Security for Residential Property
Security is important no matter where you are; in your car, at work, at your business, in a store; everywhere! The one place where security is extremely vital is…. Your home! The reasons are obvious; you live there. So do your loved ones, family members and pets. You also have the occasional guest or visitor coming to see you. They want and need to feel safe, too. Your residential property is where your belongings are kept; often a lifetime’s worth. A basic lock on your front door is standard in most homes. Is that enough to ensure residential security? Not by a long shot!
People, pets and stuff
Your home represents one of the biggest financial layouts that you’ll ever make. Whether you rent or buy, your home is a huge investment in money, emotion and time. From the most humble homes in Sun City, AZ to huge luxury mansions, our residences not only include personal belongings and mementos but also furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, jewelry, tools, and in many cases, art, collectibles and artifacts; all worth protecting to the best of our abilities. While we seek and need protection for our belongings we also need privacy for ourselves and our lifestyles while at home. Unfortunately, there are some who would help themselves to all of this by taking it for themselves. Whether it’s nosy neighbors or thieving crooks; our homes need protection from those that would help themselves to our belongings, privacy and well-being.
Lock your doors
No, you don’t need ultra-fancy or expensive security and alarm equipment to better secure your home. Start by locking your doors when at home; night or not. Sure, there was a time when you could trust your neighbors and friends to enter your home unannounced and without keys. For the most part, those days are behind us. Since most live in urban areas now, it’s vital to keep front and back doors locked as often as possible. This goes for the inside garage door leading into the house, too. All too often, a crook can simply walk into a home and rob it of its contents, hold a person(s) hostage or even kidnap a family member.
Your locks
The builder who constructed your home added a lock to the front door. He had to; it’s the law. Nothing in the law states that it had to be good lock; just an okay one. Better quality locks are available for upgrade purposes, much like granite counters, improved bathroom fixtures, balanced power, landscaping and spa tubs. Most builder installed original locks still contain master pins inside of them. These, when first installed, allowed the builder and all of his sub-contractors to access the home without needing separate keys for each one. These include plumbers, drywall, electrician, stucco, painters, roofers, carpet installers, and many more. Once the home was sold, the lock reverted to non-master status once used by the new homeowner. The master pins still inside the lock may not work anymore but they do age the lock quicker and make it weaker and more susceptible to lock bumping or prying. So what can you do about possible master pins in your home door lock?
You can upgrade your locks to high security status. Doing so is not expensive and as a lock replacement, the entire lock is removed and replaced with a new, better one. You don’t have to use high security locks but they are affordable and virtually impossible to pick or pry open. This is because they are made of steel and are mostly solid versus aluminum or tin pieces that were welded together.
Rekeying
Having your home locks rekeyed is also a smart idea. For the most part, rekeys are less expensive that lock replacement. This is because your original lock stays in place. Your locksmith only alters the inside pins and springs. While he’s at it, he can remove those pesky master pins that remain from construction days. Rekeying your home locks will not only save you money, it will also make all old keys obsolete. If you were concerned about too many copies of your house key in circulation, this is one great way to start fresh.
Each home owner that wants maximized lock protection should add a solid deadbolt lock to the front door. These locks should be of good quality and installed correctly in order to work. They offer a second line of protection against unwanted intruders and burglars. Once a crook bypasses your regular door lock, he must now contend with your deadbolt and most will not risk you arming yourself or calling police while they do that!
Security doors and gates
If you are like most, you get people knocking on your door at home. These can include salespeople, missionaries, neighbors, landscapers, deliveries, friends and visitors. While you may peek through your peephole, you most likely answer the door. A safer way to do this is with a security door in place. A strong, well made security door constructed of ornamental iron allows you to add fresh air into your home while giving you the freedom to answer your door without someone forcing his way in.
Other ideas…
ou can also add locks to your mailbox and/or to your garage door for added security. Protecting your mail is always vital and so is securing your garage from intruders, especially while you are away on a business trip, cruise or vacation. If you are a gun owner, be sure to secure it and any other firearms in a locking gun cabinet or safe. This can help avoid in-home shootings from intruders, domestic problems and even playful children or teenagers just fooling around. We encourage you to discuss your residential security options with a local home locksmith expert for even more valuable tips on this subject.