will always be doing their job to their best ability and there is no chance for trust issues later if the camera was found. It is more of a preventative measure against bad behavior rather than trying to catch the nanny engaging in bad behavior. Others feel that this defeats the purpose of having a nanny cam altogether.

Another concern is the legality of nanny cams. Currently all 50 states consider it legal to have hidden cameras. However, it is illegal to record speech without a person’s consent in 15 states. 13 states have laws that prohibit the unauthorized installation or use of cameras in private places. A private place is defined as one where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from unauthorized surveillance, such as the bathroom or bedroom if the nanny lives with you. Check with your states wiretapping and eavesdropping laws to see what applies to you.

The increasing popularity of nanny cams has caused some disagreement as to the proper use of them and if you should inform someone that they are being recorded. Nevertheless, nanny cams are readily available, come in many forms and have a wide cost range to fit your budget. If you feel concerned about the safety of your child or the integrity of your caregiver while you are away, a nanny cam may be the right solution for you. Check out AbsoluteSpygear.com which has a wide variety of nanny cams at all price levels.

Making sense of safe ratings can be a little overwhelming to those looking to buy a safe for the first time.  During your safe search, you might run across safes that are “B” rated or “C” rated, TL-15 or TL-30, TRTL15 or TRTL30, RSC safes, and 1 hour fire or 2 hour fire rated.  Let’s try to make a little sense of all this.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has been testing and certifying safes for more than 80 years, so they know a think or two about what makes a good safe.  They have devised a rating system that can be divided into three major categories; burglary resistance, fire resistance and impact resistance.

To test burglary resistance, UL either uses tools (TL) or torches (TR).  The instruments that can be used is anything that can be found in a hardware store or constructions site… drills, hammers, wenches, power saws, crowbars, jackhammers, oxyacetylene welter’s torch, you name it.  Ratings are then given to a particular safe by how long it takes for the best safecrackers in the world to, well… crack the safe.

So here are the basic burglary ratings as specified by UL:

B1 - Theft resistant (minimum security)
B2 - UL listed RSC (Residential Security Container)/TL-5 (UL tested Tool Rated for 5 minutes – door only)
B3 - Non rated anti theft (incorporates features of security safes without a UL rating)
B4 - UL listed TL-15 (UL tested Tool Rated for 15 minutes - door only)
B5 - UL listed TL-30 (UL tested Tool Rated for 30 minutes - door only)
B6 - UL listed TL-30X6 or TRTL-30X6 (UL Tested Too land/or Torch rated on all six sides for 30 minutes)

Now, as you probably know, safes are also rated by the amount of time it can be expected to keep its contents below 350 degrees Fahrenheit (paper begins to burn at 400 degrees).  Time and outside temperature are both considered in UL’s rating system as follows:

UL Class 350- 1/2 hour fire rating (Heated for 1/2 hour at 1550 degrees)
UL Class 350 - 1 hour fire rating ( Heated for 1 hour at 1550 degrees)
UL Class 350 - 2 hour fire rating ( Heated for 2 hours at 1550 degrees)
UL Class 350 - 1 hour fire rating and impact testing label
UL Class 350 -2 hour fire rating and impact testing label

For a UL listed safe to be labeled “Impact Rated” it is heated to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit in a furnace, raised three stories and dropped onto a pile of bricks and then returned to the furnace and reheated. In order to meet the listing requirement, temperatures inside can’t have risen above 350 degrees Fahrenheit and sample papers left inside must be readable.

Finally, you might hear the term “B” rated or “C” rated.  This merely refers to the thickness of the door.  “B” rated safes are constructed of less than 1/2 inch thick steel walls, and doors less than 1inch thick steel. “C” rated safes are constructed of at least1/2 inch thick steel walls, and doors at least 1 inch thick steel.

And that’s all there is to!  Safe ratings are there to help you pick the safe that best suits your needs, so make sure to use them whenever available.

Many benefits can be had using keyless locks for your business. Examples of businesses that would gain from using these types of locks include retailers, warehouses, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, offices, government offices, and many more.  There are a few different aspects of keyless locks that can give businesses advantages over using traditional locking mechanisms. A great example is that it allows owners to stop worrying about disgruntled former employees accessing the business after they have been let go. Using keyless locks allows for immediate termination of access to the business as the owner can just delete that particular employees code used for entering. You can also easily change the codes should you have a threat to the security of your business. Keyless locks also cannot be picked or “bumped” unless they also have a key override option.

A great feature of some keyless locks is that is allows you to set up scheduled access. You can schedule the lock to automatically unlock during business hours and then lock back up again when the business is closed. This frees up managers and owners from having to personally be at the location to open the doors for employees arriving at work. You can also have the lock set to be locked on the weekend in the case that the business is closed on the weekend.

Certain locks have special features and options that allow you to see who is going in and out of the business. This feature is often called audit trail.  The can be very useful for owners who need to check employee attendance, the time that employees actually get to and leave work, and also see who is accessing the business after hours. You can also give different levels of access for different employees. There are also locks that feature remote code generation. This allows the owner to provide a one time entry code for maintenance persons, contractors, or in emergency situations where immediate access to the business is needed. For example, ResortLock, uses a website that allows owners to log on and create a code for immediate use. The remote code generation feature also can produce temporary codes which will work only under the timeframe that you select. This can be beneficial for maintenance or contractors who need more than one time access to the business.

Keyless locks are gaining more popularity in homes and businesses. Currently there are no statistics on the usage of keyless lock systems, but it will be increasing and could reach 100% over time. Many think that because of the advanced technology the lock will be more expensive. This is not the case at all. Keyless locks are very affordable and readily available through many retailers. If you have not considered looking into keyless locks, now is the time to do so.

You try not to think about your loved ones valuables and belongings being at risk for theft while they are residing in an assisted living facility. The harsh reality is that theft is a common occurrence at nursing homes and assisted care facilities. With staff and visitors frequently coming and going and having access to resident’s rooms, it is easy to understand how theft can occur. But how can we prevent theft? Purchasing a safe for your loved one can give you the comfort of knowing that their valuables will be safe and secure.

What kind of safe should you look for? There are a few options available that would be beneficial in an assisted living situation. Biometric safes, or fingerprint safes, offer the advantage that there is no code that the resident will have to remember. Biometric safes also allow greater security because only the resident will be able to access the safe, limiting staff issues with theft. The main disadvantage of biometric safes is that these types of safes sometimes have difficulty reading the fingerprints of the elderly, but all biometric safes come with a key override to avoid being locked out of your safe.

Electronic keypad safes would also be advantageous in a nursing home situation. Electronic keypad safes offer simple access and since you use a code, there is no key to lose, although most come with key override as well. The disadvantages to using electronic keypad safes would be that the resident might not be able to remember the code or have the physical ability to actually push the buttons on the safe. Staff could also see the code being entered into the safe and therefore gain access as well.

Safes that use only a key to unlock will also aid in the prevention of nursing home theft. The advantage would be that there is no code to remember and only one way to access the lock. The disadvantage to this is if the resident were to lose the key. The keys could also be stolen or possibly copied. Two keys are usually issued with safes and it would be a good idea to have the resident keep one key and you keep the other so you will always have a backup if one is lost. Plus, it will diminish the possibility that someone else could get a hold of the other key.

The type of safe you invest in is purely a matter of preference as there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of safe as previously discussed. The situation or conditions that you are faced with will also determine what type of safe would suite your loved one best. Knowing that belongings and valuables are safe and secure from theft can ease at least some of the worries that go along with having a loved one in an assisted living facility.

Do you feel like you are in the dark as to what is really going on at your rental property? Have you been told by your management company that your place has not been rented for over 2 months, but suddenly is booked the day you want to use it? Are you miles away from your rental property and wary of the management company you currently use? Have you visited your rental property only to find that it is currently being used without your knowledge? These are just a few of the many stories and complaints that we hear on a regular basis. If only your lock could talk……

Well now, they can. Schlage has developed a lock called the Schlage LiNK in which you use your computer or cell phone to send a signal through your home router, which then sends a signal to the Schlage Bridge, which in turn sends a wireless signal to the lockset. The Bridge is the device that creates a network within your home that connects the lockset to the internet and it can relay a signal to the devices for up to 100ft. You can also add lights, thermostats, and cameras to the system. Using Schlage’s web interface, you can give someone access to your property as well as check to see who is going in and out of your property. This lock does require that you have internet access at the location of the lock in order for it to function and they also charge a monthly subscription fee of $12.99.

Another lock on the market that allows you to see what is really going on at your property is called ResortLock. This lock uses a website to generate codes for those you want to allow access but in addition offers additional software to install on your computer which also allows you to generate temporary codes, but also gives you additional functions such as audit trail and time shift scheduling. You can assign guests, employees, or contractors names to every code and ibutton you provide. Via the programming ibutton, which is like a key fob, you can then download access information from the lock and view on your computer. It will show the date, time, and user/code that has accessed the property. The time shift scheduling allows you to create codes/ibuttons for employees, cleaning crews, management companies, etc., that will only work under the dates and times that you specify. The code/ibutton will not provide access during any other time.

The great thing about the ResortLock is that there are no monthly subscription fees and you do not have to have an internet connection at the location of the lock in order to use it. The ResortLocks unique serial number is input into the software/website and thus “links” the lock to it. The software will run the same algorithm as the lock runs once this serial number is input and hence, no internet connection needed and the correct codes for that particular lock will be produced.

Finally, property managers can rest assured that they are in complete control of their properties, even if they are hundreds of miles away. Gone are the days of feeling left in the dark about what really goes on at your rental location, business, or home. When you are questioning who is accessing your property, now all you need to do is ask your lock to tell you all the answers.

So you are looking into buying a safe. You start to browse and feel overwhelmed by the vast options and varieties that are available to you. With so many safes available it becomes confusing to determine one will work out the best for your specific needs. Where do you begin? Here are a few tips to get you started in the right direction.

One of the first things you need to determine is what is going to be stored inside the safe. There are a wide variety of sizes and determining how much room that you will need inside your safe is an essential. Is it jewelry, documents, files, guns, media, etc.? There are safes made specifically for these different items, therefore determining your exact purpose for buying a safe can help narrow down the options available to you. Once you determine what the main use of your safe is going to be then you can begin to dig deeper into the options available. For example, if you are looking for a gun safe you would consider how many guns you need to store as well as the type of guns you are storing in your safe, which will determine the size safe that you require.

If you are looking to secure your jewelry and valuables in your safe, do you need it to be hidden, secured to the floor, fire or TL rated? The fire rating tells you how effectively the safe will withstand certain temperatures and for what length of time. The TL rating is given after testing the product using high speed drills, saws, and other impact tools. So a TL-15 rating would mean that the safe would resist damage for 15 minutes if subject to the types of tools listed previously.

Once you figure out what is going inside your safe you need to determine where you would like your safe to be located. If you are looking to purchase a wall safe, you need to determine where the studs in the wall are located for proper installation. You would also need to determine if you would like the wall safe to be hidden and if so, determining if the safe will stick out from the wall and what could be used to hide the safe. If you are interested in a closet safe, do you want it installed on the floor or mounted to the wall? You will also need to know where the studs are if you choose to install your closet safe to the wall.

If you are interested in a gun safe you need to make sure that your door openings are large enough to fit the safe through without damaging the doorframe and also if your floor will support the weight of the safe you are looking to purchase. Many gun safes are extremely heavy and will require assistance in delivery and installation to your location. If you are thinking about purchasing a floor safe you need to consider a few different things. The location of the safe will have to be on a 1^st floor and it will require you to excavate a cavity in your concrete floor for your safe to fit inside. If you are building a house it is much cheaper to do this when the concrete is being poured as opposed to doing it later on. Many floor safes are also fireproof or fire resistant. Even without those fire ratings, floor safes still have an advantage when fires do occur as there is only one side of the safe exposed to damage.

So where do you purchase a safe? Many local retailers and locksmiths have safes in stock. The benefit of buying local is that you have the safe immediately and can view the product in the store to assess if it is going to suite your needs. The downside is that it is usually more expensive and you have a far more restricted selection.  You can also purchase safes from online retailers. The benefit of purchasing online is that prices are usually around 30% less expensive than those sold by local retailers or locksmiths. There is also a wide variety of safes available online and there are some brands and models that you can customize to fit your exact needs. The downside to online safe purchases is shipping cost, which will depend on the weight of the safe you are looking at and the site you purchase it from. Many sites, such as www.primarysafes.com  and www.bestsecuritysite.com , offer free shipping on select models. Not being able to physically view the product may also be an issue, so be sure to find a site that has a lot of information on the safes they sell and are available to contact via telephone to answer any question or concerns you may have.

Hopefully after reading this article you feel better equipped to start looking for a safe that fits your specific needs. It can be confusing with all of the options available but starting with your basic needs for a safe and then building upon those needs will narrow down your choices and make the process of purchasing a safe a lot easier. Good luck and happy shopping!

So you own a rental vacation home thousands of miles away from your home. You are very familiar with issues that come up with your guests such as missing keys, lockouts, late or early check ins/outs, etc. Since you are many miles away from your rental property, it is often difficult to deal with these issues which in turn lead to added stress for all parties involved. What if you could manage all of these problems right from your home or office? Using the ResortLock, all of these common issues can be handled quickly and with ease.

ResortLock diminishes your need to issue keys or permanent codes to your guests. No more worrying about how many keys to your property are floating around or if your guest are giving the permanent code out as well as using the code to gain access at a later time. ResortLock produces temporary codes that will only work for the timeframe you create and when that timeframe is over the code will expire, eliminating the need to worry about if your property is being used without your knowledge. Another advantage of the ResortLock is no more lockouts – if you renter loses their key and gets locked out, that is a problem.  If guests lose their code-not a problem. Simply issue another code through the website or software and give them their new temporary code within minutes.

ResortLock is also useful for business and home owners.  Do you have a weekly cleaning crew that needs access for a specific date/time range? Want your door to automatically unlock when your business opens and lock again when you close? Need to let someone into your home but are unable to be there to let them inside? Need to know who is going in and out of your property and when? ResortLock gives you the power to deal with of all of these scenarios and more.

You can assign permanent codes or ibuttons (similar to key fobs) for employees, cleaners, contractors, etc. and control the exact times and days that you want them to have access. Via the programming ibutton that comes with the software package, you can then download access information from the lock and view on your computer. ResortLock will store the date, time, and code used for up to 4000 individual events. You can also program a schedule of operation for your lock, enabling you to leave your lock open during certain times of the day (business hours) or automatically switch between passage (leaves the door open) & code-entry mode (locks automatically after 5 seconds).

These are just a few examples of how ResortLock can be a valuable asset for your rental property, business, or home. Not only does ResortLock provide more control than any other lock on the market, it’s the lowest cost remote management lock solution available and has no monthly fees. Visit www.ResortLock.com to learn more about all that ResortLock has to offer.