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Can you recommend a front door lock?
Hi everyone - I hope your day is as peaceful as possible. My husband is in the early stages of Alzheimers and I frequently have to leave the state to help my dad who is in his 90's. My husband leaves the house unlocked and it makes me very nervous. I think the best thing would be a door lock that automatically locks after someone closes the door. Second best might be a electronic (?) lock that I could check from my phone - if I had the ability to then lock the door. My husband forgets to charge or take his phone with him 90% of the time.
Thank you so much!
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Forgive me for shutgunning this at you, but I don't have any experience with these smart locks, I just know they exist. This is my Canadian amazon.ca page,
https://www.amazon.ca/smart-door-lock-phone-app/s
but if you are in the USA you'll get the 'dot com' version of the site and it will show most/all the same locks. What I do, unless you would prefer dealing with a local handyperson, maybe via Home Depot or something like that, is to begin looking at the specs and features, but I also read two full pages of the 'reviews', seen in the smallish blue print closer to the top of the page. There will be some that complain of a common problem with the engineering or with the software/app, in which case it invites aggravation and loss of confidence. But if you get a lock with thousands sold and the ratings in stars exceeds 4.5, you are sure to get a decent product. Then, once installed, you must avail yourself of the app on your phone and learn how to manage the lock.
I am sure you'll get more informed responses in time...I hope...
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4 Reactions@gloaming Thank you so much!
@wtr2026 I'm currently renting a home where the landlord has a Schlage wifi enabled smart lock supposedly touted "best of the best" from Amazon. We've had all kinds of issues with this crazy "finicky" lock. It may be us as users, but I had the maintenance man over to look at it, and he claims, they're testy too. My husband tries to lock it, different from your husband who keeps the door unlocked, but he can't lock it, so the door stays unlocked (the same unlocked result). Then trying to open it when it does lock, that's hit or miss. We're up there in years, so all this high-tech stuff doesn't float our boat. Up there or not, we want the safety and peace of mind, that someone can't get into the house, or they can easily get out and lock the door. And once out, they can easily get back in. Gosh, I'd call a locksmith and see what they recommend or perhaps, a personal care person who can just stay with your husband while you're gone.
I worry constantly about this door lock, so I do it the good old fashion way, I personally have a key in my handbag, at all times, if this crazy lock doesn't cooperate. Obviously, me with the key doesn't solve my husband's problem of not being able to work the door.
Best, Karla
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