If you have ever lost house keys you will know how annoying it can be. Being locked out of your own home always happens at the worst times too.
But what if there was a way to never have to worry about losing your house keys again? Well there is!
Of course you could get a fake rock to hide a spare key in, or leave a key with a neighbor. But there is still a risk that the key goes missing or gets into the wrong hands.
The most intelligent way is to leverage technology. Introducing smart door locks.
Unlike traditional locks, smart locks have proven to be a clever way to keep a home safe by keeping out intruders, all the while removing the need to worry about lose house keys.
What Are Smart Locks?
Smart locks are essentially an electronically controlled locking mechanism.
Instead of using manual labor of turning a physical key to unlock the lock, smart locks control the locking and unlocking via electric motors.
The way in which you control the lock varies from each brand and model and can include entering a pin code, scanning your fingerprint, or using your mobile phone.
To prevent losing anything, a pin code is usually the best option, although you do need to remember the code!
Are They Secure?
These locks offer cutting-edge security to your home. They are not as easy to manipulate as the mechanical ones since they are keyless.
How they operate depends on the features such as a numerical keypad, smartphone alerts, and auto-unlock and lock options.
The advanced ones will even trigger the security system when there is a burglar attempt.
Of course, you must make sure that the lock is installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If proper installation is not performed then it will not provide the level of security that it should. This can leave you open to break-ins and theft. To be on the safe side, request a local locksmith to assist with the installation. In the end, you will have a safer home in addition to not worrying about lost house keys ever again.
No More Keys so Nothing to Lose
We all know the feeling of returning home after a long day or big night and getting to your front door only to find you don’t have your front door key with you. Lost house keys can be a real bummer.
It is annoying, frustrating and if you need to call a locksmith to help you gain access, it can be expensive.
However, if you had a smart lock you would not have this issue.
Depending on the specific lock you buy it may be operated via a numerical keypad, a mobile phone using Bluetooth or biometric scanning.
Some models also use voice commands so you can arrive and have the door open when your hands are full.
Usage Logs
With traditional locks, telling who has entered or left the house may be impossible. If you are a homeowner, you understand how important this is to the entire family.
What time did the workers report or leave? Have the children come home from school? Did the teenagers sneak out or come home on time?
An added benefit of installing smart door locks is that every lock and unlock event is logged in a database that can usually be accessed from the internet. Very smart locks indeed! You’ll quickly find the benefits extend much further than not having to worry about lost house keys.
What If The Locks Are Hacked?
This is a question that pops into the mind of many potential buyers and the concern is real. As long as the locks have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, there is a risk of hacking.
What if hackers manage to get access? What if the passwords are not secured, or the Bluetooth connectivity was manipulated?
All this is possible, and to make it worse, hackers are on standby for such opportunities. If it happens, you get locked out of your own home while intruders can also gain access as they please.
The best way to ensure your lock has adequate security for both its hardware and software is to choose a reputable and reliable brand.
Don’t buy a cheap lock only to have the software fail or be so easy to hack that anyone can gain access.
Also, if you are using an alphanumeric password, make sure it is a strong password and change it periodically. It should be a password you remember but not easy to crack.
Conclusion
Having to worry about lost house keys is the worst. With traditional locks you get home and have no way of gaining access unless you have a hidden spare key.
It is inconvenient, and just one of the reasons many homeowners are investing in smart locks.
There are plenty of options available with different ways of locking and unlocking the lock. Most common is a programmable keypad, biometric scanning or via Bluetooth with your mobile phone.
Not only do smart locks mean you will never have to worry about lost house keys again, but they also have many additional benefits such as auto-locking, remote unlocking, usage logs and more.
As you can see, investing in a smart lock is a good idea, but like many things, you have to do your research before buying.
Remember any lock on your home needs to provide adequate security. So if you decide to buy make sure you choose a reliable model from a trusted brand.
