The American Saftey Standard gets a Facelift!
A Facelift to an American Safety Standard
As we all know in Western New York, the safety standard that we have all come to rely on is the good ole deadbolt. The deadbolt has been around for decades and is a standard feature in all single and multi-family dwellings, dorm rooms, hotels even RV’s. The deadbolt is a great standard! However, now, unfortunately this standard is easily compromised by the bad guy and even unsuspecting (un-informed) law abiding citizens are aiding in the compromising of this standard safety feature. So, now for the questions that begs for answers.
Read Also: Lock Bumping Solution for WNY Homeowners
Unfortunately, relatively new methods of home invasions and burglaries, which result in no signs of forced entry, are but a click of the mouse away from the criminal. Criminals love, even thrive on challenges the same as the computer hacker thrives of compromising the latest anti-virus software with their new found bug. There is a reason why software companies are constantly developing new anti-virus software¦because the criminal mind never sleeps! Similarly to updating our anti-virus software, our personal and home safety also needs updating, or else the standard that we have all come to rely will too be compromised.
Question: How can I give my deadbolt a facelift and prevent it from being compromised?
First, never hide a key to your house. Criminals know where to look. Once your key is located they’ll simply have another key made, put yours back where they found it and then use the(ir) key whenever they wish. It’s better to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor or better yet, a trusted relative.
Second, beware of a new method called lock bumping that is effective on 95% plus of all deadbolts. Bump keys, as they are called, can be purchased by anyone including the bad guy on the internet for only a few dollars. Lock bumping doesn’t take any special skills or tools. Tapping the end of the bump key while it is in your deadbolt will unlock the deadbolt as if it were the actual key. Third, don’t assume that a key from a different deadbolt won’t work with your deadbolt. Recently, this was demonstrated to Fox News (airing in November 2008). A key to one deadbolt was used to open a different deadbolt. The only things that the deadbolts had in common were the manufacturer. There are only a few deadbolt manufacturers and fewer basically control the market. I used a VERY common deadbolt purchased from a big box retailer. It was so easy my 6 and 11 year old did it in less than 5 seconds!
Read Also: What every homeowner needs to know about Lock Bumping
Question: Do I need to buy an expensive ($150 plus), bump resistant deadbolt?
First, unless you just want to spend $150 times the number of doors you have. Remember there’s a difference between the words resistant and proof. All of the expensive deadbolts have cleverly indicated bump resistant vs. bump proof. Try swimming with a water resistant watch and see if it still works afterwards! A better facelift and much more affordable solution is a product called The Lock Jaw (www.lockjawsecurity.com). It works by preventing the thumb-latch on our deadbolt from turning. Therefore, even if the bad guy made a key from the one you hid (and you should not hide them!) – it still will not allow entry. The Lock Jaw is engaged from the inside because it is also made to be portable. The product can be installed with double-stick tape so take one with you when you travel and use it on your hotel door. The Lock Jaw will still be on-the-job even when you leave the house by simply engaging it on all your exterior doors except for the one that you use as your primary exit / entry door. In this case, your primary exit / entry door should always be one that is the least vulnerable.
As stated by Lt. Carl Smith, deadbolts that aren’t protected from lock bumping or unauthorized use of the actual key only provide half the security that they could and should.†Without question, raising the standard giving the standard in home safety a facelift- must be done to combat the bad guy. Raising the standard with a simple, effective and affordable solution three words not normally used together will reassure us that we have combated the problem with a simple, yet effective solution that gives us all the peace of mind we deserve.
Recently, the Lock Jaw has been chosen by numerous police departments and crime prevention organizations as a safety solution to bring the standard of home safety to a new level. It has also been selected by various national home-oriented TV shows as well as the news media.
Guest Author:
Brett A. Fulford
Managing Partner
DYF, LLC dba Lock Jaw Security
Office Phone: (615) 469-7600
Cell Phone: (615) 812-0030
For more information on Lock Jaw Security or Brett Fulford, you can visit www.lockjawsecurity.com; and click Media.
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