Waging War on Shady Locksmiths. An article by John Kelly.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
John Kelly, reporter for the Washington Post, featured Baldino’s Lock and Key owner Mark Baldino in a recent article titled “Waging War on Shady Locksmiths.” The article details the practice ofshady locksmiths and the damage they are doing the small locksmith business owners and the consumer.
“Mark Baldino’s war against shady locksmiths is waged from two tables pushed against the wall of his office in Springfield. The tables are covered with neatly stacked piles of paper. There’s a pile for Bing, another for AOL. There are piles for InfoUSA, Acxiom and Manta.
“It’s really about the search engines,” says Mark, 58, who with his younger brother, Gary, runs Baldino’s Lock & Key, the locksmith business their father started in a shed behind their house in 1961, now grown to 17 locations in our area.” …. To read the rest of the article check it out on the Washington Post webpage or click below
Take the Liberty quiz. What safe will fit your lifestyle & home?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Buying a new safe is a big commitment. They can be expensive, but worth the investment, and just like any investment to your home you want to find the right one to fit your lifestyle.
One of Baldino's Lock and Key’s biggest sellers are the Liberty brand safes. The brand is known for their gun safes, but can be used to store documents, jewelry, and many other valuable possessions.
Take this quick 7 question quiz from Liberty Safe to get an idea of which safe is best for you. Next, stop by one of our 18 locations and check out your safe in person. Our employee’s are there to answer any questions you have as well as set up a delivery date for you.
Take your quiz here http://www.libertysafe.com/safe-selector.php
Utilities Department Looks To Nexgen XT Padlocks For Accountability
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A Southeastern utilities department was receiving reports of unsecure gates at remote water treatment plants throughout the city. After doing some research the utilities department discovered that padlocks were being left unlocked by employees. To address the security concern, the department installed 30 Nexgen XT small format interchangeable cores into the existing padlocks; which provided the necessary accountability and control. After trying the padlocks, the utilities department then expanded their system to accommodate additional facilities.
Many utility companies share challenges in providing accountability for remote facility locations. eCylinder solutions, particularly in padlock applications, provide a cost effective solution to enhance the accountability and control of remote facility security.
As an authorized Medeco Security Center, we carry the full line of Nexgen XT and eCylinder products. Contact us to today to find out how eCylinder can help address your remote facility costs.
Join Us at The Home Show
Monday, March 05, 2012
Join hundreds of home owners this weekend at the Suburban Maryland Home Show. Talk to home improvement vendors, watch product demonstrations, and browse landscaping exhibits.
Get home improvement ideas to update your home or get a new look entirely! Baldino's Lock and Key will be on hand to show you the most up to date security trends that will not only keep you safe, but enhance your homes look.
Address:
Discovery Sports Center at Maryland SoccerPlex 18031 Central Park Circle Germantown (Boyds), MD 20841
Show Hours:
Friday, March 9, 11:00am - 8:00pm Saturday, March 10, 10:00am - 8:00pm Sunday, March 11, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Test Your Locksmith: Are You, Your Friends, and Family Using a Reliable Locksmith?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
We’ve told you before and we will tell you again … when choosing a locksmith checking out their credentials is essential to getting quality work.
The first thing most people do when they decide they need locksmith service is to get on their computer or whip out their phone and Google locksmith. Google returns the search with pages and pages of local locksmith companies. The problem is, most of these companies are not local.They advertise service in all areas with fake addresses, business names, and phone numbers. When you call you are actually dialing an 800 number that goes to a call center in another state. You may wonder what is wrong with that? Sometimes nothing, a few locksmiths are only mobile locksmiths with an office out of their home. If this is the case they will have the necessary credentials for the state they practice out of. Most of the time unfortunately, these locksmiths do not have the proper training and by law should not be practicing services in any area.
When you go to hire a locksmith try some of these things to make sure they are legitimate.
üWhen you call for service ask if they have a DCJS license
üAsk if they have a walk-in location where you can come get a key duplicated. If they don’t have a walk in location or duplicate keys they are probably not a legitimate locksmith.
üDon’t choose just on price. If you think the price is to good to be true, it probably is.
üA locksmith doing any type of service should give you an estimate and go over the problem with you. If at the end of your service they tell you the price has doubled or tripled and the tech did not ask you before he continued is not a fair locksmith or giving you quality customer service.
üFind a locksmith BEOFRE you need one. Check out their credentials and visit their location to get a feel for if they will be a good fit for your needs. Put the number of the company in your phone so you will have it in emergency situations.
Nexgen XT Helps A North Shores School District Reduce The Cost of Re-keying
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Last summer, a K-12 school district in the North Shores area contacted Medeco because there was a concern over the lack of control with their current small format key system. According to administrators, keys were not distributed or monitored properly; often causing lost or never returned keys at the end of each school year. These issues forced the school to expend resources and money to re-key every summer.
Realizing the immediate need for a cost effective solution to gain control of the key system and reduce the cost of re-keying, the school decided to install 100 Nexgen XT small format interchangeable cores on every opening within the main facility. The ability to retrofit existing hardware and electronically re-key reduced the liability of lost keys or keys not being returned. Additionally, the school saw value in the audit trail capability to provide information on who was entering critical access openings such as sensitive records and testing areas.
The school was so impressed with Nexgen XT capabilities; they ordered additional cores to expand the system with plans to implement this solution district wide.
This school is just one example of how Nexgen XT eCylinder solutions can benefit schools, and businesses with access areas for different employees. This product can address re-keying issues, loss and liability benefits, compliance assurance, and overall facility security for any building, large or small.
As an authorized Medeco Security Center, we carry the full line of Nexgen XT and eCylinder products. Contact Baldino’s Lock and Key today to find out how eCylinder can help address your re-keying costs. We can set you up with the best system for your facility.
Everyone hopes to wake up on a snowy Christmas Day to a new car with a big red bow. Well, if you are surprising somebody on your list with this show stopping gift why not keep it safe? Put our Free Lockout Program sticker in their stocking for a little hint of what is to come.
Did you buy your special someone a stunning new diamond necklace? Do you just want something pretty to keep all that necessary paperwork in? A Liberty safe is a beautiful way to keep your belongings safe and sound.
Designer keys make a great stocking stuffer and your key set fashionable and unique.
1) A Puppy (a guard dog of course!)
The Arrow DC500 Iron Door Closer
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Baldino's Lock and Key works closely with Medeco Lock and the brands that they sell. We wanted to share with you an article introducing the new Arrow DC500 Iron Door Closer.
Arrow Lock™ has introduced a new way to save cost without compromising security with the DC500 Cast Iron Closer. The DC500 is one of the latest offerings from the manufacturer's door closer line.
For end users looking for an economical alternative to retrofitting existing cast iron closers, the DC500 is designed to fit the most popular retrofit hole patterns in the field today while making installation simple and affordable.
"We understand the pressure end users are under to cut cost without sacrificing quality and are proud to provide a cost effective door closer solution to help meet that need," says Tom Harris, General Manager of Arrow Lock. "The DC500 is ideal for end users looking for value and versatility in a rugged design."
The adjustable spring sizes and ADA barrier free accessibility make this series suitable for a wide variety of applications.
For all the features this product offers you can visit -
http://www.arrowlock.com/content/view/140
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The Nations Gun Show:
Dates: Friday, November 18th hours of 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, November 19th hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, November 20th hours of 10:00am - 5:00pm
Address: Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20153
Ticket Info: $18 for a three day pass, $12 for adults, and $6 for teenagers
Baldino’s Lock and Key is proud to announce their co-sponsorship with Rapid Refill Ink and the non-profit organization Operation Paperback. Through the fall months Baldino’s Lock and Key will be collecting gently used books to send to our troops over seas.
If you would like to help with our collection efforts please bring in your books to any of our 18 shop locations and drop them off with our shop employee. Anything helps!
Adult books for our soldiers to read
Children’s books for our soldiers to read out loud to their kids over Skype
Language phrase books for units on the ground
Activity books so our soldiers can have some puzzle fun
Follow us on Facebook for updates and more information.
Dates: Friday, October 7th hours of 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, October 8th hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, October 9st hour of 10:00am - 5:00pm
Address: Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20153
Ticket Info: $18 for a three day pass, $12 for adults, and $6 for teenagers
Website: http://thenationsgunshow.com/
Baldino's Lock and Key will be attending this months gun show at Dulles Expo Center. Stop by the booth to pick up a goodie bag and place a bid to win a new Liberty Safe in our safe auction.
This show holds bragging rights to being the largest gun show in the Metro D.C area. You will be able to find 1000 tables with vendors selling and showing guns, knives, accessories, and our favorite .... SAFES.
If you own a gun you know how important it is to have a safe place to store it. Baldino's Lock and Key will have a selection of Liberty Gun Safes as well as other brands of smaller safes you can check out. If you are just browsing, or just bought a gun at the show make sure to ask our safe experts what type of safe is best for your new or upcoming purchase.
Arrow Management Control: Preventing Unauthorized Removal of Deadbolts
Monday, September 19, 2011
Preventing Unauthorized Removal of Deadbolts by Tenants
Have you ever arrived to a tenants location and realized your key wouldn't open the lock because they had changed it? If this has happened to you, Arrow has a new management control deadbolt that uses concealed mounting screws preventing tenants from "accidentally" removing the deadbolt. The deadbolt works by requiring a control key to remove the SFIC core giving you access to the concealed screws.
The Arrow Management Control Deadbolt is available in either the Grade 1 D Series or the Grade 2 E Series deadbolt, in either single or double cylinder versions. If you are interested in upgrading, give Baldino’s a call today.
Keyless Door Entry
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Keyless locks are not just for commercial businesses anymore, they can be a compliment to any home. Pushbutton locks provide security, connivence, and peace of mind to any homeowner. You can control who has access to your home by never having to wonder who has a key. Temporary codes can be assigned to guests, contractors, house cleaning services, and pet sitters. Pushbutton locks are easy to install and fit on most doors. Put them on your front entry, garage door, wine cellar or shed for quick easy access.
Going keyless will ensure you will never be stuck at the door with two handfuls or groceries having to fumble through your purse for your set of keys. Never worry about getting locked out, or having to hide a key somewhere outside of your house.
Baldino’s Lock and Key carries the two basic types of pushbutton locks, electronic and mechanical. An electronic lock usually has more features, run on batteries, and are a little more difficult to install. Compared to an electronic lock a mechanical lock only has mechanical parts and last longer.
If you are interested in learning more about keyless entry call to make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable technicians at 800-865-6257 or stop by one of our 18 locations to see displays and pick your new lock in person. Visit our website www.baldinos.com to find a location near you.
NPR Article - Con Man Locksmith
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
When You Call A Locksmith, Will A Con Man Answer?
by SANDY HAUSMAN
Listen To or read the article on the npr website here: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138480822/when-you-call-a-locksmith-will-a-con-man-answer
Hard economic times often give rise to swindlers — people hoping to make a quick buck by misleading hapless consumers. It's not easy to catch these con men, who often go door to door. But there's one scam out there that has mobilized an army of angry people. The scam has locksmiths up in arms.
Bill Roberts has been a locksmith serving small cities in central Virginia for seven years.
Out on a recent service call, he said he has a good, steady business — "if you don't mind working long hours and being on call seven days a week, 24 hours a day."
"It makes it a little hard on family life at times," he says, "but, yes, it's not a bad business to get into."
But 100 miles to the north, in a suburb of Washington, D.C., locksmith Mark Baldino is worried. From his office, he does a computer search for locksmiths in Reston, Va.
Pointing to the results, he says, " 'B' is our red dot, but within a half-mile, you see one, two, three, four, five other locksmiths. And if you scan out on the map a little bit further, you'll see about 10 locations, maybe 20."
The problem is that few of those listings are legitimate locksmiths. Most ring to an out-of-state call bank that quotes a low rate — then dispatches a con man who is not trained to pick locks.
Joanne Grimes, a retired teacher who owns rental property in Alexandria, Va., says her tenants were told a service call would cost $185, but the bill came to $586.
"You know, I can go to Home Depot and buy a lock and a door for $600," she says.
Grimes contacted the Better Business Bureau, where president Edward Johnson has been trying for five years to get something done about phony locksmiths.
"One of the larger ones that the BBB has identified is a company that poses as a local locksmith in cities across the country. And indeed, they advertise in the Yellow Pages using local phone numbers and fake local addresses," Johnson says. "A consumer might think they're dealing with a local locksmith, but the phone call is actually routed to a call center located in the Bronx of New York City."
But stopping these scammers has been difficult. In Richmond, Va., locksmith Jeff Musser, who founded a company called 1-800-UNLOCKS, says consumers rarely dispute the bill.
"They've got a kid to pick up from school. Their husband is at work. They've got to get that key made," he says. "When they give a credit card, sky's the limit with the credit card."
And his partner, Barry Wilson, says some victims are afraid to complain. He recently got a call from a woman who said she was overcharged and left with a broken lock.
"Her door lock was drilled open, and she was pretty petrified," Wilson says. "I tried to get her to talk to the investigator with the department of criminal justice, and she just wouldn't. She just said, 'Please come and fix it, and I'll pay you whatever.' "
Asked if the scammers got any money from the woman, Wilson says, "Oh, yeah. He made her get it out of the debit machine that night."
In response to this situation, locksmiths have been joining a Texas-based trade group — theAssociated Locksmiths of America. Their dues help pay for a series of public service announcements — something attorneys general have also tried.
In one such spot, Macie Pridgen of the Virginia Beach Commonwealth Attorney's Office warns the public "to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies who are ripping off consumers across the country."
The message urges customers to be cautious, noting that most of the locksmiths use an unmarked vehicle and only accept cash.
The locksmiths' group has also hired a lobbyist to promote stricter laws. Fifteen states now regulate locksmiths, and a few have taken con artists to court. The locksmith scam has even caught the attention of the FBI — but so far, the bureau says it's not dangerous or costly enough to warrant a national investigation.
July Safe Show Savings
Monday, July 18, 2011
Show Information
Dates: Friday, July 29th hours of 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, July 30th hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, July 31st hour of 10:00am - 5:00pm
Address: Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20153
Ticket Info: $18 for a three day pass, $12 for adults, and $6 for teenagers
Website: http://thenationsgunshow.com/
Baldino's Lock and Key will be attending this months gun show at Dulles Expo Center.
The Nations Gun Show will be rolling through Northern Virginia July 29th, 30th, and 31st. This show holds bragging rights to being the largest gun show in the Metro D.C area. You will be able to find 1000 tables with vendors selling and showing guns, knives, accessories, and our favorite .... SAFES.
If you own a gun you know how important it is to have a safe place to store it. Baldino's Lock and Key will have a selection of Liberty Gun Safes as well as other brands of smaller safes you can check out. If you are just browsing, or just bought a gun at the show make sure to ask our safe experts what type of safe is best for your new or upcoming purchase.
Let there be Light!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
If an alarm system is not in your budget, investing in good lighting outside your home is an easy way to add security.
The first step you can take is to purchase and install motion sensor lights. You can set these lights up outside of your house to turn on at certain times during the day or night. You can also set them up to turn on when they sense any type of motion walking near your house or across your lawn.
Anybody taking a stroll through your yard that isn't supposed to be there will most likely be scared when flood lights revile who they are. You can even set the detectors so they won't go off when an animal crosses by them.
Protecting Your Home Against Lock Picking
Thursday, June 02, 2011 We wanted to share this article we found on securityworldnews.com how to protect your home against lock picking.
Check out the full article by Ron McBride by clicking here.
When your local locksmiths advises you to purchase high security locks, they aren't just trying to upsell you a more expensive product.
Look around YouTube or Google "lock picking" and more than a few videos will appear with lessons and tips on how to pick a lock. Any novice lock picker would not be able to pick a high security lock; and although there are those who have become masters of their craft, it would still take them more time than they would like to spend trying to get into your home.
Intruders want to get in and out as fast as they can. If they have to sit outside picking or drilling a lock they will most likely move onto the next, less secure house. There are many high security locks on the market. Baldino's sells many brands such as Medeco, Schlage, MUL-T Lock and Assa-abloy. You can stop by one of our locations and one of our trained technicians will be able to help you pick out the best lock for your home.
Relax! Your home will be safe if you follow these tips...
It's officially summer! That means vacations, and lots of time away from the house. We don't want to ruin your fun - but most robberies happen during the summer months because families are out of town. Not to worry though, Baldino's wants to keep your home safe, so here are some vacation safety tips you can follow.
Cancel your mail and newspaper. Mail and newspapers piling up will be noticed. Filling out a simple form with the post office and calling the newspaper circulation department can put a hold on delivery until your return.
Postpone parcel deliveries. If you are expecting a package, contact the sender to postpone the delivery until you return. If there is a large box on your front steps for a few days, it is only inviting a potential burglar to investigate its contents and realize you are not at home
Imitate everyday habits. Use timers on your lights or leave some window shades down to give the impression that someone is at home. If you normally have a car parked in your driveway, ask a neighbor to park their car there.
Keep your lawn mowed. The lawn will grow while you are away and this can signal anyone driving by your home that you are not there to take care of it. Hire someone to mow it for you if you will be away for an extended period of time.
Don't advertise your absence. Don't leave an outgoing message on your home email account or phone voicemail that you will be away. You do not want the wrong person to have access to that information.
Use your alarm system. Be sure to set your home security system before you leave and let the company know how you can be reached in the event your alarm goes off. It is also a good idea to use a local trusted friend or neighbor as a contact who can respond to an alarm.
Contact your local police department. Many departments offer courtesy checks of your house while you are away. Their added presence in your neighborhood may help to deter anyone who does not belong there.
Secure valuables. Do not leave valuables or electronics within view from a window. Use a home safe or safety deposit box if you can.
Lock all doors and windows. The one door that many people do not lock regularly is the one leading to the house from the garage. If someone can access your garage, they will then have access to your house. Be sure to secure sliding glass doors as well.
Enlist the help of a neighbor. Having someone do a walk around the house and checking for anything that might be out of the ordinary is always a good idea. A lot of neighborhoods have a crime watch established. Having others willing to be your extra eyes when you are away is always beneficial.
Article from suite101.com
Baldino's Safe Moving
Friday, April 15, 2011 Check out our video on safes here and on our Facebook page.
While Baldino’s Lock and Key should be the first place you go when you are locked out of your home, car, or business, we also want to help you prevent getting locked out in the first place.
One of the best ways to prevent getting locked out is to get a duplicate key. You should have a duplicate for your car key, and your house key. Loosing your last car key can cost you up to $300 to replace. If you have the code to your auto keys somewhere easily attainable it will be easier and cheaper for Baldino’s to make a new key.
You can hide your extra set of keys in your purse or wallet, keep one on the underside of your car, use a hide a key outside of your house, or give the copy to a good friend or family member.
Always using your key fob to lock your car is another sure way you won’t lock your keys in. You can also do a pocket or hand check to make sure the keys are where you need them to be.
Our favorite way not to loose your keys is to not have any at all. Use a pushbutton code lock for your home.
Alarm Systems
Monday, March 07, 2011 Having an alarm system in your house is a great way to add one more layer of security. An alarm system is a high tech babysitter for your house. They can watch over your valuables and detour and prevent intruders from coming in. Most burglars want to be able to get in, take what they want, and get out with out being noticed or a hassle. If they have to deal with an alarm system they will think twice about breaking into your home or office.
Alarm systems have advanced features to fit any life style or living situation. You can connect them to a cell phone instead of a home phone. They can also come with wireless motion detectors. These detectors are so advanced they can tell the difference between a cat walking by and a human.
Alarm systems do not only protect against intruders. Most come with smoke detectors that can sense a fire better than the one that came to your home. Baldino's Lock and Key will have an alarm system to fit your life style.
Covered for a Year
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Baldino’s Lock and Key’s one year parts and labor guarantee is our promise to you that our parts and service are top notch.
The one year warranty covers everyone in the locksmith industry along with our other residential and commercial customers.
If Baldino’s provides a lock, safe, or installs any other product we fully guarantee it will work for a year. If your product has any problems with in the year it’s installed we will replace or repair it for free. Your warranty includes labor also. If Baldino’s needs to come out and repair a product we won’t charge you a service call or labor.
Very rarely do we need to come out to fix any problems, but we want our customers to know they are covered and taken care of. At Baldino’s Lock and Key we like to say “here there is never any problem with customer relations, we stand behind our work”.
We LOVE Our Real Estate Agents
Friday, February 18, 2011
Baldino's Lock and Key has a soft spot for our local real estate agents. We've made a special coupon program just for them. All of the members of our real estate coupon mailing program get a $25.00 off a service call coupon to give to their clients.
Most new homeowners are so excited about moving in, and have so much on their mind they overlook the possibility that a former resident, handyman, cleaning company, or neighbor may still have a key to their home. By being part of our program you have the chance to provide your clients with this coupon and the first step in keeping their new home safe.
The benefit of joining our program is that you can be confident you are referring a reliable locksmith and helping your client keep their new investment safe. Baldino’s Lock and Key has 18 locations and has been serving the community since 1961.
Most new homeowners are so excited about moving in, and have so much on their mind they overlook the possibility that a former resident, handyman, cleaning company, or neighbor may still have a key to their home. By being part of our program you have the chance to provide your clients with this coupon and the first step in keeping their new home safe.
Still Fighting the Good Fight
Monday, October 04, 2010
Baldino's Lock and Key, along with many members of the locksmith community are still fighting the war to get illegal locksmiths off the internet and out of the phone book. These locksmith companies are using false addresses to get top listings on many popular search engines. If you call them and ask for an address they will tel you they are only a mobile service. There are some legitimate mobile only locksmiths, so the next best question to ask is if they have a DCJS license (if you live in Virginia). If you choose to use the services of these illegal locksmiths, you run the chance of them over charging you by hundreds of dollars. Legal locksmiths are now taking a stand. We don't want our customers or community to have to worry about if they are hiring a trustworthy locksmith.
On 9/21/2010 locksmith Charles Eastwood of Arizona aka locksmith Charley, filed suit against 11 companies, several telephone companies, Google, Yahoo, and the Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. A hearing has been set for October 4th at 9:30AM. Judge Mangum has ordered the defendants to appear and show good cause why he should not issue a preliminary injunction to shut off 450 telephone numbers belonging to the 11 different companies.
This problem is nation wide. If you would like more information please visit www.TheLocksmithPolice.com.
To find a reliable, trust worthy locksmith please visit FindALocksmith.com the official locksmith referral website run by the 50+ year old trade association. Associated Locksmiths of America. This website will refer consumers to ALOA members only.
Summer Vacation Safety Tips
Monday, June 21, 2010 It's officially summer! That means vacations, and lots of time away from the house. We don't want to ruin your fun - but most robberies happen during the summer months because families are out of town. Not to worry though, Baldino's wants to keep your home safe, so here are some vacation safety tips you can follow.
Cancel your mail and newspaper. Mail and newspapers piling up will be noticed. Filling out a simple form with the post office and calling the newspaper circulation department can put a hold on delivery until your return.
Postpone parcel deliveries. If you are expecting a package, contact the sender to postpone the delivery until you return. If there is a large box on your front steps for a few days, it is only inviting a potential burglar to investigate its contents and realize you are not at home
Imitate everyday habits. Use timers on your lights or leave some window shades down to give the impression that someone is at home. If you normally have a car parked in your driveway, ask a neighbor to park their car there.
Keep your lawn mowed. The lawn will grow while you are away and this can signal anyone driving by your home that you are not there to take care of it. Hire someone to mow it for you if you will be away for an extended period of time.
Don't advertise your absence. Don't leave an outgoing message on your home email account or phone voicemail that you will be away. You do not want the wrong person to have access to that information.
Use your alarm system. Be sure to set your home security system before you leave and let the company know how you can be reached in the event your alarm goes off. It is also a good idea to use a local trusted friend or neighbor as a contact who can respond to an alarm.
Contact your local police department. Many departments offer courtesy checks of your house while you are away. Their added presence in your neighborhood may help to deter anyone who does not belong there.
Secure valuables. Do not leave valuables or electronics within view from a window. Use a home safe or safety deposit box if you can.
Lock all doors and windows. The one door that many people do not lock regularly is the one leading to the house from the garage. If someone can access your garage, they will then have access to your house. Be sure to secure sliding glass doors as well.
Enlist the help of a neighbor. Having someone do a walk around the house and checking for anything that might be out of the ordinary is always a good idea. A lot of neighborhoods have a crime watch established. Having others willing to be your extra eyes when you are away is always beneficial.
Article from suite101.com
The Fight Continues
Friday, April 09, 2010
Attorney General Gansler Issues Cease and Desist Against Maryland Locksmith Company
Around the Clock Locksmith Allegedly Overcharged Consumers
BALTIMORE, MD (April 7, 2010) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a Cease and Desist Order against a Maryland locksmith, ATCL-MD, Inc., T/A Around the Clock Locksmith and its owner Joseph M. Horton. .... for full story click here
5 Layers of Security - #4
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 The next layer of security is ideal for commercial businesses or residential facilities that have a parking garage or large amount of space to secure. This layer of security would be a camera system.
Having 24 hour video surveillance will guard against theft, shoplifting, and vandalism. A home surveillance camera can monitor children, entry doors, hallways, and parking lots.
Layers of Security - #3
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Purchase a safe. A safe will not only protect your valuables from intruders but can protect them from fire and other weather related disasters.
You can keep everything from jewelry, documents, guns, money, photos, and sentimental items in a safe. Anything dangerous you want to keep away from your children, or private information you need to keep locked away from strangers.
Visit http://www.libertysafe.com/ or stop by any Baldino's location to speak with one of our safe experts. They can help you find a safe that fits your needs.
5 Layers of Security - #2
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 The second most important layer of security, for residential and commercial facilities is to get an alarm system installed.
Having an alarm system installed is important because it will not only alert you, and the police if there is an intruder but in most cases it will scare whoever is trying to get into an unauthorized area away.
5 Layers of Security - #1
Monday, February 22, 2010 Your first layer of security should be high security locks. This is your outer layer of defense. High security locks such as Medeco, are pick proof and resist battery powered drills. They come with key control signature cards so they can not be duplicated with out your permission.
Success!
Monday, February 15, 2010 The Nations Gun Show, held in Chantilly, Virginia was a great success for Baldino's Lock and Key. We had an amazing sales team at our booth and sold 17 safes with more orders to come. Our booth looked fantastic and we had an array of products including Liberty Safes, Gardall Safes, Amsec Safes, Mutual Safes and of course safe accessories.
If you missed the show, don't worry! You can stop by one of our 18 locations and check out our safe showroom. Each shop has an expert who can help you pick a safe that is perfect for you and your safety needs.
Virginia Locksmiths Act
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 It is very important that when you are looking for a locksmith you find out if they are licensed. Virginia locksmiths are required to be licensed now, and are breaking the law if they are practicing without a DCJS license. Both the individual and the company they work for have to be licensed.
The Virginia Locksmiths Act has been in effect for more than a year and can be read and reviewed at http://VirginiaLocksmithsAct.com Please take a minute or two to read this Law and how it will affect anyone who is working or intends to work as a locksmith in the State of Virginia.
Baldino's Lock and Key's DCJS#11-5651
Don't be scammed! You don't want to be over charged or have more harm than good done to your locks. This message is a courtesy of Baldino's Lock and Key for all citizens of Virginia concerned about locksmith licensing. Baldino's has been in business for over 40 years.
Maryland Locksmiths Act
Friday, October 09, 2009 It is very important that when you are looking for a locksmith you find out if they are licensed. All Maryland and Virginia locksmiths are required to be licensed now, and are breaking the law if they are practicing with out a DCJS license.
The Maryland Locksmiths Act is effective Oct 1, 2009 and can be read and reviewed at
http://marylandlocksmithsact.com Please take a minute or two to read the Bill and how
it will affect anyone who is working or intends to work as a locksmith in the State of Maryland.
Baldino's Lock and Key's DCJS#11-5651
Don't be scammed! You don't want to be over charged or have more harm than good done to your locks.
The Nations Gun Show
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Baldino's Lock and Key will have a booth at The Nations Gun Show in Chantilly, Virginia this weekend! Stop by and visit us and take a look at a few of our gun safes. We will have lots of information on residential, fire proof, and commercial safes including take home material to show to your family.
Our First Blog
Thursday, May 07, 2009 Hello blogging world, welcome to Baldino's Lock and Key's new blog! We will use this spot to keep our customers updated on what is going on around Baldino's Lock and Key, let you know of any new products we are carrying, inform you of security tips to keep your home protected, and more.
Baldino's Lock and Key is located all over DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Baldino's has 18 locations so there is sure to be one to help where ever you are. We have provided quality locksmith services since 1961 and have the best techs around. We are also licensed through the state, which is required in Virginia.
We provide residential and commercial security, as well as a wide variety of safes.
Want to talk? Call us! Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is there to help guide you through the purchase and installation of a security package
Virginia/District of Columbia - (703) 550-0770 Montgomery/Prince George’s County - (301) 963-4440 Baltimore/Annapolis - (410) 561-0961
Call Us!
Virginia/D.C. 703-550-0770
Montgomery/P.G. County 301-963-4440
Baltimore/Annapolis 410-561-0961
