Household Security While Renting

What Access Control Measures Should You Ask Your Locksmith About?

Some people think that they only need to contact their local locksmith if they have lost their keys and cannot get into their home. Although this is certainly a common reason for people to call on the services of a locksmith, it is by no means the only one. In fact, your local service provider should be able to offer you a full range of services. One of the main ones is advice on secure access control systems. Although they tend to be used at commercial premises rather than in homes, such security measures are increasingly fitted in domestic situations these days, usually due to concerns over crime. What are some of the main systems that you can consult your locksmith about? 

Keyless Door Locks

There are plenty of ways to restrict access to your home or office without the need for a key. This does not mean, of course, that your door does not need a lock, however. Increasingly, people are turning to keyless entry systems for buildings, just as they use them to gain access to their car. In some cases, you might want a swipe card that holds in cryptic information which will allow you to open a lock. In other situations, you might prefer a code entry system, which means that you have to punch in a PIN number. Both have their particular advantages as well as disadvantages, so it is certainly worth talking to a professional locksmith before choosing which might be right for you and your circumstances. 

Gate Control Systems

Access control systems are not just there to prevent unwarranted access through your front door. They can also restrict access to your entire property. Therefore, you might want a consultation about how are you will allow visitors to come in via your front gate and onto your driveway or yard even before they reach the front of your building. Things like intercoms and electromagnetic locking mechanism releases may be strong possibilities, for example. Locksmiths may be able to help you out with a video screen so you can see who it is that is asking you to open the gate before you do so. 

Biometric Locking Systems

In places where you need the highest levels of security, professionals can also offer advice on biometric access control systems. Locksmiths with experience in this area can be invaluable, especially if you are fitting such systems in your home rather than commercial premises where personal considerations may need to be taken into account. All sorts of biometric data can be used to verify your identity. Fingerprint reading technology is fairly common nowadays, but you can also use things like iris detection software instead, if preferred.