From text messages on our phones to pop-ups on my desktop, alerts via local news channels, and live weather radar feeds, technology empowers us to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and continually monitor severe weather approaching our region. In observance of September as National Preparedness Month, it’s a good moment to assess the equipment in your household to ensure you are adequately prepared for severe weather. Preparedness doesn’t necessarily require purchasing entirely new items to secure your property. In emergencies, savvy consumers recognize that certain types of cables and locks can serve dual purposes if they are durable and capable of withstanding inclement weather.
Here are a couple of my preferred products from Master Lock that excel at securing items around our home on a routine basis while being rugged and weather-resistant against heavy rain and snow.
PYTHON ADJUSTABLE LOCKING CABLES
The Python Adjustable Locking Cable 8413KA ($29) is commonly used by our family to secure our bicycles during family outings. However, when we anticipate inclement weather, we bring our bicycles indoors and repurpose the Python to secure other outdoor items during a storm. We utilize a Python Adjustable Locking Cable to fasten a large extension ladder to a tree in our side yard, as it’s too large to be brought indoors. The cinch locking mechanism tightens the cable, making it challenging for anyone with bolt cutters to sever the 6-foot, 10 mm cable. The Python is an ideal choice for outdoor equipment due to its black heavy plastic coating, rendering it weather and rust-resistant. I also appreciate the bright yellow python-shaped head, which is easy to locate for locking and unlocking in the dark or during rainfall. In a pinch, the Python can also be used to secure garden equipment and lawn furniture by looping through their handles.
COVERED LAMINATED PADLOCKS
As the owner of an older home without a garage, we store items in a shed at the end of our driveway. For years, we relied on a conventional padlock that we already had for our shed, only to discover that over time, it rusted and became increasingly difficult to open and close. Instead of wrestling with the old rusty padlock, we now employ a Master Lock Covered Laminated Padlock M115XDLF ($13.01). It’s a cost-effective option that offers great versatility around the house. It features a weather-resistant cover that shields the steel core from snow, rain, dirt, mud, grime, and salt, along with Rust-Oleum certified protection that guarantees it will never corrode. The dual ball bearing lock provides maximum resistance against prying, and it also features a 4-pin cylinder for heightened pick resistance, ensuring that our possessions are as secure as possible.
COMBINATION PADLOCK
For homeowners seeking to safeguard their belongings with a custom combination lock, the M175XDLF Combination Padlock ($23.37) is an excellent choice. While it comes at a higher cost than the Covered Laminated Padlock mentioned earlier, it offers the advantage of customizable combinations instead of relying on keys. It is slightly larger (2″) compared to the Covered Laminated Padlock (1 7/8″) and features a 1 1/2″ shackle made of boron carbide—a material 50% harder than hardened steel. Unlike the Covered Laminated Padlock with Dual-Armor construction, the Combination Padlock includes a shackle seal and hinged dial cover for weather resistance.
While the initial cost of weather-resistant security products like these from Master Lock may be higher compared to other options, it’s always wise to invest in the right products for the job. In the long term, the money spent on high-quality weather-resistant products will safeguard your belongings, ensuring they won’t fail even when subjected to years of snow, rain, dirt, mud, grime, and salt.
For more tips on preparedness, take a look at my 8 ways to prepare your home and devices for severe weather.
