Protect Your Home with the Right Entry System
Home security has never been more important, and when it comes to keeping your family safe, you will want to make sure you are focusing on the areas of home security that are most effective.
Most people already have a home alarm system, but even something as simple as the locks on your doors could make it easier for a burglar to get into the house. Don’t forget that an alarm is not the best way to prevent people from coming in, though it can act as a deterrent if they do make it inside. The alarm also alerts authorities if you have it set to that option, so you can rely on a little additional help. However, if the burglar is already inside, they can easily escape with whatever is easy to grab, so you’re better off preventing them from getting in at all.
Choosing a Type of Lock
There are so many different locks available to you that it can be quite confusing. If you’re just not sure what would be the ideal option for your home, then it’s a good idea to talk to a locksmith. They are experts who will know exactly which choice is best for your particular needs.
Locks generally come down to a few basics:
Mechanical: These locks generally use a key or a knob to shoot the multipoint locking system or deadbolt into place. The deadbolts are quite secure, but if you want to lock something with multiple points of security, opt for the multipoint system. These can be opened with one key but have many spots that they lock to.
Digital: These locks don’t require keys, though you may use them as a backup in some cases. Instead, they let you manage home access from a remote location and can be integrated with other technology. You can use keypads, cards, and other options for allowing entry.
Which of these two options do you want to use? That depends greatly on your level of security.
Keep in mind that outdoor locks, or those leading into your home from outside, are needed to keep the door well protected. However, inside the house, you may want to lock the basement, but it doesn’t have to be high security. This should help you determine which locks to choose for each section.
The Benefits of Access Control
Access control systems vary in what they do, but they all use a control panel so you can electronically enter the home with a keypad. These systems are usually designed for commercial areas or labs, where access is strictly controlled and the keypad allows each person to have their own code. This way, the computer can tell when each person has entered and exited the room in question.
This may seem like a little much for a home entry system, but there are some distinct benefits to having one. The ability to see exactly when each person has left the home and when they have returned is a big advantage for many families. This is particularly true if you have additional people coming into the house, such as nannies and housekeepers.
As each person enters the home with their own code or card, the system will check them in. This allows you to see from afar, if you have the right system, and determine who is in the house at any given time. It also means that if there is an incident, you can immediately see who was in the house at that time.
These types of entry systems are available for your entire house, apartment or commercial space. No matter how you plan to use them, the right access control can provide you with some real peace of mind.
Choose the Right Lock
Whether or not you opt for an access control system, you will need to look carefully at your locks. This counts for windows and doors since they can all be access points. There are many locks on the market, so which ones are the best fit for your home?
UPVC Anti-snap Locks
More and more people are opting for UPVC for their windows and doors. It’s cheap and very durable, so it has become quite popular. There are some distinct downsides when it comes to security, however. You’ll find that door handles may be easily snapped on the standard doors.
The door handle and cylinder is actually the weakest part of the UPVC door. The doors themselves are quite hardy and hold up to a lot of damage. However, if the handle is easy to break, the toughness of the door may not matter.
To prevent this issue, you can install anti-snap UPVC door locks. They’re designed to hold up when an intruder attempts to break the door handle. It’s relatively simple to install them and you immediately upgrade your security level.
Sturdy Locks for Aluminium and Wood Doors
For the utmost security, you may install wood or aluminium doors. These doors hold up against multiple kicks in and of themselves, but again, their weak point is the door latch. The locking mechanism is likely to give out long before the actual door.
To prevent this severe lapse in security, you can install a whole new lock mechanism. A locksmith can handle this for you and add in deadlocks that will hold up to attempted entries. There are a number of sturdy bolts and heavy-duty locks that can be added to aluminium doors, as well as wooden doors.
Doors themselves may be quite strong, but it’s only as good as the actual lock and handle. You can easily upgrade these in any building to create a more secure environment.
Other Ways to Increase Security
Still want more security for your home? Beyond installing locks or an entry system, you can create more safety for your home and family by adding a few other features.
CCTV Cameras
Having surveillance cameras is a good way to keep an eye on what happens around your home. If you have a system that you can check on your mobile phone, this allows you to see who is coming and going.
Cameras also provide an additional deterrent to any would-be burglars. When they see that there are cameras around a home, they’ll often walk away and not cause a scene. However, a good camera system will also give you evidence of anyone who has tried to enter your home unlawfully.
Install a Security System
Every home should have a good security system in place and running. It can give you an early alert that someone is breaking into your home and should allow the authorities to get there before the thief has escaped. Again, there are a lot of security systems out there, so choosing the right one is absolutely necessary.
You will need to do some research to determine just what your home needs. However, for a basic system, you should have alarm triggers on each window and door. These will sound an alarm once triggered and may either alert you, the security company, or the authorities to handle the problem. It’s also possible to add cameras to your alarm system so you can see what is setting it off. By checking what is going on, you can determine if you need to be worried or not.
Protecting your home is an important part of being a homeowner. Deciding on a locking system and home security system can be a big choice, but it’s also a necessary one. If you’re having trouble with it, you can always talk to the experts. They’ll help you determine what system is needed in your home and can install it all for you, as well as train you in how to use your new security and locks.
Ready to make your home safer? Contact Campbell & McGovern Locksmiths today for more information on everything from access control to security systems. We’ll help you sort out which system is best for your needs.
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