|
9/21/2023
Then & Now: Cothron's 75 Years In AustinYou may have heard that Cothron’s Security Professionals is celebrating its 75th anniversary. In honor of this, we wanted to take a little trip down memory lane… Since 1948, a LOT has changed in Austin, Texas, and we’ve grown and evolved with this beautiful city. We’ve moved, changed locations, and added shops to continue serving as the oldest and most trusted locksmith and security company in town. You may be surprised to learn that some iconic buildings you drive by each day and regularly frequent actually used to house our business. They are now filled with restaurants and stores and offices and bars…but a piece of Cothron’s history still hangs about (sometimes literally:)... Past/Current Shop Locations
  Some Fun Facts
   Well, did any of these past locations or facts surprise you? Do you remember any of them? Have you been to our current shops? If so, we appreciate your business, and if not, we hope to see you soon.
Here’s to another 75 years! 8/16/2023
Tips For Increasing School SecurityIt’s back-to-school season, and Cothron’s, based in Austin, Texas, is sharing information on how to boost campus safety.
7/12/2023
Top Things To Do In Austin This SummerIf you’re traveling and find yourself in the ATX, the capital of Texas, we have your itinerary ready for you!  Summer is here, meaning it’s time for vacations, getaways, adventures, and roadtrips…and we highly suggest coming to Austin, Texas, y’all. We’re the capital city of the state and the Live Music Capital of the World, and we like to keep it weird. We kind of have something for everyone, whether you’re into shopping, the great outdoors, history, or food. And our top suggestions of things to do in ATX include:
This is just a sampling of all that’s offered, and we hope you get to visit ATX soon. But wherever your summer travels lead you, remember to have a safe/fun time…and remember to call Cothron’s at 512-472-6273 if you need a locksmith!  5/30/2023
How To Protect Your Home While TravelingWhile off on summer adventures, smart locks, security systems, and other safety features can keep your house protected.   School’s out for the summer, and this Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer. Soon, people will be heading out on family vacations, to summer camps, and for lake days, all to soak up some fun in the sun. While we fully support taking a break and getting away, we urge you all to do something before you leave for your trip: secure your house by following the tips below. 1. Tell Someone You’re Leaving: Before you head out, make sure at least one person knows where you will be, for how long, and how to reach you (just in case there’s an emergency). You may also want to have someone come over in order to feed the animals, water the plants, and check the mail. If you’ll be gone for a while, you may even want to pause/postpone any orders (such as autoships or subscriptions) and have the post office hold your mail. 2. Make It Look Like Someone Is Home: Having someone check in while you’re away is smart. If no one will be coming and going, though, you can still make it look like there’s someone inside by, say, having lights come on with timers and/or keeping a vehicle in the driveway. 3. Don’t Tell Everyone About Your Trip, Though: For many, getaways are full of Instagram-worthy moments, and you can definitely show off online…just wait until you get back. If you share a real-time post about leaving, it notifies anyone and everyone that your house is sitting empty. 4. Inspect Current Safety Features: Now is a good time to check doors, windows, and locks, in order to make sure everything is working properly. If not, we know someone you can call to have any/all of this repaired/replaced.;)  5. Upgrade Your Security System: Think about ways home security can be enhanced even further, as motion lights, surveillance cameras, door/window sensors, and video doorbells are just a few of the most popular options.
6. Pretend You Beefed Up Security: A yard sign with a security notice and/or the name of your security company can help deter burglars…and these can be put up whether you have a security system or not! 7. Consider Smart Locks: A security camera or a doorbell camera may not be for everyone, but now is a good time to think about a smart lock. These have increased in popularity, due to features like monitoring activity from your phone and allowing temporary access, and we’re constantly installing them (especially Yale Home’s DoorSense™). 8. Draw The Curtains: Another way to help decrease the chances of a robbery is to make sure window curtains are closed and concealing whatever treasures you may possess. Plus, the valued belongings you do have should be placed in locked safes. 9. Hide Your Keys: Under the doormat, in a hanging plant, disguised as a rock…There are many places to keep a spare key, but while traveling, you may want to keep them all inside, take them with you, or hide them in better places (just in case). 10. Take A Cue From A Classic Movie: If all else fails, you may just want to leave your kid home – equipped with paint cans, a tarantula, nails, tar, a blowtorch, and ornaments – and let them take care of it! No matter what your summer holds, we hope it’s a fun and safe one. And if you need to enhance your home security before (or after) then, contact Cothron’s today. 3/29/2023
Gun Safety / Storage: Stats & SolutionsMost gun owners don’t lock firearms up securely…and firearms are the leading cause of death in American children. Practice gun safety, and – if you haven’t already – invest in a gun safe.  In other countries, the leading causes of children’s deaths are vehicle accidents and cancer. In the United States, it’s firearms. This is especially top of mind, due to the recent school shooting in Nashville and the one-year anniversary approaching of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. When looking at this age group’s mortality in other countries, guns are not even in the top three nor the top four leading causes, and since 2000, child firearm deaths have increased in the U.S. while decreasing everywhere else.  Also in America, around 45% of households own at least one gun, and out of that number, more than half store firearms unlocked. With 58% storing at least one unlocked and hidden and 18% storing at least one unlocked and unhidden, gun owners tend to think locks will slow them down in the event of an emergency.  When firearms are stored securely, most people turn to gun safes. There are a variety of selections, such as:
 After hearing recent news and reading recent studies, consider the following gun safety / firearm storage tips:
With so many people owning guns…With so many mass shootings taking place across the country…With firearms being the main contributor to child mortality in America…Know this firearm safety information, share it, do it, and get a safe and secure gun storage solution. As a reminder, Cothron’s sells safes in Austin, Texas, with an array of ratings, sizes, colors, materials, and locks. We offer safe delivery, safe installations, safe repairs, and financing options, as well. Learn more here, and visit us at one of our shop locations to browse/buy. Do you know what material was used to create the first locks? Do you know who invented the first automatic door bolt? Do you know how Cothron's got its start? Our latest blog post covers this and more  Locks and keys have been around for thousands of years, and the history associated with the industry and some of its main players is fascinating. From early wooden locks and the reasoning behind certain security features to famous locksmiths and family-owned businesses, read on to learn 10 neat facts about the world of locksmiths. 1. Locks have been around for more than 6,000 years, as an early version was found at Nineveh, the capital of ancient Assyria. These security features started out with carved wooden designs and became more advanced in the 18th century, due to metal works. 2. Famed escape artist Harry Houdini was a locksmith, and Nick Hoffman, the chief curator at The History Museum at the Castle (previously The Houdini Historic Center), spoke on the topic. "This bobby pin from his collection has clearly been adjusted, bent open, and maybe he was using it to sort of practice an escape. So this is just a really, really neat thing to see…this manipulated bobby pin to pick a lock." Hoffman continued, saying, "One of the things he loved to do is palm the keys to make some sort of lock pick. So he would put some sort of clay in his hands and then very carefully, when he had the key, push it down into his palm and then that clay would take the form of the key and then he could have his carpenters and other assistants make a pick."  Via The History Museum at the Castle 3. Linus Yale Sr. opened a lock shop in the 1840s, leading to the creation of a pin tumbler lock. His son, Linus Yale Jr., joined him, enhanced the design, patented the Yale cylinder lock, and then started Yale & Towne in 1868. 4. In 1857, James Sargent started the James Sargent Lock Company and went on to provide the U.S. Treasury Department with safe locks and to invent products like the first time lock for bank vaults. 5. Originally, Samuel Segal was a police officer, which led to the original Segal lock in 1912, as a way to help protect people from "jimmying" doors open. 6. In the early 1920s, the Master Lock Company was established by Harry Soref, known for his laminated steel-cased lock patent. 7. The first automatic door bolt was created by William F. Banham in 1926, due to break-ins he and his wife experienced. After that, he started up his own company – which later became Banham Security – and agreed to pay people £25 if they could pick his new lock. 8. Cothron’s was founded by Mr. Olen Cothron in 1948, and it started out as a small kiosk on Congress Avenue. Today, the company is one of Central Texas' premier security providers and is still family owned and operated: Olen’s son, Steve, serves as the CEO; Steve’s children, Angela and Andy, are head of accounting and high security, respectively; Angela’s husband, Daniel Powers, is the brand’s operations manager; and Daniel’s cousin, Vanessa Len Herrera, is the dispatch supervisor. There are several parents/children and siblings (not related to the Cothrons) that are employed by this business, too!  Olen Cothron 9. As a leader in locksmithing and security, did you know that Cothron's also makes and sells custom tools? These can be used for installing latches, swing bolts, locksets, paddles, and levers, as well as for opening door knobs and lever sets.
10. Many think locksmiths just help people get into their locked cars and houses. While that is certainly part of the job, services go far beyond this. Cothron's, in particular, provides: --a wide range of commercial doors and frames, with a specialized crew that tackles everything from new installation and construction to remodels, repairs, and replacements. --safes of all types, which can be delivered, installed, rented, serviced, and repaired. --electronic security options ranging from alarms and video surveillance cameras to keyless entry and employee access. --a hardware counter with supplies like keys, mechanical & electrical door hardware, and door frames. --locksmithing, which – in addition to lockouts – includes rekeys, lock replacements, door realignments, installations of exit devices, door closers, fire-rated hardware & automatic door openers, and much more. Follow us on social media and check back here for more company/industry updates, and contact Cothron’s for all your security needs! Cothron’s custom tools include those for installing latches, swing bolts, and bored-in locksets, as well as those for difficult-to-pick locks. As a leader in locksmithing and security, Cothron's makes and sells custom tools. These can be used for installing:
The Aluminum Glass Mortise Lock - Installation Jig was designed for use by professionals for the installation of latches and swing bolts on 1 ¾” thick aluminum and glass doors. This reversible jig is factory set so that the backset is gauged from the center of the door edge and will work with 1 1/8” or 31/32” backset locks by simply flipping the jig. It secures to the door using self-drilling self-tapping screws so it can't slip like other jigs. Screw holes are where the AR-style universal mounting tab screws go after the jig is removed from the door.  The Pro Installer Cylindrical Lock Installation Jig was designed by locksmiths with over 80 years of experience and is intended for use by professionals for the installation of bored-in locksets with either 1-1/2” or 2-1/8” cross bore holes and 2-3/8” or 2-3/4” backsets. The handle of the Pro-Installer has a raised ridge on the inside that sits against the door, ensuring the backset is gauged from the center of the door and not affected by the bevel. The scale etched into the handle makes it easy to position the jig above the existing lock by simply centering the latch of the existing lock at the desired measurement. The cross bore guide plates are held in place by magnets, making it easy to change backsets by flipping them around from 2-3/8” to 2-3/4”.  The Around-The-Door Tools were made for difficult-to-pick locks and were part of "Best of 2022: The Year’s Top Products," a list from Locksmith Ledger. It’s released each December, looking at the year’s most notable and most viewed new products, and Cothron’s was honored to be included.  All of these tools were created by John Ray, Cothron’s director of education, and came about as workarounds after being in the locksmith industry for 40 years. Ray’s also working on a couple of other designs, but the details are being kept under wraps for now. As he told Locksmith Ledger, though, “I haven't seen anything else quite like it out there available.”
Check back often for further updates, learn more about Cothron’s current tools here, and call 512-459-2875 for current pricing. Options like keyless entry, motion sensors, and antimicrobial door hardware can help cut down on the transmission of viruses and illnesses.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been more cautious, taking extra steps to promote health and safety. Fighting off bacteria is also currently on everyone’s minds, due to recent headlines: There has been a surge of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, an early/active flu season, a lot of illness transmitted in schools, and a shortage of hospital beds (especially pediatric ones).
A wise way to decrease the spread of germs and the chances of getting sick is with the use of antimicrobial and no-touch devices. With each interaction, there is a chance of being exposed to viruses, but this unique door hardware helps inhibit the growth of germs in high-touch areas.
With all of these antimicrobial and no-touch security solutions, experiences will be enhanced, accessibility will be boosted, and contamination will be prevented. If you are interested in any of these products, call Cothron’s today at 512-472-6273 or request service here. Regular adjustments can help keep doors looking like new, working smoothly, and functioning in the most secure way possible.  Over time, locks and door hardware can get worn, dirty, misaligned, and overused, meaning regular maintenance is required. These small adjustments can keep doors looking like new and working properly. When maintenance is avoided, it can affect things like energy savings and, of course, overall security, and persisting issues can escalate into bigger problems.
Therefore, to keep your locks, hinges, doorknobs, strike plates, deadlatches, and deadbolts in tip-top shape, follow these five steps.
8/30/2022
The Smart Lock Trend Is Here To StayFrom the time they can save and the accessibility they provide to the enhanced security features, it’s no wonder that smart locks are trending…and are only going to get more popular, when it comes to workplace safety, home security, school safety, and beyond!  About 70% of households in the United States have at least one smart device, based on research by the Consumer Technology Association, and one popular example is smart locks, a market which is worth $2.4 billion and is expected to reach over $4 billion by 2027.
Why are more and more people turning to innovative locks for their homes and businesses? The most obvious answer is the ease of access. In today’s digital world, we are used to getting information, food orders, clothes, calls with family or coworkers, TV shows, and more with the click of a button…and we want the same, when it comes to getting into our houses and our places of work. Smart locks can connect to a phone and unlock only when said phone is in a certain range, or they can be controlled with a keypad, allowing entry when a specific code is entered. Time is another factor, as Alarms.org found that 57% of people in the U.S. said smart products save them about 30 minutes each day. Instead of fumbling around in a bag for your keys, you can, for instance, punch in your keypad code instead. Of course, security is a top reason for more than 12 million American households installing smart locks. These gadgets allow for the tracking of who enters/exists and for locking the door remotely if someone forgot to do so. They eliminate the need for a spare key, too, helping to decrease the chances of a break-in. The locksmiths at Cothron’s – Austin's oldest and largest locksmith company – can help you choose the right lock for your doors and upgrade your security at home, the office, and beyond. In addition, offered security systems can include burglary/intrusion detection, temperature controls, security alarms, access control, video surveillance, and security cameras from partner brands like Yale Accentra, Allegion, Assa Abloy, Brivo, and Open Options. Call us today at 512-472-6273 or fill out a service request here. We look forward to helping you enhance your security! |
Locksmith News & Security BlogAs Austin's oldest and most trusted locksmith and security company, Cothron's provides industry updates and resources through its blog. Categories
All
|
RSS Feed