Typically the first place that a burglar will look when attempting to break into a home, front doors should have robust locking systems and even the door itself, should be sturdy and resistant to forcible entry. Forgetting to lock your door, securing it with a damaged or flimsy lock, or not investing in a strong, reinforced front door are all things that can leave your home vulnerable to break in attempts from intruders and burglars.
To make sure your front door is giving you adequate protection, pay attention to the following 3 things:
- The frame and deadbolt – are they strong enough?
A high security lock affords little protection if it’s mounted on a flimsy door frame. Check whether your front door has a solid core, a strong frame, a high quality strike plate and a sound deadbolt lock. Then, consider upgrading the screws on your deadbolt, to heavy duty 3 inch ones that will anchor the strike plate firmly to the wall.
- High security smart locks – have you got one?
Without a key like a standard locking system, there are several advantages to smart locks, and here are just a few:
- Criminals are unable to pick the lock, because there isn’t one.
- You can assign temporary access permissions (with the use of a unique passcode) to visitors and make giving others keys (only for them to risk losing), a thing of the past.
- Automated lock timers enable business owners to set automatic lock timers on the front door and restrict access.
- Remote locking means you can monitor your front door from wherever you are in the world, and if your kids forget to lock up before leaving, you can secure it from wherever you happen to be.
There are other types of front entrance access systems that businesses can use to give them more control over who comes into the premises, such as access control or biometric data.
- A professional surveillance and monitoring system – do you need one?
Prominent surveillance cameras and burglar alarms can act as a real deterrent to criminals of all kinds, with many burglars having admitted when interviewed that they wouldn’t enter a property that has a visible alarm system.
In terms of your front door security, high quality surveillance cameras positioned correctly are key, and when professionally installed by a security expert such as a licensed locksmith, they can not only act as a deterrent, but can capture the image of a burglar’s face to help the police should you report the crime, or attempted crime.
24/7 monitoring alerts both you and the police to suspicious activity at your property, and is most highly recommended for both home and business owners.
There are several highly effective ways to make your front door more secure, and if you’re worried that your door may not be offering you a high enough level of protection, consult with a licensed locksmith at the earliest opportunity.
