Like most locksmiths, wherever I go, I notice the locks and take mental notes and think of the ways I could enhance the premises’ security features. Sometimes possible improvements are obvious, but at other times, they are hidden from view or involve substandard materials and workmanship, either from construction contractors or DIYers with limited skills and knowledge.
These days, residential customers are looking for convenience and are particularly interested in electronic keypad locks and doorbell cameras at their main entrances. Even if the call is only for a basic rekey, let the customer know that you can install these locks and cameras and outline the convenience features they provide.
More specialized needs might include light-duty door closers and door alarms, especially helpful for families with members who have special needs.
Better-quality locks and door hardware are always among my recommendations. Here are some of the security upgrades I often recommend for residential customers.
Swinging or Hinged Doors
1. Reinforce frame with long screws into sub-frame
2. Install security strike plate
3. Install deadbolt lock (mechanical or electronic)
4. Pin hinges (Prevents dislodging hinges on exterior doors to enable unauthorized access)
5. Install 180-degree door viewer, doorbell camera or home surveillance system
6. Install window grille (on doors with glass)
7. Install adjoining window grille (for sidelights)
8. Install window grille on glass (transoms) above doors above (if equipped)
9. Replace damaged or hollow door with solid core door.
10. Upgrade flush bolts or rim slide bolts
Sliding Doors
1. Install screws in upper track to prevent lifting door out of track
2. Install charlie bar to prevent forced entry
3. Install supplemental lock system (example: sliding door loop lock)
4. Pin doors together with drilled holes and connecting nail or pin
Garage Doors
So many homeowners leave the door from the garage into their home completely unsecured, relying only on the garage door itself for security. This is a dangerous practice. Garage doors do fail or can be attacked by would-be burglars.
1. Install auxiliary garage door lock (example: electromagnetic lock, or add EAC (Electronic Access Control)
2. Install padlock in track to prevent rollers from bypassing
Window Concerns
What about the windows and stuff mounted on the windows? First, make sure windows have locks, which not only provide security but also can childproof them. Window unit air conditioners can be a target for thieves.
1. Install bars to prevent exterior removal of air conditioner unit
2. Install tamper switch to detect movement or removal of air conditioner unit
3. On casement-style windows, remove the crank to deter operation of the crank mechanism from outside
4. For horizontal sliding windows, pin windows together with drilled holes and connecting nail or pin. Install auxiliary clamp unit to prevent window from sliding and install screws in top track to prevent removal of window from track.
Be sure to avoid modifications that might entrap occupants in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Home Exteriors
When on a residential call, take the time to walk around the outside of the home and make some recommendations to your customers. Beyond doors and windows, check for easy access to attics, basements and crawl spaces.
1. Trim shrubbery to prevent any areas being hidden from view.
2. Add thorny security plants near window areas.
3. Add automatic 'dawn to dusk' lighting and/or motion-activated lighting.
4. Install gate locks (Note that swimming pool gates are a whole lot more complicated than the average backyard fence gate. They need to be code-compliant and geared towards preventing accidental drownings. See information below on pool fences and gates.)
5. Video surveillance and Beware of Dog signs can be good deterrents, with or without the actual cameras, alarm systems or canine security officers.
Pool Safety
Residential Pool Safety is a critical life safety concern which affects the public, and tragically especially children in both public multi-family, gated community and residential scenarios.
We’ve all seen too many news reports of drownings. Here are some statistics:
· More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.
· Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. Note: Statistics include ponds, lakes and oceans as well as pools.
· Every year in the United States, there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths.
Your state may have legislation that aims to make pools safer. Florida has passed laws to save children’s lives. If you are doing a security survey, compliance with the pool safety laws must be a significant element of your survey.
In 2023, Florida upgraded its pool safety requirements, passing the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, featuring enhanced barrier (fence) and gate requirements. Though regulations vary by jurisdiction, these serve as best practices.
According to this legislation, barriers (fencing) must meet the following requirements:
· The barrier must be at least four feet high on the outside.
· The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.
· The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.
· The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.
· Any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.
· A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier.
The Florida legislation also addresses gates. Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.
LockeyUSA, D&D Technologies, Codelocks, Locinox and Securitron are among the companies offering code-compliant gate hinges, closers and locks. See the June issue of Locksmith Ledger for two full articles on pool safety and Electronic Access Control for Gates www.locksmithledger.com/55000474 and Going Beyond Pool Safety, www.locksmithledger.com/55021472.
The home security market has grown by leaps and bounds, encompassing smart locks, connected home automation systems, video surveillance and pool and entry gates. Following are a few of the products on the market.
Alarm Lock Door Alarms
PG21 Advanced Door Alarm Series from Alarm Lock is a quick and inexpensive solution when faced with security vulnerabilities from doors and gates being used or being propped open without authorization.
For me, the PG21 was the piece of the puzzle which finally provided that elusive and much sought after security solution that delivers piece of mind. Individuals such as small children, the elderly, and those with special needs often need supplemental measures to keep them safe from leaving their protected environment or entering a potentially hazardous one.
These surface-mount, narrow stile microprocessor-controlled door alarms quickly improve security at any single or double door with a 95dB alarm, entry delay, key-removal and auto-shutdown/reset options.
The PG21 has two arming modes, standard mode or "always armed" mode and it enables multiple door monitoring with built-in external reed switch, has three entry delay options as well as selectable minute-shutdown.
Available in Metallic Bronze or Silver models with optional bright strobe on top that lights brightly on alarm and can be easily seen across any room for pinpointing the door at issue.
Model PG30 is the keypad-controlled narrow stile door alarm, similar to PG21, plus:
· Digital codes for master, management and passage (used for auto-arming)
· 3 security levels for: a) high security b) unattended applications c) flexible control for delivery doors, etc.
· Audible low battery warning
· 3 Programmable 95db siren styles: sweep, pulsed, and steady
· Logo key is dual function test button
More info: www.alarmlock.com
myQ Smart Garage Video Keypad
For most families the garage is a busy place. More than 70 % of U.S. homes with attached garages use the garage door as the primary entry point to the home.
A cross between a video doorbell and a garage keypad (numeric pad mounted outside garage door), the Chamberlain myQSmart Garage Video Keypad lets residents see and control who opens their home’s busiest entryway – the garage. It’s a valuable smart home product that lets busy families keep track of daily traffic in-and-out of the garage. Upgrade an old garage keypad with this first-of-its-kind smart home device that can help enhance the security of your customer’s home.
It’s built-in camera quickly detects motion (within less than 500 milliseconds) and provides an ultra-wide 160º field-of-view around the garage so residents can see and know when people are approaching the garage from the driveway.
Additionally, the device is future ready and supports edge-based AI technologies.
It works with the free, myQ app, where residents can create and manage personalized PIN codes, set limits on days and times codes can be used, get notifications when the garage is accessed, and be alerted when someone or something is detected in your driveway. The myQ app sends notifications when motion is detected, or a PIN code has been used, enabling parents to know their children have arrived home.
Visitors can use the call button on the Smart Garage Video Keypad to make calls just like a video doorbell. When homeowners receive a myQ notification that someone is calling, they can access a live video stream and communicate with the caller using the device's two-way communication. Then, they can instantly let the person in by opening the garage door remotely
myQ is available with LiftMaster and Chamberlain smart garage door openers. For more information, visit myQ.com.
Locinox FortiMa Pool Gate Latch
Designed to be the most reliable pool gate latch for child safety, the Locinox FortiMa– combined with the Tiger Gate Closer – provides the ideal pool gate closure system for drowning prevention.
The FortiMa provides the strongest magnet latch available on the market. This extra-strong magnet meets height requirements for standard pool code, making it difficult for kids to get into the pool area unsupervised. It is re-keyable to match any Schlage key lock.
Samson-2 Hydraulic Gate Closer
Simple installation and versatility make the Locinix Samson-2 the perfect fit for larger gates. Samson-2 is a polyvalent hydraulic gate closer developed with high-quality components for an exceptional long life span. Temperature changes do not affect the smooth and constant functionality. The set of mounting brackets that are delivered with the closer make Samson-2 fit for any gate.
· Opening angle up to 150° depending on the situation
· Specially developed for outdoor use: industrial quality
· Scratch resistant and corrosion free anodized aluminium housing
· Closing speed unaffected by temperature changes
· Fast and easy fixing with Quick-Fix
· For left and right turning gates
· Easy to open: Max. 25 Nm
More info: www.locinox.com
Speco Cloud
Through Speco’s Cloud-Enabled IP cameras, homeowners can access their homes or businesses remotely using the customizable Speco Cloud App. With its easy install, simple app setup, convenient monitoring, secure cloud storage and vandal resistant cameras Speco Cloud products prove to be real security at your fingertips!
The SecureGuard Dashboard is an all-in-one central management dashboard providing the ability to remotely manage an unlimited number of video surveillance systems. Swiftly diagnose recorder and camera health status before the customer notices an issue.
Passwords are stored in a database in an encrypted format. If the database were ever ” compromised, original passwords remain encrypted, fortifying the defense against unauthorized access and enhancing overall data protection. AES256 encryption algorithm is used to ensure the security of the passwords stored in our SecureGuard Dashboard system.
More info: www.specotech.com
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
