Regardless of which camp you fall into, it’s not too late to improve yourself or set some goals for improving in the upcoming year. Security is one area many people don’t think about, but peace of mind is something you can’t replace. Since this area is our specialty, here are five security-related New Year’s Resolutions to consider.

1. Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Car or Locked Out of Your Home

We humans can be forgetful people. Whether it’s your house keys or your car keys, it just takes one mistake to cause an unfortunate, stressful, and potentially dangerous situation. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that you are never locked out of your home, car or business. 

Here are a few ideas to help with this resolution:

• Get a duplicate key made, and keep with a trusted friend or family member.
• Upgrade to smart locks that let you use a combination or code to access.
• Buy a wireless key fob that won’t lock inside a car.
• Set up reminders for when you leave to include a reminder about keys.

2. Create an Emergency Plan

Another low-hanging fruit in the world of resolutions, an emergency plan can give you peace of mind about your loved ones, and employees in the event of an incident. Consider creating an emergency plan for fires, thefts, shootings, and other adverse situations. Document that plan and go through training with your family or employees to ensure everyone knows what to do.

3. Security Monitoring

If you don’t have a security system or video doorbell, a new year is a great time to invest in one. Security monitoring is becoming more, and more affordable while packing on new features. It’s never been easier to monitor your home or business when you’re on the road or out of town. 

4. Find a Locksmith You Trust

Many people search for “locksmith near me” without knowing who is reliable, and who’s not in an industry that’s known for having its share of fraudulent operators. Having a professional local locksmith that you trust is an easy security-related resolution. Just as you have numbers for doctors, plumbers, and electricians, a “best” locksmith number should be easily accessible. At A-1 Locksmith, we guarantee our customer satisfaction and will do our best to ensure we’re your ideal security partner.

5. Upgrade Your Security System!

If you’re already set with the different types of security solutions that make sense for your home, business or vehicle, an upgrade might be all you need. There are likely better or newer versions of every piece of security equipment you own, so at least look into your options.

If you’re looking to improve the security of your home, vehicle or business, contact A-1 Locksmith or visit any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today. 

If you are searching for the best Dallas locksmith, it is important that you take some time to consider your options. As such, utilize this short checklist to ensure you are able to find the right service for your needs.

Look to the Internet

When searching for the best Dallas locksmith, one of the best places to begin is the Internet. Here you can find numerous reviews written by satisfied (or unhappy) customers of locksmiths throughout the Metroplex. Websites like Yelp and other similar review sites can be an integral part of your search; these sites are specifically designed for those searching for goods, and services, and often provide useful testimonials from every day individuals.

But Be Cautious, and Validate Reviews

Once you find a Dallas-area locksmith with phenomenal reviews, it may be your first inclination to immediately go with that service. But take note: some nefarious businesses, scammers in particular, may pay others to write positive reviews for them in order to create an appearance of customer satisfaction.

How can you tell whether the reviews of a certain business are legitimate? One of the best ways to dig deeper is by reaching out to individual posters for more information, or by posting questions on any forums you may find about these services. Doing, so may help provide you with more information about the businesses, and validate the reviews; or, you may discover that the reviews were written to mislead you.

Visit the Location Nearest You

Finally, if you want to find a reputable locksmith and you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you should not hesitate to pick a few businesses, and visit the locations nearest you. While you may find valuable information the internet, by stopping by a brick-and-mortar location you can get a better feel for the company, and decide whether it is the right fit for you.

Ultimately, at A-1 Locksmith, we believe it is in your best interests to reach out to us today for help. We already fit all the criteria: we have numerous online reviews from satisfied customers, and we take care to rectify any issues that may arise. We also have a staff of smiling professionals waiting for you at all of our physical locations throughout the Metroplex.

Don’t forget to perform a thorough search if you need a skilled Dallas locksmith. But make sure to consider A-1 Locksmith, as we are already prepared to help you today.

But before you pick up the phone, and dial, we suggest that you first verify that the locksmith you choose has a physical location nearby, somewhere you could visit in-person, if need be. Taking this small precaution, in fact, could help ensure that you aren’t the victim of one of the many locksmith scams in operation today.

Why a Physical Location Matters

Really, what does it matter if a locksmith has a physical location in the area? If your locksmith promises quick and professional service on the website, is it important that he or she possesses a brick-and-mortar business somewhere nearby?

In reality, having a physical location should be one of your primary deciding factors when searching for a locksmith, as this can help prevent you falling victim to a scam. To elaborate, in order for a scam to operate well, it must be able to rebrand itself quickly, and without difficulty. Once a customer realizes he or she has been scammed by a locksmith, he or she may encourage an investigation, at which point in time this business may be shut down. But a skilled scammer can always close down, register a new name, and begin operating with a new face.

And, of course, this is even simpler if the scammer isn’t bound to a single physical location. If the locksmith has no lease to break or building to sell, he or she is virtually uninhibited from remaining agile, and continuing the illicit business.

At A-1 Locksmith, You Can Stop By Anytime

On the contrary, while a physical address doesn’t automatically guarantee the best locksmith in the business, it is a sure sign that you are dealing with a company that shows commitment to the profession. And at A-1 Locksmith in Dallas-Fort Worth, we recognize the importance of building trust between ourselves, and our clients, which is why we have offices all throughout the Metroplex that you can visit on any day that you please. Come see one of our smiling staff members who will help you with any issues you have. Or, if you can’t stop by, you can always call or contact us online for more information. We have been assisting Dallas residents for the past 65 years, and we would be more than happy to help you today.

But in the case of being locked out of a house or in need of a locksmith to overhaul a security system, many individuals may not apply the due diligence researching as they would other important decisions. Not researching the locksmith, however, puts the individual at risk; instead, he or she should invest adequate time to find the best locksmith for the job.

How, though, is it possible to find the best locksmith in the Dallas area? If you are searching for a skilled locksmith to handle your job professionally, consider these tips on how to find the best locksmith in your location.

Compare Costs Beforehand, But Don’t Fall for Price Shopping the Locksmiths

How do you know if the prices you are being quoted by the first locksmith you contact are fair? To be sure, while many locksmiths may quote reasonable prices to first-time clients, other, unscrupulous professionals may instead choose to request astronomical amounts in an attempt to defraud the consumer. By asking for prices from numerous locksmiths, you should quickly discover an appropriate cost for the job you’re requesting, in turn narrowing down your search.

You’ll also want to be on the lookout for any cost that seems too good to be true as it likely will be. If you price shop for a locksmith you will more than likely fall into the bait-and-switch trap. Therefore, price is one factor, but reputation is key.

Look for Online Reviews

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to find the best locksmith in your area is by utilizing one of the many review services available online. Specifically, websites like Yelp or even Google Reviews allow clients to post their opinions on the services provided by the locksmith. Here you can glean a significant amount of information about the locksmith’s reputation; cheated customers rarely hold back regarding their dissatisfaction, whereas pleased clients are often happy to help others find a reputable locksmith in the area. It may even be beneficial to search various social media sites associated with a given locksmith to view the way they interact with the community.

Ask Your Friends

Far too many people have friends or family members who have unintentionally locked themselves out of their homes, or who have chosen to retain a locksmith to install a new security system. And if you happen to know someone who has been in this situation, you should not hesitate to use their experiences to your advantage. By asking them about the services they received, including the quality, professionalism, timeliness, and prices offered, you may be provided with an exceptional picture of what you can expect from the locksmith they chose. And, of course, if they had a poor experience, their words of warning can help veer you away from making a bad decision.

Consider Calling A-1 Locksmith

Ultimately, there is no single formula for how to find the best locksmith in your area. It involves a mix of research, trial, and error of friends, and instinct to find the right professional for the job. If you’d rather spend this time on other pursuits, however, consider calling A-1 Locksmith for your needs. Our experienced professionals have spent years providing locksmith services for countless satisfied clients, and we are prepared to assist you immediately.

We encourage you to fact-check this claim by exploring our online reviews or requesting a free quote that will be the amount you pay.

How, then, can you find a locksmith in whom you can place your trust? Simple – by calling A-1 Locksmith in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We typically eschew boasting and would rather lean on our past clients’ testimonials, but we do want to highlight some benefits unique to A-1 Locksmith.

We’re in Your Area

Most importantly, we strive to provide quality locksmith services to local customers in our area, which is why we have expanded to numerous locations around the Dallas area. We have 11 area locations, and we can come to you in quite literally any Dallas/Fort Worth location. With multiple physical locales, we are able to reach you more quickly, and offer you greater attention regardless of your needs.

We’re Proud to Show Our Face

Some locksmiths in Dallas drive around in unmarked vehicles, fail to provide proof of a license through the state, and may even fabricate information their website to give the perception that they truly are a local locksmith company. These companies have no commitment to a reputation and you can be sure that they have little incentive to ensure your happiness with service.

At A-1 Locksmith, we understand the importance of personal connections, which is why we are proud to put a face to our name directly online. Visit the website of any one of our numerous locations, and you can find the name, and face of the individual manager, as well as pictures of our other trained personnel. Furthermore, you can drop by any one of our locations, and meet the team or shop hardware.

We’ve Been Around for Over Half of a Century

Ultimately, we believe that we are able to consider ourselves the best Dallas locksmith company due to our unwavering commitment to area residents for over half a century. To be sure, our business has been in operation since 1949; from our humble beginnings, we have become the largest locksmith company in the Southwest, with more than 30 seasoned, and veteran field technicians with many boasting over 12 years of experience, and are able to come directly to your location. And throughout our decades of service to those within the Dallas area, we have still retained our dedication to the customer; whether you speak with the CEO or a technician on his or her first day of work, you will understand the passion and diligence of everyone associated with A-1 Locksmith.

Contact Our Team Today

Don’t wait to have your $15 service call skyrocket into a $150+ emergency service call by one of our competitors. Contact A-1 Locksmith for your locksmith needs, and allow us to demonstrate why we have the strongest reputation of any locksmith company in Dallas/Fort Worth. At A-1 Locksmith, we are not hesitant in making the claim that we are the best Dallas locksmith company.