Checklist – Weak Aspects of Your Home Security!
Top security tips – From a UK Locksmith We often get called to premises in Telford to survey the security of the doors and windows in the building. Often the same security risks are present! Have a quick look at our checklist to see if your premises could be at risk: -Deadlocking nightlatches Does the nightlatch on your door have a 'double locking' or deadlocking function. All new BS nightlatches should incorporate a deadlocking function. If your nightlatch does not deadlock then it is prone to shimming. You've seen it in all the movies where the locksmith opens a door with his credit card, well it works! (albeit a little more complicated than that). A customer recently proved that deadlocking makes a difference; A burglar had given up trying to shim the lock and caused only minor damage to the frame. Our locksmith received a phone call of thanks for advising the fitting of an approved lock. -Protruding uPVC Lock uPVC Doors and composite doors need to have flush (or close) fitting lock cylinders. Locks that protrude from the door can be easily 'broken' open and unlock every hook and roller on the door! This is a major flaw that has only recently been brought the attention of the public! Lock manufacturers are now designing anti-snap locks and other methods to combat this! -2 and 3 lever locks Although fine for internal doors and low security areas they are by no means a good form of security and are certainly not recommended by any insurer or locksmith. These locks are easily opened with wires and are usually made of cheap quality metals not conforming to British Standards. One good kick would see any crook right in the door as one of our customers discovered a few weeks ago... Call your local locksmith or lock fitter right away to upgrade to a 5 lever or BS lock. -Security Structure Our locksmiths recommend that all but one of your external doors are fitted with internal locking bolts or additional one sided deadlocks that can be locked from the inside before leaving the property through the final exit. This should be the most secure door of the premises and ideally fitted with both a British Standard nightlatch and deadlock or with uPVC doors a British Standard Locking system combined with a high security lock cylinder. -Window Locks It is advised by our master locksmith that all ground floor or vulnerable wooden windows be fitted with extra internal locking mechanisms to prevent the glass being broken and the window opened. Modern uPVC doors using the espag mechanism are less prone to such an attack but always ensure that the handle fitted is a locking one.
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