No matter how careful and responsible you think you are, there are times when you end up feeling frustrated. For instance, you didn’t remember to take your keys before shutting your front door and now there’s no way to get inside other than breaking a window. But then you have a broken window on your hands and this is a security issue (you cannot leave your home with an open window can you?) and who wants to climb through their own window? In such cases, you need a locksmith Toronto at Lock-up Services Inc.

If you do an online search, you will find the names and contact details of hundreds of locksmiths.

Not all of them are reliable, but when you have lost your keys, you don’t have time to choose the best. That is the reason why it’s necessary to avoid situations where you will need emergency locksmith services. Some of those situations are:

Lost keys

One of the most common reasons for requiring emergency locksmith services is losing the keys to your house. No matter how careful you are with your keys, it has been found that misplacing keys is a common occurrence that everyone faces at some point. When there is no other way to enter your house, you are required to call for emergency locksmith services.

Broken keys

When keys break off inside the lock, both the lock and the keys need replacing. This is an emergency situation when the locksmith is needed immediately. Such instances happen when the key is too old or fragile, or when the wrong key is inserted into a lock. To avoid keys breaking inside a lock, only the right keys need to be used with proper care.

Burglary

This is a dangerous occasion raising questions about the home’s security system. When a break-in happens, the first thing that needs to be done (after calling the police) is change the locks. This is an emergency case that cannot be delayed. Regardless of when the break-in or burglary happens, the locksmith needs to called immediately to have the locks changed.

Forgotten safe combination

If you have a locked compartment or safe at home that is unlocked only with a password combination, you need to call a locksmith immediately if you forget the combination and are unable to access the safe. Whether you store money in the safe or other valuables, a forgotten combination means either calling a locksmith or breaking the safe open.

Recoding electronic keypad

When you want to restrict access to your house or establishment, you need to change the code of the electronic keypad lock. In most cases, this can be done only by the locksmith. If you have people entering your establishment with questionable intentions (just watch Den of Thieves or The Dark Knight – there are some bad people out there!), you need to key the recoding done immediately.

Reprogramming transponder key

When you want to change the access code of the transponder key of your home or vehicle, you need to call a locksmith. If you want to change it because of unauthorized access, you need to do it urgently. Only locksmiths specializing in electronic keys are capable of performing the reprogramming.

While these emergencies may not always arise, it is wise to keep the number of your trusted locksmith handy in case you need urgent locksmith services. That is what you have a smart phone for right?

Carbon monoxide (CO) happens to be an odorless gas which is produced when fuel is burning. If you are in an open space, the CO gas won’t be much of a threat, but when you are in an enclosed place, the gas becomes lethal. Proper furnace installation will prevent any chances of CO leaks. Research studies from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) annually more than 400 people in America die from CO exposures that are not fire related. The following are the typical symptoms of CO poisoning:

• Dizziness
• A headache
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Body weakness

The most effective way of preventing any carbon monoxide poisoning in your home is by installing the CO detectors in your house. The sensors should be placed on every floor of the house and very high from the ground. Smoke alarm manufacturers have improved the technology by doubling smoke alarms to function also as carbon monoxide detectors.  The CO detectors are very different and vary from one brand to another. Heating companies can also help homeowners in dealing CO leakages.

Never the less, there are some essential precautions that homeowners can take to prevent possible CO leaks in the house.

1. Carrying out frequent furnace inspections by furnace experts

It is recommended that homeowners to organize for furnace inspects at least once in a year, so that to make the stove is still functioning correctly. The inspection period will also provide an excellent opportunity to deal with any possible furnace repairs that might be needed. The furnace experts will check for any possible CO leaks using the CO detection equipment. The two most common issues that bring about Co leakage in a furnace are:

1. Dirty furnace parts or components: when you have dirty filters, blocked flue vents and any residues in your furnace can cause your furnace to have CO leakage. The solution to this problem is straightforward, frequent cleaning of your furnaces to make sure there are no dirt residues.
2. A cracked heat exchanger: when using your furnace, usually the CO gas stays in the heat exchanger section until it’s exhausted out of the system. When your heat exchanger has a crack, then the gas will leak into the house. The cracked heat exchanger can be due to wear and tear or age.

With proper and regular maintenance you will have a durable furnace.

2. Venting the Carbon monoxide gas into your house chimney?

There are some houses where water heaters, clothes dryers, and furnaces, exhaust the carbon monoxide gas into the chimney. This is a very reliable and sensible arrangement if you look at it from the angle of physics. The big challenge with this idea is that the chimney liner isn’t very durable and can’t last forever. The chimney liner can crack like the heat exchanger also monitoring the chimney liner is very difficult, specialized equipment is needed for the chimney liner inspection. The inspection can be done by a furnace expert who is specialized in inspecting furnaces for CO leaks.

3. Avoiding unintended backdrafting

This is very common, especially when all the appliances in the house are functioning correctly. We do concur that negative pressure sometimes can be useful, but then it has to be handled with plenty of caution. Sometimes, the CO leakage occurs when nearby equipment creates negative pressure on another appliance (like a cloth dryer being used near the gas appliance). The best way to deal with this problem is creating a specific room in the house (with high and low airflow). The permanent solution would be to replace your old furnace with a model that has sealed combustion.

4. Avoiding the gas fireplaces/ furnaces that are vent free

Each equipment which burns fuel in the house should exhaust all the poisonous gases out of the house.  It’s not recommended to get or use a gas furnace that is vent free because it offers a higher risk of CO leakage in the house.

When using a furnace, it’s always about safety and it is evident that gas furnaces are great. However, you need to make sure the appliance is functioning properly. Still have frequent inspections done on your furnaces by a professional furnace inspection expert.