The Benefits of Keyed Alike Locks

Safeguarding your property or business to the appropriate level can be a challenge, especially if there are a number of doors that need to be locked securely. Locking up or getting in may soon become a trying operation, with the many different, similar looking keys taking up time and energy.

So how can this be avoided? 

A ‘keyed alike’ system enables you to use a single key for the operation of several door locks. Unlike the traditional ‘key to differ’ locks needing separate keys, this solution works to open multiple doors with the same key, as long as they are fitted with the similar locking combinations. This means that you could gain access to your front and back door, garage and conservatory without the need for individual keys.

Keyed alike also differs from a master key, in that the master key can activate every lock within that group, whether they are keyed alike or keyed to differ.

 

What Are the Advantages Of Using Keyed Alike?

• Having one key to open every lock needed will save time, as you’ll no longer need to search for a combination of different keys
• This is a safe option in an emergency situation; the single key will allow you faster access in and out of the building
• You can also use the same key for multiple locks in the same door
• Having the one key will reduce the amount of things you have to ensure you keep safe or have to carry around at all times
• Getting spare keys for a number of key to differ locks will be more expensive, whereas you may only need to buy one spare key with a keyed alike option
• Ultimately, a keyed alike system will provide peace of mind to securing your house or business, as there will be no worry about finding the right key for the right lock. Though keyed alike is a good solution for quick, simpler access and security, only two keys will be supplied, so order additional keys if you require any more for the group of locks you are ordering.

Anti-Snap Locks provides a selection of highest quality solutions for your security needs.  If you’re interested in getting a keyed alike lock system or would like to find out more, then please call 0121 353 3644 or 0121 580 8983, or take a look at the Anti-Snap Locks’ online catalogue.

How just a few basic measures can increase your home security

None of us like to think about crime and how we would react if we were the victims of crime. Luckily crime is not as common as we are often led to believe by the media. Reassuringly, burglary is actually becoming less common in the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that household burglary figures are continuing to fall. Since 1995 figures have fallen so much that we are now three times less likely to be the victim of a household burglary- and that is very good news.

There is no need to be complacent however. Whilst we should not begin to leave our windows and doors open day and night, there are some useful things we should always do to ensure we do not invite the burglar in. But basics are all we need. Of those people burgled in the UK, houses with less than basic security were 6 times more likely to be targeted than those with basic or enhanced home security (ONS May 2013).

So what is basic security and how can we ensure that we have it? Well clearly the main entry points to the house are the first things that you need to consider. Windows and doors are the obvious starting points. All insurance companies recommend that windows should be fitted with key operated window locks both upstairs and downstairs for example.

Perhaps more important than windows, are our front and rear doors. 73% of burglaries take place with the burglar accessing the property via a door, so clearly doors should be as secure as possible. Dependent on the construction of the door (ie uPVC, composite or timber) you will need to ensure that the door itself is robust and secure and only then consider the locks that you use. Not all locks are the same. A door lock should be multi point locking in nature, using a lock cylinder. Some cylinder locks are susceptible to snapping, and this is something that a criminal can do to make sure he/she can get in through the door. A way of preventing this is to fit anti snap locks to your front door.

Antisnap locks work by having sections which are sacrificial. This means that with an attempted forced entry the lock can be snapped, but not in a way that will allow the door to open. There are a number of brands that produce anti snap locks but they are not all of the same standard. A way of comparing what is available is to look at whether the product has been awarded the BSI TS007 3 star accreditation. This means that the lock has passed rigorous anti snap tests.

Just making sure that you have good key operated locking windows and doors with well fitted, high standard locks is the first and best step to household security. If you would like to find out more about cylinder door locks of the anti-snap lock variety then contact the team at Anti - Snap Locks on 0121 353 3644 or 580 8983