Of course, thieves do not always wait until you are out to gain access to your home, some pose as bogus officials and some are high pressure salespeople or rogue traders. For advice on how to deal with this type of caller go to our personal safety pages. For hints and tips on door security here are a few handy tips:
- Front doors should have a viewer and door chain.
- Letter boxes should be positioned so that people cannot reach through and release the lock. A restrictor on the inside may be useful.
- Back doors should ideally be fitted with a five lever mortise deadlock and a sashlock (latch), one a third from the top, one a third from the bottom.
- When fitting security products always remember to use strong bolts and long screws.
- Make sure all exterior doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Timber doors should have a solid core, be at least 44mm thick and comply with BS 8220.
- Doors made of other materials must have passed the British Board of Agreement (BBA) security test for doors.
- Laminated glass should be used in all glazed areas. Wooden beading should be glued and fixed with security screws.
- Doors used as the final point of exit should be fitted with a lock which conforms to BS 3621 or the new BS EN 12209 security standards.
- Make sure you have an escape route in case of fire or other emergency.