Richmond Alarm News Blog

Get in the Spring, Home Improvement Spirit

Look for Richmond Alarm this weekend at the Home & Garden Show located at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The show starts Friday and runs March 2-4, 2012. We are sharing a booth with the BNI Home Services Power Players Team in Building 2, Booth 64. We’ll be there all weekend handing out swag and demonstrating medical alert & home security systems and giving away Virginia Key & Lock magnets.

Additional displays and give-aways from our partners on the BNI Home Services Power Team:

• Blankenship Insurance Services
• CitruSolution Carpet Cleaning
• Mr. Rooter Plumbing
• Atlantic Heating & Cooling
• Oriole Landscaping
• OSM Paint & Repair
• A&W Powerwashing

We look forward to seeing you there and hope you enjoy the Home Show!

Every property is different when it comes to security needs, but churches and places of worship, present special challenges. Congregations want to be welcoming of all visitors and show trust in current members while at the same time being responsible about protecting their property and staff. According to Security World News, churches suffered $24 Million in property losses in 2009. Churches are often seen as safe places by members; however burglars often view them as “soft” targets due to the trusting nature of congregations.

Security Solutions for Churches

Often when a congregation gets a new security system, members quickly become frustrated by false alarms and police dispatches. It is difficult to educate such a large group of people on how to handle a new system. It is also difficult to determine who should have access to the new security system. In most cases, to help prevent false alarms, it may be best to start by putting intrusion systems on the areas of the church that contain the most commonly stolen (ie valuable) assets.

Commonly stolen property from churches

• Audio Visual Equipment
• Musical Instruments (guitars, drums, keyboards)
• Laptops and Office Electronics
• Cash from the Offering

Richmond Alarm recommends the following security for churches:

1. Designate 1 or 2 main entry points to the church. Change the locks on all other doors because it is nearly impossible to track all the keys that have been floating around. Keep all other doors securely locked and only accessible by essential personnel (such as the maintenance superintendent and pastor)


2. Put access control on the main entry points and use keycards to control who may enter. This provides a record of who enters, and also allows for a person’s access to be removed if necessary.  Periodic purging of the system will also help to maintain an up to date database of who has/needs access to the facility.  This is a huge advantage over traditional lock an key security.


3. Use a safe to store the offering or other money held in the facility


4. Install an electronic security system in the office and audio visual (AV) areas such as the sanctuary or high-tech meeting rooms. Keep instruments and sound equipment locked in the areas protected by the electronic intrusion security.


5. Take advantage of the auto arm and auto disarm features of the security system to help prevent someone from forgetting to arm systems and leaving the facility unprotected.

Contact Richmond Alarm Company for a free security system evaluation and estimate 804-276-9259.

Re-keying your home or business is easy!

•    Did you just move into a house and don’t know who has a key?
•    Have you just purchased a building without knowing who still has a key?
•    Do you need to feel safer after a messy break up?
•    Or simply, do you want one key to work all the doors of your home?

Local Locksmith, Reliable Company

Contact Virginia Key and Lock, a division of Richmond Alarm Company to re-key the locks in your home or business.

Simple Lock Solutions to Help Prevent Intruders

Some simple modifications go a long way towards making it harder for intruders to enter your home. For example, if a deadbolt lock is within reach of a glass pane, it should have a double key lock not a thumb turn lock. And the key should be placed out of range when it is not in use, so a burglar cannot unlock the door after breaking a window.

Also, ensure that deadbolt strike plate is attached with screws that are at least 3 inches long. This ensures the hardware is attached to the house frame, not just the door molding that can easily be forced open.

One of our highly trained technicians will be glad to discuss additional home safety and the best solutions to fit your budget. Contact us at 804-648-5301.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and marks the unofficial beginning of summer which also means increased travel. While you are away, protect your home with some tips from Richmond Alarm's President, Wayne Boggs.

May 2011 Newsletter

We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend and hope you'll take time to honor the fallen U.S. Veterans this Memorial Day.

Virginia Key and Lock Company is now owned by Richmond Alarm. Call us if you get locked out and need emergency locksmith services. We are available 24/7.