The problem with basic locks
Your home has a lock on the front door. You bought it that way. It’s the law. No builder is going to sell a house with no lock on it; that would be illegal and stupid. No law however says that the lock has to be a good one; just a basic lock will do. Chances are, that’s what you got and chances are; that’s been good enough. Your better locks are considered upgrade options when buying a new home. Granite counters, hardwood floors, larger baseboards, extra electrical outlets, fireplaces and ceiling fans are other examples of upgrades. They are not usually standard and must be added later. The same goes for upgraded locks. If you are not buying your home brand new, the first buyer may not have upgraded your locks and owner after owner, the lock stayed in place and only the keys changed hands. Almost all of these basic locks are easy to bump, pick or pry open as they offer minimal security.
Upgrade your locks to better ones
It isn’t expensive to upgrade your locks to high security ones. Call your favorite local locksmith shop and get some price quotes. Ask for bump proof or high security lock hardware from quality brands like Medeco, Baldwin, Schlage or Sentry. These locks are made of solid steel parts and cannot be accessed by conventional methods.
Deadbolts
Add a good deadbolt lock to your door. Doing so will frustrate any burglar to the point of moving on to easier pickings. Why should they bypass your main lock and then try to do the same with your deadbolt, giving you time to arm yourself or call police?
Security doors and gates
If you are like the majority of homeowners, you get strangers coming up to your door all the time. These can include next door neighbors, salespeople, delivery drivers, missionaries, landscapers, friends and relatives. Most people will go ahead and answer the door, but a much safer way to do this is with an iron security door in place. A strong, well made and installed security door constructed of ornamental iron allows you to leave your door open and allow fresh air in and also to answer your door while remaining behind locked security without someone pushing the door open and forcing his way in.
