Tech vs Squatters: Protect Your Home from Squatters + Burglars!

Ah, the age-old battle of Home Owners vs. Squatters is heating up this year! In this corner, we have the latest and greatest in home security gadgets being wielded by home owners. And in the other corner, the cunning and persistent squatters looking to make your casa their casa. Who will emerge victorious in this epic showdown? You, the home owner, that's who!

Let's talk about some of the high-tech contenders vying to keep your home safe and squatter-free:

1. Smart Security Cameras: These all-seeing eyes keep a 24/7 watch on your property, sending live alerts to your phone if any suspicious activity is detected. With night vision, motion sensing, and remote viewing capabilities, squatters won't stand a chance! Plus, you can yell at them through the two-way audio to get off your lawn.

2. Smart Locks: Forget hiding spare keys under the mat. Smart locks let you control access to your home right from your smartphone. Grant temporary codes to guests or service providers, and revoke access in a snap. Squatters can't pick a lock that doesn't exist!
   
   The BRINKS ANSI Grade 2 Commercial Keypad lever made me think twice about smart locks (in a good way). I was paranoid about such devices (which I still am) but after using it, I love the fact that you can literally remove all access when you're not there (vacation or after business hours). When codes aren't activated, the keypad has zero effect on the handle. -  Blu 

3. Smart Lighting: Nothing deters would-be intruders like a house that appears occupied. With smart lighting, you can set schedules, randomize patterns, and control your lights from anywhere. Keep squatters guessing and your electric bill in check. It's a win-win!

4. Smart Alarm Systems: If a squatter manages to breach your high-tech perimeter, a smart alarm system is your next line of defense. Blaring sirens, flashing lights, and instant alerts to your phone and the authorities will send them running for the hills. Some systems even have smoke, carbon monoxide, and flood detectors for extra protection.

But tech alone isn't enough to fully fortify your castle. Here are some practical security measures to bolster your defenses:

• Reinforce entry points with deadbolt locks, strike plates, and window locks
• Install motion-activated floodlights around your property's perimeter
• Trim back foliage to eliminate hiding spots and improve visibility
• Get to know your neighbors and join a neighborhood watch program
• If you'll be away, have a trusted friend house sit or pick up your mail
• Consider adopting a guard dog (or at least putting up a "Beware of Dog" sign).
  
  

By combining cutting-edge tech with tried-and-true tactics, you can create a seemingly impenetrable fortress that even the most determined squatters and burglars won't want to mess with. So go forth, my tech-savvy friends, and show those freeloading intruders who's boss! Your home is your sanctuary, and with the power of technology on your side, you can keep it that way.

In all seriousness, we felt the need to provide an article of this type... after the recent viral video from a Tiktokker. He felt that it would be a great idea to encourage fellow migrants who cross the border illegally to squat in homes instead. Squatting has resulted in home owners being harmed, so if you suspect that someone is in your home, back out immediately and notify the police. -  Blu 

Stay safe, stay vigilant, and long live the champion of your home - that's you!

Sophima

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Brinks Commercial Keypad Entry Lever... Reviewed!

I thought this was going to come in January, but it arrived before Christmas. So... here's my review.

This keyless keypad doesn't require a key, but... is it worth the money? Let's jump in!

Quality: The Keypad Entry Lever's quality can be felt as soon as you hold the parts in your hand. The parts are a nice polished metal with solid zinc diecast levers and weighs in at 4.52lbs. The parts don't wiggle, there's nothing loose or feels cheap, it's a commercial product, and... represents that classification well.

Security: Security-wise, this lever has an ANSI Grade 2... meaning the lock can withhold a certain level of force in terms of someone attempting to strike it and gain entry. This product requires at least 5 strikes from 75ft.-lbf to gain entry.

The foot-pound force is a unit of energy while lbf is a pound of force. Think of a ram striking the lever from a distance of one foot.

Outside of the security that prevents unwanted entry through the build quality, and traditional lock, but you also have the keypad that doesn't just keep the door unlocked after one of (up to) 99 codes has been entered. Give it a few seconds and it locks back unless you unlock it on the inside for reentry without a pincode or a key. 

To increase the security, you can even set it to vacation mode and disable all codes for those times when you're away. So no one can fidget with the lock while you're enjoying yourself in the States or abroad. I'd even set it to vacation mode after hours because that increases the security, but these are also used for spaces utilized around the clock (laundry rooms, gyms, PC rooms in hotels, etc).

Installation: Installation is a bit of a challenge, but if you follow the manual... you can do it.

Price: Pricewise... you can get the Brinks Commercial Keypad Entry Lever for $129. Is it worth it? Yes, this can be used for several needs for you and your team, tenants, employees, family members, AirBnB customers, and all that good stuff. You don't have to jump up out of your bed and go let someone into a room, unit, or home... all they need is a 6-digit code and they're in. These codes can be changed as well, just in case you want to deny access after a certain time. So it's worth it, it provides access without your constant need to be there but it also protects the people and property behind the door. Did I forget to mention that it comes with a 10-year limited warranty? Yeah... that part too.

Quality 5

Security 5

Installation 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Brinks Commercial: Keyed Entry Lever & Deadbolt... Reviewed!

Quality: The Brinks Commercial: Keyed Entry Lever & Deadbolt combo delivers a commercial feel, this particular set has a Satin Chrome Finish. The weight and sturdiness, definitely spell quality to me. There is no wiggle when the product is installed, and the screws are covered by a plate so you don't have to worry about them working their way out on the lever. There are also internal screws for the deadbolt, in addition to those you see on the exterior. 

Security: Security-wise, the inner workings like the anti-pry shield are solid in terms of security. All the pieces you see here work to prevent unwanted entry, and I say that to say... make sure to use all of the parts instead of finding the quickest way to install this product that leaves behind parts.

The Deadbolt is ANSI Grade 1 and the Lever is ANSI Grade 2.

As mentioned before, according to the ANSI Organization, they utilize an array of tests that represent attacks on the locks for the sake of trying to gain entry:

ANSI Grade 1 requires 10 blows from a ram in order to gain entry and it must be hit in a select area, while ANSI Grade 2 requires 5 blows at a minimum of 360 pounds. See more.

Installation: Speaking of the Installation, it isn't bad at all as long as you have the right tools for the job, and I'm sure it won't take the company handyman long to get it installed. The plate holes guide the screws.

By the way... for the door lever, don't fully screw in the latch part until you connect it to the center area of the door lever. Give yourself the wiggle room and it won't take you long at all to connect it to finish up the installation.

Price: Price-wise, you can get this Brinks Commercial heavy-duty commercial combo set for $72.98. By the way, did I mention that this combo comes with a 10-year limited warranty? So now that you have the scoop on this product, feel free to compare and contrast, but we hope that this review made the decision a lot easier for you.

Quality 5

Security 5

Installation 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Brinks Commercial Products... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I just want to give a shout-out to the Brinks team for supplying these products.

We were supplied with 4 products from Brinks commercial line for the sake of testing them out. Two products were selected for security, and two were selected as a solution for issues that required a solution. Did the products help? Let's jump in!

Now that you've seen the products, here are some installation videos.

The Brinks Commercial Keyed Entry Knob... is a sturdy commercial knob that can work for a home setting, but... it feels better suited for a commercial office door or one in a warehouse (for those who prefer a more warm look for their home). As seen, the installation didn't take long.

This keyed entry knob, works well for the office door it was installed on. The knob doesn't wiggle, feels secure, and serves its purpose. The screws are covered for a clean look, and if the knob needs to be replaced, the process to remove the plate is smooth (just have something to pry the plate off). One thing I will say is to keep the pin on the same keyring as the key unless you have a place to tuck it nearby. This was placed on an interior door, but it works for the exterior as well for increased security. This knob is an ANSI Grade 2, meaning that a ram would be required to hit this knob's face at least 5 times for the person gain access. This is straight from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

So thinking of a person without a ram trying to gain entry, gives even greater peace of mind. On a lighter note, it also keeps us out of Daisy's office while she's in a meeting that doesn't require our presence. A sign could work for that, but... as far as security goes, a solid keyed entry knob works.

Price-wise, the keyed entry knob you see here is generally sold in a set with a deadbolt for $59.96 or so. Not bad for commercial quality, so if you want to grab one of these knobs... and can't buy it ala carte, you're good to go with the deadbolt (which is also saw and pry proof). Did I forget to mention the 10-year warranty? Well, you get one of those too + based on my research... the deadbolt is Grade 1!

Now let's jump into The Brinks Commercial Kick Down Door Stop.

Although it would be better placed at the outer part of the door that swings away from the frame, I have the door stop closer to the crack of the door. The drop-down going into the studio... doesn't allow for it to be placed anywhere else, but it works and doesn't require me to have something to hold the door separately. The Brinks Commercial Kick Down Door Stop is incredibly sturdy and doesn't do that flimsy crap the way some others do where they just drop down if they aren't pushed up into a holder. You can flip it up and it stops halfway and stays up without a cradle.

When it comes to the look, I'd probably say that the bronze or the matte black might be a bit more appealing for the home setting... but the satin chrome looks great as well. This door stop comes in at $22.98 which works for the quality because I've experienced some bad/annoying ones. Ever see the door stops that require assistance just to make them kinda sort of work? This has been going strong and... without it falling down on its own to potentially wear down the grip over time, helps it last.

Now let's jump into the Brinks Commercial Privacy Door Latch.

This privacy door latch is great for commercial and home settings. Don't think that commercial quality products are reserved for commercial properties only. You might see this near the door of your suite at a nice resort, but... you can also place it in your home as well. The quality of this product is undeniable, it's thick + sturdy and... the screws that come with it run deep so that it can't simply get kicked in.

I wanted to present this particular product because you never know who may be at the door and the traditional chain isn't as efficient. This latch only requires one move, you push and it lifts out to block the door from being opened further. This is great for general safety, almost like an extra layer of defense when you're turning in for the evening, but... it can also be an emergency latch in a situation when you don't have time to run into the home and lock the door because someone is behind you. Let's hope this never happens, but on the flip side... this is also a great latch to prevent small children from leaving the home and wandering around. That can increase a parent's peace of mind.

I was actually in one of the old office spaces when I saw a little boy around 3 years old standing near the busy roadway. He was playing with a ball and no adults were in sight. I dashed out and ran over to get him away from the road and asked him where his mom was, and if could he show me. He wasn't aware of my concern, but that could've ended badly. He took me across to a home on the other side of a little field where his mom and the babysitter were. Let's just say the mom wasn't happy that the babysitter was wrapped up in her phone while her toddler found his way outside to play. It was really weird, and I wasn't happy either, but... luckily it ended on a good note. I bring that up, because... that situation wouldn't have been a thing with this privacy door latch installed on the home out of his reach.

This ADA-compliant privacy door latch comes in at $25.98. Oh... and before I forget, this doesn't prevent the door from closing. There are products that will block the door and stop it from closing when they're in use, but... the start wearing on the door. If this is out while the door is wide open and being closed, the door will merely push it down and close it. On that note, it's for doors that swing in only, that's where the resistance comes in. By the way, you also get a 10-year warranty with this one too.

Last but not least, let's jump into the Brinks Commercial Door Silencer.

This product is fairly simple, you place them in little holes in the door frame and they reduce the noise and absorb the shock of a door being slammed. There are people who literally don't realize their own strength when it comes to closing a door, but it can urk you to hear a door slammed hard. Luckily this softens the blow, especially if you have something like a frosted, etched, or stained glass section on your door. A hard enough slam would surely shatter such a glass whether it be tempered or not. According to Home Guide, you're looking at $150 to $500 on average to get a glass replaced. When it's the glass in a front door, we're talking $150 to $600... so $5.98 for a pack of 12-door silencers is a great investment.

Easy Installation 5

Durability 5

Warranty 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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