Keeping your locks, keys and security mechanisms up to date is just part of basic home maintenance. You invested a lot of money purchasing your residential property, so it’s only a given you want to take good care of it. Faulty locks or malfunctioning features will only lead to break-ins and property damage – so it’s always best to invest in long-term protective solutions. Needless to say, finding the right security features will bring homeowners full peace of mind. Not sure how to get started? That’s what we’re here to help you with today.
Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or you have just bought your very first residential property, there are various security checks you can do in your home. To give you a better idea, we’ll break these down into handy little sections you can easily refer back to.
For those of you who recently moved into a new residence…
The very first thing you should do is rekey all the locks in the house. You don’t know how many keys the previous landlord and/or tenants have made along the years, and who they have given these to – neighbors, family members, friends… the list could get quite extensive in some situations. For your safety and peace of mind, make sure to change all the locks as soon as possible. This will ensure you know exactly who has access to your residence at any given time.
Our next recommendation can be done at any stage of your tenancy, though it would probably be worth your while to do this right away. Look closely into your home insurance policies, and the kind of cover they offer if any of your valuables are damaged or stolen. This will give you a better idea of the type of residential security you should be getting for your property. Always read the fine print, call the company to ask for clarification if needed, and make sure you know exactly what you can get out of your insurance premiums.
As for those already settled in and looking for a security enhancement
There are quite a few different protective features you can add to your home to improve its security. It all depends on your budget and specific requirements, but here are some of the popular options that you can get from your local residential locksmith:
Deadbolts. These are highly sought after by many homeowners, and for a very good reason. Your standard locks are quite vulnerable to picking and prying open in different ways, whereas a deadbolt’s mechanisms are designed to be a lot harder to tamper with. Some deadbolt types are more sophisticated than others, and may be best suited for different types of doors. Here’s a quick overview to give you an idea:
- Single cylinder deadbolts are the most common option around. These are opened by a key on the outside and bolted using a thumb turn on the inside. You shouldn’t install these on a door that has glass or windows next to it – a thief can easily resort to breaking the surrounding glass to unlatch the deadbolt.
- Thumb turn deadbolts are quite similar to single cylinder, comprising a thumb turn and a key cylinder. Where the two differ is that a thumb turn will have an additional lock within its inner turning fixtures.
- Double cylinder deadbolts are more complex, providing much better protection than the previous two. Here, a key cylinder is fitted on both sides of the lock. The drawback of this mechanism is that evacuating your property will be more difficult with these installed.
- There are also keyless deadbolt models around, which are activated by a special code. Like any kind of keyless protection, these could be more expensive by comparison.
Keyless entry systems. As we foreshadowed in our previous point, keyless systems tend be quite diverse. They may include CCTV surveillance, swipe card access, special codes and other innovative access control features. They are a great option for homeowners who want to forego the need to have multiple keys, and want to be more actively involved in their security. Only people who have access to special combinations and key cards can enter and exit the property – and their activities will be logged into the system every time they do so.
Residential safes. If you have any important documents, jewelry, cash or any other valuables lying around, a safe will ensure they are kept away from prying hands. Not only that, they will also prevent these from getting misplaced or completely lost.
Intercoms and alarm systems. These are a good middle ground for homeowners who aren’t able to fully commit to a keyless entry system. With an intercom or alarm system in place, you’ll be able to watch your property, as well as using these as a theft deterrent. Lights with motion sensors could be a good option too.
Other precautions to consider in between
To keep your residential security in check, make sure that:
- If you’re going on vacation, verify that all your alarms are working, your locks are in top working condition, all ladders, tools and bikes are locked away in your garage, and your valuables are not visible from the outside. Also, if you trust your neighbors you can ask them to watch out for your property for you, and offer to do the same in return.
- Be extra vigilant in any situation where a lot of people may be coming in and out of your residence – for instance, when you need to do renovations, or a repairs professional needs to look into some damage in your property.
- Remember to always replace worn-out locks before they become a liability, and to check all your alarms and security systems in the beginning and end of daylight savings.
A qualified residential locksmith will bring all the right security solutions to you. If you haven’t needed to hire one of these before, ask around for recommendations and do some background checking on the businesses referred to you. Always hire a local business with a verifiable address, client references, and traceable license and insurance information. Take your time when making your decision – it’s always recommended that you call 2-3 places before settling on an expert.
Locksmith in Roswell GA is always at the disposal of the homeowners in our community. If your residential property Roswell, GA could use a security audit, make sure to contact our licensed and insured team to find out more about our solutions.
No matter where you’re based, we hope these tips have helped you to begin thinking about your residential security.
Aricle source here: Locksmith in Roswell GA: Security for Residential Properties
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