If you hide your spare key under a doormat, you are pretty much inviting burglars into your property. Keeping it on the doorpost, under a garden statue, under a flower pot, or under a fake rock, also puts your home security at serious risk.
As the title would suggest, this is where the lock cylinder is literally snapped in two by applying force to the cylinder. Thieves have devised methods of snapping these types of cylinders locks in a matter of seconds and still be able to operate the lock to open the door. This threat can be considerably reduced simply by upgrading the cylinder to one that is specifically designed to prevent this method of attack. We recommend that all vulnerable doors using Euro-Profile cylinders be upgraded to incorporate 'Break Secure' cylinders. Euro cylinders are mainly fitted to uPVC doors but some aluminium and wooden doors also use this type of lock.
You cannot tell from the outside if it is a vulnerable lock, it would need to be dismantled. Although this is fairly simple to do, our advice is to contact a registered locksmith for advice. If you have a Secured by Design door fitted after 2010 you can be confident that it will have a "Break Secure" lock. Please note this applies only to Secured by Design doors and not all doors.
Break secure, or anti-snap cylinders, are specifically designed to combat lock-snapping. A cylinder has been designed that although it will snap, it will snap in a predetermined position leaving intact a portion of the cylinder that will still provide security and still require key operation to open, thus preventing the easy manipulating of the locking system. A qualified locksmith can offer a full installation and upgrade service to meet your needs; or a replacement break secure euro cylinder can be purchased from any recognised DIY store. Replacement lock cylinders should meet all parts of the exacting British Standard Kitemark (BS EN 1303:2005) accreditation scheme. A new standard, TS007, is due to be introduced later this year following the concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police. Look out for details of this in the media and online.
The Master Locksmiths' Association website www.locksmiths.co.uk provides a list of registered locksmiths who will be able to provide advice and information and give you practical help to ensure your locks are suitable.
The minimum recommendation for wooden doors is five-lever mortice locks which carry the British Standard BS3621. If you have traditional nightlatch (commonly known as a Yale lock) fitted to your doors, do not rely on this as the only method of security. You must fit other locks, preferably deadlocks.
A recent spate of burglaries saw one out of every two burglaries committed via an unlocked door or window. Therefore, one of the most important steps to prevent your home from being burgled is to always remember to lock them! The security around your home starts at the perimeter of your property and ranges from security lighting, sturdy locking gates to removing valuables and attractive items from view.
Some burglars are looking for your car keys so they can steal your car. Make it hard for thieves. Don't leave car keys where they are visible. Visible burglar alarms are good, and outside lighting puts burglars off. But make sure that your security lights are positioned out of reach of a burglar, and that they don't disturb your neighbours. Your alarm should turn itself off after 20 minutes at the most (this is in case it goes off when you're not there).
Mark important and expensive possessions (such as your computer or DVD player) with your postcode and house number using special security marker pens. Keep a record of the make, model and serial numbers of all your electrical equipment for reference too. If the police recover them after a burglary, this record will be proof that they are stolen goods - and that they are yours.
You can register your property on the national database Immobilise. Log on to www.immobilise.co.uk
source: www.northyorkshire.police.uk
If you hide your spare key under a doormat, you are pretty much inviting burglars into your property. Keeping it on the doorpost, under a garden statue, under a flower pot, or under a fake rock, also puts your home security at serious risk.
The burglars are very much aware that a lot of people do not pay as much attention to garage security as they do to home security. Valuable items stored in the garage are an easy loot, but it’s only half of the problem. Some burglars will attempt to get into your house after robbing the garage.
If you wish to avoid trouble and turn your property into a tranquil haven for your tenants to live in and enjoy, as a landlord you need to take appropriate security measures.
The Covid-19 lockdown has seen a significant number of people working from home, potentially for the long-term. Although home burglaries have fallen during lockdown, the time spent at home has led many owners to review their security measures.
Not everybody is aware that door locks are divided into several different groups. It’s not easy to get an appropriate lock for the particular kind of doors. And it is even harder to get is fitted properly!
What are the duties of a professional locksmith? What should you consider before you have your locks fitted? And finally, what to do to find cheap lock fitting services in your area?Find out the answers to these questions and make sure you get the best locksmith services with affordable rates!
It is estimated that there is a burglary in the UK every 40 seconds. Burglars tend to be very crafty as it comes to breaking in.Sometimes, however, the burglars don’t even have to be that crafty. Why? Because of our own bad habits such as leaving the door unlocked. But locking your door, sadly, does not necessarily protect you from the possibility of being robbed.
A house or a flat in which you accumulate your living achievements is a real treat for a thief. Theft and burglary are crimes that usually cannot be avoided, but can be largely reduced. Have you ever thought about most common points of entry for home break-ins?
When you buy a property, you may wonder how many people might have key duplicates which will give them access to your abode. Of course it should never happen, but how can you be sure? In order to have a peace of mind, get in touch with a professional local locksmith who will change your locks and check the security standards in your new home.
