Are keypad door locks safe?

You are drawn to the idea of eliminating your old house keys and switching to a modern smart lock, but safety is still a concern. Are keypad door locks really safer than the keyed locks they’re replacing? The easy response is yes. But before adding one to your Lafayette smart home, there are a few things you should consider.

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

The main issue with traditional locks is the requirement of a key. Keys are often lost and easy to copy, which leads to disaster if they fall into the wrong hands. In addition, older door locks are simpler to pick, bump, and force. Modern smart locks do away with keys altogether. The options that provide a backup keyed system usually use a more secure style of cylinder, so they can’t be circumvented by traditional methods.

What are the risks of keypad door locks?

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

• Unauthorized code usage: Codes need to be kept confidential. It’s also a good idea to update them often and avoid obvious codes like “1234.” If you need to give a person one-time access, you can set a code and then delete it once it’s no longer needed.
  
  
• Hacking: System breaches are always a risk to electronic devices bridged to your smart home. Offset the risk by regularly updating apps, firmware, and passwords. Incorporate two-factor identification if possible.
  
  
• Technical issues: Issues can arise due to a software bug, WiFi drop, or battery failure. However, essential local features like a PIN code still work even when your WiFi is offline, but you might lose smartphone app functionality. Smart locks with backup keyed systems can give you another way in.

Do smart locks still operate during a power outage?

Yes, your smart lock should still function when you lose power as it is powered by batteries, not your wired electricity. You can still use the keypad, fingerprint scanner, or Bluetooth, depending on what your system supports.

Why Vivint smart locks are an excellent choice for your home

Vivint’s Kwikset smart locks work seamlessly with other equipment within your smart home ecosystem. You can make a rule to turn the lights on automatically when the door is unlocked, or create a full-fledged scene with multiple automations. To illustrate, you might arm your system, dim lighting, secure your door, and even change your thermostat all at once when you head to bed. And you know what else? Your locks and all your smart home devices are completely 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 track smart lock codes. You can also assign as many as 50 distinct access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Lafayette home security

Would you enjoy locking or unlocking your door remotely and establishing custom actions that operate your smart locks and other devices all at once? It’s doable with Vivint. Contact (337) 226-0040 to find out more about our systems and start designing your own Lafayette smart home.