Specifically, two factors are key here (no pun intended): the default position of the lock and what it does when power is interrupted. What happens is different depending on whether the lock is fail safe or fail secure.

Let’s go over how each of these types work and why it matters.

About Fail-Safe Locks

The default position of a fail-safe lock is an unlocked position. So when these types of locks lose power, the lock returns to an unlocked position, which lets the door (or whatever it’s on) continue to operate. As such, it prevents lockouts. This is ideal for scenarios where you need access to a room or area of a property during an emergency. This is because when there is no power with a fail-safe lock, you’re still safe to exit. In general, fail-safe locks aren’t as prevalent as fail-secure locks.

About Fail-Secure Locks

Fail-secure locks are the more common type of electronic lock. These locks have a default position of wherever the lock is currently situated. So if it’s locked, it will stay locked if it loses power or power is interrupted. This isn’t ideal for emergency situations, but it makes sense for businesses that want to keep the door locked, and secure in the event of a power outage. If you’re locked out and a fail-secure lock is involved, a manual override is key—which is why it’s a common feature with fail-secure locks.

Which One Is Better? Does It Matter?

Determining whether to use a fail-safe or fail-secure lock depends on the purpose it will serve. If it’s in a situation where people are involved, you want a fail-safe lock because it allows for easy exiting. However, If you’re more concerned about protecting property or assets (and there aren’t any safety concerns) a fail-secure lock is a better choice. If you do use a fail-secure lock, always make sure there’s a manual override system in case emergency services need to access your property or a room for any reason.

If you have other questions related to locksmithing or security—or you’re interested in a product or service—contact A-1 Locksmith today.

While having routines can make life more efficient, when it comes to home security your predictable actions may have big impacts on yours, and your family’s safety.  How is your every day humdrum creating potential security risks?  Read on to find out.

1.   Who Doesn’t Love a Good Routine

Do you leave the house at the same time, every day?  Come home every night at 6 o’clock, on the dot?  Maybe you go for that weekend run like clockwork every Saturday or attend church religiously in Sundays?  While routine is excellent for planning, it can also lead to predictability for criminals.  Consider changing things up on occasion to appear less of an easy target for a crime of opportunity.

2.   Knock, Knock, Anybody Home?

It’s a well-known fact that burglars, and thieves are less likely to strike when they know someone is home.  If your home is being cased for potential thievery, would-be robbers will be turned off if it appears someone is always home.  Not answering the door can also create a personal safety issue if burglars break in while you’re in residence.

3.   Newspapers, What Newspapers

Subscription or not, chances are if you look out at your driveway now you’ll see one or more errant newspapers littering the drive.  From local newsletters to free copies, maybe even your paid morning news, all probably sit for days or more, clearly indicating you aren’t home to retrieve them.  Want to stop advertising that your house is vacant?  Collect those papers on the regular.

4.   Shredding Documents is For the Birds

We get it, you hate junk mail.  We do too.  We also hate bills, and paper credit card, and mortgage statements, and wonder why the heck everything just isn’t electronically delivered any more.  But just because you can’t be bothered to open these sensitive, info containing documents doesn’t mean you should just toss them in the trash.  Don’t give identity thieves a free shot at stealing your credit and personal info.

5.   You’ll Get Around to Replacing Those Lights Eventually

Out of sight, out of mind is a popular saying.  Turns out its also applicable to your home security as burned out lights give thieves, and intruders the cover of darkness.  A well-lit yard, preferably with motion sensing lights installed, will deter mischief makers (and ensure you catch your kids sneaking back into the house passed their curfew).

6.   Nobody Locks Their Door in Our Neighborhood

One of the worst habits security experts see is born in good intentions.  If you’re a suburban resident you’ve probably caught yourself rushing out of the house more than once without turning that lock.  “It’s a safe neighborhood.”  “I’ve lived here all my life.”  “We’ve never had problems in the past.”  Always lock and secure your doors, and don’t give fate a chance to test your faith in your community, or assume that no one other than your neighbors will be popping in to say hello while you’re gone.

7.   Who’d Want to Break into My Garage Anyways?

Perhaps the most common habit that makes homeowners prime crime targets is an unsecured garage.  Even the most attentive of us routinely forget to latch that side door or bolt the lock on the main entrance.  You may think there’s nothing of value stored on the inside, but hand, and power tools are prime targets, and easy flipping for thieves.  Secure your garage, and replace old, and malfunctioning garage doors with newer secure models.

Each of the above habits not only expose you to a higher risk of being a target of a crime, they are also easily preventable.  At A-1 locksmith we’re here to provide you with a complete security screening of your home.  We’ll expose vulnerabilities, and help design a plan to keep you and your family safe, and secure.  Call A-1 today to find out how we can help.

Digital Door Viewer

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could see who is at your door without having to press your face against the door to look through that ridiculously small peep hole? Well thanks to Multi-lock now you can! You can literally see who is at your door using a small device that looks somewhat like a cell phone.

So What Exactly Is A Digital Door Viewer?

The Digital Door Viewer (DDV) is a digital peep hole, it has a built in camera which allows you to take time stamped pictures or record anyone approaching your door.  The viewer features a LCD screen with a 5.6-inch viewing area that activates at the push of a button. The camera attached is armed with infrared capabilities so even in reduced lighting conditions, you’ll still get a clear picture. The Digital Door Viewer is easy to use, and more secure than a regular peep hole. When visitors press the door bell on the door viewer camera, the door bell will then ring. At the same time the screen on the inside of the door will automatically turn on to show the outside images, this lasts about 20 seconds before turning itself off. Also when the door bell is pressed the camera will automatically take a phone of who ever is outside, the photo is then stored automatically. This device can be set up so that even when you’re not home, it also can record up to a half hour and store images.

Where Can I Find A Digital Door Viewer?

You can find this product at any trusted locksmith store front, online, or by the makers of Mul-T-Lock. This product received a 4 out of 5 stars rating. Installation for this product is rather easy no special tools are needed, you only need some AA batteries. The DDV is so easy to operate it’s something elderly, and children could use without any hassle.

Dallas Locksmith knows how locks and keys can become everyday obstacles. They go hand in hand — and if your locks aren’t functioning properly, your keys become useless. That’s why it’s important to get your locks from a trusted, local expert serving the Dallas and Fort Worth area.

Locks play a huge role in our homes and businesses. They protect what matters most — our families, property, and peace of mind. So why settle for anything less than the most secure, highest quality options available?

Some assume that premium locks are unaffordable. In reality, A-1 Locksmith offers excellent security solutions at fair prices. The Dallas Locksmith team will even provide expert advice on which locks are best for your situation.

A-1 Locksmith offers high-security locks for both residential and commercial applications. These locks are designed to deter even the most determined intruders. In fact, criminals often think twice when they see one of these advanced locking systems in place. They’re intimidating — and surprisingly affordable.

Dallas Locksmith also provides transponder keys for only $40 to $175! That’s a huge savings compared to car dealerships that charge anywhere from $80 to $450 — often without programming included.

Stay informed with the latest locksmith industry updates by following our blog. For the most trusted, and affordable locksmith in DFW, rely on Dallas Locksmith.

A-1 Locksmith – 2685 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 | (972) 284-7500

You might assume the heavy machinery industry has little need for locksmith services—but you’d be wrong. In reality, Locksmith Dallas provides several tools and systems that can help protect expensive machinery from tampering or theft. While you can’t physically lock a bulldozer with a padlock, you can implement layered security solutions to protect your equipment and facilities.

Locksmith Dallas offers high-security locks that can be installed on operating controls to prevent unauthorized use. If your machinery is stored in a gated or secured area, they also provide reinforced gate and storage facility locks for maximum protection.

It’s also a smart move to install a security system for your facility. Why? Because you never know what tools a criminal might use to attempt a break-in. While A-1 Locksmith provides incredibly strong locks, no system is entirely burglar-proof. However, Locksmith Dallas assures that with the right locks and layered security measures, the chances of a successful breach are extremely low.

Locksmith Dallas also offers transponder keys for just $40 to $175! Compare that to dealerships, where one key could cost between $80 and $450—and may not even be programmed.

Always remember: there will always be people who think they can get away with theft. But with the right high-security locks and a solid alarm system, they may get in—but they won’t get away.

A-1 Locksmith – 2685 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 | (972) 284-7500

But while we might remember the experience with the locks, we might have never come to understand exactly how a combination lock does its job. The locksmith combination lock has had a storied history, with some versions being recorded as early at the thirteenth century.  The simplest version, which is often used in conjunction with a chain to lock-up bikes, is the locksmith multiple dial locks.  These devices work as the result of rotating discs into which notches are cut.  The notches on the inside of the rotating discs line up with pins when the numbers are aligned in the correct sequence, and once all the numbers are aligned, the lock can open.  The combination padlocks we are all familiar with are slightly different than multiple dial locks, and are, in fact, called single dial locks.  Single dial locks utilize several parallel discs, also called cams, that are directly behind the front dial, and are usually held in place with spring tension.  These cams each have a cut or notch that aligns with a tooth when the dial is turned to the correct number.  Typically, the first cam is aligned by turning the dial to the right a prescribed number of turns; the second cam by turning to the left, usually one full turn, to the designated number; the third by turning to the right again.  Once the third number on the dial is reached, and the cams are all aligned, the hasp is released, and the lock opens.  All these inner workings of a simple combination lock occur without our knowledge, and we don’t normally think about the internal minutia required to open a lock.  We take for granted the beautiful simplicity inherent in the lock and the complex machinations that were required to help protect our belongings.  Fortunately, the locksmith professionals who designed the locks—and locksmith techs who can service them—have a much clearer understanding of such mechanical properties.  Then all we have to do is spin the dial.

For all your locksmith needs, A-1 Locksmith is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.  A-1 Locksmith – 2685 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 – (972)284-7500.  Available 24/7 at 972-284-7500.

Take, for example, the iconic padlock. It is, at first glance, a simple, and unremarkable mechanism in its own right. However, knowing its storied history and having a rudimentary understanding of how it works allows you to view it in a more reverential light. As well the cousin of the padlock, the combination lock, is at once as iconic and noteworthy.

A combination lock is, simply, a lock that uses a series of numbers, letters, or both to open it and allow access. It is worth noting that ‘combination’ is, in mathematical terms, a misnomer. The correct term for the series of values used to open the lock is ‘sequence.’ Combination locks date back to the Roman period, and have varying degrees of complexity. Multiple-dial locks, like those seen on bike locks, are secured by a toothed pin inside of a series of rotating, numbered disks. Once the proper combination is input, the pin’s teeth are allowed to leave the lock and access is granted.

Single-dial locks include, as Dallas locksmith suggests, a single numbered dial that interacts with a series of cams. Cams are parallel disks inside the lock that have indentations that must be aligned for the lock to unlatch. This is done by entering the correct combination the dial by turning it in a clockwise-counterclockwise manner.

The experts at A-1 Locksmith are available 24/7 to serve the locksmithing needs of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Call them today at (972)-284-7500.

Today, even websites use padlock icons to show they’re secure—demonstrating that the symbol has expanded into digital spaces. Yet despite its ubiquity, the padlock remains a cornerstone of physical security. Still, many people rarely stop to consider the very devices protecting their families, valuables, and privacy.

Though it’s simple by design, the padlock is powerful because of that simplicity. It’s portable, versatile, and practical for securing a wide range of items. In many ways, it’s one of the most universal security tools available. A padlock consists of three core components: the body, the locking mechanism, and the shackle. The shackle—its U-shaped top—makes contact with the item being secured. The locking mechanism, either integrated or modular, keeps it secured inside the body.

Integrated locking mechanisms are typical of older padlock models. These systems involve internal tumblers and disk-based components that block the shackle from moving. More modern padlocks feature modular mechanisms, which use tumblers, pins, wafers, or disks that secure independently from the shackle—offering improved durability and tamper resistance.

Whatever the lock—and whatever the problem—the professionals at A-1 Locksmith have the tools and experience to help. Call us 24/7 at (972) 284-7500 for expert locksmith service in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

The earliest known padlocks date back to the Roman Era, between 500 B.C. and 300 A.D.. Padlocks with spring mechanisms were found in the remains of a Viking settlement in York, England, and date back to 850 A.D.. This lends itself to the fact that the technology of the various tribes, and settlements had a tendency to catch on in others, and to reach distant lands. Early padlocks were made of wrought iron and employed simple lever mechanisms to achieve access control. Later padlocks featured a shell of brass or steel that encased the locking mechanisms. This allowed for more efficient production, as there was no longer a need to bother with metal casts for the padlock’s body. Even with changes in mechanism design and material composition, the basic tenets and features of the padlock have not changed in centuries. It is a testament to human ingenuity that, even with technology advancing at such a rapid pace, we still utilize a design that is hundreds, and hundreds of years old and we use it widely enough to warrant significant mention.

Even though a few things may have changed, the basics never do. The professionals at A-1 Locksmiths understand this, and are ready to help the Dallas/Fort Worth area with any, and all their locksmithing needs. Call them 24-hours a day, seven days a week at (972)-284-7500.

We know that security is important, but we don’t always stop to think about why we need it beyond the basics. That’s where locksmithing comes in.

The locksmithing industry is often seen as a branch of the broader security field, but it’s truly a specialized profession. Locksmiths play a key role in helping us achieve and maintain a sense of safety. This means operating by high standards, with strong attention to detail and quality. Whether you’re dealing with mechanical or digital locks, the job of a locksmith requires a unique set of skills and deep industry knowledge.

Yesterday, we profiled a few common types of locks you might encounter. While many people are familiar with the basic single-cut blade key, today’s locksmiths also work with key cards, access codes, and biometric systems. Here are a few types of locks you might use every day:

• Pin-tumbler locks – The most commonly used locks in the western world. A plug keeps the door locked, and is held in place by spring-loaded driver pins and key pins. When the correct key is inserted, the pins align and allow the plug to rotate, unlocking the door.
• Wafer-tumbler locks – Similar to pin-tumblers, but they use rectangular wafers instead of cylindrical pins. When the correct key is inserted, the wafers are lifted out of the plug, allowing it to turn and unlock.
• Lever locks – These use levers as the locking mechanism and are often found in safes and prison facilities.
• Combination locks – Common in schools and gyms, these require a numeric code to gain access.

Whatever the lock or key system, A-1 Locksmith has you covered for all your locksmithing needs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Call us today at (972) 284-7500.