The SheffLOCK Home Security guide gives you tips on how to best keep your home secure, such as improving door & window lock security, how sash jammers work to how a poorly fitted lock can lead to break-ins.
The main security advice for your home is to speak to SheffLOCK with regards to the security products that you have fitted to your doors and windows.
In terms of some general security advice we suggest:
Ask a locksmith to review your door and window security (including internal doors to conservatories and garages) to make sure all windows and doors have the most appropriate locks:
Are they in good condition Properly fitted? – incorrectly fitted euro locks can lead to lock snapping And meet your insurance requirements Concerned about lock snapping? Read our guide here
Euro Cylinder fitted incorrectly on front door. A euro cylinder lock that has been poorly fitted is at risk of being snapped.
Add anti snap locks to your front & back doors. They can protect your euro lock cylinder from being a victim of lock snapping.
Although you must make sure you have the correct size and lock standard fitted to be truly anti-snap.
How a anti snap lock prevents burglary.
We gaurantee the best price for ULTION anti snap locks in South Yorkshire.
Consider upgrading your door handles when you change your locks. Standard door handles offer little protection and can be broken in seconds.
We highly recommend that 2 star Lock Lock door handles are fitted with 3 star Ultion anti snap locks to provide you with 5 star protection. This is the highest standard of protection available.
Have your home locks upgraded to BS3621, a standard which most insurance companies require your locks be fitted to.
BS3621 is a British Standard where locks are tested against common burglar techniques such as drilling and picking.
Locks that can be upgraded to BS3621 include Mortice Locks, Night Latches ( Yale Locks ) and Rim Cylinder locks.
If you live in a block of flats or apartment the standard BS8621 is recommended which allows anyone to exit in an emergency without needing a key.
Lock Advice – Contact us at SheffLOCK for friendly advice or visit our advice pages about approved locks.
You may also want to install top and bottom bolts on French doors or add sash jammers to UPVC doors or windows.
Sash Jammers STOP a door or window from opening. They are easy to fit and cheap and can be fitted to wood doors and windows.
Sash Jammers are relatively cheap, we can supply and fit sash jammers.
Before adding additional security any French doors should have the following standard of lock and/or handles fitted:
The lock cylinder should be to approved TS007 3star standard. Door handles should be toapproved TS007 2star standard.
Patlock stops burglars opening your door. If you have French or patio doors you may want to consider adding a Patlock which ensures the door cannot be opened by holding the internal handles in place.
We recommend fitting the 2 star Lock Lock Door handle with the Ultion 3 star anti snap euro cyclinder lock
Sees who’s at your door before you open it with a digital door viewer.
The advantages of a digital door viewer and common features on most viewers are they are easy to fit and install in a new place or existing door and easy to remove if you move.
Ideal for apartments and flats where you can find out who’s at the front door and remotely allow them access.
Maybe of use to the elderly who can converse with visitors without having to leave the comfort of their living room for example.
Another way to check who is at your door before opening is by fitting a door chain. There are now door chains available for uPVC and composite doors which are very simple to fit and not expensive, they can prevent distraction burglaries.
We recommend making sure your door chain is “Police Approved” which means the chain is accredited by Secured By Design.
The cost of purchasing a Police Approved door chain is from £20 and you may want to consider getting it professionally fitted.
We can supply and fit approved door chains.
Adding a letterbox guard (letterplate) can help prevent letterbox fishing where criminals try to remove your house keys through your letterbox. Letterbox-Guard-prevents-Fishing A Letterbox guard can stop thieves ‘fishing’ for keys
Advantages
Prevents letterbox fishing & lock manipulation (opening door lock through the letterbox ) Letterbox guards can be fitted to uPVC, wooden and composite doors. We recommend that any letterbox guard is approved to TS008 standard.
Price – Letterbox guards that are accredited to TS008 can cost from around £30 to purchase, excluding fitting.
Side windows in a house can be smashed to reach keys and gain entry so consider adding reinforced glass or maybe even block up the window.
Security-Grilles-fitted-to-Home-Window. Security Grilles can be fitted to domestic Homes
Decorative grilles and bars can also vastly improve the security of a home without being detrimental to the aesthetics.
Types – There are various types of security grilles from fixed to collapsible. Difficulty to fit – We recommend get fitted by an expert
Benefits– ideal way to add extra security and stop people breaking a window and being able to gain entry through it.
A remote CCTV system is an effective way to keep a watchful eye on your property while you’re not there.
The only thing worth highlighting is that you shouldn’t confront any intruders you see via your remotely accessible security and should simply notify the police.
For guaranteed police response you will require a professionally installed and monitored alarm system.
Alarms can be very effective but you need to change the code regularly to gain maximum benefit from them.
Dusk to dawn or sensor lighting to the front and back door of your home will deter potential thieves and help you gain entry into your home in the dark
Solar PIR lights can be fitted with two screws and no mains wiring.
Benefits – helps keep areas light when motion is sensed. Burglars don’t like the light as they don’t want to be seen so fit them high enough so that they will not be damaged.
Consider installing a number of light timers around the house so it appears someone is home, as opportunist thieves can often approach houses that look like nobody is at home
Light Timers used in Home. Light Timers to deter burglars
Easy to fit – Light Timers are usually easy fit as they simply plug into power socket without any need for complications installations.
Benefits – can make it seem like the property is occupied
Home safes are becoming cheaper, so you may want to consider asking SheffLOCK locksmiths to specify and install a security safe.
Fireproof safes are available so you can store important documents such as a passport, drivers license and digital media.
Ensure you purchase the correct rating of safe and ensure it’s professionally fitted as this will dictate the amount of cash/jewellery covered by your insurance company.
Look for independent approval such as the AIS logo or Sold Secure approval when purchasing a safe, as this usually automatically means the safe is insurance approved.
While you are reviewing your security it is also worth considering when your keys were last replaced.
Do past owners or tenants may still have access to your home? and has anyone may had copies of your keys made without your knowledge.
a) One Key for all your door locks = Keying Alike. So you only have one key for your front and back door locks consider having your locks keyed alike, this means if you ever lose your keys you will only have to replace one key.
b) Keys Cannot be copied = Patented Keys. Prevent anyone from copying your keys by fitting a patented system, this means keys can only be copied with proof of ownership.
Make sure you source a good quality lock to protect your garden shed and its contents if you have one.
Use a Sold Secure approved padlock, that is independently tested against numerous criteria, to prevent break-ins.
A shed shackle can prevent items from being stolen during break-ins on wooden sheds. Chain the items you want to keep safe (e.g. power tools or bikes) to the shed shackle to keep them safe.
Review the exterior of your property to make sure there are no broken windows or access to your property through garages or conservatories.
Lock any tools and items such as ladders away.
Statistics show that thieves are increasingly breaking into homes to steal car keys so don’t make it easy for them by leaving keys in view
Car keys at home Don’t leave your car keys on view
If you have lost your car keys we recommend the cheapest and fastest way is to use the services of an auto locksmith.
Read our article on Keyless car theft here if you have a keyless entry car
Consider your own influence on the level of security for your home and make sure you don’t indulge bad habits such as leaving keys in locks or in view that you and your family may have.
Simple tips to remember;
Take a note of this number for SheffLOCK: Sheffield Locksmiths 0114 442 6200 and put the number in your contacts list on your mobile phone.
If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being locked out of the house someone will be able to help you get in out of the cold as soon as possible.
Using a SheffLOCK locksmith ensures that locks and security equipment are fitted correctly and safely in accordance with current standards and regulations.
A locksmith can help with apartment, flat and office lockouts. If you are locked out of your home, flat or office a SheffLOCK locksmith can pick the lock open securely without damaging the lock. Common lockout problems we can help with are:
A SheffLOCK locksmith will be able to unlock and gain entry to all types of door locks including the following:
As a 24-hour emergency locksmith we pleased to open your door.
If your door lock is broken or damaged, SheffLOCK locksmiths will be able to open the door and advise on replacing your broken lock, if necessary they can also help on upgrading your locks.
As door lock replacement is a specialist area, SheffLOCK can help with the following:
If you are moving home, SheffLOCK locksmiths can replace locks where you do not know who has a copy of the key:
UPVC doors change shape slightly in hot conditions and require adjustment. Try not to force it to lock and call us to re-aligned your upvc door
Do not keep forcing a uPVC handle up to lock it – you should be able to just lift it, if not adjustments are all that is needed usually!
After being locked out you may need to replace your keys, a SheffLOCK locksmith can replace any type of key even if the key is broken. Once the door is opened the SheffLOCK locksmith can cut a new key by hand to suit your lock.
