Prevent Burglaries, Learn About Bump Keys

Posted on August 9, 2009 in Consumer Goods

A bump key is a standard key that has been filed down and can be used, with the help of a “bump” in the form of a hammer or mallet, to pick a lock. The internet is now full of web pages and YouTube videos with instructions on how to make and use a bump key, and the police are saying that consumers should be aware of the risk.

Many inexpensive locks from popular brands are susceptible to bump keys. Large apartment buildings with many locks from the same manufacturer are tempting targets for thieves as they have to carry fewer bump keys (different makes and models of locks require different keys).

There are now a number of bump-proof locks on the market, though they tend to be far more expensive. The high security locks usually run around $150 each, as opposed to the low-end $15-$20 locks. The Kwikset SmartScan door lock and the Schlage LiNK system are both reasonably priced unbumpable options.

However, police say that consumers who don’t want to invest in a very expensive lock can increase their security by protecting against kick-in entries, still by far the most common type of break in. Replacing the strike, the plate that fits into the door jamb to secure the bolt, with a $10 block strike makes the lock more secure, as does replacing the standard screws with 3-inch wood screws that mount the block strike to the stud, instead of just the door jamb.