Improving Your Home's Security at the Front Door
Your front door is your first line of defense against would-be burglars. The lock keeps unwanted visitors out, and the peephole lets you see who is at the door before you visit. If you are concerned about your home's security, the front door is a good place to start with security upgrades. Here are a few options you can consider to improve your home's safety and security.
Video Doorbells
While peepholes give you some ability to tell who is on the other side of the door, they require you to actually be close to the door to use them. This could leave you vulnerable if someone wants to push his or her way into the home. With a video doorbell, you can view the front entrance of your home on your mobile device. These doorbells also have a built-in intercom system, so you can answer the doorbell from any room in your home.
Keyless Entry Deadbolts
Keyless entry deadbolts combine convenience and security at your front door. Because you only have to enter a passcode to get into your home, you don't have to fumble with keys in the dark. You also don't have to worry about leaving your home vulnerable to would-be thieves if you lose your keys. You can even program the deadbolt lock with multiple passcodes so each person in your household has a unique passcode for entry. These devices typically have illuminated keypads to make it easy to enter your code at night.
Security Door Barricades
Security door barricades offer added protection while you are at home. These security devices slide into place at the bottom of your door to prevent kick-ins and reinforce the front door. These barricades can provide added peace of mind at night while you and your family are sleeping.
Night Vision–Enabled Security Cameras
Security cameras at your front door can help to deter would-be thieves. Even if you have a video doorbell, you may want to consider adding an extra camera to your front porch. Keep the camera trained on your sidewalk and the curb so you can see people as they approach your home, and look for a product with night-vision capabilities so you can monitor your home's exterior when it is dark outside.
Work with your locksmith to install any or all of these security measures to your front door to improve your overall home security. Ask your locksmith about any other home security measures you can put in place to protect your home and your family.