Home Security – The Truth About Locks and Burglars

Locking your door may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised to know how many people forget. When a burglar attempts to enter your home, she will always try to open the door first, in hopes that you have left in a hurry, and forgot to lock the door.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) reported that more than 27 percent of burglaries are no-force entry, which is why it is extremely important to lock all windows, garages, doors, and other entry points.

Deadbolts are Your Friend

If you can install multiple locks on your doors, you should do it. If you prefer to use two locks, at least one of those locks should be a deadbolt. You will want to choose a deadbolt that has a double cylinder lock for added protection. This means you will need to unlock the door with a key on both sides. The double cylinder lock will protect you in case the burglar breaks a glass panel near your door. If this is the case, he will not be able to turn the knob and unlock the door; only a key will open the door.

Make sure you do not break any laws when you have the double cylinder lock installed. Some counties and states view the double cylinder as a fire code violation and prohibit you from installing the lock. As an alternative, you can remove your glass door panel and have it replaced with a solid panel, which will prevent a burglar from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock your deadbolt.

More Lights, Less Burglar Action

Thieves may not be afraid of the dark, but they typically shy away from picking locks in the light. If you have the extra money to install a light system near your front and back doors, it is best to do so. A burglar is less likely to force the entry by picking a lock under a lit porch that has bright lights and an infrared detector.

Keyless Entry vs. Traditional Locks

Keyless entry pads are harder to crack than locks are to pick. Your kids do not have to carry keys to-and-from school, in which case, they are more likely to lose or misplace the key. You can change the code on your keypad, which is safer than passing out keys to houseguests and members.

Some home security systems allow you to arm and disarm your alarm while you are away from the home; therefore, you can watch and wait for your child to arrive at home, and arm the alarm system once she is safely inside. You do not have to worry about your child remembering the keypad combination, in addition to the alarm code.

You should know that burglars are more likely to target cars that have a keyless entry, than those with a traditional lock. Burglars will jam the radio frequency that is inside of the keyless entry systems.

Remember that most burglars will not pick a lock; instead, they prefer to walk on into your home. To keep your property safe, have a home security system installed. This will provide you with 24-hour monitoring, even when you are not home. Some security systems even allow you to monitor your home from any web-enabled device.