Brock's Lock Blog Connection

We've all experienced that sinking feeling. You pull your door shut, hear the click, and suddenly realize with horror that your keys are locked inside. Or perhaps you're standing beside your car in a dimly lit parking garage, staring through the window at your keys dangling from the ignition. These moments of panic are universal, but knowing exactly how to respond can save you hours of frustration and potentially hundreds of dollars in property damage.

The Moment of Realization: First Steps in a Lockout Emergency

When you find yourself locked out, your immediate reaction might be frustration or even panic. Before anything else, take a moment to collect yourself. Lockout situations are incredibly common—experienced by thousands of people daily—and nearly always have straightforward solutions.

Begin with a thorough assessment of your options:

For Home Lockouts:

• Check all doors and accessible windows that might be unlocked

Moving into a new space brings excitement and fresh opportunities, but amid the hustle of packing boxes and arranging furniture, one crucial aspect deserves your immediate attention: security. Whether you're settling into a cozy family home or establishing a professional office environment, implementing robust security measures from day one creates a foundation of safety that protects both people and valuable property.

The first few weeks in a new location present unique vulnerabilities – unfamiliar surroundings, unknown neighbors, and potentially outdated security systems. Taking proactive steps to address these concerns allows you to enjoy your new beginning with genuine peace of mind.

Here's our comprehensive guide to five indispensable security tips that will help you transform your new space into a safe haven from the moment you receive the keys.

1. Upgrade Your Locks Immediately

The cornerstone of any effective home security strategy begins with quality locks. Even if your new property appears secure, there's no telling who might have access:

February is a month Valentine's Day celebrations deserve complete peace of mind regarding your home's security. As your trusted local locksmith in Killeen, Texas, Brock's Lock & Key shares essential security tips to protect your home during this romantic season.

Modernize Your Home Security System

Transform your home's security with professional smart lock installation services. Modern electronic door locks offer:

• Remote monitoring through smartphone apps

• Customizable access codes for family members

Choosing between smart locks and traditional locks can be overwhelming. Each type has its unique strengths, and the best choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and security needs. Let’s explore the features, benefits, and considerations of smart locks versus traditional locks to help you determine the best locking options for your home or business.

Traditional Locks: Timeless and Reliable

For generations, traditional locks have served as the primary defense against intruders. These locks are mechanical, easy to use, and do not rely on technology. Here are some reasons why they remain a popular choice:

• Simplicity: Traditional locks are straightforward, with no learning curve or tech integration.

• Durability: Crafted from durable materials, these products are designed to stand the test of time, providing reliability and longevity with just a bit of care and maintenance.

Today, security and efficiency are more than just nice-to-haves. Running a small business, managing a large corporate office, or overseeing multiple locations can feel like juggling tight security with seamless operations. This is where a master key system comes in. It simplifies key management, strengthens access control, and ensures emergency preparedness.

In this article, we'll explore how this system can benefit organizations of all sizes and industries.

1. Enhanced Security with Controlled Access

In any business, safety and security are non-negotiable. Using a master key system, you can set hierarchical access levels to ensure that employees only have access to areas relevant to their jobs.

• General staff might have keys to shared areas like break rooms and supply closets.

• Managers could access sensitive areas like cash storage or inventory rooms.

When it comes to securing your home, business, or vehicle, having a locksmith you can rely on is essential. At Brock's Lock & Key in Killeen, Texas, we don't just unlock doors—we unlock peace of mind. With our comprehensive range of locksmith services, expert technicians, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, we are dedicated to keeping you, your loved ones, and your assets safe. Read on to discover the top-notch services we offer and why Brock's Lock & Key is the premier choice for all your locksmith needs.

Residential Locksmith Services: Secure Your Home with Confidence 🏡

Your home is your sanctuary, and we understand the importance of keeping it secure. Our residential locksmith services are designed to protect what matters most:

• Emergency Lockout Services: Locked out of your home? Don’t stress. Our rapid-response team will get you back inside safely, without damaging your property.

In a rapidly changing world where technology continuously shapes our daily lives, ensuring the security of our homes and businesses has become more crucial than ever. As we move through 2024, several emerging security trends promise to enhance our safety and provide peace of mind. From smart home security systems to robust cybersecurity measures for businesses, here are the top security trends you need to know to protect what matters most.

1. Smart Home Security Systems

Losing your car keys or locking them inside the car can be frustrating and inconvenient, denying you access to your personal belongings and mode of transportation. An auto locksmith is a trained professional with specialized tools and techniques to open a locked vehicle without damaging it. Brock's Lock & Key is a reputable locksmith company in Killeen, TX, and we can quickly help you get back into your car. Here are common ways locksmiths get into locked vehicles:

1. Using a Slim Jim

If you have an older car model, the locksmith may use a Slim Jim to open it. A Slim Jim is a long, narrow tool with a hooked end. An auto locksmith inserts it between the window and the door's weatherstripping and uses it to manipulate the locking mechanism. When done correctly, this tool releases a car's door latch and unlocks the vehicle. While this technique can seem straightforward, improper Slim Jim use may damage the door's internal components or the car's security system. Only a professional auto locksmith should perform this task to help avoid the risk of damage.

2. Using a Long Reach Tool

This device is a thin, flexible rod made of sturdy plastic or metal. The tool's length and thinness allow it to reach the car's interior from outside through gaps in the door frame or window seals. Using a wedge, an auto locksmith first creates a small gap between the door and the frame. They then use the long-reach tool to press a button on the vehicle's interior control panel that releases the latch and unlocks the door. The locksmith may also use this tool to fetch in-car items like keys or remote transmitters that have been locked inside. As with the Slim Jim, only a trained locksmith should use this tool to avoid damaging the car.

3. Picking the Locks Manually

Accessing the car using Slim Jims and long-reach tools may sometimes not be possible. In such cases, the auto locksmith may pick the lock using a tension wrench and lock pick. These pick sets may include hook, diamond, ball, and rake picks. They first insert the tension wrench into the keyhole and apply pressure on the lock's cylinder. They then insert a lock pick and manipulate the pins inside the cylinder until all pins are aligned, unlocking the vehicle. Picking a lock is a skill that requires adequate practice and a deep understanding of how locks work.

Brock's Lock & Key offers comprehensive locksmith services, from repair to new installations and emergencies. We provide auto locksmith services to fix your car door lock, rekey the ignition, make a duplicate, or address key fob issues. Our commercial and residential locksmiths also offer quality, expertise, and prompt services for small locks, safes, security systems, and lockouts. Here are five situations that require a professional locksmith:

1. Lost Key

Locksmiths are the professionals to call whenever you lose a key. At Brock's Lock & Key, we service master key systems and rekey, replace, and repair locks. If you lose a car key, our auto locksmith services can provide entry into the car so you can retrieve items. We can offer duplicates and install new locks if the keys are stolen or security is a concern. Our residential services include solutions for panic bars, gates, doors, cabinets, and safes. We also provide commercial solutions for storefronts, warehouses, offices, businesses, and other outlets.

2. New Lock Installation

If you need to install a new lock or security system, we recommend working with our experienced locksmiths. Brock's Lock & Key can handle all new lock installations for basic and advanced locks. Our locksmiths are trained to handle quality lock installations for doors, gates, garages, trunks, windows, and commercial outlets. We also install safes and handle lock replacements if you need security upgrades. Our locksmiths are readily available and have the experience required to install locks properly.

3. Forgotten Access Combinations

You're likely to hire a locksmith at some point if you use safes and security systems that combine keys with access codes. Such systems let you set and change access combinations, and you can forget the codes required to open the lock. If this happens, Brock's Lock & Key can help you change the combination, reset to older patterns, or recode the system. Our locksmiths are trained to resolve forgotten access combinations without exposing your security architecture.

Locksmiths specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing locks and security systems. At Brock's Lock & Key, we use high-quality equipment to provide residential, commercial, and auto locksmith services with optimal client satisfaction. Here are some tools we use to offer reliable and efficient services:

Pick Sets 

We use picks to manipulate the pins inside a lock's keyway. Here are some common types of pick sets:

• Hook picks: These help lift individual pins inside a lock. They're available in different shapes and sizes to allow us to open different types of locks.
• Half diamond picks: These look like hook picks but with a triangular shape at the tip. They're ideal for single-pin picking but can also help open disk and wafer locks.
• Rake picks: These are available in several variations: the snake rake, with an S-shaped tip; the wedge rake, with a W-shaped tip; the long rake, a longer version of the wedge rake; and the Bogota rake, a tip resembling hilly peaks. These picks can manipulate multiple pins at once to open locks quickly.
• Ball picks: These have a circular or half-circular tip. They're ideal for auto locksmith services as they open wafer locks, usually found in car door locks and ignitions. 

Tension Wrench

We use tension wrenches to apply pressure to a lock's cylinder to keep it in place as the pins are moved. Tension wrenches are used simultaneously with picks to enhance the quick and efficient manipulation of a lock. 

Plug Spinner

We use a plug spinner when a lock has been picked incorrectly or a key has been broken off in the lock. This tool helps to spin the lock plug in the opposite direction than what is usually required to unlock it. This allows us to reset the pins and open the lock without damaging it.

Whether you're going on a long road trip or just driving to the gym, automotive security helps protect your valuables from theft. While automotive security is useful, the same technology that protects your valuables can work against you if you lose your key or lock it inside your car. As vehicle quality and security standards continue to improve, auto locksmith services are also evolving and updating their practices. At Brock's Lock & Key, we are committed to providing services that align with best practices in the automotive locksmithing industry.

Here is information about recent and future developments in automotive locksmithing technology and how our services can help:

Recent Changes in Auto Locksmith Services

Standard auto locksmith services include making copies of keys, repairing broken keys, and extracting keys that have broken inside locks or ignitions. As security technology has changed, automotive locksmithing has changed along with it.

One significant change in automotive security technology was the invention of the transponder key (or microchip key) in 1985. Although the technology has been around for a while, transponder keys have only recently become a standard for vehicles. Transponder keys look like regular keys, but they have a microchip installed that communicates with the car. A standard copy of a transponder key will not work to start the car unless a programmed microchip is present.

You may not have been in a situation where you needed an auto locksmith yet, but you want to know who to call if it happens. Brock’s Lock & Key provides locksmith services when you are locked out of your vehicle. If you need locksmith assistance, contact our team.

Help Right When You Need It

Getting locked out of your vehicle can happen to anyone, but it’s never a good situation to be in. If you get in a situation where you cannot open or start your vehicle, we are happy to help. Our locksmiths are trained to quickly open your vehicle using top-quality tools.

Brock’s Lock & Key is here to take care of you with just one phone call. We have the equipment to replace most missing keys for your vehicle, as well as motorcycles, RVs, boats, and even heavy equipment.

When You Have a Broken Key

If you break your key inside the door lock, you don't need to worry. A locksmith will extract the broken key and replace it with a new one. Don't try to extract the broken key on your own. That could cause more damage to the lock.

If you're stuck with a key that doesn't unlock your car door, we can help. At Brock's Lock & Key, we are an auto locksmith that provides automotive locksmith services, including car key and remote programming, broken key repair, and broken extraction. Let's discuss why your key won't unlock your car door:

Damaged Car Lock

When you attempt to unlock your car door and it fails to open, there is a chance that the lock is damaged. You can discover the broken part of the lock by inserting the key and observing how it turns.

If the key turns, but the lock does not open, there is a problem with the lock assembly. But if you use a key fob/ remote to open the door and it fails to open, there is something wrong with the lock cylinder.

Dirt and debris can also cause blocked locks. The lock may freeze in extreme temperatures. If you've been involved in a collision, the impact can damage the lock.

Our team can repair damaged car locks. We will check out the existing locks and install new locks or repair the damaged locks.

Being locked out of your car can be frustrating and time-wasting.  You may be tempted to unlock the doors yourself, but this isn't recommendable as it might cause costly damage. Call a professional auto locksmith like Brock's Lock & Key to help you out. Here are some reasons you should hire us to unlock your car: 

Expertise

Getting into a car you're locked out of or removing a broken key from a car lock requires expertise you can only get from specialized training. Trying to navigate either situation without the right skillsets can damage your car, leading to more expenses. 

You need to seek the help of an experienced locksmith if you lose your car keys, lock them inside the car, or break the key inside the car lock. These professionals know how to handle various types of auto locks and navigate different cars' security facets. 

Brock's Lock & Key is a top choice for many clients because we have experience in handling auto locks and keys.  Our specialized training allows us to help our clients get access to their cars quickly. 

Necessary Tools

Unlocking and repairing auto locks requires special and advanced tools to minimize the risk of damage. Professional auto locksmiths have all the necessary tools and components, like wedges and key decoders, to fix and secure different car locks.  They invest in high-quality equipment since they know what to look for and which brands to use.

A broken car key in a door lock can leave you stranded for hours, so you may need to find an immediate solution. Experts recommend finding emergency auto locksmith services to take care of your problem. Removing the key fragment on your own risks damaging the car lock. Brock's Lock & Key outlines a step-by-step process of gently removing a broken key from a car lock:

Step 1: Assess the Problem and Gather the Right Equipment

Broken key problems are all unique so evaluating the key’s position can help determine the method you will use. Professional locksmiths assess the situation first, and so should you. 

It would help to find proper equipment for the job done before you start removing the key. Some of the must-have items for a key extraction include;

• A pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers
• Oil-based spray lubricant
• Narrow key extractor tool or paper clip

Using proper equipment minimizes the risk of damaging the car lock while making the extraction easier.

Step 2: Align the Cylinders

Keys often break while someone is turning the lock. If they are broken in the lock, they can be difficult to remove. Your broken key presses the pin tumblers down, allowing the cylinders to turn for the lock to open. A key fragment stuck in the lock may misalign the cylinders.

How often do you lose or break and later replace your car keys? If you are in this category, you should consider having an auto locksmith on speed dial. But before that, understanding certain aspects of car key replacement and repair will help you through the replacement process.

Which Parts of the Car Key Should You Be Keen About?

Studies show that approximately 28% of car and house keys get lost at least once a week. When replacing, you need to know and understand the body and frame of a car key. It will help you decipher what you need when replacing the car keys. An auto locksmith can also understand and help you better with your proper elaboration.

Blade

The blade has the warding, bitting, and tip, making every car key unique and per the manufacturer's setting. A key’s tip describes the farthest end while the ward and the bitting are responsible for the unique contours on both sides of the blade.

Shoulder

The shoulder of the car key prevents the whole key from over-inserting when igniting the vehicle.

Don’t be ashamed for locking keys in your car — millions of drivers find themselves in your situation every year. And even though newer models make it more difficult to lock them inside, it just happens sometimes. You may not make it to your next destination on time, but all is not lost. Here are a few lifesaving tricks auto locksmith services may recommend. 

First Make Sure You Are Locked Out

Before you start evaluating the easiest way to solve the problem, take a moment to ascertain the situation. For instance, you can check that the rest of the doors are locked too. You can also try getting into your car through the trunk if it’s not separated from the cabin. If none of that helps, check out the tips below. 

In Case of an Emergency

If someone or an animal is locked in the car, dial 911 immediately. And if help takes too long to arrive, you can resort to forcible entry. Just ensure that you break a window away from any occupants. You can use tape to cover the window before breaking it. That way, the broken glass won’t scatter as much. 

Use a Shoelace or String

It might sound strange, but locking your car keys inside can be a desperate time. Thus, you have to make use of what you have. This DIY trick will only work if you have post locks, and the string can fit between the door and the frame.