In recent years, smart locks have surged in popularity as an essential feature in modern homes. They provide keyless entry and remote access for enhanced convenience. However, with this rise in adoption comes an important question: Are smart locks truly safe? The answer is yes—smart locks are safe when used correctly and maintained properly. This article will examine real crime statistics and explain how smart locks protect your home better than traditional locks.
Over One-Third of Break-Ins Don’t Involve Force
The FBI’s 2023 crime data reveals a startling reality: 841,942 reported burglaries occurred nationwide, averaging one every 51 seconds. Most concerning? Over one-third of break-ins (37.8%) indicate no signs of forced entry – indicating intruders often exploit spare keys or carelessly unlocked doors. Compounding the issue, 85% of burglars are amateurs acting out of desperation rather than seasoned professionals, which means they often rely on easy, opportunistic entry points rather than sophisticated tools or tactics.
Smart locks can provide enhanced security. A keyless entry door lock eliminates the need for physical keys. Installing a smart lock means there are no more concerns about lost, stolen, or copied keys compromising your home’s security. Additionally, the auto-lock functionality ensures the door locks automatically since many burglaries happen through doors left unlocked by mistake.
Most Victims Know Their Intruder
The FBI data also reveals a disturbing truth about home burglaries. 98.5% of victims state they know their thief. 64.1% of burglars target residential properties within a few miles of their own homes since they can observe daily routines and know when homes are empty. Whether it’s a former roommate, a neighbor, or someone with temporary access like a cleaner or dog walker, this statistic highlights the risks of sharing keys or leaving them out in the open.
Smart locks offer a perfect solution for managing access from people you know. They provide temporary access codes or digital keys with expiration times. You can give house cleaners, dog walkers, or guests limited access. The codes automatically expire after a set time. This eliminates the need to give out physical keys or change locks frequently. For short-term rentals, hosts can generate unique codes for each guest and the system tracks exactly when each code is used.
Break-Ins Are More Likely During the Day
Contrary to popular belief, break-ins are 6% more likely to occur during daytime hours (between 6 AM and 6 PM). There are 1,495,790 daytime burglaries compared to 1,324,090 nighttime ones. It’s because it is when people are at work or running errands.
Smart locks help here, too. They feature real-time access logs that track exactly who entered your home and when. When someone unlocks the door, you can receive instant notifications via your phone. This lets you know immediately if someone enters while you’re away. You can monitor all entry activity directly from your smartphone and verify whether it’s an authorized person or a potential intruder.
Many People Forget to Lock the Door
A UK-based study found that 70% of people have left a property and later couldn’t remember if they had locked the doors, and 58% had returned home to find they had left a door unlocked. These lapses create ideal opportunities for intruders, especially during the day when homes are unoccupied.
Smart locks are specifically designed to eliminate this risk. With auto-lock functionality, the door automatically secures itself after a set period or when it closes so you don’t have to rely on memory. Even if you forget, your smart lock doesn’t. For added peace of mind, many smart locks allow you to remotely check the lock status and lock the door from your smartphone. This ensures your home stays protected—no matter where you are.
Choose the DESLOC B200 Smart Lock
DESLOC is a leading smart home security company. The brand focuses on innovative lock technology and user-friendly designs. The DESLOC B200 Smart Lock combines multiple security features in one system. It represents premium home security with advanced fingerprint technology. It offers professional-grade protection for residential use. The DESLOC B200 Smart Lock provides comprehensive security features:
1. Fast Fingerprint Recognition
The smart lock recognizes fingerprints in less than 0.3 seconds using AI learning technology. The system continuously improves recognition accuracy through machine learning algorithms. It can store multiple fingerprints for family members and adapts to changes in finger conditions over time.
2. Multiple Unlock Methods
Multiple unlock methods include PIN codes, physical keys, app control, and voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant (G2 Gateway required) for hands-free operation when carrying groceries or packages. This flexibility ensures access even if one method fails or isn’t available.
3. Temporary Access Codes
Temporary access codes can be scheduled for specific times and people. You can create codes that work only during certain hours or days. This is perfect for service providers who need access at scheduled times but shouldn’t enter outside those windows.
4. Auto-Lock Function
Auto-lock function ensures the door locks automatically. The system locks the door after a preset delay. This prevents security lapses when people forget to lock up behind them.
5. Access Options for Children and the Elderly
IC cards and key fobs provide additional access options for family members. These are perfect for children or elderly relatives who might struggle with fingerprints or PIN codes. The cards work like hotel key cards for quick and easy access.
Conclusion
Overall, the numbers clearly show that they are safer than traditional locks. Smart locks are not just a modern convenience—they’re a powerful response to the most common causes of home burglaries. With features like keyless entry, auto-locking, real-time alerts, and temporary access codes, smart locks minimize security issues. The reputed brand DESLOC offers reliable smart lock solutions for robust security and convenience. They feature multiple access methods and professional-grade protection. Visit DESLOC’s website to explore its innovative and reliable smart door locks.
References
- https://zealousadvocate.com/statistics/burglary-statistics/
- https://www.alarms.org/burglary-statistics/
- https://www.build-review.com/2018-70-of-us-forget-if-we-ve-locked-our-doors/