Are keypad door locks safe?

You love the idea of eliminating your old house keys and upgrading to a modern smart lock, but you’re concerned about safety. Are keypad door locks really safer than the old locks they replace? The easy answer is yes. But before integrating one into your Appleton smart home, there are several things you should consider.

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

The inherent problem with traditional locks is having to rely on a key. Keys are often lost and simple to copy, which leads to disaster if they end up with the wrong person. Besides, older door locks are more vulnerable to picking, bumping, and forcing. Modern smart locks do away with keys entirely. The models that offer a backup keyed lock typically use a more secure type of cylinder, making them resistant to common break-in methods.

What are the risks of keypad door locks?

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

• Unauthorized code use: Codes need to be kept confidential. It’s also a good idea to change them periodically and steer clear of predictable codes like “1234.” If you want to give a person one-time-only access, you can create a code and then remove it once it’s served its purpose.
  
  
• Hacking: System breaches are always a hazard for electronic devices connected to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by frequently updating apps, firmware, and passwords. Incorporate two-factor identification if possible.
  
  
• Technical issues: A battery failure, WiFi disconnection, or software bug can lead to problems. However, essential local features like the keypad still work even when your WiFi is down, but you may lose smartphone app functionality. Smart locks with backup keyed systems can offer another way in.

Do smart locks still operate during power failures?

Yes, your smart lock should still work when power is lost as it is powered by batteries, not your home’s electricity. You can still use the keypad, fingerprint scanner, or Bluetooth, depending on what your system uses.

Why pick Vivint smart locks for your Appleton home?

Vivint’s smart locks work smoothly with other components within your smart home environment. You can turn the lights on automatically whenever the door is unlocked, or create a whole-home scene with multiple automations. For example, you might secure your door, arm your system, switch lights off, and even change your thermostat simultaneously when you head to bed. And you know what else? Your locks and all your smart home equipment is fully accessible from the convenience of the Vivint app.

You’ll always be aware of who’s entering and exiting as Vivint systems monitor the use of smart lock codes. You can also set as many as 50 distinct access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Appleton home security

Would you like to lock and unlock your door remotely and incorporate custom actions that engage your smart locks and other devices at the same time? It’s doable with Vivint. Place a call to (920) 259-2449 to find out more about our systems and get help designing your own Appleton smart home.