Are keypad door locks safe?

You like the idea of getting rid of house keys and moving to a modern smart lock, but you’re concerned about safety. Are keypad door locks truly safer than the old-school locks they replace? The simple answer is yes. But before adding one to your Philadelphia smart home, there are several things you should consider.

Why smart locks are a better choice for your Philadelphia home

The biggest downside of traditional locks is the requirement of a key. Keys are often lost and easy to copy, which leads to disaster if they end up in the wrong hands. Besides, older locks are more vulnerable to picking, bumping, and forcing. Modern smart locks remove the need for a key entirely. The ones that provide a backup keyed system frequently use a different style of cylinder, so they can’t be bypassed by traditional methods.

Are there any concerns with keypad door locks?

While they’re typically safer than standard locking systems, keypad door locks do come with some risks, like the following:

• Unauthorized code entry: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also wise to change them periodically and steer clear of predictable codes like “1234.” If you want to give a person one-time access, you can configure a code and then delete it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: Network breaches are always a concern for electronic devices bridged to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by updating firmware, apps, and passwords frequently. Integrate two-factor identification whenever you can.
  
  
• Technical issues: Issues can pop up due to a WiFi disconnection. As a general rule, vital local features like keypad entry still work even if your WiFi is offline, but you might lose access to the smartphone app. Smart locks with backup keyed locks can give you another way in.

Do smart locks still function during a power outage?

Yes, your smart lock should still operate during a blackout as it gets power from batteries, not your wired electricity. You may still use the keypad, Bluetooth, or biometric scanner, based on what your system supports.

Why Vivint smart locks are a smart choice for your home

Vivint’s smart locks work reliably with other devices in your smart home. You can set a rule to turn the lights on when the door is opened, or establish a complete scene with many automations. For example, you can fasten your door, arm your system, switch lights off, and even change your thermostat simultaneously when you call it a day. And you know the best part? Your locks and all your smart home devices are fully accessible from your phone in the Vivint app.

You’ll always get insights into who’s coming and going as Vivint systems keep track of smart lock codes. You can also assign up to 50 distinct access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Philadelphia smart home

Would you like to unlock or lock your door remotely and integrate custom actions that activate your smart locks and other equipment at the same time? It’s doable with Vivint. Contact (267) 493-0789 to find out more about our systems and get help designing your own Philadelphia smart home.