Do You Need High Security Locks?

The term "high security locks" can apply to many types of locks, ranging from digital keys, fingerprint scanners or magnetic locks with auditing auditing systems. Unless you are a Saudi oil sheik or the President''s daughter, your home probably won''t need such advanced systems, says Robert Campbell, a locksmith who owns Advantage Locksmith in New York City.

Most high security locks for residential homes are usually those that sport more advanced double-sided keys such as those made by Mul-T-Lock or Medeco. The lower ends of these locks, which is probably all you will need for your home, use a telescopic pin tumbler mechanism with internal and external pins. They also have steel inserts which prevent drilling and picking. The most useful feature of these locks, however, is that their keys are "restricted" and cannot be easily copied.

Thirty percent of all burglaries are unlawful entry without force, meaning the thief had a key. Chances are, your keys can be duplicated anywhere keys are made, such as hardware stores and discount stores, and it only takes a few minutes.

Remember is that it is all relative. If you live in an apartment building and everyone on your floor has high security locks but you don''t because you decided it was not worth it to spend that money, then you will more likely be the victim of an attempted break in That''s because it is easier for a burglar to gain access to your apartment [than the others]. The other consideration is that a lot of high security locks nowadays come with restricted keys, meaning nobody can copy the key but you. That is a benefit which many people want to take advantage of even if they do not think a break in is imminent. Restricted keys add a extra sense of security.

If you don''t want somebody who is unethical to make a copy of your key, restricted keys nip that option in the bud. If you are at work and you put your keys down, you don''t need to worry. If you have people who you lend your keys to like your maid, temporary roommate, or friend staying at your place for a week, you will feel comfortable knowing these people cannot make a copy of the key because it is restricted. So it is often not just that these locks are high security, meaning they are virtually unpickable. But they also provide restricted keys, giving people the added security of knowing they are the only ones who can copy their key.

Robert Campbell is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a locksmith or more home care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Do You Need High Security Locks?