Are keypad door locks safe?

You like the idea of ditching your old house keys and moving to a modern smart lock, but safety is still a concern. Are keypad door locks truly safer than their time-honored counterparts? The easy response is yes. But before installing one with your Wilmington smart home, there are several things you should think about.

Why upgrading to a smart lock makes sense for your Wilmington home

The inherent problem with traditional locks is having to rely on a key. Keys are frequently lost and easy to copy, which can be a real problem if they fall into the wrong hands. In addition, older locks are simpler to bump, pick, and force. Modern smart locks do away with keys altogether. The options that provide a backup keyed lock usually use a different style of cylinder, making them resistant to traditional break-in methods.

Are there any concerns with keypad door locks?

While they’re generally safer than standard locking systems, keypad door locks do have some risks, such as the following:

• Unauthorized code entry: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also a good idea to update them often and steer clear of obvious codes like “1234.” If you need to give someone one-time access, you can configure a code and then remove it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: Network breaches are always a risk to electronic devices bridged to your smart home. Offset the risk by updating passwords, apps, and firmware frequently. Use two-factor identification if possible.
  
  
• Technical issues: Issues can pop up due to a battery failure, software bug, or WiFi disconnection. As a general rule, vital local features like keypad entry still work even if your WiFi is not available, but you may lose access to the smartphone app. Models with backup keyed systems can offer another way in.

Do smart locks still operate during power failures?

Yes, your smart lock should still work during an outage as it gets power from batteries, not your home electricity. You can still use the keypad, fingerprint scanner, or Bluetooth, based on what your system offers.

Why choose Vivint smart locks for your Wilmington home?

Vivint’s smart locks work smoothly with other components within your smart home environment. You can set a rule to turn the lights on whenever the door is opened, or create a complete scene with several automations. For instance, you might secure your door, arm your system, switch lights off, and even change your thermostat at the same time when you head to bed. The best part is that your locks and all your smart home devices are totally accessible in the palm of your hand with the Vivint app.

You’ll always get insights into who’s entering and exiting as Vivint systems keep track of smart lock codes. You can also create as many as 50 unique access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Wilmington smart home security

Would you enjoy locking or unlocking your door remotely and integrating custom actions that engage your smart locks and other components at the same time? It’s possible with Vivint. Place a call to (910) 634-2695 to find out more about our systems and get help designing your own Wilmington smart home.