Uriah Ortiz - Owner of Guardian Safe & Lock

Uriah Ortiz
Owner of Guardian Safe & Lock[/caption]

The owner of a local locksmith company answers questions about residential and commercial security challenges in Tomball and Magnolia.

What measures might you suggest residents take to protect their houses?

You can upgrade single cylinder deadbolts to double cylinder deadbolts [with key holes on both sides]. A lot of times when people break in, they kick the doors, so we have what [are] called strike boxes [which provide a layer of steel around the bolt rather than just the door’s wooden frame]. That right there triples the strength. We also have door guardians [a spring-loaded entry doorstop]. Another way people break in is a bump key [a generic key used to pick a lock when it is bumped]. [To guard against this,] you can put spool pins [into your lock], and we can make the cut of your key a crazy pattern.

If landlords do not allow an alarm system to be installed or major changes to security, what are some precautions residents can take?

If you’re renting a property, it’s supposed to have renter bolts [a one-sided deadbolt]. By law, that has to be on all exterior doors if you’re renting a place—even if it’s a home. [Add] window locks. But [to prevent] breaking the glass, you’d have to have an alarm system [to deter that].

What are some security trends in the Tomball/Magnolia area?

A lot of people are going to a high- security keyway. There are grooves in the side and cuts on the top [of the key]. What’s good about this is that [no locksmith] will make a copy of this key. So that helps protect for business owners that have employees you’re giving keys out to. If you need keys made, you have to provide ID. A lot of people are putting in those door guardians and strike boxes. A lot of people are going to electronic keypad locks on their front doors as well for convenience. There are also [locks] that your cellphone opens.

What time of year does residential crime increase?

We’re always dealing with problems, but maybe [crime increases] in the summer time.

How often should keypad passwords be changed?

What you have to be careful [of] is when you hit all those buttons where marks will start showing up on the buttons you use all the time. I’d [suggest] chang[ing] it every so often just so wear patterns don’t show.

Four tips for increasing home security[/caption]