Category Archives: Home Security

Best Types of Door Locks for Security

Best Types of Door Locks for Security - Locksmith Sarasota Florida

A New Age For Door Locks

When was the last time you locked your keys in your home? How about getting halfway to your destination, only to realize that you haven’t locked your door?

Thanks to new technology, these annoyances and uncertainties are a thing of the past. You can enjoy the security and convenience of an electronic door lock at an affordable price point.

Types of Entry Methods

There are a few different types of electronic door locks, including:

  • Keypad
  • Biometric
  • Bluetooth
  • RFID

The earliest locks came with a keypad, which involved entering a pin to gain entry. While these methods are still popular, the newer models use touchscreens and have extra security features.

RFID uses radio frequencies, like a key fob or a card, to achieve entry. The main disadvantage of these is that, like keys, you’ll need the fob on your person to enter your household. This can be difficult when your arms are full of groceries or you lock them inside.

Biometric entries are likely the most sophisticated and use your fingerprint to open the door. It’s similar to the features available on newer cell phones. If you want additional people to have access to your home, simply program them into the system.

Finally, locks enabled with Bluetooth sense your phone and open automatically when you approach. These models often have a backup plan when your phone runs out of battery.

Utilizing New Technology for Locks

The nice thing about newer electronic locks is that they often offer remote entry via an app on your phone, and they can integrate with your other “smart home” features, which adds an extra layer of protection.

For example, you might realize on the beach three hours away that you left your curling iron plugged in and you can’t remember if you turned it off. You can alert your neighbor, unlock the door for them, disable your alarm system, and lock it again once they leave.

The August Smartlock

The August Smartlock consistently ranks highest in consumer publications because of its convenience and efficiency. Its sleek, circular design replaces your single deadbolt and allows you secure entry to your home using your iOS or Android device.

The August Smartlock works through Bluetooth or your wifi connection. The lock features AA backup power, so it will keep working even if your power goes out. Best of all, you can issue virtual keys to others as needed. Log records sent to your app will tell you who enters your home and when.

The Samsung Digital Door Lock

Samsung is a well-established brand in the IoT world. The main advantage of choosing a Samsung door lock is you can expect seamless integration with your other Samsung appliances, from TVs to security sensors.

The Samsung complete smart home system app can provide information about remote entries, visitor logs and more. Even if you use the digital door lock as a standalone product, you can use a passcode to unlock, or even a fingerprint on premium models. The door locks automatically when you leave, which is a convenient perk.

The Kwikset Kevo

Kwikset models often get high marks for the quality-to-cost ratio, and the Kevo is no exception. This is a historical brand in home locks, and they keep the aesthetics of their locks classic while loading them with high-tech features. The Kevo uses both RFID and Bluetooth, which allows users the flexibility of unlocking via the included fob or their smartphone. It’s both iOS and Android compatible.

Give out an unlimited number of guest “eKeys” and monitor all activity over the app. The Kwikset also integrates with the Nest Learning Thermostat, one of the most popular smart devices available.

The Schlage Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt

The Schlage touchscreen deadbolt is a good option for those who want the high-tech convenience of a smart lock, but don’t want to deal with key fobs or controlling anything remotely via an application. Schlage Locks have the highest lock security rating, which gives you valuable peace of mind.

There are several features that give Schlage this designation – for example, an alarm sensor goes off when someone opens the door, and you’ll hear it no matter where you are in your home. The touchscreen is fingerprint resistant, so you won’t have to worry about someone tracking your code and gaining unauthorized entry. You can also set it to lock automatically after you close it.

Schlage products integrate with all Z-Wave Home Automation products to aid in your home-monitoring needs. This makes it a great value, and a smart choice for those who want scalability in their door lock.

Finding the Right Door Lock

The smart lock you choose will be based on your unique needs, budget and security goals. No matter which locks you select, however, you’ll benefit from a professional installation.

For more information about the professional installation of your security door lock, please contact us.

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DIY Home Security Tips & Tricks to Burglar-Proof Your Home

DIY Home Security Tips Tricks To Burglar-Proof Home - Locksmith Sarasota

Halloween is only a few weeks away, and it’s important to take time to safeguard your home before the holiday season is in full swing. Burglaries and home thefts are more prevalent during the holiday season, and preparing ahead of time can minimize the chances of your home becoming a target.

Prevent Your Home from Being a Target for Burglaries

Most burglars take time to “case” homes before striking. “Casing” refers to watching target homes to see what kind of security the homeowners have, what times the house is empty, and other variables. Burglars will look for the least secure homes that offer the greatest chance of success.

What Burglars Tend to Assess on a Home

Burglars Prefer Homes That Are Covered By Foliage - Locksmith SarasotaSome of the things most burglars look for while casing includes:

  • Home security: More often than not, having a home security placard on your lawn, or visible security cameras on your property, is enough to deter most burglars from even bothering with your home. Roughly 90 percent of convicted burglars report they would avoid a home that has an alarm system.
  • Homeowner presence: Vacations and long-term travel are when your home is most vulnerable. Burglars will look for piled-up newspapers and overgrown lawns to indicate which homes have been empty the longest.
  • Cover: Burglars tend to avoid homes with lots of open, visible space around them. They prefer homes surrounded by lots of foliage that can offer cover while moving around the home to allow them to hide from prying neighbors’ eyes.
  • Dogs: A burglar typically will not try to enter a home with a barking dog inside. If you own a dog that stays home while you’re at work, your pet may be a better security asset than you ever realized. Dogs will also alert their owners to intruders who attempt to enter at night.

With these tips in mind, there are a few affordable and effective steps homeowners can take to improve their home security:

Fake It If You Need To

If you don’t own an alarm system or security cameras, you can still trick would-be burglars into thinking you do. Consider placing a fake alarm system placard in front of your home if a real alarm or security system isn’t in your budget. Some burglars will write off your house immediately. This trick probably won’t work on more experienced, tech-savvy burglars, though.

Start Small with Security Devices

You can purchase a simple home security camera system at relatively low cost. Do some research into the most reliable and affordable brands and look for tips on where and how to your cameras. It’s important for your cameras to be somewhat visible, so would-be burglars notice them, but you also need to place them in spots that offer wide fields of view.

Keep the previous tip in mind if a security camera isn’t in your budget. A fake camera may serve as a somewhat reliable alternative to a real one for some houses.

Secure Your Yard

Some thieves won’t bother trying to enter your home and will instead steal items from your yard, porch or garden. If you plan on taking a long trip, bring these items into your garage or another storage area while you’re away. Refrain from leaving gardening tools or items like ladders outside that a burglar could potentially use to gain entry to your home.

Light Timers

You can purchase timers for your outdoor lights, and may even want to consider putting some indoor lights on timers, especially if you plan on taking a long vacation. Light timers will automatically turn your home’s lights on and off at specific times. This can make it appear as though you are home while you’re away, thus making your home less of a target.

Secure Deliveries

Many thieves follow delivery trucks around to look for packages to steal in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays. Millions of people have their packages stolen each year in the U.S.

You can opt for sign-on-delivery security for some packages. For expensive items, it may be best to arrange delivery to your local post office so you can pick them up securely.

Invest in Your Home’s Safety

Consider investing in a more reliable security system this holiday season. Locksmith Sarasota offers a variety of state-of-the-art and affordable home security options, including high-security door locks, alarm systems and much more.

When you inquire about our home security lock services, we’ll review your home’s vulnerabilities and help you choose the right security equipment to protect your home and loved ones, where and when you need it most.

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Lock Problem? Is the Problem Really Your Lock? (Key, Hinge, Strikes)

Lock Problem Is the Problem Really Your Lock - Key Hinge StrikesMany people encounter problems with locks that don’t involve the quality or performance of the locks themselves. When a door doesn’t lock properly, the issue may actually be related to another part of your home’s security system.

When diagnosing problems with a lock, it’s critical to look at several factors aside from the lock itself. Locksmith Sarasota is constantly coming across security performance problems that have nothing to do with the lock. We want our readers to know how to diagnose these issues to avoid further damage and unnecessary repairs.

Common Locking Issues

It’s not uncommon for an apparent lock issue to actually be caused by another part of the door. Damaged keys, warped building materials, installation failures, and other mechanical issues could easily interfere with a lock’s performance.

Consider these common performance issues that arise from parts other than the locks themselves:

Key Issues

Key Issues That Can Get Stuck In Your Lock - Locksmith SarasotaIf a key becomes stuck in a lock or a piece of a key breaks off inside a lock, it can prevent the lock from engaging. A stuck key presents a significant security issue, so it’s imperative to seek a locksmith’s assistance as soon as possible.

If you try to remove a stuck key yourself, only pull the key directly out from the lock. Do not twist it. Twisting the key when it is stuck makes it more likely to break.

If the teeth of a key become worn or damaged, they may not strike the locking pins correctly and prevent the door from locking or unlocking.

Some believe that applying lubricants to stuck locks will help keys turn easier. While this may be an effective short-term solution in some cases, bear in mind that lubricants will likely gum up the pins of the lock, rendering it useless over time. The lubricant will also accumulate dust and debris, further impairing the lock’s effectiveness.

If you need to use lubricants to get a key to turn within a lock, plan to replace the entire lock soon.

Warping

Wooden doors and frames may warp due to exposure if they are not properly treated for weather resistance. A warped door can prevent the lock from aligning with the door and the frame.

Warping can also cause the strike plates on the door and the frame to bulge outward, possibly even preventing the door from closing properly. In these situations, fixing the warped door or frame, or moving the strike plates, may correct the problem.

When doors stick closed, they can also cause locking problems. Fixing a stuck door usually requires rebuilding the door jamb, an extensive and time-consuming task, or trimming the door to fit the space properly. The latter option is generally easier and may answer your locking problems.

Hinge Problems

If a door’s hinges dislodge, warp, rust or sustain damage, the door may not be able to close properly. An apparent lock issue may be a problem with the door’s hinges. In these cases, repairing or replacing the door hinges may correct the issue.

When replacing hinges, it’s important to use screws that are about one inch longer than the ones in the old hinges. This will help them to seat in the old screw holes securely and provide a smoother door swing.

Attempting to fill the screw holes with the same-sized screws will more than likely fail to hold up the door. Poorly fit replacement hinges will only cause the same issues, so be sure to invest in secure hinge screws so the repair lasts.

Call the Pros

Although these tips may help you quickly and accurately diagnose common locking issues, some lock problems require the help of professional locksmiths. Contact Locksmith Sarasota if these tips can’t solve your locking problems or if you know the issue is more complex than a broken key, warped door or loose hinge.

Even if your issue isn’t the result of a faulty lock, we can help you diagnose and address the problem. Reach out to us and you can rest assured that your home’s locks will soon be functioning as normal.

How to Enhance the Security of Your Rental Home

Enhance the Security of Your Rental Home - Locksmith SarasotaRenting out a property can be a great way to supplement your income and start seeing a return on your investment. The decision to become a landlord, however, should not be made without serious consideration. One wrong move could not only impact your rental property, but the rest of your financial portfolio as well.

When it comes to rental home security, ensuring the safety of your property is a major challenge. It’s essential that you explore your options and legal obligations, then prepare accordingly. Thankfully, there are several ways that you can ensure both the physical and financial security of any property you own.

Install Security Doors and Locks

Why Would You Rent Out Your Home Without Doing Research - Locksmith SarasotaPhysical vulnerabilities can quickly be addressed and should be the first priority. Once the word gets out that you’re renting an unoccupied property, it’s only a matter of time before unscrupulous individuals take notice. Strong doors and locks are a basic and necessary part of rental home security.

Key tips:

  • Hollow wooden doors and doors with windows are easy enough for an intruder to overcome. Ideally, entrance doors should be constructed out of metal or solid wood without windows.
  • Using a dual cylinder deadbolt lock prevents a would-be intruder from making a hole in the door or a nearby window and opening the lock from the inside. A dual cylinder lock is designed to require a key turn on both sides of the lock, as opposed to using a latch on the inside.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Thieves and vandals prefer to do their dirty work in the dark. The presence of outside light around your property is a strong deterrent for anyone who might threaten your property.

Key tip:

  • Choose long-lasting lights, such as LED lights, that require minimal maintenance. They should be installed on all sides of the property and activate automatically using a timer, light-activated sensors or motion sensors.

Know the Law

Keeping the rental home safe from physical threats is challenging by itself. Ensuring legal and financial security adds new wrinkles to the problem, but this task is just as vital.

Remember that laws regarding rental property vary greatly from one place to another, and ignorance is not an excuse. If your rental agreement terms and conditions are unenforceable, for example, you may face serious legal and financial consequences.

Key tips:

  • Do your research. If necessary, consult a local attorney who is familiar with the rights and responsibility of a landlord in the area.
  • Whether you are renting your property to long-term tenants or accommodating short-term tenants, it is very important that all of your agreements and terms are in writing. A bit of paperwork will go a long way toward protecting your property if something goes wrong.

Insure Your Rental Property

One of the worst things that can happen as a landlord is that a tenant gets hurt, damages your property or damages your neighbor’s property. Despite your best intentions and precautions, you may still be sued. That’s why liability insurance is an important part of rental home security.

Key tip:

  • Don’t underestimate how much protection you’ll need in terms of liability. The hard number will vary wildly based on your property, location and tenants. You may need more than the standard $1 million limit.

There’s nothing more important than keeping your home and your family safe from harm. Need more tips on protecting your home from intruders? The pros at Locksmith Sarasota are happy to share industry knowledge and top safety strategies with homeowners. Explore our site for more expert advice about locksmith services.