One of the great plights plaguing the name of lock picking and locksport is that the craft itself is born from malicious roots. That lock picking is a skill-based upon criminal intent and anyone wishing to learn of it beyond the scope of locksmithing must have some mischievous underlying purpose.
However, this criticism could not be further from the truth and is in some respects unfounded as only 4% of reported home burglary entries are due to some degree of lock manipulation.
Criminals share a singular mentality in regards to burglarizing – get in and out as fast as possible. The average burglar spends less than 10 minutes ransacking a home and knows that the longer they take, the more likely they are to get caught.
Lock picking is a skill of finesse and one of which nobody will take the time to learn and utilize when much simpler and quicker means of forcible entry are available.
Lock picking, however, can come into play in one's home security, but often not in a way that many think. One of the great benefits of learning the skill of lock picking is the unique insight into security that it grants you.
Upon picking your first lock you experience a paradigm shift in how you interpret the very definition of security. You no longer look at those simple metal devices on your doors and windows as a means of absolute protection, but instead as an illusion that grants only the naive a sense of false safety.
It is within the scope of our mission to not only teach the skills of lock picking but to help individuals truly understand what security is. Furthermore, it is often only with this understanding that one can truly gauge and further their own personal security to better protect themselves and the things – or people – that they value most.
It is with this goal in mind that we bring you the most recent burglary statistics relative to homeowners and our top five actionable steps to prevent becoming one of these statistics.
So what proactive actions can we take to avoid becoming one of these statistics? The ideal security situation for any home is one that has multiple layers and considerations. So let us take a look at what we consider to be the top five actionable steps that anyone can take to ensure the security of their home.
To defeat the criminal, you must first become the criminal. Get into the mind of the person trying to break into your home by attempting to do so yourself. Survey every inch of your home with unfaltering criticism.
Even the most complex and secure locks will only provide you with as much protection as you allow them to. An astonishing 30% of all home burglaries are the simple result of a criminal walking right through an unlocked door. So when you are not using a door or window, lock it up.
Statistically, 34% of burglars enter through the front door and 22% through the back door. This brings to attention the necessity of fortifying these access points.
Consider adding security film to your windows. This special polyester film holds a window together even if broken and increases the amount of time and effort required for a criminal to get through. It is also highly recommended that you add this to any sliding glass doors or glass panels.
About 74% of uncompleted burglaries can be attributed to the use of a security alarm. They also contribute to the majority of arrests made. While "top of the line" security systems can be expensive, there are cheaper options such as audible devices that sound when a door or window have been opened. These more affordable options can be obtained and installed fairly easily and offer a substantial increase in your home security.