WHAT TO DO WITH OLD KEYS

Do you have old keys lying around your house? They may be in a drawer or cabinet. Maybe some are resting unnoticed on a dresser or table. Everyone seems to have these older, mostly forgotten keys. They might be at home, or at your workplace. They might be in your car’s ashtray or glove compartment. Why do you save them? Why not just throw them out? The reason is pretty much the same from everyone; they just might be needed someday! Here at Reliable Locksmith & Safe we’ve heard all kinds of reasons to hang on to these once valued and productive keys. Who doesn’t remember trying key after key in a lock to see if this particular mystery key is the right one for it? It’s so odd that a key that was once used so much is now almost gone from your memory (but not your dresser drawer!).

The origin of old keys

Old keys were not always forgotten and near-useless pieces of metal. They were once used, useful, and on your key chain, going with you wherever you went. They may come in all sizes, materials, colors and shapes but now when you put them all together, they look like a hodge-podge of forgotten misfits that have no use or purpose. Old keys come from file cabinets, mailboxes, front doors, cars, motorcycles, desks, cabinets, office doors, bicycles, laundromats, vending machines and thousands more! When you think of how many old keys there are here in Miami, FL it staggers the mind. In fact, every year there are over 400 million keys that make it to local landfills and this huge amount does not include the many more that are still in people’s possession!

Why not throw away?

So, why haven’t you thrown your old keys away? Is it because you just haven’t taken the time or effort to round them all up and “toss them?” Or, does a little voice in the back of your mind tell you that you just might need one or more of them someday? Don’t worry – the Miami, FL trash department won’t mind if you actually do something creative or useful with them after all!

Run them through again!

It’s kind of like key re-birth. We are talking about recycling your old keys. They might come back as a different kind of key, or maybe not a key at all; how about part of a table or dinner fork? Recycling is becoming a useful and popular way to help our planet while getting rid of items that are no longer useful or needed. Whether you live here in Miami, FL or elsewhere in the world, your local area should have recycling guidelines – just call your local municipality and inquire as to what yours are.

Old keys for good food!

Did you know that there is a little known way to use your old keys to feed the less fortunate? This unique way to dispose of your old keys also serves another purpose – educating school children on the less fortunate and how to help them. The name of this great program is Key For Hope. This organization collects old keys from donors all around the country. They sell the keys for scrap metal and donate the proceeds to the food bank of your choice! On average it takes about 50 keys to equal a pound of metal. This program is very popular and thousands of keys pour into their location from all over the world. Key drives in local schools are sponsored by Key For Hope and the school children work excitedly to gather keys from home while they learn about both recycling and helping others with food.

Sell crafts

While making and selling craft items doesn’t appeal to all, it can be a good hobby for some. E-bay and Etsy are great places to sell your craft items as well as to friends, family members and at yard sales and flea markets. Many people are surprised to find that old keys can be used to make useful and unique items that actually sell. You can search the online shops above for ideas on how to use your mystery keys in this way and turn them into fun and now profitable items. Don’t copy people but do use their own craft creations for inspiration and ideas. 

Old keys are handy around the house!

It’s true – mystery keys can be morphed into curtain weights and tablecloths. If sown into the hem, they act as the perfect weight and balance to keep the drapes and table linens from flapping about in the breeze or sliding off.

Many ceiling fans and lights are missing the small knob on the end of the light cord. You can use one of your old keys to replace it. You can decorate the key to match the lamp or leave it “key-like” if on a vintage item. Also keys can replace the ends of zippers on backpacks, suitcases and other luggage type items. They are big enough to grasp but flat enough to lay against the surface and be too noticeable or cut anyone.

Get your neighbors involved

Do you know your neighbors? Would you like to? One nice way to get more involved with the other folks on your street is to run a key drive of your own. Use the recycle program with Key For Hope and let your neighbors get involved too. It’s a nice way to “break the ice” and do some good for others at the same time. You can do on online search for them and get additional details on how this program works and how it helps the less fortunate. There are millions of keys that are no longer being used, not only here in the greater Miami, FL metro area but all over the country. If you put your mind to it, you can give these mystery keys a new life and so a little good at the same time!

Rekey or Replace Locks

All over the world, people need property protection. People need locks, and they need locks that work. In some cases, you will end up needing to change out your locks with brand new ones, whether it’s because you had a break in, or because the locks are just completely malfunctioning to the point that they are unsafe to use. It can be difficult to know, in certain situations, if it is a better idea to rekey your locks or to completely replace them. But don’t worry, because this is where Reliable Locksmith & Safe has offered their expertise. They service the Downtown Miami, FL area but this information will still be useful for anyone. Have a look if you are in the midst of considering replacing or rekeying your locks. Hopefully, this will offer the guidance you need to make the appropriate decision for your property. Remember, security should always be at the top of your to-do list, no matter how busy you might be. You always need to have locks that work, whether you have a residential property or commercial property. And of course, your vehicle needs to stay protected as well. 

If your locks are falling apart, replace them.

Look for signs that your locks are failing to function correctly. Worn out locks could mean that your key must be inserted at numerous different angles to get it to work. A piece of the lock can break, causing the entire thing to malfunction. If you can see that the lock is falling apart, just have it replaced. New lock installation tends to be an affordable service offered by locksmiths everywhere. 

Did you move into a new house? Consider lock replacement. 

If you’re moving into a new property, even if it is one that wasn’t previously occupied, it is a wise idea to replace the locks. Just think about how many people likely had access to this property. Contractors might have been in and out. Realtors might have been in and out. And they could have brought other people with them. If you won’t replace the locks, then certainly have them rekeyed. If in doubt, ask an expert what they recommend based off of your specific situation. If they tell you that rekeying the locks is okay, then this is an affordable solution you should definitely take advantage of.

If someone new is moving in, consider rekeying the locks. 

Do you happen to be a landlord who rents your property out, or a room? Think about rekeying your locks. Basically, this will entail having the pins and springs removed in the lock cylinder. They will then be replaced with new springs and pins, and these will work with a different key. If you have given your spare key out to a tenant who is leaving, imagine how many people could have ultimately gotten their hands on that key. Maybe the tenant made a copy of the key so that they would have more than one, too. Just be sure to rekey your locks so you are still able to maintain control, but you can know that the property is safe to use.  

Have new locks installed if someone broke into your property. 

There are so many reasons to have your locks replaced after a break in. For one, the lock might never work correctly again if it was tampered with. But if a person made their way into your property, who knows what they could have done. In addition to stealing from you, they could have grabbed a spare key that you forgot was sitting around. It is always a good idea after a break in to replace your locks completely. 

Did you lose a key? Rekey those locks!

Don’t let a person have the chance to find your key and lose it, if you happened to misplace it. Rekey your locks so that no one is able to get back in. Rekeying your locks will mean that the inside of the locks are different, and they will no longer work with the old key. 

If you are ready to rekey or replace your locks, call a locksmith!

If you have made the decision that you are ready to take action and have your locks changed or even rekeyed, find a reputable expert in your area to do the job. The average person won’t know how to rekey a lock, and they won’t have the expertise to properly install a new lock so that it is fully functional. If you’d prefer to not have to worry about locks that require the use of physical keys, then you can look into other options such as keyless entry. Again, this is something that an expert will be able to help you out with. 

It is important to hire a service provider that you know you can count on. Keep in mind that if you make the decision to hire a locksmith in Downtown Miami, Florida to rekey your locks, they will also be able to see the condition of the locks. If they see that something is really wrong with your lock upon closer inspection, heed their advice when they say that a replacement is the better option. Remember, they work with locks and keys on a day to day basis. 

There are some brands out there that make locks which can be rekeyed by the property owner, without the expertise and professional/specific tools. But you should bear in mind that if you decide to buy a lock that can be rekeyed by a novice, it might not provide the same level of security that another lock would. Reliable Locksmith & Safe rekeys and replaces locks on a regular basis and can answer any questions that locals in Downtown Miami, Florida might have. If you are living elsewhere in the country, reach out to a local locksmith in your area for guidance. Remember that if you are thinking of rekeying or replacing your locks, then you likely need to do one or the other. If the thought is there, that might mean that there is a problem. So make sure to take care of your locks!

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT LOCKSMITHS - AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO ASK!

We normally think of calling a locksmith only if we’ve just realized we’re locked out. The truth is, a locksmith is much more than someone who can get you back inside your place if you’re stranded. A prime locksmith is an expert you can count on, who works not only with locks and keys, but also with security systems, safes, and about anything else you can conceive of regarding your property’s security. Locksmiths install, adjust, and repair locks for automobiles, homes, and commercial properties. Here’s an overview of the numerous services a locksmith provides.

Residential locksmiths offer advice on security issues you may not have known about before, providing specialized services to augment the security of your place of residence. They evaluate the quality of your locks and doors, the safety of your entryways, your windows, your garage, and the entire perimeter. A reliable professional residential locksmith will tell you how best to safeguard your crucial documents, your jewelry and other valuables, guns, emergency cash, and anything else you want properly protected. Experienced residential locksmiths are well-versed on the usual strategies burglars use to gain access and avoid detection, which means they’ll help you take logical measures to prevent theft, break-ins, or vandalism. If you’re going to be gone for a long while, a good residential locksmith specialist can advise you on lighting, timers, and even security systems with smart-phone monitoring.

Automotive locksmiths are skilled automotive specialists able to get you back into your vehicle quickly if you’re stranded anywhere without your car keys. They can also fix or replace your ignition cylinder, replace and program your transponder key, and so on.

Commercial locksmiths carry out lock and key work for business properties. Anytime security issues arise, you’ll want to hire an accomplished professional commercial specialist who will become familiar with your building's ins and outs ~ not just the locks, but also the high-security areas, the emergency exits, and so forth. You’ll want to know you can always rely on your hired locksmith to eliminate any trouble that may occur at your facility. Some commercial locksmiths may keep extra master key sets for you as backups, if you ask them. They can also keep full records of every type of lock you have in place, and assist you with all your building’s security measures, such as panic/fire devices, identification passwords and biometrics, video surveillance systems, and more.

24-hour lockout service. Some locksmith companies are open around the clock, in order to be available to respond to you anytime you need help. If you’re stuck any place in Downtown Miami, Florida, you’ll be glad to know that Reliable Locksmith & Safe is open 24 hours, and staffed with mobile emergency locksmith experts at the ready to assist you.

Security and access control. A top locksmith is qualified to advise you on numerous ways to control access to your home or business ~ such as magnetic locks, remote locks, keypads, gate entry, intercom systems, key cards, alarm systems. Nowadays, there are even biometric locks (that is, high-security locks, which can only be opened with a person’s fingerprint or handprint; innovative technology includes facial recognition, voice recognition, eye scan, ear scan, even DNA sampling).

When considering the safety and security of your property and possessions, there are almost endless services a locksmith can carry out for you:

• peepholes
• removing broken & stuck keys
• smart keys
• window bars
• keyless entry
• deadbolts for doors & windows
• garage, pool, & fence locks
• replace or repair damaged door & window locks, hinges, & electric-locking release mechanisms
• smart-phone controlled surveillance systems
• security systems
• install and repair electronic security hardware
• intercom systems
• video surveillance systems
• master keys for business facilities & apartment complexes
• program transponder “chip” keys
• change combination locks on all types of safes & vault doors

A topnotch locksmith is a consummate professional who works with a high degree of experience, finesse, skill, and discretion in any circumstance or location, and, ideally, any time of the day or night.

Rekeying and lock changes. If you move into a new place, you must rekey or change the locks as soon as you can. There are also other reasons, such as keeping out your ex-roommate, ex-spouse, or (if you have a business) former employee. Perhaps you require disabled access, or you just want to change the style of your locks. Or, if you’re unfortunate enough to have experienced a burglary, or even an attempted theft, it’s smart to change your locks ~ whether standard (with new keys and locks) or electronic (with new passcodes). Your building’s former occupants might still possess an old key, or still recall a password. Don’t take any chances!

Duplicating and making keys. A locksmith will cut keys for virtually any type of lock ~ keys for automobiles, residences, and businesses ~ such as deadbolts, bump-proof locks, safes, lockers, padlocks, desk locks, filing cabinet locks, transponder keys, dropboxes, mailboxes, and really anything else you can conceive of.

Window and sliding-glass doors also require locks. An excellent locksmith will help you install what’s right for your property.

Safes for home and business. If you’ve misplaced the combination to your safe, a genuine professional will be equipped and have the knowhow to be able to open it without damaging it. A premium professional locksmith will repair or install any safe ~ for your business or your residence ~ including specialized safes such as gun safes, fireproof and waterproof safes, anchored safes, and hidden safes (concealed in the floor or wall).

Do you want to be a locksmith? You’ll first need to work as an apprentice. You’ll have the advantage over other locksmiths if you possess talent and experience with construction, electronics, and/or metal fabricating. You must be a person of the utmost integrity, conduct yourself professionally, and be discreet, since you’ll be exposed routinely to confidential information. Being a locksmith requires extensive training plus a license, and you need to be a patient and solid individual. If you’re good at solving problems, and you like to work unusual hours, you’re likely well-suited to be a locksmith.