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Keep a check on your front door security

When it comes to home security, the front door continues to be a leading target for potential break-ins. With statistics from ONS revealing 76% of household burglaries in England and Wales occurred when the culprit accessed the home through a door1, maintaining a high level of front door security is fundamental.

And as we head into the lead up to the festive season, many of us will start to receive more deliveries each day as we prepare for Christmas. This increase of visitors over the festive season, this can often lead to the front door being left open throughout the day and into the evening, making the property an easy target for opportunistic thieves.

As a first step to providing the best level of protection for the home, it’s important to remember to lock your front door when it’s not in use throughout the day and night, keeping your home as secure possible.

Opportunistic thieves have been continuing to use different tactics to break into homes, which include lock snapping as well as using different tools to gain access. And so, having a front door lock which meets specific standards set by professional institutions will enable to secure your home and help prevent against break-ins.

So, what lock do you require for your door? If you have a wooden door, the lock should meet the requirements for the standard BS3621, the type of lock can be a night latch, also known as a Yale Lock.

If you own a composite door, make sure it’s been tested to PAS 24 and carries a Secure by Design certificate. This way you can be sure the lock has been tested against a very high level of attack.

For a UPVC door or multipoint lock, a euro cylinder is the most common lock type, they’re prone to lock snapping, so for this a TS007 3-star lock is required. When looking for a lock for a UPVC door it’s important to look for the stars. Cylinders have a star rating of either 1-star, 2-stars, or 3-stars, with 3-stars providing the highest level of protection.

There are a variety of euro cylinders currently available on the market, many of which offer only a standard level of security for homes. Whether it’s a thumbturn cylinder, 6 pin single, euro turn or double turn cylinder, they all provide an average level of protection against general forms of attack and lock tampering.

 

Go for the stars

The British Standards Institute (BSI) introduced a rating system for cylinders used in the UK, which helps to give homeowners and trade professionals the reassurance that the security locking system in place meets the required standards and specifications.

The most secure cylinders available for UK locks are 3-star rated and Kitemarked, making them easily recognisable.

3-star cylinders offer trusted protection against Anti-Snap, Anti-Pick, Anti-Bump, Anti-Screw, Anti-Pull and Anti-Drill, providing multiple lines of defence for the front door.

The Yale 3-star Cylinder is approved to TS007 and endorsed by the Police Secured by Design Scheme - it’s Yale’s most secure lock yet. And to give you complete peace of mind, Yale offers a £1,000 guarantee in the unlikely event your Platinum 3-star cylinder snaps under an attack due to a forced break-in, providing £1,000 compensation.

If you’re put off by the idea of changing your lock, there’s no need to worry as it’s quick and easy to do.

Upgrading a Euro Profile cylinder can be completed by a capable DIYer or if you’d rather leave it to a professional, you can recruit a professional installer. It’s a simple upgrade which can make a significant difference to your home security.

Multiple lines of defence

As we head into the season of dark nights, always remember to lock your door, even if you’re at home, during the day and night. Check your lock or get a professional locksmith in to check the durability and security of your lock, and if required look to get an upgrade before the nights get darker.

If you are planning an upgrade, it’s also worth considering a smart look door. With added convenience and high level of security, smart door locks are fast becoming a popular choice for securing your front door. All controlled via your smartphone, you can track who has opened the door, provide temporary or permanent digital keys to friends, family, and work professionals, allowing you to be in control of who enters your home.

To add another level of security to your front door, additional security is a must. From simple yet effective door chains to smart security cameras, there’s a varied range of products which can help to protect your front door and your home.

Smart security cameras can sit neatly next to your front door, or in a position where they can overlook the entrance to your home. Controlled via your smartphone you can see who has visited your home, if the delivery has been or if there’s any suspicious activity while you’re not at home. When choosing the perfect smart security camera for you, pick one which provides you with all the functionalities you need such as a siren, light, night vision and two-way talk.

To find out more about front door security or for more information on the National Home Security Month campaign please visit the website or follow #NHSM21 on social media.