Check Insurance
Most insurance companies now insist on a specified
level of physical security, detailed in your policy. Check the small print
and if in doubt, write to your broker before it is too late.
Many insurance companies now offer discounts to
houses with alarms, good quality locks, and if you are in a Home Watch.
Mortise Lock
If you only have a traditional cylinder rim night latch
on your wooden front door (a very common type that locks whenever you slam
the door) you would be advised to fit an additional mortise dead lock that
needs a key to open from either side of the door. If you choose one that
conforms to British Standards (BS3621) or has at least 5 levers, this
should be acceptable.
Check the door is thick enough to accept the lock
and keep its strength, although it may be better to approach a qualified
locksmith for advice.
Bolts
As a mortise lock may be a little expensive, some
people fit mortise bolts instead to a wooden back door. These are more
secure than the ornate little draw bolts which are suitable only for
wardrobes and not as unsightly as a big draw bolt. With a mortise bolt one
key fits all which, when rotated in the keyhole, makes a bolt shoot out of the
door itself into the door frame. The key can only be used on the inside of
the door, so put them only on doors by which you do not leave your house.
Doors - External
Locks are only as good as the quality of the wood in
the door and frame, or as the security of the frame. Before fitting any
additional locks it may be better to have a builder or joiner further
secure the door frame to the brickwork.
Check your door to see if it has weak wooden panels.
Some traditional back doors which are glazed at the top but have a plywood
panel at the bottom can be vulnerable. You can strengthen it by screwing
on a piece of 1/2" exterior grade plywood. Cover the screw heads with
filler or use security screws (see Shed security). Painted the colour of
your door, it isn't that noticeable but is much harder to force!
For a stronger fit, the new panel can be bolted
straight through the door itself using round headed bolts on the outside.
Doors - Internal
Locking internal doors while you are away from the
house can sometimes stop a burglar from going further into the home, but
in other instances the locking of an internal door can result in a lot
more damage if the door is smashed down.
The locking of internal doors while you are in the
house may make you feel more secure, but consideration must be given to
escaping in the event of fire.
As with exterior doors consider the strength of the
wood in the door and how well the door frame is secured before fitting any
lock or bolt.
Window Locks
To obtain the correct type of lock for a wooden framed
window, try to choose the sort which does not involve any of the window
catches. The type of lock that pulls the window into the frame with a key
are normally stronger. They may even stop a person forcing the window open
or leaning through a smaller window to undo it.
If the opening section of the window is quite large,
fit two window locks.
Window locks can be supplied and fitted by a
locksmith, but most types can be fitted by anybody who can use a
screwdriver.
Self-locking window locks are a little more
expensive than other types, but may be more convenient to use on windows
which are frequently opened and closed (bathroom windows etc.).
Louvre windows on the ground floor should generally
be avoided. If you cannot replace a louvre window, consult a glazing firm
who may be able to secure each pane of glass in each frame with strong
adhesive.
Double Glazing
If choosing double glazed windows, it may be preferable
to check to see that it is not just the handle that stops a window from
opening. Many windows use a number of bolts coming out of the opening
frame into the fixed frame, operated when the handle is turned. You should
need a key to unlock the window.
It can be argued that laminated glass is preferable
to toughened glass, for security and safety in double glazing. When broken
toughened glass breaks into many small pieces over the entire pane of
glass. Laminated glass will break as normal glass, but will hold in place
in the window, slowing down a burglar from entering, or stopping a child
from cutting him or her self.
Whether your window unit is glazed from the inside
or outside you should be satisfied that the glass cannot be removed
without it being broken. A good glazier familiarwith UPVC frames may be
able to secure existing externally beaded frames.
Fitting extra locks to UPVC or aluminium framed
doors is usually beyond the amateur DIY person. If the door does not lock
along its full length, consult a glazier or locksmith for advice, or ask
them if they can do the job.
It is advisable to check with the company which
installed the double glazing before fitting any additional locks to
windows or doors. Unauthorised fitting may invalidate the guarantee.
Patio Doors
Sliding patio-doors can be protected by fitting one or
two of the popular purpose made locks or a security bar. Again a
locksmith's advice would help.
If you are lucky enough to have a patio door that
slides on the inside of the fixed panel it can be secured very effectively
and cheaply. Put a piece of wood in the full length of the floor track
between the door and the frame - on the inside of course. The piece of
wood could be made to match the wooden sill. This will make the door
difficult to force even with a crow-bar.
It is wise to check that doors which slide on the
outside of the fixed panel cannot be lifted off their runners. Some double
glazing companies or security firms can fit a metal block onto the frame
just above the door in its closed position. This makes it impossible to
lift up a closed door.
French Windows
If both doors in the french windows open, then remember
that the lock which secures one door into the other is only as strong as
the door the lock goes into.
The glazed wooden doors in a french window should be
protected by fitting mortise bolts to both the top and bottom of each
opening door. They should be fitted to go into the frame and not the other
door.
If the wood in the door is not thick enough to allow
mortise bolts to be fitted, or the style of the doors does not allow it,
you may have to consider traditional draw bolts or surface mounted bolts
which lock.
Always remove the keys from the locks to stop
someone breaking a small pane of glass and entering by using the key.
Keys
It is always wise not to leave spare keys for your
windows, doors and car about your home. By forcing a criminal to leave the
same way as he entered, you will not only shorten the visit, but minimise
your loss. You try getting a TV through a small kitchen window!
Keys kept as spares in case you lose your main set
are always best left with a neighbour, friend or relative.
In any instance never leave keys in the door locks.
If you use only one sort of window lock in your home
you would be able to keep the one key on your main key ring, and not have
to keep a key near every window.
Safes
Hiding belongings might be an inconvenient way to live,
but using a hidden safe as a jewellery box can be a lot safer.
Most domestic safes now rely as their main defence
on not being easily seen. Safes may be hidden in cupboards or under the
floorboards and fastened to the joists.
If you wish to protect items of high value, check
with your house contents insurance company first, to see what type of safe
they recommend.
Some safes appear cheap to purchase, but are very
difficult to fit. Discussing your needs with a qualified locksmith will
help.
Dogs
Sometimes a dog can be a deterrent, but most have the
instinct to protect their "pack" (the family) and not bother if
a burglar calls when you're not at home. The chances are your dog will be
a pet and not raised as a guard dog.
Do not rely on just a dog to protect your house,
with no other security precautions. Your dog probably will not be in the
home when you go on holiday or go out for the day.
Fire
With all this security some people worry about escaping
from a fire. Good security is designed to stop burglars getting in, not
people getting out. Burglars want to operate quietly without being seen,
whereas if there was a fire you want everybody to see and hear you.
It is essential to fit a smoke alarm to give early
warning of the outbreak of fire.
It is wise not to lock internal doors that could
block your escape route. Also, always keep handy any keys needed to let
you get through an external door so as not to delay your escape in an
emergency.
The best place for a door key is on your person or
at the side of your bed when you retire. Do not leave them in the lock.
Window lock keys should be kept near to the window but out of the sight or
reach of intruders.
Remember to be safe as well as secure.
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