Your family is the most important thing in your life. So you would do anything to protect them. With high-security locks, not only can you protect your family but give yourself peace of mind.
Many families have a false sense of security when it comes to securing their homes. They believe that just having a deadbolt is enough, but a deadbolt can be very easily compromised by an intruder with the right tools and know-how. That’s why higher-security locks have been increasing in popularity, allowing your family protection from intruders and criminals.
We want to make sure that everyone who reads this understands how these locks work and why they are so effective at keeping people where they need to be.
Here are the 10 Tips For Installing High-Security Locks To Keep Your Family Safe
Tip #1: Know The Standards.
In most cases, a higher level of security is going to come at a price. This cost will usually be in higher initial purchase and installation costs. However, depending on the type of lock that you chose, it can go as low as just a few extra dollars. The best way to ensure you are going to be able to afford the security level is necessary is to know what your local government recommends for homeowners.
In DC and Maryland, they have adopted a new standard called S104. This classifies locks with higher security ratings to be better for residential or commercial use.
This means that they are substantially harder to pick, bump, or drill into. The best part about these high-security locks is the price difference compared to standard locks isn’t extreme in any way.
Tip #2: Install Deadbolts High Up On The Door.
Deadbolts should be installed high up on the door, close to the doorknob. The primary reason for this is so that a person cannot reach through and access them from the inside while they are being unlocked. This makes it very time-consuming and difficult to unlock while you remain safely inside your home or office.
Additionally, deadbolts should be installed in a way that they cannot be reached from the outside. This means a longer bolt through a larger hole drilled in the edge of the door.
Tip #3: Match The Strength Of The Door With The Strength Of Your Lock.
Most homes have hollow-core doors that are a standard 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch thick. This type of door does provide some security from forced entry, but it’s not the best option for protecting your family.
If you have a strong or solid wood door installed instead, this provides a much better way to protect your family because these doors are anywhere from 3/8 to 1 ½ inch thick. This is perfect for maximum security locks, but you will have to pay top dollar for them initially. The good news is that these high-security locks are also very secure against forced entry, so it’s worth the cost if your home warrants this kind of protection.
Tip #4: Keep Your Lock Up To Date.
It is important that you check your locks from time to time to make sure they are still working as well as they did when you first installed them. This includes checking the deadbolts, cylinders, and strike plates for wear and tear. Of course, a high-security lock will also have a much higher level of wear and tear because it has been forced against its locking mechanisms more often than other types of locks.
You should keep your lock-up to date or upgrade on a regular basis. Not only does this ensure that it is performing at the highest level possible, but you can also bring new life back into an older model by updating it with new technology. This way you won’t have to purchase an entirely new unit when there is a flaw in the current one.
If you find any parts beginning to fail or not functioning properly, replace them immediately so your family is always protected.
Tip #5: Use Master-Keyed Locks In Multi-Unit Buildings.
Many tenants don’t like master-keyed locks because they know that they can always be accessed by their landlord or maintenance person. The reason this is good for homeowners and landlords, though, is that they can use the same key to gain entry into multiple buildings that have been equipped with the same locks.
This is perfect in a situation where your landlord owns several properties and you decide to move out of one, but keep your lock for when you decide to move back in later.
Tip #6: Choose A Lock With An Automatic Locking Mechanism.
Automatic locking mechanisms are perfect for keeping intruders out, even if you forget to lock your door when you leave. This prevents anyone who tries to enter your home from being able to do so, even if they have the key or unlock code handy. Of course, this also means that you will need to be careful not to forget it when you leave.
Many of these locks are designed with a special override key that must be used if the automatic lock fails or begins to malfunction for some reason. You can then get into your home without worrying about whether or not an intruder is inside.
It’s important to note, however, that there are many types of overriding keys available on the market right now so make sure you purchase one from a reputable professional lock company before installing it yourself. This way you know it came from someone who knows what they are talking about and has experience using them should something go wrong with your lock at any time.
Tip #7: Make Sure Your Entire Home Has High-Quality Locks.
Most people just focus on making sure their front door is secure, but it’s a good idea to ensure that every entry point in your home has a high-quality lock installed on it. This way you can prevent intruders from gaining access to the inside of your home through the back door or basement entrance. Not only does this make your family much safer, but it also makes the value of your home much higher because you can rest assured that it’s fully protected.
Tip #8: Know The Basics When It Comes To Locks And Your Home Security System.
Most security systems are compatible with most locks on the market today but every now and then you will find a system that is not. This is why it’s important to do your research before purchasing a security system for your home. You don’t want to purchase one that won’t work with the locks you already have installed.
#9: Make Sure You Have The Right Type Of Locks For Your Needs.
This tip comes from a professional locksmith group, and it is a great way to test out your lock before you commit to purchasing one. Simply take a credit or debit card and slide it between the door and its edge as someone tries to open it. If the card can slide in easily, you probably don’t have the best lock on your door and should invest in something else.
#10: Ask Yourself The Following Questions Before You Buy A New Lock.
Before you purchase a new lock, ask yourself the following questions to be sure that you are making the right decision:
1) What kind of door do I have?
2) Do we own the property we live in, and if so, do we need to protect against forced entry or just unauthorized entry?
3) How much does it cost to re-key an old lock versus buying a new one?
4) How long will I be in the current place I live?
5) Do we own any other properties that need locks changed out, and if so, would changing them all to the same key save money in the future?
Asking yourself these questions before you buy a new lock can help you decide what kind is best for your family and your living situation. The above tips will help you find the perfect lock so that you can rest easy knowing that your home is as secure as it can possibly be.
Are you looking to install high-security locks on your doors?
If so, then there are a few things that you should know. For instance, did you know that the most common type of break-in is through the front door? It’s true! That’s why it’s important to have high-quality locks installed on all of your exterior doors.
We understand how stressful this process can be for homeowners, which is why we want to help guide you through every step of the way. Our locksmith experts will provide free consultations and estimates for any work needed or services requested.
They will even come out to your home if necessary! All of our technicians are highly trained and experienced with years of experience under their belts. So don’t wait another day!
