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Nothing is more important than the security of your home and your loved ones. One of the most basic things you can do to protect your valuables is to secure your residence with quality door locks. The entry point for the majority of burglaries is through a door because it is the quickest and easiest route in and out of your home.
It may surprise you to learn that most building codes don't require a lock on external doors. Because building codes do not require a minimum standard for door locks, most contractors select locks based on price. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to examine your existing locks to determine whether or not you need an upgrade.
Types of Locks
1. Knob locks – spring latch and dead latch varieties. These locks can be easily picked or forced. They are best used on interior doors, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, or in combination with deadbolts.
2. Deadbolts – many different varieties. These are the most secure kind of lock. They should be used on all exterior doors of your home.
3. Chains – most are attached to the door and frame with short screws. Chains are generally not very thick or strong. They are useful as secondary protection. Do not use as your main method of security.
4. Wedges – rubber or wooden triangle that can be wedged under the door to prevent it from opening more than a few inches. These can be reinforced by inserting two steel pins into the floor behind it. Good as secondary protection, especially on bedroom doors, as they can slow an intruder down.
Deadbolts
Many would-be burglars will move on to another home if they see high-quality deadbolts installed on all your exterior doors. No matter what type of deadbolt you purchase, there are a few key features that every deadbolt should have.
First, make sure that your deadbolt extends at least one inch into the wall. Second, the lock should be made entirely of metal, and there should be no exposed screws on the outside of the door. Finally, to ensure you are purchasing a quality lock, be sure that it has an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 1 classification.
There are two types of deadbolt locks, single cylinder and double cylinder. Single cylinder locks require a keyed entry from the outside but can be locked with a turning knob from the inside.
Double cylinder deadbolts require a key both internally and externally to lock and unlock the door. Double cylinder locks are more secure for doors containing glass or that are located near a window. However, they can create a safety hazard in the event that a quick exit is required. It is a good idea to keep a key in a designated location near the door in case of fire or other emergencies.
Additional Lock Features
Free-spinning Collar – One quarter of home invasions occur when the perpetrator manipulates the lock in some fashion. If an intruder attempts to saw off the bolt, the free-spinning collar makes it difficult for him to get a cut as the bolt spins with every motion. This feature also prevents burglars from removing the bolt with a wrench or vise grips. You can purchase drill-resistant deadbolts as well that contain steel chips within the lock housing that destroy drill bits.
Strike Plates – Strike plates come with every door lock, but not all of them offer security. The strike plate is generally the most vulnerable portion of the entire door lock. The strike plate should be made of a heavy metal and attached to the door frame and stud wall with screws that are at least 3 inches long. The screw holes should be staggered for extra security as this makes it more difficult to split the wood door frame with a heavy impact.
Doors & Door Frames
No matter what kind of lock you select, it can easily become useless if you do not have a sturdy door and door frame.
You should use solid wood core or metal doors for all exterior entries to your home, including doors leading from your garage to the interior of your home. The doors should be at least 1 ¾ inches thick without any glass panels that would allow a thief to reach in and unlock your door from the inside.
It is important to have a durable door frame as well because burglars often employ a technique called “spreading” to enter your home. This involves planting a wedge between the frame and the wall and applying pressure until the wood bows to allow entry.
To protect your home from this kind of forced entry, install 3 to 4 inch screws along the door strip and frame. The screws should penetrate the stud to hold the door frame and door strip securely to the main wall.
The Next Step
Once you have the appropriate door lock installed, the most important thing to remember is to use it! One-third of all home intruders gain access through an unlocked door or window.
You may have seen recent reports on television news or in the newspapers of a weakness in the locks on PVCu doors. The weakness is currently being exploited by burglars in some areas of the UK, notably the West Yorkshire Police area. To our knowledge, such attacks are not yet common place in the Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset areas.
This is a problem which is growing around the country; various methods are used by the burglars using simple everyday tools, allowing them to exploit an inherent flaw in the design of these Euro Profile Cylinders. The cylinders can be overcome in a matter of seconds and although we know the methods used we will not disclose these methods in any detail, as a precaution against “copy-cat” burglaries.
The lock in question is not of any particular make, but is the type of lock fitted to the majority of UPVC, PVCu and some wooden doors throughout the world, it is commonly known as a Euro Profile Cylinder. It is the part which provides the key operation to the multi-point locking mechanism fitted to the door. No matter how secure or elaborate the multi-point locking mechanism is, if the cylinder is compromised the multi-point lock can be opened in seconds without difficulty.
All major Lock Manufacturers are now working hard to find solutions to the problem.
Currently there are limited products on the market to combat this form of attack. Two major lock manufacturers notably Mul-T-Lock and Squire have produced a new design of cylinder which ensures the cylinder snaps at a predetermined position leaving the door still secured and requiring the use of the correct key to unlock the door. Mul-T-Locks range of anti snapping cylinders are called ‘Break Secure’ and Squire’s range are called ‘Snapsafe’
Although this design of cylinder is still not 100% guaranteed to prevent all the methods of attack used on PVCu doors. It will prevent the most common methods slowing down the burglars attempts and making it considerably more difficult, therefore increasing the chance of him giving up.
In addition to these cylinders some manufacturers notably Squire and ERA are producing cylinder enhancers or cylinder security devices. Various designs are available to suit PVCu and composite doors these consist of a metal surround which is secured to the existing cylinder underneath the door handle. ERA’s range is possibly the most secure, with the designs securing through the door to sandwich the cylinder in place making it virtually impossible to remove the ‘snapped’ cylinder. These devices used in conjunction with a Break Secure or SnapSafe cylinder will ensure the methods currently being used are ineffective.
The risk of forced entry via the methods used is reduced if the cylinder fitted is of the correct size and properly fitted. However often when cylinders have been replaced in the past it is found that an incorrect size has been used leaving the door vulnerable. It is recommended that the euro profile cylinder should not protrude outside of the door furniture any more than 2-3mm.
Remember burglars always choose the easy option!
In order to ensure you do not become one of the many victims of this type of forced entry review your current door cylinders now and consider upgrading your cylinders to the newly available ‘Break Secure’ or SnapSafe ranges currently available or fit an additional Cylinder Security Device or Enhancer to your existing cylinder.
In the meantime, ensure you DEADLOCK your doors whenever your home is unattended. We also advise that a door chain be fitted and used on the main entrance door when the house is occupied and if PVCu doors are fitted to other areas consider fitting additional internal secondary bolts as an alternative to replacing the cylinders.
Other sensible precautions include ensuring that any keys (particularly car keys) are not left where they can be found by burglars. (The most common method of car theft is by breaking into homes and stealing the keys). Other portable valuables should also be removed from vulnerable areas.
A safe will compliment any form of security to the property by reducing the risk of sentimental and valuable items being taken should a burglar gain entry. Securing small valuables can save a great deal of inconvenience and upset and it is recommended that you keep spare keys, passports, jewellery, cameras etc. locked in a safe.
For guidance and advice from reputable qualified locksmith’s only choose a locksmith that is a member of the Master Locksmith Association whose members would be pleased to offer advice and guidance, without obligation on any aspects of your properties physical security.
By using an MLA approved company you are assured that the locksmith you employ is of the highest standard of Integrity and that the work undertaken will be carried out to very high standards. All Master Locksmiths have undertaken and passed an independently assessed BLI examination to ensure they are qualified and competent to carry out all aspects of the Locksmith trade. And every Approved Company undergoes stringent, regular inspections, thus ensuring that it maintains high standards in workmanship and administration. Additionally members are expected to conform to legal requirements and follow a customer charter to service customer satisfaction.
The Master Locksmith Association has a freephone call line allowing people to locate and authenticate locksmiths claiming to be members. Tel: 0800 783 1498 or visit their website @