Keeping your home, your family, and your belongings safe and secure is a high priority and a major concern for most people. Fortunately, thanks to advancing technology, there are more ways than ever to make sure that everything important to you is protected.
Here’s some ways to enhance your home security, including advice on when and why you’ll need professional services, as well as some smart tech recommendations.
Do I Need a Professional?
Whilst there are many things you can simply buy online and easily install yourself, you should still never doubt the expertise of a pro.
Not only can security experts such as locksmiths or electricians recommend the most effective equipment to install but they can also advise on pros and cons of certain appliances, as well as identify any weak points.
Security technology is evolving but so are the techniques to exploit it. Up to date professionals will be aware of new lockpicking or hacking exploits and may be able to recommend the best type of lock and the most secure kind of technology.
How Locksmiths Can Help
Why should I seek a locksmith near me? You may ask. From basic fixes to advanced upgrades, here are some ways that they can help…
Updating Locks
As mentioned, new lock exploits are discovered by thieves all the time, and so if you’re worried about this, you should update your locks accordingly – especially if it’s been a number of years since you last did.
Options include smart locks, anti-snap locks, and deadbolts. All of which help in the fight against common break in methods.
New or Replacement Keys
Locksmiths can create brand new keys, replacements, or rekey your locks. Rekeying is a cost-effective way to stop old keys from working without replacing the entire lock itself – ideal if you’re not in need of a full update.
You may need to get new keys or replacements if you’ve recently moved into a new home, lost a key, or have already experienced a break in.
Emergencies
Some local locksmiths operate 24 hours a day and can be there quickly in an emergence. Why would you need an emergency locksmith? The two main reasons being if you’ve locked yourself out or if your home has been broken into.
When burglars break in whilst you’re out of the house, they often tamper with the locks to prevent you entering and disturbing them in the act. This may leave you unable to re-enter your home.
If you’ve accidentally locked yourself out, it is much better to call an emergency locksmith rather than try to break back in. You risk damage to your property, that you’ll then need to pay more for than the locksmith service. You could also risk hurting yourself.
A locksmith can get your entry back into your property in an effective way, that is either non-destructive or does as little damage as possible, with the worst case scenario meaning you might need to buy a new lock.
Assessments
As mentioned, an experienced local locksmith can conduct a thorough security assessment. By doing this, they can identify potential vulnerabilities in your home’s security and recommend solutions.
Security Technology Checklist
If you don’t already have them, smart devices can increase both security and convenience. Here’s a list of smart tech and security systems you should consider:
Smart Locks/Handles
Using a smartphone app, you can control access to your home remotely. Often, instead of keys, you can use your phone or even a registered fingerprint to gain access to your home.
Features may also include being able to monitor if the door has been used, and by who, as well as the ability to give temporary access codes to guests – such as your teenage kids coming home from school whilst you’re still at work, or neighbours that need to water your flowers, feed your pet, or take in a parcel for you whilst you’re away on holiday. Or anyone else in the household that has forgotten their keys.
Similarly, you can also get devices such as smart padlocks, which can give your shed, gym locker, or travelling luggage some extra protection.
Camera Equipment and Video Doorbells
There’s plenty of different types of camera equipment on the market these days. Smart doorbells are one popular option, allowing you to see who’s outside using your phone. This is great whether you’re out or just indoors and want to avoid uninvited guests.
Often you can speak to people through the smart doorbells, so you can either give delivery people instructions on where to leave a parcel if you’re out – or let visitors know you’re just getting dressed and will be there in a minute!
The video feature also grants you protection from any dodgy visitors and is a good way to put off any would-be thieves.
Other camera options include general outdoor security cams, you may even want to place some small ones indoors for security and keeping an extra eye on kids, pets, or vulnerable individuals.
Lighting
Placing motion sensing lighting outdoors can help you or visitors navigate easier in the evening, but like cameras they also act as a deterrent to burglars.
You can also install smart home lighting which, like other smart tech, you can control via your phone or set on a timer. With the lights on, it’ll look like you’re home even when you’re not, once again deterring would-be burglars.
Final Thoughts
With a combination of professional help and an investment in security devices, you can rest assured your home stays safe at all times – whether you’re indoors and taking extra caution or you want to fully relax on your holidays.
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