Unless you’ve lived in rural Kansas all your life, you doubtlessly know what a deadbolt is. The idea behind them is ingeniously simple. A door can be made far more resistant to forced entry when it borrows the strength of the surrounding frame. Enter: the deadbolt. The deadbolt works by sliding a heavy metal bar into an opening in the frame. As a result, hundreds of millions of renters, homeowners, and travelers sleep soundly at night, knowing that they’re reasonably safe from criminals.
But as handy as the deadbolt is — it can fail because of human error. Human beings forget to do important things sometimes, such as lock their doors. One may as well drop a mat on the stoop that says “burglars welcome.”
Smart Locks
One solution to this dilemma is “smart locks,” which bring the deadbolt into the 21st century. Owners can control its functions with a digital keypad, a signal from a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, or any Internet-capable device. Locked out of your house in a pouring rainstorm? No problem. Simply tap your cell phone’s screen and POP! The door’s unlocked. Need to give access for a serviceperson or guest, but don’t want to use the ol’ “key’s under the flowerpot” trick? Simply give them a temporary access code. Forget to secure the homestead before beginning your daily commute? Again, no problem; whip out the cell, punch a button, and everything’s locked tight.
Lockitron
The only drawback with these devices thus far has been the cost. For proper and secure installation, you’ll need the expert services of a professional, such as a locksmith. Lockitron is a device that can help with the major surgery on your current security setup. It fits directly over the current deadbolt and secures with a few screws. It’s a task so simple that anyone who knows what a screwdriver is can do it.
Lockitron is only one of many DIY security and home automation devices on the market. According to Securitycompanies.com, installing and managing these products is simpler and more affordable than ever. You can forgo the need to pay high fees that traditional installation firms demand. Nowadays, anyone can put any part of their home on auto-pilot, from exterior or interior lights to the thermostat, curtains, or even the coffee maker. No IT or electronics knowledge is needed, just some basic hand tools and the ability to follow directions.
Also, in this age of endless computer virus scares, people are terrified that clever crooks will be able to hack into their network and wreak havoc with their settings. The odds of this are no greater than the unknown risks people take to just live in this data-rich era. So don’t fear technology, such as home automation locks; embrace it. In return, you’ll live a simpler, more-hassle free life. Isn’t it good to be alive in these times? Indeed.