Fingerprint scanners and facial recognition security
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Fingerprint scanners and facial recognition security

We have a lot of confidential corporate information in our office that we need to keep secure. Having key codes is hard because a lot of the staff forget them regularly and end up writing them down, which ends up making our office a lot less safe! As a result, we have switched to using fingerprint and facial recognition security which is working a lot better. It's not like people can forget to bring their faces into work! This blog has some tips on how to switch your office to using more modern security options like fingerprint scanners and facial recognition security.

Fingerprint scanners and facial recognition security

What to Do When Your Key Breaks off Inside the Lock

Armando Davis

Your house keys are most definitely durable and designed to last, and yet they are not indestructible. You might not notice any corrosion or degradation in your keys until the worst happens—you try to unlock your front door only to have the key snap in two while still inside the lock. Hopefully you will have a key for the back door, allowing you to still gain entry to your home. If you live alone and it's too late at night to call a friend or family member who might have your spare key, then you might need to call a 24 hour locksmith so you can get inside. You might be able to remove the key yourself, but the tools you will need are likely safely locked inside. But if there is someone at home to let you in, then you can sometimes fix the problem yourself using these items you might already have at home. So what should you do when your key snaps off inside the lock?

Tweezers and Pliers

You might be able to simply pull the key out of the lock by using a pair of bathroom tweezers. Flat tip tweezers and needle tip tweezers are small enough to actually be inserted into the lock, although tweezers with triangular tips might be too large. Try to get a sturdy grip on the key and gently pull it out. Needle-nose pliers can also be used, although standard pliers are too large to be of much use unless a section of the broken key is protruding from the lock.

A Saw Blade

A hacksaw blade can also be used, although you need to extremely careful. Remove the blade from the handle and insert the end of the blade into the lock with the serrated edge of the blade pointing downwards. You are essentially trying to hook the key with the serrated edge before gently pulling backwards to slide the key out. Please exercise extreme caution and only hold the blade on the side using the tips of your fingers so that you don't cut your hands as you pull the blade backwards.

Lubricant

Please use lubricant sparingly, and you should only try it if you are unable to remove the key with your first attempt. If the lock and broken key are too lubricated, it can be difficult to get a firm grip with the tweezers, needle-nose pliers or hacksaw blade. It can be wise to use a household lubricant in an aerosol spray, allowing you to apply the lubricant in a short, controlled burst. You should then wait for the lubricant to penetrate the lock before attempting to remove the key using your tweezers, needle-nose pliers or hacksaw blade.

You will of course need to call a locksmith if you are unable to remove the key yourself. But fortunately, your door is still secure as the lock cannot be opened by a thief while it is blocked by the broken key.


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