Industry News
The unexpected crime stoppers
How secure windows
and doors can
reduce burglaries
» BURGLARS ARE MODERNISING
their tactics. From using conventional
lock picking tools, some are now using
industrial strength equipment, such as
blowtorches, to gain access to homes.
However, 74 per cent of burglars
actually enter a property through the
front door. Regardless of how imposters
gain access, it’s vital not only for
homeowners to evaluate the security
of their house, but for locksmiths to
understand the points of entry and
how to secure them, starting with the
windows and doors. Here, Nick Cowley,
managing director at windows and
doors manufacturer Euramax, explains
more.
According to a poll by Thomas
Sanderson, it is reported that 40 per
cent of British homeowners have some
form of security camera installed on
their property. Although 91 per cent
of participants stated that their reason
for installing a camera is “to deter
criminals”, surprisingly a third of UK
homeowners still don’t double lock
their back doors. With this in mind,
it’s important for locksmiths to remind
homeowners of the ways their homes
can be targeted.
Door material
While there are many different
forms of security available to help
deter criminals, these actions become
irrelevant if a property’s windows and
doors are made from a weak material.
Although PVCu has been a popular
fenestration material for many years,
composite windows and doors are
increasing in demand. In addition to
the aesthetic potential that composite
windows and doors offer, the material
boasts a higher strength than PVCu due
to an internal composite core, which is
difficult to break – making composite
doors stronger and more durable in
the event that a burglar tries to gain
access.
16
Open windows
If the burglar isn’t entering a property
through the front door, then open
windows are often the next target.
Throughout the summer, homeowners
often open windows to let cooler air in,
but this provides a simple is an easy route
for burglars to gain entry.
To reduce the likelihood of your home
being burgled, it’s important to remember
that burglars often monitor homeowner’s
routines and take note if there is a specific
time of the day that the windows are left
open. Security grilles should be specified
to surround windows and doors to restrict
entry from outside, while still letting air
and light in. On the other hand, SMART
sensors are highly recommended as the
sensors are programmed to send alerts to
your phone if a window is left open and
you leave the property.
Lock snapping
Despite the fact that locks are the one
element of our windows and doors that
provide the security we need to feel safe
in our homes, they are usually the first
target for a burglar. Old, worn or poorly
fitted locks can be a huge vulnerability on
a home as they are easier to break.
To prevent locks from being damaged,
snapped or removed, it’s advised to ensure
that when buying or replacing a new lock,
it meets British Standards requirements.
In particular, being TS007 (three stars)
and SS312 Star Diamond Sold Secure
rated means that a lock can be classed as
an ‘anti-snapping’ lock. This may be ‘old
news’ to locksmiths, but to homeowners
who have possibly never purchased a
lock before, it is important for installers
to understand how to explain this to
them without taking for granted that they
already know about standards and their
requirements.
Although anti-snapping locks are most
commonly attached to PVCu doors, they
can also be fitted to wooden, aluminium
and composite doors to meet customer
preferences, so will represent a high
volume of sales to your customers.
It’s critical that homeowners evaluate
the security of their windows and doors
to prevent and deter criminal behaviour.
By considering security features and
selecting locks that meet British Standards
requirements, homeowners could
significantly help to increase the security
of their home and decrease the percentage
of criminals literally walking in through
the front door. Therefore, it’s vital to take
the time to explain to your customers the
importance of secure windows and doors.
Not only could this add extra value to your
service and more profit to your job, but
help to keep your customers safe too.
www.euramaxuk.com
MAR/APR 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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