Most keys that are stamped “Do Not Duplicate” are actually standard keys that can be readily duplicated in a variety of places. If you are relying on a “Do Not Duplicate” stamp to provide key control, you are hiding your head in the sand. There are no laws that govern the duplication of keys, except for some Federal and sometimes State-owned facilities.

So what is the average business owner to do in order to know how many keys actually exist for their business?

-Patents Provide Key Control
The only way to control the duplication of keys is to control the distribution of uncut key blanks. Without blank keys that fit the lock, duplicates cannot be made.
The only way to do this is by obtaining patents on the locking system technology. To do this, the lock patents give the lock manufacturer control of the manufacture and distribution of the key blanks that fit the lock. As a lock owner, if you want control of your keys, specify a lock that features a “Patented” key system.

One such system is the Schlage Primus System. Schlage Primus XP gives you a patented key that ensures greater security for your buildings and people, while protecting against unauthorized key duplication. That’s because Primus XP is designed with unique side bit milling that can only be duplicated by your Schlage Primus dealer, giving you a higher level of key control and building security.
Depending on the level of your security needs, and the size and scope of your facilities, we can help you determine which level of exclusivity is right for you.

ADA Title III: Small Businesses Removing Physical Barriers
— by John Bouris Jr., CRL
—
Volume III Issue 1

On January 26, 1992 the ADA Title III Regulations covering Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities went into effect. Enforced by the Department of Justice the Act is a Federal Civil Rights law that prohibits the exclusion of people with disabilities from everyday activities, such as buying an item at the store, eating at a local restaurant or having the car serviced at the local garage. Public Accommodations are defined by the ADA as private businesses that provide goods and services to the public both for profit and non profit. These businesses are required to improve accessibility for many people with disabilities. These requirements include removing physical barriers that are readily achievable. The Act defines readily achievable as easily accomplish-able and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense. This Newsletter will discuss how the small business owner can meet the requirements of Title III of the ADA by removing possible barriers to entrances of existing facilities. Removing these barriers are considered readily achievable by the Department of Justice in most cases. The Department of Justice decided that changing or adding door hardware to remove physical barriers and improve accessibility for people with disabilities, is usually easy and inexpensive.

Door Openings

One of the first places to start in determining whether an entrance meets ADA guidelines is for the clear opening the entrance provides when the door is fully open. The ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Standards), part of the Department of Justice’s Title III Regulations require that opening be at least 32 inches wide. Most establishments meet these regulations. However, some older establishments might not. The most beneficial way to comply with this guideline is to install offset (swing clear) hinges. This type of continuous hinge provides approximately 1 1/2 inches of extra clearance without replacing the door or frame. This extra clearance could be all that is needed to meet the regulations. The installation of these special hinges can be carried out without much difficulty or expense falling under the Act’s definition of readily achievable. Offset hinges also eliminate door sagging a frequent problem with aluminum storefront doors that receive much traffic and/or abuse.

Door Hardware

Changing, moving or adding, door hardware is also easy and inexpensive. Door handles should be no higher than 48 inches from the finished floor and operable with a closed fist. Round door handles need to be replaced with lever type handles. A lever type handle is accessible because it can be operated without tight grasping, pinching or twisting. Lever handles also offer special features. Freewheeling or clutch type lever handles prevent would be intruders from exerting force on the handle. Previous lever handles began appearing on the market without these features and many could be defeated by someone trying to stand on the lever or slipping a pipe over the lever and exerting enough force to jar the lock loose making the door easier to open. Most of today’s graded lever handles offer added protection. The freewheeling lever handle gives way but still remains locked when any amount of force is applied. The clutch handle will give way and still remain locked after a certain amount of force is applied. Both types are an excellent choice for high traffic and remote location areas. In addition graded lever handles have through bolting posts at the twelve o’clock and six o’clock positions preventing the lock from moving in an attack.
Flat type pull handles can be replaced with loop type pull handles. Loop type pull handles are accessible because they can be operated with a closed fist and without grasping, pinching or twisting. If you are not sure whether the hardware on your entrance door complies with the ADA Standards try the “closed fist” test. Try opening the door or operating the control using only one hand, held in a fist. If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or her hands.

These are just some solutions to help the small business owner meet the obligations under the ADA. Remember the requirements discussed in this newsletter pertain to existing facilities when barrier removal is readily achievable. If it is not readily achievable to undertake the modifications, the Department of Justice recommends that a public accommodation develop an implementation plan designed to achieve compliance with the ADA’s barrier removal requirements. If such a plan is designed and executed properly it could serve as a good faith effort to comply.Tax Credits & Deductions

Tax credits and deductions are available to assist business with complying with the ADA. Section 44 of the IRS code allows a tax credit for small businesses and section 190 of the IRS code allows a tax deduction for all businesses. For more about the tax credit and tax deduction provisions contact the Department of Justice ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301(Voice), 1-800-514-0383 (TDD). For your free checklist for existing facilities visit the Department of Justice on-line at www.usdoj.gov.

Photo by Osgo

Is there a ladder lying around in your yard? Don't overlook this security risk!

• Change your locks when you move into a new home.
• Try to keep valuables out of sight from windows.
• Be cautious of strangers who want to use your phone. If you have a cordless phone bring it to them outside, if not make the call for them.
• Do not give information about your daily routines, travel plans or home security status to anyone. Especially people doing telephone surveys or sales.
• Do not put an ID tag on your key ring, excepting coded tags as provided by Pop-A-Lock
• Do not hide your house key outside.
• Do not leave garbage cans out, hide them.
• Lower your telephone ring volume so it cannot be heard from outside your house.
• Do not enter your home if it appears to have been broken into. Call the Police from a neighbor’s and wait.
• Make it difficult to hide. Intruders prefer a building where they can hide while entering.
• Have good Lighting. Use Motion Detection Lights they attract more attention and do not use energy when nobody is there.
• Trim the bushes and trees to allow the maximum exposure of windows and doorways.
• Check items that could provide easy access to second floor windows or balconies.
• Make sure there are no tools for an intruder to use.
• Lock up ladders, shovels, or any other tool they could use to pry a door or window open.
• Check that your house number is clearly visible both day and night.
• Get in your car and see how it looks while driving down the street.
• Remember any Emergency Response Service will be looking for your house for the first time. Make it easy, when you need them seconds count.

Need some help tightening up your home security? Call Pop-A-Lock of Portland at 503-241-4922 for all your residential locksmith needs!

Photo credit: “Ladder” by Jackol

If you think you have called Pop-a-Lock and someone like this scary guy shows up please call the police!!

Also, contact the Attorney General. 
503-229-5576

consumer.hotline@doj.state.or.us

Help us run these guys out of Portland! Program 503-241-4922 into your phone today to ensure you will always have our number when you need us!

I just received my latest Yellow page phonebook yesterday. You may be surprised to know that it has 22 pages of locksmiths listed. These pages are not filled with big block ads, but rather single spaced individual names of business with phone numbers and bogus addresses. I am sure you are aware of the problem we have in Portland with these locksmith scammers. Just in case you have not heard, here is a simple explanation of how they operate.

They flood the phone book with various names and listings. This insures that anytime someone calls 411 for a “locksmith” they will get the call. All of these calls are answered at a dispatch center somewhere in New York, and they just answer the phone, “locksmith”. There typical scheme is to give the customer a low ball quote, and then raise the price sometimes by $100’s of dollars. These are scary guys, who use intimidation tactics to get their money.

I know all of this, because I am the owner of a legit and legal locksmith company. I hear stories weekly, about someone being scammed or over charged.
I also have to deal with customers that think they have called our company, but somehow got these guys. I am in the process of fighting such a battle right now with the Oregon CCB. A customer thought she called us, and was led to believe the guy that came out worked for us, but he did not. She was overcharged for incorrect work, then called us to complain. Now, I am trying to prove to her that this guy does not and never has worked for us. I don’t know how you get rid of theses crooks, but it seems to me that there should be some sort of law or obligation by the phone companies to ensure that the companies they are advertising at the very least have a legitimate address.

Just my 2 cents!
Carla

Unfortunately, yes, there are always potential problems lurking when you leave your house. If the pet sitter is locked out of your house, he’s going to need a locksmith to get back in.
Although a locksmith has the ability to open a lock and get a door open, we really can’t “break-in” to people’s homes just because someone says they’re pet sitting.
We have to think liability for ourselves and for the homeowner, but we really don’t want Tiger or Fido in there alone and hungry, so here’s your solution.

*Get a blank sheet of paper, photocopy your Driver’s License and the ID of the person house sitting onto it. Together, side by side, so we can see that you did it on purpose.

*Write down the name & address of whoever is going to be watching Fido or Tiger, also write down that he or she has permission to be given access to your home should keys be lost, stolen or just accidentally locked inside.

*Dates that you as the home owner/pet owner will be away should also be included.

*Doors: Your First Defense

Solid wood doors are good, metal doors are better.
Make sure hinges are inside so they cannot be removed.
Use deadbolts (locks that throw a solid bolt into the door frame). These prevent an intruder breaking a side window and opening the door. If an intruder does get in through a window they will have to exit from the window since they cannot open the door.
Reinforce the door frame if required with a long strike plate, secured with #8 screws at least 2.5″ long.
Most locksmiths have a wide variety of these. If your door frame is very thin consider having a custom made strike plate installed. It should be constructed of “L” steel and run from the top of the door to the bottom and secured every 6 to 8 inches.
Install a “LEXAN” (A clear material available at most plastic shops.) sheet over small windows around or in doors to prevent easy access to door lock if you have regular single keyed locks.
Check that a hand cannot reach through mail slots and reach the door locks. Have a child try for you. Intruders use them.

*Basement Windows – A Prime Entry Point

Install Bars if there is any chance of an intruder getting in this way.
Some windows are a good fire escape route. If yours are, look into bars that can be unlocked and opened if required.
Remember to keep keys to window bar close at hand but well out of reach to prevent an intruder who breaks the window from being able to find the key.
Custom made bars cost less than you would think and are usually stronger. Talk to us we do supply and install bars.
Ensure your bars are securely installed.
Talk to your Security Consultant about other options for your windows.

*Sliding Doors and Windows

If only one side of your patio door can move, a simple stick dropped in the track makes it very hard to open. NOT IMPOSSIBLE.
Check that your door cannot be lifted out even with a pry bar. If it can, add a shim to the inside top track to take up the space.
If both sides of the doorway open, the simplest way to secure the doors is to drill a small hole through both doors, when closed, in the center and install a good solid pin. A 4″ nail will suffice.
Check for top clearance.

*Smoke Detectors

Do not go without them.
These are mandatory in most location these days.
A smoke detector will save your life or the life of a loved one.
1st. – Install detectors on each floor near stairways as a minimum.
2nd – Bedrooms and other rooms are good locations for smoke detectors. Children hurt by match play do not sit in the hallway to play, they usually are in their bedroom. Put smoke detectors in bedrooms for advance warning.
Check Smoke Detectors every six months minimum.
Replace batteries in detectors every six months. Tip: When you change your clocks change your batteries
Replace detectors about every ten years.
As detectors get older they get dirty and usually will give more false alarms.
If you are having false alarm problems replace your detector.
If your detectors are wired into your house, when replacing get a unit with a battery backup. These units will continue to work when your power goes out and you are using candles etc. for light.

*Other Security Tips and Ideas

Change your locks when you move into a new home.
Try to keep valuables out of sight from windows.
Be cautious of strangers who want to use your phone. If you have a cordless phone bring it to them outside, if not make the call for them.
Do not give information about your daily routines, travel plans or home security status to anyone. Especially people doing telephone surveys or sales.
Do not put an ID tag on your key ring, excepting coded tags as provided by the War Amps.
Do not hide your house key outside.
Do not leave garbage cans out, hide them.
Lower your telephone ring volume so it cannot be heard from outside your house.
Do not enter your home if it appears to have been broken into. Call the Police from a neighbor’s and wait.
Make it difficult to hide. Intruders prefer a building where they can hide while entering.
Good Lighting. Use Motion Detection Lights they attract more attention and do not use energy when nobody is there.
Trim the bushes and trees to allow the maximum exposure of windows and doorways.
Check items that could provide easy access to second floor windows or balconies.
Make sure there are no tools for an intruder to use.
Lock up ladders, shovels, or any other tool they could use to pry a door or window open.
Check that your house number is clearly visible both day and night.
Get in your car and see how it looks while driving down the street.
Remember any Emergency Response Service will be looking for your house for the first time. Make it easy, when you need them seconds count.

1* Be wary of locksmith companies that answer calls with generic phrases like “locksmith services,” rather than a specific name.

2* If a locksmith cannot or will not provide the business’ legal name, find another locksmith.

3* When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a locksmith license where applicable. Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas all require locksmiths to be licensed.

4* Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service. Ask about extra charges for things like emergency hours, mileage or service call minimums before you agree to have the work performed.

5* If the locksmith’s on-site price doesn’t match the phone estimate, don’t allow the work to be performed.

6* Most legitimate locksmiths will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle.

7* If you’re locked out, be cautious of companies that recommend or insist on drilling or replacing the lock up front. Most experienced locksmiths have the skills and tools to unlock almost any door.

Angie’s List
Date Published: January 01 2010