Home Depot, Kwikset SmartKey & Me – Introduction
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Here is a little background on why I found myself installing a new lock over the weekend:
(1) Kwikset Brand Has Been Around
About twelve years ago, I installed a Kwikset keychain remote controlled dead latch on our front door. For the next decade, with some maintenance, we pressed a button on a key fob for entry. We loved it but Kwikset moved on from this technology. Last year my button stopped working altogether and as the fobs have become increasingly hard to find I went back to a physical key.
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(2) Look Out for Lock Outs
About a year ago I installed a new lockset on my back door. The handle is the pull down variety and will open from the inside when locked. If you forget to push down on the outside to check, you might find yourself locked out. We have done so a number of times, and once it was both of us at 5 in the morning. My mom lives in an addition next door. We had to call her, the first thing I said was “Everything is Alright” and then “could you come let us in?!”
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(3) Looking a Lock Bumping
Several weeks back, I looked into keyless dead latches for a client and learned about lock bumping. Bumping is when a burglar has a specially cut key for your brand of lock. The key can be inserted and then struck (bumped) to open the lock.
About the same time I was pricing and looking into keyless entry systems for my client, Building Moxie was offered a partnership with Home Depot and Kwikset SmartKey Locks. The deal was this, we would get a $200 dollar Home Depot gift card to purchase a Kwikset SmartKey lock in return for a couple of posts on this here blog about the product.
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Kwikset SmartKey Features
• Have you ever loaned out a key that was never returned, or would you like to be able to grant temporary access to neighbors or a contractor? SmartKey rey-key technology is the solution. The Kwikset SmartKey lock gives homeowners the ability to quickly and easily re-key their own locks without removing them from the door.
• SmartKey offers increased security and peace of mind because lost, loaned or unreturned keys become useless. It also offers one-key convenience for your home – you can re-key your front, back and side doors to the same Kwikset key.
• Kwikset SmartKey’s re-key technology features a patented side-locking bar, central to the locks’ ability to be rapidly and easily re-keyed. The bar replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design that is particularly vulnerable to increasingly popular lock-bumping attacks.
• Delivering outstanding strength and protection, SmartKey deadbolts have passed the most stringent lock picking standards and offer ANSI/BHMA certified Grade 1 security. Grade 1 security is the highest level of tested residential security available in the industry.
• Based on performance and features, Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts earned the prestigious Best Buy rating from Consumers Digest Magazine in the residential deadbolt lock category in February 2010.
• Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts can be purchased online and at your local The Home Depot store. Here also on Amazon.
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Sounds promising and easy right? This week we’ll learned firsthand about: a.) Kwikset “Smart Key” Tech but also about their “Smart Code”. b.) We’ll learn about installing the touchpad keyless entry system. c.) Their “Bump Guard” protection which protects against lock bumping.
Links and Statements
Disclosure Statement: The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their KwikSet Lock product. As part of this promotion, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.