How electronic locks can protect you

How many times has it happened that you lose your keys just before leaving the house? Well, that doesn't have to happen anymore with electronic locks.

Electronic locks have actually been used for years in commercial buildings. They have only become popular for individual use in recent times.

• The operation of electronic locks is quite simple, though very ingenious. It consists of an encrypted touchpad on which a code is registered. There’s no need for a key.
• For home security, a battery-powered electronic system is located inside the door. It activates the mechanism that turns the latch for you. That's it!

Electronic locks have a new, hip family member: the smart lock. Equipped with a touchscreen interface and a Bluetooth connection, it further simplifies access to your home. And it's your smartphone that’s at the heart of this innovation.

• Simply touch the illuminated lock icon, and the system will verify your permission via your smartphone and unlock the door automatically.
• You don’t have your phone on you? No worries: a chip-key is also provided to you during the installation, and you can keep it on your key ring.

Companies that install electronic locks should offer guarantees on these products and services. The security they offer is excellent, with a military-style encryption that’s much more difficult to break into than a standard lock. Of course, no system is flawless.

• Electronic locks work primarily with traditional batteries, which will have to be changed roughly once a year.
• A low-battery signal will give you plenty of notice so you won’t be caught short. The wireless technology connection’s range is quite limited in order for you to have better control.

Another interesting thing about touchpad electronic locks is that you can distribute different codes to the various members of your family, or to your housekeeper and babysitter. These codes can then be deleted by the administrator (in this case, you) when you no longer want a person to have access to your home.