Security Advice
Improving our home security is an issue that many of
us consider but don't always have the time or resources to carry out. By
improving the security around your home you are reducing the
chances of a burglar or intruder from attempting entry to your property.
Are We Really Safe as Houses?
Every 66 seconds, someone, somewhere in Britain is burgled. Many of these burglaries are committed by opportunists who are in and out of a house within minutes. The following tips will help you to improve the security of your home.
Insurance companies often insist on cylinder and mortice deadlocks conforming to British Standards, when used for external doors.
Check that the locks on your doors are strong enough to prevent unauthorised entry and ensure that they work efficiently.
Many exterior doors are secured by cylinder locks. These are very simple locks and operate by turning a handle inside or by a key from the outside. A knob holds the latch in place if the door has to be left open.
Mortice deadlocks are the best choice for front doors. To get past them without a key, the door frame has to be broken. The more levers on a lock, the harder it is to pick. A 5 lever, conforming to British Standards should be used for exterior doors.
Door security bolts give extra security on internal or external doors. These only undo from the inside.
Patio doors are often weak points in the security of a home. An adequate lock can be easily forced open or a sliding door lifted out. To improve security, sliding patio doors need key operated locking bolts fitted at both the top and bottom of each door.
Hinge bolts are a crucial factor which determines the strength of your door. Make sure that Hinge bolts fixed to your door are fitted securely in place. Long length screws further strengthen the grip your door has on the frame making it almost impossible to make a forced entry.
Door chains can be a useful means of preventing an unwanted caller forcing their way into your home. The concept is very simple - one end of the chain is attached to the door frame. The other end has a knob which runs in a metal plate secured to the door itself. When the chain is in place, the door can only be opened a few inches to allow a caller to be identified.
Another simple security device is the door viewer. This is basically a small peephole in the door, fitted with a lens allowing you to see who is outside the door.
Over 60% of all break-ins are made through windows, especially ground floor windows at the back of a house. Breaking the glass and opening a window is a simple matter. So fitting window locks is an obvious and immediate deterrent. They should be fitted to all ground floor windows and to any windows accessible via drainpipes or flat roofs.
There is a wide range of locks available to suit all types of sliding or hinged wood, metal and uPVC windows.
When considering improvements to home security, we should not neglect the garden. An unlocked shed containing ladders will give intruders a means of access to your upper windows. Or they may just steal your tools and lawnmower. A sturdy padlock and hasp on the shed door will help to prevent this.
If you would like any help with any of the above, please call Premier Locksmiths
on
01582 512171.
