Bump Keys - What They are and How to Protect Your Home
By Home Security Source Jun 23, 2009 | 12:20:00 pmPosted in: Over 90% of American homes use an old style cylinder lock, which is vulnerable to lock bumping. Lock bumping is a type of lock picking technique. A bump key can be used for lock bumping. And we should all worry about bump keys. Bump keys are easy to learn, make and use. The technique can be learned in just a couple minutes and nearly any lock can be opened in seconds!
Locksmiths have known about bump keys for years. However lately bump keys have been sweeping the internet and American homes, causing a great concern for public safety. AND there is the risk that many insurance companies won’t pay claims on a burglary when there is no sign of forced entry. They can argue that the door was left unlocked.
How can you protect yourself against bump keys? First, replace your old locks with high security locks. Most high security locks have additional protection to make them more secure against bumping. Second, about 9/10 of convicted burglars agree that they’d avoid a house protected by a burglary alarm system.* Therefore seriously consider investing in a home alarm system, especially those with motion detectors and alarms that detect the opening of doors. Companies such as ADT offer affordable home security systems with 24 hour burglary monitoring and fast alarm response which help protect against home burglaries.
*Source: National Burglar and Fire Association, 2000
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