Access Control

Access control is a fancy, modern day name for restricted access and crowd control. Picture yourself driving up to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Can you park anywhere on the property or is parking restricted for certain folks? Can you enter that massive building and walk freely wherever you choose? Of course not! Your access is restricted by many things and the on-site security makes use of locks, guard stations, windshield stickers, CCTV, keypad devices, biometric entry systems and many other ways of controlling just who goes where. So what does any of this have to do with you? We see access control on a daily basis and once you learn to recognize it in its many forms, you’ll appreciate it all the more. Here at Cumming GA Locksmith we help individuals and local firms utilize access control for greater security and for better record keeping and overall organization. You don’t have to live in the Cumming, GA metro area to make access control work for you; just call your local full service locksmith shop and tell them what you have in mind; they’ll offer individualized and cost effective ways to use and benefit from access control in your home and business life.

Does access control really work?

It sure does! Like anything else though; you must use restricted access the way it was designed. Crossing boundaries and abusing access control can get you thrown out of a building, arrested and even killed if taken to the extremes! When you go to a concert or public performance, you automatically look for your assigned seat based on what your ticket says. You don’t even consider going backstage or sitting in a private box; those are good ways to have the bouncers show you to the door! Now, think of a business like a jeweler’s shop. As a customer, you know to stay behind the glass cases and not try and access the owner’s office or the locked vault in the back. These are forms of access control and are implemented for the good of all and for the sake of order, security and organization.

Go to any town in the world and you’ll see access control at work. You’ll notice it in hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, art galleries, apartment complexes, office buildings, nursing homes, fast food outlets, sports arenas, retail shops, amusement parks, credit unions, universities, warehouses, resorts, cruise ships, destination resorts and national parks! These places and many more just like them make use of access control methods involving alarms, posted signs, locks, security gates, fingerprint locks, security doors, badges, swipe cards, key codes, combination dials, scanners, panic devices, video surveillance, retina scanners, exit bars, deadbolts, peepholes, intercom systems, loudspeakers, CCTV and lots more!

Panic devices

Panic bars, also known as push bars, are a modern day wonder. They offer security, controlled crowd flow, ease of access and extra safety for anyone using them. In fact, they are so beneficial that many jurisdictions and building codes now require them. Panic bars are those horizontal metal bars that are on front and back doors. You see them everywhere including laundromats, movie theaters, shopping malls, hospitals, government offices, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, sports arenas and even nursing homes. By simply leaning on the spring loaded bar, you automatically unlock and open the door at the same time. There is no need for a key or to turn any knobs; just push and go! You’ll notice that panic bars usually don’t have a knob on the other side of the door as they are almost always used for exits and are not meant for two way traffic. Panic bars allow for faster and more even evacuation and their only drawback is that sometimes, they can lock-up and become stuck.

Keypads

Keypad locks are also widely used in access control. You simply punch in your assigned number sequence and the door opens. You can see keypads in use in banks, call centers, restaurants, office buildings, hospitals, museums and nursing homes and on the back doors of many commercial locations including warehouses and storage facilities. There are no keys to lug around and a number sequence can be revoked and re-assigned for those that are terminated or promoted to a higher security status.

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10 Expert-Approved Home Security Tips for First-Time Homeowners

BY SARAH PIKE ON 14 OCT 2016

You bought your first home and you're thrilled! Just don't forget to close the garage door.

Buying your first home is an occasion worth celebrating. But before you get caught up in decorating and planning that housewarming party, it’s important to make certain your new home is secure.

New homeowners are especially vulnerable to security risks, as they are just beginning to learn about their new home and neighborhood. Get a head start with these 10 home security tips for first-time buyers from experts in the home security field.

1. Assess the security situation before you buy.
Aim to be an informed resident of your neighborhood before even moving in. Chris McGoey, president of McGoey Security Consulting, suggests to those still in the house-hunting phase to try to move into the best ZIP code you can afford.

“Neighborhoods with single-family homes usually have lower crime rates, while high-density housing areas with many rental apartments usually have higher crime rates,” he adds.

2. Take your neighborhood for a test drive.
Drive around the neighborhood during the day and at night, suggests David DeMille, online manager of A Secure Life. This allows you to gauge the happenings of your new neighborhood at different times of the day and week.

DeMille also advises new homeowners to get a feel for the day-to-day chatter on Nextdoor, a social network for neighborhoods.

3. Do your research.
SafeWise’s community safety consultant Sarah Brown suggests researching the area’s crime rates — for both property and violent crimes.

“You should also consider neighborhood watch programs and other city initiatives that may increase the safety of the neighborhood,” Brown notes, as even the safest neighborhoods are not immune to crime.

4. Meet your neighbors.
New homeowners should get acquainted with their neighborhood and neighbors, says Ralph Goodman, a lock and security expert with United Locksmith. Talking to your neighbors about neighborhood crime and safety will provide a sense of the kinds of security precautions needed in your home.

Getting to know your neighbors also leads to an increased awareness of trends in criminal behavior in your neighborhood, thus reducing the risk of being a victim, according to Chris LaNasa, director of product marketing for Vivint Smart Home.

Brown agrees, and adds: “New homeowners should meet their neighbors and then immediately get involved in neighborhood watch programs.”

McGoey even suggests considering turning one of your neighborhood watch meetings into a game — collectively assessing how neighbors might burglarize each other’s homes.

“It’s surprising how quickly they will spot your security flaws and bad habits, like leaving your garage door open,” he says.

5. Perform a home security audit.
After you’ve moved into your new home, DeMille advises homeowners to inspect all of the home’s entry points and identify any outdated or malfunctioning locks.

LaNasa recommends considering electronic door locks as you update your new home’s locks. “They give you the option to assign personalized key codes to others, allowing you to track the people going in and out of your home,” he says.

Goodman suggests specifically looking at locks to windows and rear doors, as well as your exterior and garage lights.

And don’t forget to re-code your garage door opener, reminds McGoey.

Brown echoes the need for a thorough home audit, cautioning new homeowners that many break-ins are by people who have had a chance to scope out your home.

“If you haven’t had a chance to find your weak spots, someone else will do it for you,” Brown warns.

6. Identify your local emergency services.
Once you’re aware of the kinds of crimes that occur in your area, Goodman advises new homeowners to then determine the proximity of emergency services to your neighborhood — and then work this information into your security and safety plans.

Furthermore, after neighborhood watch members are trained on what to do when suspicious activity is seen, they should know who to contact and what information should be provided when reporting crimes to authorities, LaNasa says.

7. Focus on prevention.
Even if you decide not to get a home security system, you can still address home security issues.

DeMille warns against showcasing valuables through open curtains and discarded packaging on the street. And McGoey suggests adding secondary blocking devices to sliding glass windows and doors so they can’t be easily forced open.

Additionally, LaNasa recommends securing your garage. “If a garage door is left open when you leave the house, your belongings and family become vulnerable,” he says.

He advises new homeowners to consider installing a garage door that can be controlled remotely via a smart home app. “If you find yourself second-guessing whether you actually closed the garage door when you left for the day, there’s no need to turn around,” notes LaNasa.

McGoey reminds first-time homeowners to be especially mindful of who enters your home, including service vendors, delivery persons, contractors, and even friends of your children.

“Once inside, they have a chance to look around for things worth stealing, and they can determine if your home security is real or fake,” he adds.

8. Shop around.
“The [home security] industry has a history of aggressive sales tactics, so it’s more important than ever to find a provider you feel comfortable working with that can offer advice and guidance without pushing a product,” says DeMille.

Assessing your family’s specific goals for a security system is key. “Are you looking to catch a burglar in real-time to contact police? You’ll probably want monitoring,” he says. DeMille also notes that those looking for a way to document evidence to provide to police may want a motion-sensing camera.

LaNasa favors a full smart home or security system, noting that they allow you to rely on cameras to keep an eye on your home’s surroundings and flag any unusual movement inside.

9. Don’t rule out DIY systems.
You can purchase a wireless alarm system without paying for installation or monthly monitoring. “If the alarm is activated, it triggers a loud siren, which is good enough to scare most burglars away,” McGoey notes.

He says the best part of any security system is the sign in the lawn advertising that you have a security system. “Many burglars will bypass your home due to the sign alone.”

10. Consider financial benefits.
Beyond the security benefits alone, a home security system also often bring you a home insurance discount of up to 10 percent. A reduced insurance rate is not a universal rule, however, and any possible deduction will vary by insurance provider, Goodman points out.

In addition to potential home insurance discounts, Goodman suggests taking into account that some home security systems help homeowners conserve energy costs, as they can be integrated with thermostats and outlets, and monitored remotely.

It’s all about preparedness
Ultimately, proper home security precautions stem from research and preventive actions. Take a critical look at your new neighborhood, home, and lifestyle to best determine your family’s specific security needs.

Article Source: 10 Expert-Approved Home Security Tips for First-Time Homeowners

Related article: Home Security Tips - Protect Your Home When You Are Away

If you need professional technicians to install the best security systems in your home, contact the locksmiths at www.cumminggalocksmith.com