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The Benefits of a Mobile Locksmith

Posted on by Chris

Today’s the day! That big meeting – important appointment – time sensitive errand and *bang.* Without realizing what just happened, your keys are now locked inside your car. So what do you do? No need to panic. We’ll help walk you through the best way to handle an auto-lock out.

How Common are Auto Lock Outs?

On average, AAA (Triple A) handles more than 4 million auto-lock outs per year, and that’s just one company. This means the actual number of automobile lock outs per year is much, much, higher. That equates to just shy of 11,000 reports per day. Now while AAA may be able to help you get back into your car, they probably aren’t the best, or most efficient, person to call when you find yourself in this situation. Locksmiths tend to handle situations like this much more often. In fact, auto-locksmith services are usually one of the most popular, and requested services that a locksmith offers.

Now there are two main issues that would require the use of an auto-locksmith. The first is that you’ve broken, or damaged, your car key beyond repair. The second is that your perfectly working key is now trapped inside your locked car. So what are you options when this happens? Well you might be thinking that you’ll just call a tow, and tow your car to the dealership. This way, they can help you get into your car and then make you a brand new set of working keys. But this isn’t actually the best choice for cost, or efficiency, reasons.

The Real Cost of Calling a Tow.

The average automobile tow costs over $100 for a short distance, meaning something under 10 miles. (And some companies define “short distance” as less than 4 miles!) Most towing companies will have a flat “hook-up rate” of $50, and then increase the cost per mile, which means you could be looking at several hundreds of dollars depending on how far away you expect the tow to go. You also have to remember that towing companies usually have ranges, or regions, which means there is a maximum distance they will take you. This could leave you stuck, especially if the dealership is far away from where you are. But even if you get the tow to the dealership, you have to add in the cost to replace the key once you’re there. Most fob keys can run over $200 at the dealership. Factor this into what you paid for your tow, and you’re looking at a very expensive day.

Now the above mentioned very expensive day has probably also turned into a very long one as well. Living in a big city like Houston means that traffic is anywhere and everywhere you need to be. The average tow takes at least 50 minutes, and that figure isn’t accounting for traffic or standard delays. So you’ll likely be waiting for over an hour for the tow to arrive, then to hook you up, tow you away, and get to you to the dealership. However, towing will only get you from point A to point B. It doesn’t actually get you back into your car. Plus, most dealerships run semi-regular business hours, which means you could spend all that time and money to arrive at a shop that’s closed until the next morning.

A Mobile Locksmith Will Save You Time and Money.

This is why calling a local mobile locksmith is actually the absolute best option. Locksmiths are skilled and insured professionals who are trained to get you back into your car quickly. They have the skills to not only help you get back into your car, but also to make a key replacement on the spot! This means that you’ll only need to get one service, which means one bill. Not only will this save you hundreds of dollars, but most likely hours of invaluable time!

Houston Safe and Lock has been in business for over 98 years! Our just shy of a century of experience has helped us develop systems to be as skilled and efficient as possible. All of our locksmiths are licensed, bonded and insured, which gives you the peace of mind that you can trust the work, and worker. Each one has been trained to evaluate the situation and come up with the best plan to get you back in your car. We offer free estimates by calling (713) 489-1336, and our technicians are always ready to help you, no matter what time of day. You can’t predict when an emergency will happen, which is why we’re happy to offer our 24/7 locksmith services anywhere within a 50 mile radius of Houston. We offer 100% in-house staffing, which means we’re not taking your call and sending someone else. We do not use any third party contracting which means you can trust what we discuss. We won’t use any “bait-and-swtich” pricing which is, unfortunately, quite common. We will provide you a detailed estimate on the phone and get to work. We are also skilled at replacing even the most complicated car keys on site, including fobs, so do not be afraid to ask! 

As you can see, calling an auto locksmith will absolutely safe you time and money. Instead of the expensive price tag and hassle of a tow, and the dealership key fees, this rolls everything up into one. This makes it the most cost, and time, efficient option. And you know what they say; “Time is money.”

So while we all hope that this unfortunate event doesn’t happen to us, it’s always good to be prepared. Accidents happen, and Houston Safe and Lock will make this stressful event as simple, and painless, as possible.

What Can A Locksmith Do For You: Residential, Commercial and Auto

Posted on by Chris

Locksmiths are a vital industry, but many people don’t realize how much they can do. Not only do they help when you are locked out of your car, but they can also help with residential and commercial lockouts.

Do you want to learn more about locksmith services and what they can help you with? Keep reading this article to learn about auto locksmiths, mobile locksmiths, and more!

What Are Locksmiths? 

When you think about a locksmith, you may think of someone who comes and unlocks your car when you leave your keys inside. However, there is much more to the locksmith industry!

In fact, locksmiths go through training, certification, and more. This means that they are skilled in their trade and can help with almost any security device and lock. 

Locksmiths can help with residential, commercial, or even auto locksmith services! No matter what you need help with, you can find a reliable locksmith to get the job done!

Make New Keys

One thing that locksmiths can do is make new keys for their clients. This is called “cutting keys” and locksmiths can make new keys for locks in any type of building, for different types of vehicles, and even safes. 

There are many reasons that you may need a new key made by a locksmith. For example, you may have lost or broken your keys. Even though keys are made from metal, they can break after regular use and wear and tear.

These keys may even break inside your lock. To be able to get into your home, you would need to hire a locksmith to remove the broken key and make a duplicate key for you. 

Even if you haven’t lost or broken your keys, you can ask your locksmith to cut you a new key. These are good in case of emergency, if you need an extra key to give someone, or if you want to hide an extra key near your home. 

Regardless if you need a new house key or other specialized keys like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock keys, you can find a locksmith to help you!

Add New Locks

When you move into a new home, it is a good idea to buy and install new locks. If you don’t, you have no idea who has a copy of your house key. Whether it is a previous owner or someone else, you don’t want others to have access to your home. 

When you want to add a new lock, this is something a locksmith can do for you! This is also something you should consider when you are moving into a new apartment. It will improve your security and can make you feel safer!

Finally, you may need to add new locks if you have damaged or broken locks. When you rekey or re lock your home, you can feel much more safe and secure. 

Auto Locksmith

One of the most common uses for a locksmith is when you have issues with your car! For example, many people accidentally lock their keys into their car and have no way to access them. 

Another service that many locksmiths provide is making repairs to key fobs. If you are having trouble with your remote start key or your key fob, you can contact an auto locksmith to have them reprogram or repair these keys!

Home and Commercial Lockouts

If you are locked out of your house or even your business, you can get a locksmith to give you access!

Especially when you run a business, you may need to get into your building as quickly as possible. By hiring a locksmith, you will be able to get into your business and take care of your important tasks much more quickly. 

Emergency Services

Some locksmiths offer emergency 24-hour services. These services are helpful for many reasons. For example, you never know when you will be locked out of your car or your home. 

Having an emergency locksmith will allow you to get into your home at any time of night. 

Locksmiths can also help in emergency situations. If your home has been broken into, you may want to immediately change the locks to protect yourself. They can come and replace broken locks, add new locks, and more. 

Safes and More

Finally, many locksmiths double as safe technicians. If you have a safe in your home that you cannot get into, a locksmith may be able to get it opened for you! They have many professional-grade tools that can help them open the lock or repair any damage to the lock on your safe. 

If you are worried about the safety of your home or your valuables, locksmiths can also install safes in your home. 

Whether you have a safe in your home or as part of your business, it is important that you are able to access it! Many people use safes to store important documents and other valuables. Using a locksmith can help you gain access to these important items!

Find a Reliable Locksmith Today!

Finding a professional locksmith can help you in many situations. Not only can they help you when you are locked out of your car, house, or business, but they can also help you improve your home security and even make you new keys! 

If you are hiring a locksmith for any reason, you need to make sure you hire a reliable company that you can trust! If you are looking for a locksmith in the Houston, Texas area, Houston Safe and Lock can help! Contact our team today if you want to learn more about our services, if you need help from an emergency locksmith, or if you have any other questions!

What to Look For When Hiring a Local Locksmith

Posted on by Chris

Getting locked out of your house or car can waste several hours of your day. Having a reliable locksmith that you can turn to will help you during this frustrating fiasco!

Do you need a local locksmith to help you with a lockout? Keep reading to learn more about what you should look for in a Houston locksmith.

Things You Should Know About A Locksmith Company Before You Hire Them

Hiring a locksmith can be vital to ensuring the safety and security of your home. Because locksmiths have access to your property, you want to make sure they are reliable and reputable.

If you need help with locksmith services, here are some things you should know before you hire a local locksmith.

What Services They Offer

One of the first and foremost things you should look for in a locksmith is what services they offer. There are many different reasons you need a locksmith. Most often, you will need a locksmith for commercial or residential lockouts or you may need an automotive locksmith to help you get into your car.

However, there are many other services that can be offered by your locksmith. Finding a locksmith that you can turn to for any locksmith service is vital!

If you are looking for a mobile, or auto, locksmith, it isn’t necessarily just when you have locked your keys in the car.

An auto locksmith can fix broken locks on your car door, they can replace car keys that have been lost, and they can even rebuild or replace your ignition or door locks. These services are more specialized than simple lockouts, so it is important to find a company that offers these services.

Some other locksmith services you may want to look into are re-keying, lock installation, duplicate key cutting, and more. These can help you if you have lost your keys, if you are worried about someone having access to your home, or even if you have moved into a new place and want better security.

Hiring a locksmith can help you feel safer in your home and will give you peace of mind.

Check Their Credentials and Experience

While not all companies require their locksmiths to be professionally licensed, having a certified locksmith help you with your locksmith services can give you peace of mind that the job will be done correctly and efficiently.

You can’t trust just anyone with the safety of your home. Locksmiths have a trusted role. They have access to your home and security, and they should prioritize your safety. You also need to be sure that you hire a secure locksmith company that will not manipulate the locks on your door.

To ensure your safety when you are hiring a locksmith, make sure you find one with a license and credentials.

It is also important to hire a locksmith with experience in the services you require. While most locksmiths can help with simple lockouts, if you require more advanced services, you want a locksmith that knows what they are doing.

Hiring a locksmith with a lot of relevant experience will ensure you get the best service possible with a reputable locksmith!

Business Locations and Distance

Another thing you may want to consider when choosing a professional locksmith is if they have locations close to you, or if they are a mobile locksmith within driving distance of your location.

Not only can this potentially save you from paying extra fees, but it will also improve your service. If you are locked out of your home, business, or car, and need immediate service, having a locksmith nearby will save you time!

Another benefit of hiring a local locksmith is that they will be more familiar with issues specific to your local area. If you live in a more dangerous area, they may be able to provide you with high-security locks and other things to keep your home safe.

Work With A Business

Another important factor when hiring a locksmith is to make sure they work with a professional business. Not only will this help you check their credentials and reviews, but it will also protect you if there is damage done to your home.

Professional locksmith companies often have insurance to cover any damage that happens while they are doing work on your home. If you don’t hire a locksmith through a company, you have the risk that they are not properly insured.

References and Reviews

Having good references and reviews is the easiest way to find a reliable locksmith company. These reviews will help you identify if their company is good to do business with and if they treat their customers fairly.

Some things you may want to keep an eye out for in online reviews are if they are reliable, if they communicate well with their customers, and if they are good at what they do.

If you don’t want to look at online reviews, you can always ask neighbors or local friends for recommendations. Some companies also list client testimonials on their website to show their value!

Availability

It is also important to know the availability of a locksmith company before you hire them. Often, lockouts and other emergencies that require a locksmith will happen when you least expect it.

Something that may help is hiring a 24-hour locksmith. No matter the time of day, having a locksmith with 24-hour services will help you!

Find A Houston Locksmith Today!

Locksmiths can be useful for many services, but it is important to do your research before you hire a company. Finding a professional and reliable locksmith company to do business with can be difficult.

If you are looking for a reputable Houston locksmith company, Houston Safe & Lock can help! Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer!

The Top 7 Reasons to Own a Home Safe

Posted on by Chris

Owning your own home is a big responsibility and one that many people are understandably hesitant to take on. But the benefits of homeownership can be huge and far-reaching, giving you peace of mind in both the short-term and long term.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have adequate protection for your most valuable asset: your house. One way you can do this is by installing a home safe, which will give you added security and peace of mind in the event that disaster strikes.

To make it easier for you to decide whether or not to invest in a home safe, we’ve compiled a few top reasons why owning one is essential:

Perfect place to store your firearms

In most states, it’s illegal to store guns in your car or anywhere else that they are accessible by children without proper protection. That means if you keep a gun in the glove compartment of your SUV, for example, it could be considered improperly stored and confiscated by law enforcement officials.

A home safe is a perfect place to keep your firearms out of the hands of children. Your safe will allow you to store your guns in a way that keeps them locked away and unavailable to curious kids – freeing yourself from any legal or safety complications.

Additionally, it’s a great way to keep your guns away from burglars, especially if you live in a high-theft area. Finally, you can use it for storage and as an extra safe place to sleep at night.

Protection against disasters

If you’re living in an area where natural disasters are a threat, your home safe can protect your important documents and valuables from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and more.

It’s also beneficial in the event of a fire or other emergency when you need to evacuate your home quickly. Many fire-safe and waterproof home safes are even made to withstand extreme temperatures, meaning you can store important papers that could be damaged or destroyed by a house fire. 

Protect your valuables from theft

If you’re worried about burglars, a safe is an excellent way to protect your valuables. It doesn’t matter if you just live on a quiet suburban street or live in an area with higher crime rates. Anyone can be burglarized, and it only takes one instance of someone breaking into your home to make the purchase worthwhile.

You can also bolt the safe to your floor so it can’t be easily carried out of the house, and you can fill it up with everything from cash, jewelry, important documents, and other valuable items. It’s a good way to keep your family’s valuables safe and secure.

Valuable place to keep emergency equipment

A home safe isn’t just for valuable items. You can also use it to store emergency equipment like flashlights, batteries, and first-aid kits. These things are advisable to have on hand at all times, and can be a lifesaver when the time comes for you to use them.

You can even keep important information about your family in case of an emergency—like where you’ve stored an extra set of keys or who to call if an accident happens at night and no one is home.

It’s like your own little emergency kit, and it gives you quick access to anything you might need in an emergency.

Peace of mind during vacation

If you plan on traveling, a home safe is a good way to make sure your valuables are protected.

Even if you stay in other people’s homes or leave yourself to go on a long road trip, it’s not uncommon for burglars to target houses while their owners are away.

Because your home safe is bolted to the floor and has high-quality security features like fingerprint recognition and internal alarms, it can give you a good sense of protection while you’re away.

Prevent identity theft

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America right now, and it’s a problem that affects millions of people. A home safe offers an extra layer of protection against this type of theft.

You can store important information like your social security cards, credit, and debit card statements, and tax returns in a home safe to keep them safe from identity thieves.

If you’re planning on disguising your home safe as a piece of furniture, it can even help protect against thieves who might try to break into your house by smashing through a window or door frame.

Choose from different shapes and sizes

Home safes are available in various shapes and sizes, from floor safes to wall safes and more. You can even find safes that are disguised as bookshelves or televisions.

You don’t have to settle for an ugly gun box; you can get something stylish that blends in with your other furniture. This will make it harder for burglars to notice, and it will be easier on your eyes when you’re in your own home.

Final Thoughts

Considering all the benefits a home safe provides, it’s not hard to understand why they’re considered one of the most important features in any homeowner’s security system.

You might be surprised at the number of people who buy home safes just to store things they don’t really need to protect. It doesn’t matter what kind of valuables you own, or how much you can afford to lose if something does happen.

A home safe is a great way to protect your family, and gives you peace of mind in an uncertain world. If you feel like your valuables deserve a little extra protection and peace of mind, then a home safe is definitely worth thinking about. Explore our collection of home safes today! Houston Safe and Lock has been serving the greater Houston area for almost a hundred years. Contact us and let our years of experience help you find the perfect safe for your needs.

The Key to Home Security: How the Right Safes and Locks can Protect You from Crime

Posted on by Chris

Each year, over 3-million homes are burglarized in the United States, and nearly 12% of those burglaries involved acts of violence. The truth is, Americans are at risk for home invasions and burglaries much more than you might think, and the Houston area is no exception. 

Luckily, a few preventative measures and a highly experienced locksmith can help protect you, your family, and your home from these terrible crimes. With the right safes and locks properly installed by a trained locksmith, you can rest easy and lower your chance of being a victim dramatically. 

Houston Safe and Lock has more than 100 years of experience providing this security, and we’re here to provide you with the crucial knowledge to keep your home safe. 

  1. How Do Locks Protect Your Home?

Simply having high-quality locks installed on your home’s entryways will dramatically lower your chances of being burglarized. Thieves, while determined and willing to do unconventional things to get what they want, are proven to walk away from a potential target when faced with a time-consuming roadblock. In this case, your home’s locks are your first form of deterrence, and most thieves won’t persist after fussing with them for a few moments. 

However, you need high-quality locks that are professionally installed to ensure they deter thieves sufficiently enough to keep them at bay. A low-quality lock can be bypassed in seconds, and an improperly installed lock is likely to fail with ease. 

At Houston Safe and Lock, we’re dedicated to performing professional lock installations, and we only use the finest locks possible to ensure your home’s safety. These include Mul T Lock, Medeco, and Tuff Strike branded locks that outperform even the best commercially available locks on the market. 

  1. How do Safes Protect You from Crime? 

When thieves target your home, they’re often looking for the most valuable items you have. Your most expensive heirloom jewelry, your cash savings, and other items they can steal without much of a hassle are prime targets. A home without a safe makes taking these items a fairly simple task. Even if you believe you’ve hidden such things well, thieves know where to look. The only way to prevent them from getting away with your most prized belongings is to store them in a proper safe. Similar to how locks on your doors prevent thieves from entering in the first place, safes force the ones who do get in to settle for lower-value items. 

A good safe can also come in handy in case of a house fire or flooding. For example, the safes we offer provide more than two persistent hours of fire protection. This makes them not only ideal for protecting against thieves, but also for securing your cash and essentials in case of a fire. 

Safe acquisition and installation are specialties of ours at Houston Safe and Lock. Not only do we have 100 years of experience with safes, but we also offer the highest quality and most reliable safe models on the market. This includes options from Jewel, Amsec, and Perma Vault. More importantly, we can provide these safes to you at a fair price, transport them to your home, and install them professionally. This ensures that you get the most reliable performance out of your safe and that you can rest easy knowing your belongings are protected. 

  1. How Houston Safe and Lock Helps Make Protecting Your Home Easy

Now that you know the importance of high-quality locks and impenetrable safes, you’re probably wondering how to go about implementing them into your home. On your own, doing so can be difficult, and it can even leave you with a false sense of security. After all, a lock or safe only works if it’s installed properly. So, the DIY method is not recommended, and you truly do need the best locksmiths possible to know you’re secure. 

At Houston Safe and Lock, we can provide you with the best locksmith and safe installation services available. When you come to us, you know you’re getting a high-quality product and service you can rely on for years to come. 

Here are a few ways we make ourselves stand out from the crowd:

  • • 100 years of experience: All licensed locksmiths are trained thoroughly, but mastery of the trade only comes from years of hands-on experience with real customers and situations. Our team has over 100 years of experience in the locksmith industry, and we’re capable of securing any property reliably. Whether you need residential or commercial services, we have the experience necessary to pull off a flawless job and secure your property fully. 
  • • The best security products: Of course, our experience means nothing if we install sub-par products. Luckily, we source all our products from the most reputable manufacturers, and we select their latest, most reliable products to offer to our customers. When you hire us, you can trust that you’re on the cutting edge of security. 
  • • Full-service: Anyone can sell you a safe. We go the extra mile to ensure your safe is transported and installed properly. We’ll deliver your safe to your home, and we will install it in your preferred location professionally. 
  • • A vast array of options: While we only offer the best locks and safes available, our selection is still vast to provide you with a multitude of options in every price range. 
  • • A customized approach: No two homes have the same security needs. We take a customized approach to every project to ensure we meet your security needs. 
  1. Trust the Houston Area’s Finest Locksmiths with Your Home Security

The fact is, your home is constantly under threat of a burglary or home invasion. Not only are your belongings at risk, but your life and the safety of your family are at risk. You need a professional locksmith service to minimize that risk and allow you to live a safe, worry-free life. 

At Houston Safe and Lock, we’ve set ourselves apart from the competition and developed the most comprehensive service possible. We also have the widest variety of high-quality safes and locks to keep you safe at all times. 

With a large service area covering the entirety of Houston, Texas, Houston Safe and Lock is here to serve you and keep your home secure. Call, or contact us today for a consultation, and see what we can do to keep intruders out of your home. 

Why Houston Safe & Lock is the Best Place to Purchase Your Next Safe

Posted on by Chris

In today’s fast paced world, it seems that no matter what you need, there are 100 companies who sell it. So how do you know where to spend your hard earned cash?  Well if a safe is what you need, worry no more because Houston Safe & Lock is here to help. We will provide you the best security services out there – commercial as well as residential.

As per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, almost 88% of the total burglaries are in residential areas and three out of every four homes in the U.S. will be broken into within the next 20 years. 

That’s where Houston Safe & Lock comes into play. We master it all. For us, it’s not just about providing you the right service, but rather it’s a package. It all starts from understanding the needs and wants of our customers and providing them with a step by step solution. We pride ourselves in being able to get you the exact safe you need.  

You know you want a safe in your house but not sure which one and what type to go for? Let us help you out.  Read here to see how we outline each detail of the safe buying process.

Houston Safe & Lock: Why Us?

We promise to earn your business. We have a century of experience and promise to walk you through each part of the purchasing process – let us give you a glimpse of our service. 

Houston Safe and Lock has been one of the top safe providers in Houston since 1923. Our staff is highly trained and all our technicians are licensed, bonded and insured to help you provide 24-hour emergency services throughout Houston and all surrounding areas. 

We aim is to provide customers with convenience and let them have a complete insight of all our services and products right from the start! Our Houston Safe and Lock website is self explanatory and an easy solution for any preliminary information. 

Book a consultation with our commercial or residential locksmith today and kick start your security plan now. We promise to design a customized plan that fits your budgets and caters well to your needs.

Houston Safe and Lock Safe Shop

Our Safe Shop is a one stop solution for all your safe buying needs from high security jewelry safes to Amsec Safes. Having the largest collection, we promise to cater to every customer and diversified needs. Wondering what we have in stock? Here’s a brief look through just some of our over 300 safes in stock. 

Our Services 

Our services range from extensive gun safes to small jewelry safes that cater both to residential and commercial sites. Want to have a look before you can make a purchase decision? No problem at all – stop by our large Houston-area showroom today and have a look through the hundreds of safes in stock – from the top notch brands including American Security, Original Safes and more. 

Apart from selling safes, we offer a wide range of Safe Services and Locksmith Services – each having their distinct attributes and catering to different problems. 

Our Safe Services include:

  • Open Locked Safes
  • Convert Dial Lock to Digital (or vice versa)
  • Change Combination Lock Code
  • Repair Damage Safes
  • Anchor & Bolt Newly Purchased Safe
  • Move Safe to a New Location

Our Locksmith Services include: 

  • Commercial & Residential Lockouts
  • Repair, Replace & Install New Locks
  • Repair, Replace & Install New Deadbolts
  • Re-keying
  • Duplicate Key Cutting
  • Key Control Devices

It is quite important to understand why a qualified locksmith is essential for any kinds of services, it saves from continuous issues and everyday problems that may come your way.

Let Us Help

We understand that purchasing a safe comes with a lot of questions. What kind of fire rating is important? Does it need to be burglar proof? Are there any warranties? We’re here to help show you how to get the perfect safe for you. Let our 100 years of experience speak for itself, or read our recent reviews. Contact us today and let us help you find your next great safe.

Why You Should Buy an AMSEC Safe

Posted on by Chris

With so many different brands and varieties of safes out there, how can you really know which one to pick? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to, and will easily prove why AMSEC, American Security Products, safes deserve your vote too.

Look for variety.

When you’re looking for a brand of safes, you always want to look at the variety offered in their products. Are they a one-trick-pony? Or do they have a vast array of different products, all at a high quality? AMSEC is proudly the second. They have Commercial Cash Safes, as well as just about any residential safe you can imagine. They have their famous Gun Safes, but also utility safes, high security safes, jewelry safes, digital safes and more. They produce over 400 Fire and Burglar Proof safes. No matter what kind of safe you need, AMSEC makes it.

What options are there?

Different kinds of safes offer different levels of customization and options. Do you want a safe with a key, or keypad? Do you want a combination lock, or maybe something with more than one way to get in? AMSEC offers several different lock options, as well as safes with multiple ways to access. They also have state of the line electronic locks and offer the LP Rotobolt Redundant Lock, ESL5 and ESL10XL. These safes can be customized with colors and hardware as well. You can design the perfect safe for you, and all of your needs.They also produce a wide range of safes. Whether you need a small and secretive safe that’s easy to hide, or a statement piece that can hold 30 different large guns, AMSEC has it all.

Security features matter.

When researching safes, it’s hard to be sure what each classification means, and if the label is actually important. Well, there are some that you never should ignore; the first being fire rating. A fire rating is a number given to a safe that has undergone independent laboratory testing to decide how well the safe should hold up in case of a fire. You’ll usually see this as either a “UL,” or United Laboratories, or Intertek-ETL. These are the top two independent companies that test for a fire rating. Now the average house fire will burn at approximately 1000-2000 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s important to keep that in mind when looking at a fire rating. So a “UL Class 350 1-hour” rating means that the internal temperature of the safe will not surpass 350 degrees with a fire burning at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. Another important rating to look for are B-Ratings and C-Ratings. These directly relate to the thickness and overall strength of the safe, which is important when you’re factoring in forced entry. You need to remember that an easy-to-open safe is a waste of money. You want to make sure your belongings and valuables are safe from intruders. AMSEC 1-hour fire safes are also equipped with UL Listed Type 1 Electronic Locks. These Swingbolt Locks create a more complex and protective lock to protect against common tactics of forced entry including lock picking, drilling, and lock bumping vs the typical Blocking Solenoid. When you factor in these security features, you can see that AMSEC doesn’t take shortcuts in terms of safety.

A good warranty is important.

A good product deserves a good warranty. AMSEC is so sure of their safes that they offer a minimum of a one year warranty on any and all of their products, and go up from there. They offer extended warranties for residential installations with a 5 year extended warranty for all BF Gun safes with a factory-installed AMSEC lock. They also back up all of their security ratings and they offer a lifetime free replacement due to fire damage and forceable entry. (Click here to see their Warranty PDF.) All of their products are made in America, and they offer a free 24 hour customer service hotline that is available 365 days a year. That’s right. There will, quite literally, always be someone available to help you.

It’s easy to see why we love AMSEC safes so much. Being able to trust American Security Products is easy when they have over 75 years in the business. Having a good safe is important, and something you want to invest in. Houston Safe and Lock has been in business for just shy of 100 years, and have been a proud distributor of AMSEC for many of those. We only offer brands we can trust, which is why AMSEC is our top brand. We know this process can feel overwhelming at times, which is why we would love to help. Come check our our Houston-Area showroom and see for yourself what owning an AMSEC safe can be like. We are also available by phone, at (713)-597-4050, or email at HoustonSafeAndLock@Gmail.com. You can also *click here* to be directed to our contact page. Give us a call and let us help you find the perfect AMSEC safe for you.

Why Every Home Should Own a Secure Safe

Posted on by Chris

Houston is expanding.

Houston has been a growing and expanding city for quite some time, and in 2019 was named the 39th fastest growing city in the United States. This has come at an average population increase of about 2% per year, which means thousands and thousands of new residents are moving to Houston. This population increase has also come with a surge in criminal activity. With overall crime and break ins at a static high in Houston, now, more than ever, you need to make sure your home and belongings are safe. This is just one of the many reasons that every home should own a secure safe.

Crime rates are rising.

In the U.S., over 2.5 million burglaries are reported every year, and over 50% of those are home invasions. That equates to about 4,800 break-ins every day, or one every 15 seconds! 66% of all property burglaries occur within residential properties, while about 34% are accounted for at businesses.

So just how bad is the crime in Houston, exactly? Well, it’s really not great. Houston is a 3 on the crime index scale. This means that Houston is the same, or more dangerous, than 97% of all other cities in the United States. On average, Houston has 129,134 crimes committed per year, and of that number, 103,611 are property crimes. That means that property crime accounts for 80.2% of all criminal activity happening in Houston. In Texas alone, you have a 1/42 chance, statically speaking, of being a victim of property crime. However, this number skyrockets to 1/22 when referencing the city of Houston itself.

This is where it really pays to be prepared. While you should always make sure that your home is up to date and equipped with high security locks, you also need to make sure that your valuables are safe inside the home as well. Over 3.4 billion dollars are stolen every year due to personal property theft. This equates to an average of about $2,800 in damage and stolen goods per break-in. In 2021, the average American has roughly $3,400 in their bank account. With that being said, a $2,800 loss could be devastating for most. But what about those things that don’t have a price tag? That precious item, or family heirloom, or important documents? What happens if those are taken? This is where a home safe could save you not only financially, but sentimentally as well. There are some things we simply cannot get back.

How can I be better prepared?

So, how can you protect yourselves from this happening? By investing in a high-quality and secure safe. While home-owners, or renters, insurance can help, filing a claim also means that your premium rates will go up. The avenger premium went up over 20% after filing just one break-in claim! This means that many wont claim the break-in and will just replace the damage themselves. Instead of the worry, hassle, and financial burden of replacing your own valuables, investing in a safe can do all of that for you. These can protect your guns, weapons, valuables, jewelry, important paperwork, and whatever else you wish to keep safe for years and years to come.

Safes aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of investment. There are thousands of different kinds of safes manufactured out there. There are commercial safes, floor safes, jewelry safes, gun safes and the list goes on and on. Finding a professional you can trust is invaluable when choosing the right one for you. Houston Safe and Lock has been in business, and serving the community of Houston for nearly 100 years. Founded in 1923, we have been proudly growing and adapting to the every-changing needs of our community, and thoroughly enjoy the services we get to offer. With almost a century of experience means that we know the ins-and-outs of what we do. We offer high quality and secure safes that will match your individual needs. We have safes that have been fire tested for over 120 minutes! This means that your valuables will not only be protected from burglars, but also from fire. The last thing you need to be worrying about in a house-fire is whether or not your valuables will be ok. We proudly sell, and service, AMSEC, American Security Products, safes and even have a wide selection of used safes. Buying a used safe can be a wonderful investment with some serious discounts. We understand that the process of choosing a safe can feel overwhelming, so click here to contact us, or give us a call at (713)-561-5081, and let us help you find the perfect safe for you.

Handling the stress of a break-in is enough to worry about without having to think about replacing your valuables. Having the right safe can give you the peace of mind of knowing that your irreplaceable, or expensive, items are safe. You should also be sure that your home is equipped with high security locks to avoid the break-in in the first place. Here you’ll find an article helping you do just that.

Who Makes the Best Gun Safes?

Posted on by Chris

Purchased a New Gun?

After purchasing a new gun, one of the first thoughts is, “Where can I safely store this?” With hundred of different models, brands, sizes, features and pricing, finding the right gun safe can feel like an overwhelming task. That’s why we’ve taken the time to compare some of the most popular brands and styles, so that way you don’t have to! We’ll be showing you options from AMSEC (American Security Products), Stack-On, and Honeywell to give you a battle of the brands!

Round One: Which safe Do I choose?

So one of the first questions that needs answered is, “How many guns, and what type of guns, do I need to store?” From small and hidden drawer safes, to large, free-standing units, having options is key!

Stack On: Stack On has about 77 overall options for safes, and 39 of those are specifically for guns. Having 39 different varieties to choose from mean that you can really get specific with your needs. Overall, we rate this great.

Honeywell: Honeywell has about 67 overall safes for sale, but only 12 for of those are gun specific. Having such a limited quantify means that beggars can’t be choosers, and you may have to sacrifice some of your wants and needs. Overall, we rate this poor.

AMSEC: This company knows safes! With over 200 different models company wide, and over 45 gun specific safes, AMSEC has a safe for what you need! Overall, we rate this great.

Round Two: Fire Rating.

When protecting your valuables, and valuable information, it’s important to always be prepared. That’s why fire ratings have become such and important thing to consider when choosing the correct gun safe. The national recommendation for Fire Protection is one hour. The purpose is to give you the peace of mind, in the horrible case that you ever suffer through a fire, that your valuables are safe. The absolute last thing you should be having to worry about during a fire is if your valuables are going to be ok. Of course with companies with so much inventory, there is going to be a range. Here is what we found:

Stack On: On average, most had a 30 minute fireproof rating for a heat up to 1400 degrees. Several units didn’t have any fireproof guarantee at all, although a large handful of options did have a 75 minute minute rating. Overall, we rate this average.

Honeywell: On average, many of Honeywell Safes didn’t have any fireproof protection at all! The ones that did had either a 20 minute or 30 minute fireproof rating. Simple put – that’s just not enough time. Overall, we rate this poor.

AMSEC: While two, yes – a literal two, safe options have a fireproof rating of 30 minutes, and an additional handful with a 45 and 60 minute rating,  every other safe has above a 90 minute fireproof rating!  (Remember that national recommendation of 60 minutes? AMSEC crushes that.) Significantly more than 50% of all AMSEC safes have a whopping 120 minute fireproof rating. The peace of mind that 2 hours of safety can give you is priceless. Overall, we rate this excellent – and our clear winner of this round!

Round Three: Lock Options.

Now this one is a big one when it comes to what kind of safe you need, and it is completely preference based. Some people love the secure feeling that there is only one way to open that safe, and they hold it in a single key. Others find key-only locks to be too risky and outdated (What if you lost the key?), and want something with a bit more ease. With so many varieties to choose form, let’s compare.

Stack On: Stack On offers four different styles of locks: biometric, combination, electronic, and a key system. These are all pre-determined as to which safe gets which lock. This means, you are unable to customize if you desire to have a different lock on your safe. While having options is great, it doesn’t feel like you can utilize those options to fit with the safe you want. You are stuck picking the safe with the pre-determined lock. Overall, we rate this average.

Honeywell: Honeywell offers combination dial, digital codes, and a key system, Only offering three options with their safes, and none of them are customizable. This means that you have to factor in the locking type into your description, and hope that it meats all of you other needs. With the low variety of options, and no way to customize, this just misses the mark. Overall, we rate this poor.

AMSEC: Almost every AMSEC gun safe has multiple options for locking! Close to all of their gun safes are customizable, offering a plethora of lock options for your comfort and preference. Lock options include: Simplex Mechanical Push Button, LP Rotobolt Redundant Lock, Mechanical Lock with Key-Locking Spy-Proof Dial,  Mechanical Lock with Key-Locking Front-Read Dial, Mechanical Lock with Spy proof Dial,  Mechanical Lock with Front-Read Dial, ESL5 and ESL10XL. All of their safes, except three, offer at least an ESL5 digital keypad lock. This offers the ability for multiple people to have the code to the safe, and no need to hunt for keys during an emergency. These lock options mean you wont have to sacrifice the perfect safe, because it has the wrong locking mechanism. You get to choose! Overall, we rate this excellent!

So? Which brand wins?

As you can see, the options seem to be endless when searching for the perfect gun safe. When you factor in all the brands, sizes, fireproof ratings and lock choices, the options can feel endless! But when comparing these three popular brands, there is no doubt who are clear winner is; AMSEC! With having the largest variety of gun safe options, the highest fireproof timed ratings, and the plethora of locking options, this brand really ranks supreme. 

Fortifying your castle: How high security locks stifle property-crime

Posted on by Chris

Houston is growing

You may realize it on your morning commute, traffic isn’t what it was 5 years ago. Houston has been growing at a consistent 2% since 2010 and in 2019 was considered the 39th fastest growth rate in the US which is pretty staggering taking into consideration 6.8 million people already live here. Rising populations unfortunately do more than clog up freeways and surface streets. It has been shown in cities with rising population rates that typically the crime rate increases on a similar curve. Houston has settled down from its notoriously high crime rates in the 1980s and 1990s following the “Boomtown” era, but since 2015, during the peak of Houston’s recent population influx, the crime rate has been on a steady rise. Your chances of becoming the victim of a property crime are 1 in 24, at a rate of 41.25 property crimes per 1000 residents. Typically this happens because cities do not have the enforcement infrastructure to keep up with the population growth. Houston only has about 1.9 officers per 1000 residents, factoring in Mayor Turner’s promise to add 500 new officers to the force. Taking things into perspective, 2.5 officers per 1000 residents is the nation’s average, which is not a good look for a city that is in the 4th percentile for crime in the US. Yes, you read that right, 96% of the United States is safer to live in than Houston, Tx. While Texas is one of the safest states in the Union, the flip side of that coin is that Houston is double the national average in nearly all statistical categories. That would be amazing if we were talking about public education standards or pro sports statistics, not crime.

Taking proactive action is the first step in keeping yourself from being a victim of property crime or assault. While 43% of Houstonians keep a firearm in their home, that is something I would consider as a last line of defense. Fortifying the entrances to your home is something you can do to help thwart a home invasion in the first place and save yourself and your family from a potentially traumatic experience. The easiest way to shore up your entrances with standard key locking system is to upgrade the hardware itself. Your heavy duty hardwood or metal door is only as strong as the lock within it. Upgrading to what is considered high security will provide more security with its superior structural reinforcement, high quality metal body and mechanism, as well as their inability to be picked or bumped open like a standard lock can, which, in my opinion, is a high security lock’s most significant feature.

“Just googling ‘kwikset key’ you can find a bump key for less than $5 within the first 5 results.”

Lock bumping is a low-skill maneuver

It may seem like lock picking is a trade skill exclusive to locksmiths and hobbyists. This is fairly true on the surface, but there is a less skilled side of lock picking: lock bumping. You may not have ever heard of it but it is a common practice for a locksmith to open a lock as an alternative to lock picking. It consists of utilizing a “bump key” to quickly unlock a lock in a similar fashion to lock picks, albeit much more simple. While lock picking is an artful skill, lock bumping is not. Alternatively, lock picking is a tedious task that usually requires multiple tools while lock bumping is a very quick procedure with only one tool needed. The practice started as a work-around for the novice locksmith who may waste a lot of time trying to pick a lock that could easily be bumped but, due to its ease of accessibility, the skill of lock bumping has permeated itself into criminal culture. It really is something learned in burglary 101. You may be asking what it means to bump a lock. Bumping a lock is a form of lock manipulation that uses a jaggedly cut key lightly “bumped” into the keyway causing the jagged cuts to briefly push the pins above the sheer line in the lock allowing the user to turn the key and unlock the lock. Just like lock picking, lock bumping leaves virtually zero evidence of break in because there was no forced entry. Bumping a lock does not damage anything and even to a trained eye it is almost impossible to tell if a lock has been bumped open before.

Bumping a lock does not damage anything and even to a trained eye it is almost impossible to tell if a lock has been bumped open before.

In my opinion the worst part is that in a residential setting, there are two commonly, almost exclusively, used keyways; Schlage and Kwikset. Seemingly unrelated brands like Baldwin or “smart lock” brands like Samsung and Ring will utilize these 2 keyways purely out of convenience, as these two keyways are largely seen as industry standard. So by carrying just 2 bump keys, someone can break into the vast majority of homes with zero signs of forced entry. This is unbelievably frightening because it is an extremely easy skill to learn. Video tutorials are all over YouTube and it only takes about a half hour or so of practice to become somewhat proficient. No reputable locksmith or key shop would ever sell a bump key to the general public, but unfortunately they are readily available all over the internet and do not cost much more than a regular key blank does. Now while this has always been a “trick-of-the-trade” easy alternative to lock-picking, we now live in the internet era and tools as well as tutorials are available to everybody. Just googling “kwikset key” you can find a bump key for less than $5 within the first 5 results. Something else to consider about this is that even if you have a home alarm system and it goes off when there is a burglary, the responding officer is likely to not investigate any further than placing a sticker on your door if there are zero signs of forced entry, as the majority of home alarm alerts are accidentally triggered anyway. Insurance companies will treat it the same way. Without signs of forced entry, a home insurance company is not liable to cover your assets. This places many people in terrible positions all because their burglar was smart enough to use YouTube. Maybe you see this as an insane theoretical but it is a real threat when it comes to break-ins. Even so, being pick and bump proof is just one of the great features that high security locks have in comparison to standard security hardware and its strength and structural integrity are maybe just as important if not more so because it helps prevent forced entry.

Shop smart when buying locks

The quality of high security far exceeds anything you could find at a general hardware or home improvement store. Schlage and Kwikset are both built with inferior grade metal and less structural integrity than even your most basic high security lock. A lock’s strength and integrity are typically graded on a scale from 3 to 1 based on standard guidelines put into place by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). On this scale grade 3 is considered the lowest quality being the worst while grade 1 is the highest quality. Most Schlage or Kwikset hardware are going to be either grade 2 or 3. Conversely, standard high security hardware typically exceeds grade 1 requirements for residential applications. What does this mean? Simply put it makes it substantially harder for a burglar to kick down your door or smashing off the lock with blunt force. They are designed to take abuse. Their hardened outer shell and internal structural make for a heavy duty piece of hardware that is not easily defeated.

The last thing to understand about high security locks is that they operate on restricted keyways. Key restriction is a major facet of what makes high security locks so valuable and worthwhile. Simply put, only authorized users may acquire additional copies of keys. You can not get copies of high security keys at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Ace hardware but instead only from the locksmith shop who facilitated the installation of your high security hardware. When the locks are installed, your specific key cuts are kept in a file with the locksmith who provided the installation service. If a copy of the key is needed, it can only come from the original installer and they must be received in person with a photo ID that matches the file. Typically two or three people will be on a file to prevent issues making copies if the primary contact on the file is unavailable, but nobody outside of those two or three people will be able to obtain copies of your high security keys. This is perfect if you want to distribute keys to your extended family, children, or even your gardener without having any idea of how many keys are in circulation. The file system is also perfect for keeping track of who made copies of the keys, how many they bought, and when they bought them. If you’re ever nervous about missing keys you can call your locksmith and verify how many keys have been distributed since the installation in order to verify you still have track of all of them.

Simply put, only authorized users may acquire additional copies of keys. You can not get copies of high security keys at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Ace hardware but instead only from the locksmith shop who facilitated the installation of your high security hardware.

Install anywhere you need extra security

I can already hear you thinking “I like the idea of high security hardware and key restriction, but I would want it on the front door of my business.” Fret not. There is high security hardware for nearly every application, whether you want to put them around your home, on your business, or outside on your community’s pool gate. In most instances, the most ideal hardware applicable will be Medeco or Mul-t-lock. Although the internal construction of the lock is similar, Medeco and Mul-t-lock use vastly different technologies to operate the key cylinder. Medeco uses a bi-axial cut key, meaning that the key’s cuts are often at inverse angles and the lock itself requires proprietary angled pins to match with each unique key. Mul-t-lock is a side cut dimple key. The cuts of the key are on each side, rather than the top, which also makes Mul-t-lock keys reversible.

High security locks are an important commodity. These days with everything that is going on you truly can never be too safe. If you are interested in a quote on a high security hardware installation please feel free to call Houston Safe and Lock to book an appointment. We are authorized dealers of both Medeco and Mul-t-lock and have a long history of serving the Houston area for over 40 years.