Locksmith News
'Alarm'-ing news
New homes are incomplete without security systemsBy FRANK FOURCHALK, SAFE @ HOME
I don't understand the logic behind spendin
g hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new home with an inchoate alarm system.
I liken it to purchasing a new home without light fixtures. Homebuyers wouldn't tolerate unfinished workmanship in most areas of a new home, so why is it the norm to accept an incomplete in the home security department?
When alarms are completed after the fact, hardware and labour costs mount up for homeowners. So why don't builders finish the job? The answer is simple: Buying decisions are often made on the size of kitchens and bathrooms with little consideration given to the importance of a good home security package.
New-home builders respond to demand. If the trend is bathrooms and kitchens, then bathrooms and kitchens it is. If new-home buyers start demanding higher standards in home security as matter-of-fact requests, then the industry's priorities would change.
Full-coverage burglar alarms should be standard equipment in new homes. Builders and real estate agents could be capitalizing on the importance of finished alarm systems for their clients. They would not only be profiting from a very small investment but would be passing on great benefits to their new-home buyers.
Alarm systems should include contacts on all locked doors and windows, including the upstairs. All too often, upstairs windows are neglected, leaving holes in the home's security. Motion detectors need to be strategically placed to pick up movement within the home and garage once the alarm is armed.
Builders also need to meet with alarm companies and discuss siren locations. These noisemakers will ward off an intruder faster than anything. A well-planned alarm system will have a good mix of external as well as internal sirens.
External sirens are usually installed in a concealed area like an attic or under the roof eaves, directing the sound into the neighborhood.
An internal siren is usually installed on an inside wall, with the intention of blasting the crook out of the house. Internal siren units are unobtrusive to the homeowner and designed to fit in with your home's decor - looking similar to a smoke detector when installed.
And there's more. Homebuyers should not settle for locking up their largest investment with a $30 deadbolt and a 99c key. High-security deadbolts should be installed as standard equipment - I'm referring to top-quality products made by Mul-T-Lock, Assa, Abloy and Medeco.
Exterior doors should be of solid wood construction, assuring a good sturdy surface for the installation of the deadbolt. This dynamic combination will guarantee you maximum protection against a forced-entry attempt.
Every new home should have a built-in video intercom installed, as well. With the decreasing costs of this type of technology, there is no excuse not to have one. This product allows you to view and speak to visitors without having to open the door.
Security lighting is another issue. Why are we still looking at 60-watt fixtures on the exteriors of new homes? Building contractors should be installing 200-watt metal halide cube light fixtures with vandal-proof lenses to assure maximum lighting for the exterior.
Windows should be made of the strongest security glass available. Sliding glass doors and windows should be secured with strong auxiliary locks with anti-lift shims installed at the top of every frame. Out-swinging doors should have a full-length astragal (metal strip) installed to eliminate the gap between the door and frame; this will help prevent a burglar from prying between the door and the frame to gain entry.
Let's face it: the homebuyer will have the final say on what becomes standard equipment in today's new-home construction. So why not ask for a home that is not only beautiful but also offers you and your family the security that is so often needed in today's world?
Frank Fourchalk is a security expert with 20 years in the business. Visit his website at www.yourhomesecurity.ca.
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Is Your Home Safe From Lock Bumping?
Monday May 12, 2008It's been going on for decades and you might not have heard of it. But it has the potential to leave your family very vulnerable to thieves and predators - even if your front door is shut tight.
It's a practice known as lock bumping. It requires a special key that - with the right deft touch - enables an intruder to move the pins used in many door locks and causes them to open in the blink of an eye. It costs as little as $2 and you can buy one over the Internet.
Some wonder about the ethics of revealing its existence to the general public. But the truth is, the crooks that employ it have been aware of it for years and could use it to gain access to your home or office. And in this case, knowing about it may be your only way to fight back.
The method has been around for more than half a century and has long been used by locksmiths to open doors without a key. It was only a matter of time before more nefarious types caught on to the idea.
Jason Scheide of Spadina Security has seen them all. "This is a rake pick," he demonstrates. "It can be purchased over the Internet for a few dollars and then it's shipped to you. It's illegal for you to have possession of this in Toronto because you have tools for break and enter."
The problem is widespread and there are countless places on the Internet that demonstrate how it works, although some experts insist it's not as simple as some make it seem. "It's not easy to use these tools," he notes. "You do need a certain level of skill and lots of practice. If you have these tools, you could pick one out of 1,000 locks by getting lucky."
CityNews put the illegal lock opener to the test. We couldn't get through any of the doors we checked. But that doesn't mean you should disregard the danger. Instead, the experts suggest you invest in a lock that is certified as UL 437 - a pick resistant safeguard.
Scheide notes they're a lot harder to get around. "Physical force, and now power tools, cordless tools make it very easy to get through an ordinary lock," he outlines. "This lock has hardened steel inserts. Even a drill can't get through it."
But there's a price to pay for all that security. The locks are more expensive than the regular kind - some as much as $300. And it's important that you use a reputable locksmith to find the one that bests secures your home.
Here are some other methods for fighting back.
Bump-proof locks:
Lock makers are well aware of this problem and a growing number have created products that can't be opened using this method. They're sometimes more expensive but for many the peace of mind is worth the extra money. Be sure to read the label or ask about this feature before installing new locks in your home.
Deter crooks:
They can't get in if you don't make it easy. Good lighting is important around your entrance so people can't do their dirty work in the dark. Pets - especially dogs - are a good early warning system and some crooks would rather move on to the next house than face an unknown canine who may or may not be friendly.
Keypad entry:
Admittedly new and expensive. But if there isn't a traditional lock to pick, they can't use the bumping method to get access.
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