NATIONAL HOME SECURITY MONTH
Lock it down: improvements
for better home security
» » WITH OCTOBER MARKING
National Home Security
Month, Jamie Johnson,
Senior Category Manager at
IronmongeryDirect, provides
guidance on some of the top
security products to keep
doors and windows secure…
Burglary continues to be a
serious problem in the UK,
with break-in rates spiking
in the autumn and winter
months as the days get shorter.
As a result, it is important
to be extra vigilant with
security measures to ensure
that customers, and their
properties, are safe.
In 2015 the Approved
Document Q regulation
came into force for new build
properties which sets high
standards to make sure that
easily accessible doors and
windows withstand physical
attacks from opportunistic
burglars. Bringing existing
dwellings up to the same
standards of security is
imperative to deter potential
burglars.
Knock knock
With 70% of burglars breaking
in through a door , it is essential
that main entry points to a
property are properly secured.
A simple way to add an
extra layer of security to any
property with a wooden or
glass panelled door is by
installing a night latch. A great
option is the BS3621:2007
rated ERA® Double Locking
Night Latch which features
an internal lockable handle,
offering added protection
against forced entry.
A security rated cylinder is
also highly recommended.
The BS3621:2007 rated ERA 1*
54
provide security against illegal
entry; they can also prevent
accidents such as small
children climbing or falling
out.
Layering protection
Kitemarked Cylinder suits all
Euro type mortice locks and
multi-point lock products and
is TS 007 accredited, meaning
it’s anti-drill, anti-pick and
anti-bump resistant. Look for
the Kitemark when choosing
door furniture to be assured of
rigorous testing and best in class
design.
A further way to step up door
security is to fit a good quality
sash lock such as the UNION®
2200S Strongbolt 5 Lever Sash
Lock. This lock has anti-pick,
anti-saw and anti-drill features
for resistance against attack
and is suitable for doors up to
54mm thick. It is also suitable
for use on 30 and 60-minute fire
doors (appropriate intumescent
lock protection should be
used to ensure adherence to
regulations).
When looking for a door lock
it is important to always check
it is compliant with British
Standard 3621 and is CE marked
to conform with health, safety,
and environmental protection
standards for products sold
within the European Economic
Area (EEA).
SEP/OCT 2019
locksmithjournal.co.uk
Issue Takeover
Window shopping
In a quarter of burglaries,
the method of entry is through
a window . Although this
risk is much lower than
doors, securing windows is
very simple and provides an
effective way of deterring
would-be thieves.
The easiest way to secure
any property is to have
visible window locks on all
downstairs or easy-to-reach
upstairs windows. Even
smaller windows such as
skylights can provide access
and need a lock.
For properties with
traditional wooden sash
windows, there are a number
of specialist products that can
be fitted to improve security.
For example, Rola Wooden
Sash Window Stop can be
fitted to stop the windows
opening past each other,
whilst allowing necessary
ventilation.
Another option is a Surface
Mounted Window Restrictor
which is designed to restrict
how far the window opens.
Both above products not only
A security product
worth considering for
interior doors to low traffic
offices and storerooms is
a conventional code lock.
The Arrone® Code Lock is
a top choice for this type
of application – providing
a convenient and cost
effective means of security
and access control. This lock
also includes a holdback
function which is ideal for
areas which require the door
to be left unlocked for set
periods of time as required.
It’s also important that any
gates surrounding homes
and offices are secured
against break-ins. Look for
a good heavy-duty option
for outdoor use such as the
Squire All Weather Padlock,
which fares well against the
elements. Strong padlocks
are also a good solution
for protecting belongings
in sheds, garages or
outbuildings.
IronmongeryDirect is
the UK’s largest specialist
ironmongery supplier, with
over 17,500 products in
stock. The customer service
team are available from
7am-8pm 7 days a week and
can help with any questions
or queries regarding home
security.
For more information, visit
IronmongeryDirect.com or
call their team of specialist
advisors on 0800 168 28 28.