Help & Advice

(including Securing Doors, Window and Outbuildings, plus advice on Moving Home)

SECURING DOORS

SECURING WINDOWS

SECURING THE OUTBUILDINGS

SECURING DOORS
Having our homes broken into is something that we all worry about. Figures from the Government’s British Crime Survey 2008/2009 highlight the likelihood that burglars will enter a property via a door. "Burglars are most likely to target doors (70%), usually by forcing a lock (28%). Breaking door panels is also a relatively common method of entry."*

It can take just a few seconds to force a front, back or patio door not equipped with the necessary security. The BBC’s recent Cracking Crime night highlighted this as a major concern with a staged break-in on the programme taking just 40 seconds, via the back door.

However, there is no need to live in a fortress. Era’s 'Help and Advice' section will tell you about many simple measures you can take to help you feel safe and sound without feeling like a prisoner in your own home.
* Source: Crime Reduction Toolkit: Point and Method of Entry

Door security· easy as one, two, three,

1. ‘Gimme a high five’
A 5 lever mortice lock is an absolute essential for front and back doors. The best way to secure a door, many insurance companies specify BS3621 five-lever mortice locks must be fitted as a condition of home insurance policies. Be sure to look out for the British Standard kitemark that assures the lock is proof against drilling, picking, cutting or forcing.

A 5 lever mortice lock has the classic keys and key hole and a sturdy bolt that engages in a slot recessed in the frame. This means it is strong and will resist a ‘kick-in’ attack.

Most mortice locks have a lever mechanism - the key operates a series of levers that open and close the bolt. Simple two-and three-lever locks are cheap but also easy to break into; for real security, a 5 lever lock should be regarded as the acceptable minimum.
A more recent development in for locking doors is Multi-point locking that features heavy duty hooks/bolts that clamp the door tight against the frame; and for PVCu doors additional roller cams ensure the door seals rigidly into the frame. The locking cylinders should be tested to BS EN 1303 Grade 3 or a Kitemark approved cylinder.

ERA’s new lock Vectis Plus combines the mortice lock with a modern multi-point lock. Utilising the trusted and respected technology from traditional 5 lever mortice locks, the Vectis Plus multi-point lock uses the traditional key or a criminal-defying locking system.

2. Stop burglars with ‘a bolt out of the blue’
For maximum security, doors should also be fitted at the top and bottom with bolts - the best type is the door security bolt, or rack bolt, which is recessed in the door and door frame and operated by a key.
Rack bolts are essential for French windows or doors where a burglar can gain access by removing exposed hinge pins. Hinge bolts or Dogbolts that engage automatically as the door closes to protect the hinge side of the door are also a good idea.
For French doors fitted with a Multi-Point Lock please ask that shootbolts are used on the doors for your home security.

3. Safe and sound at night
Nightlatches offer good basic door security. Opened from the outside with a key and from the inside with a handle, nightlatches are convenient as they lock automatically on closing and can be put ‘on the latch’ - locked open with a lever.
Nightlatches are best used as an additional method of security. As it is screwed to the door frame, it is still possible for burglars to kick the door in or trip the lock tongue with a thin piece of plastic - the credit card trick so beloved of Hollywood crime film makers!
A deadlocking facility adds extra security; giving the key an extra turn ‘deadlocks the night latch so it can be released with the key from the outside, but can’t be opened from the inside’ foiling the burglar who has smashed the glass to reach in.
For optimum security use with a British Standard approved mortice lock.

Top ten tips to tighten your door security
•   Never leave a spare key in a hiding place such as under a flower pot, door mat or even on a piece of string through the letter box (you’d be surprised how many people do this!) A thief will try all the usual hiding places.
•   Fitting a door viewer ensures that you don’t have to open the door to strangers.
•   The addition of a door chain means that you can speak to strangers without letting them in to your home.
•   When buying PVCu doors, make sure they are fitted with strong built-in locks and a fitted chain. Try and avoid PVCu doors that are only secured by roller cams. Multi-point locking is your best bet - offering a combination of rollers, mushrooms, hooks and bolts.
•   Ensure your front and back doors are secured with a 5 lever mortice deadlock. Even if a thief breaks door glass to try and open the door from the inside, he will be defeated as a deadlock only opens with a key.
•   Make sure that your door hinges are strong and are fitted with long screws. It is possible to fit hinge bolts, which will reinforce the hinge side of the door against attempted forced entry.
•   Fitting an anti-jemmy SecuStrip will stop thieves from crow-barring open your door.
•   Patio doors should have special locks such as push bolts fitted to them.
•   Fitting bolts to the top and bottom of outside doors, especially back doors, provides great added security.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP
•   Once you’ve increased your security measures, make sure you USE THEM

SECURING WINDOWS
Securing windows is a simple and effective way of deterring would-be-thieves and in this section, we will showcase three of the best window security devices, detailing when, where and why they should be installed.

According to recent figures released by the Government, in one in ten burglaries, entry is gained via a window. Astonishingly, in just under a third (30%) of burglaries with entry, access is gained through an unlocked door or open window.

Burglars want to avoid the noise of breaking a window to gain entry into properties. Window locks which can be easily seen may put some thieves off, because a window lock forces the thief to break glass and risk attracting attention.

In the recent 'Crime in England and Wales 2001/2002 supplementary volume' 30% of respondents to the government survey said they had made improvements to their home security either because their own home had been burgled or because there had been an increase in burglaries in the local area. To this end, the need for sufficient window security is ever present among UK homes.

Three of the best – windows
There are many devices that can be added to or replace existing window furniture, to provide security peace of mind. Below are three popular methods of increasing your existing security. Each requires simple DIY knowledge and all are priced to offer great value for money.
For full details of ERA's range of security products, click on the ‘our products’ section.

Get a handle on security
A Locking Handle offers 'good looking' window security. It is self-locking and only needs a cut key to unlock it. The ERA range of locking handles enables homeowners to lock the window closed or partially open when at home - for additional ventilation. Locking Handles are available in a number of colours and finishes to suit the style of traditional or modern homes.

Always remember to remove keys from locked windows. Keep the keys out of sight and in a safe place.

Stay Safe
When looking for security products most people want maximum security effect with little impact on look and functionality.

A Staylock provides all these benefits. The threaded peg of an Era Lockable Stay fits onto the stay without spoiling the aesthetics of the window. To allow for window ventilation the Staylock can be secured in an open or closed position - a great safety benefit if you have small children.

If child safety is a particular concern a Window Restrictor (Securistay) is a must. Allowing ventilation with security, an Era Window Restrictor restricts opening to 75mm (3"). A key has to be used to unlock it and the lock can only be disconnected when the window is closed.

With or without children, a Window Restrictor is a suggested safety measure for windows in high rise buildings.

Avoid the thieving game with SNAPlock
If it's simple yet effective window security you're looking for then a Snap Lock is one of your best bets. Looking to take the next step in security measures without spending much time or money? The easy-fitting Era Snap Lock will provide the answer.

Suitable for most types of windows, once fitted, the Snaplock will lock automatically, as the window is closed. A key is only then required to unlock it.

On a concealed window thieves may have time to break glass and try and unscrew locking devices from the inside. Cunning plugs conceal and protect the fixing screws of a Snap Lock, foiling the would-be-burglar.

Top ten tips to keep the burglars out – windows
•   Window locks with keys should be fitted to all downstairs windows
•   Don't forget locks on easy-to-reach upstairs windows. Burglars will use drainpipes or flat roofs to break in via a window
•   Any gap that is larger than a human head will provide access for a thief. Even small windows such as skylights or bathroom fanlights need locks
•   Remember to remove keys from locked windows and keep them out of sight, in a safe place
•   If you are replacing windows, you may want to consider using laminated glass
•   Louver windows are particularly at risk from being used to enter properties as thieves can easily remove slats from the frame. If replacing them with fixed glass is not an option, glue the slats into place or fit a special louver lock
•   Before you think of fitting additional locks to PVCu windows, talk to the window installer to make sure new locks won't affect your warranty
•   As a strong security measure, consider fitting security grilles to vulnerable downstairs windows. There are lots of different decorative wrought-iron grilles available from UK DIY shops
•   Don't leave windows open - even upstairs windows - when you go out

MOST IMPORTANT TIP
•   Don't let yours be a window of opportunity for a burglar - lock him out

SECURING THE OUTBUILDINGS
Top Tips to secure your shed, garden and outbuildings
Securing the Garage
•   If you are having a garage built or have ordered a sectional one, ask yourself, do I really need a window?
•   When washing the car keep your garage door closed, don't advertise your goods to passers by. Out of sight, out of mind!
•   Use permanent marking to postcode your valuables, you can engrave items or use one of the commercially available property marking kits.
•   Prickly bushes such as pyracanthus, roses, berberis or hawthorn can be an effective and environmentally friendly deterrent if under a window or around your perimeter.
•   Good lighting, low energy dusk to dawn lighting if you are overlooked and operated by a movement detector if you are not.
•   Join or start a Neighbourhood Watch, and encourage your community to look out for each other. Use an additional good quality garage door lock.
•   Fasten your valuable items together and secure to the fabric of the building or into the floor. Consider buying a stand alone shed or garage alarm.
•   You can use a battery operated personal alarm as a shed alarm. Fit the main body of the alarm to the frame and fasten the pull cord to the door. When the door opens the cord is removed from the alarm.
Securing the Garden
•   Secure the entry to the garden - use a gate and lock it
•   Put a light trellis on the top of walls and fences to discourage climbing over put a strong padlock on the shed or garage
•   Use plant anchors on valuable plants
•   Use vibration sensors on statues or furniture, which can set off alarms or lights or phone the police.
•   Install outside lights controlled by movement detectors, timers or electric cells
•   Lock up ladders in the shed to prevent their use by burglars
•   Maintain fences in good order and lock the gate to your back garden
•   Keep your front garden shrubbery low to help neighbours keep an eye on your home

Get Sheducated.
•   Check the latching device on your shed. Most sheds have ½" screws holding the latching device onto the shed frame. These ½" screws should be replaced with longer approx. 1" screws or bolts. Latches secured with ½" screws are easily broken off enabling burglars to defeat any type lock.
•   Always lock the shed with a heavy-duty lock
•   Run a heavy-duty chain through items in the shed, especially bikes, lawn equipment and other large tools. This allows you to lock the items together making it tougher for burglars to quickly remove items.
•   Engrave all valuable property that is stored in your shed with your driver's license number.
•   Record all model and serial numbers of property stored in the shed. This allows the property to be entered into the National Crime Information Centre Computer, in case of theft, allowing the property to be easily identified as stolen.
•   Install a motion detector flood light on your house or shed that would illuminate any intruders.
•   Help protect your neighbours by reporting suspicious persons or vehicles in or around your neighbourhood. Remember most shed burglaries and break-ins occur during daylight hours when most people are at work.

Moving Home?
One of most important things to do as you move into a new home is secure it firstly it’s recommend you change the locks this can generally be done very easily.
With PVCU doors the locks can be changed by just replacing the Euro Cylinder – please see ‘How to replace a Euro Cylinder’
If your door has a more traditional mortice lock and Nightlatch these can be also be easily changed – please see ‘How to replace a Mortice Lock’ and ‘How to replace a Nightlatch Cylinder’
Most insurance companies require a mortice lock of BS3621:2004 standard or higher or equivalent Multi-point lock. Where the door is not thick enough to take a mortice lock insurers require a high security Nightlatch such as ERA’s BS Nightlatch.

No matter how good the locks on your door are it always good to take extra security measures ERA offer a number of options, door security bolts applied top and bottom can help dissipate any direct force applied to the door, also many thieves attack a door not on the lock side but on the hinge side here hinge bolts again fitted at the top and the bottom make removing the door from the hinge side much more difficult.

ERA has a range to suit any window. If you do not have adequate window locks your insurance company may not pay out, Cilla Black is one high profile name who found this to be the case do not get caught out.
These simple measures can make a significant difference in your chances of being burgled or someone even attempting to burgle your home .The results of British Crime Survey from 22 July show that households where there were no security measures were far more likely to have been the victims of burglary, or attempted burglary, than those where there were simple security measures in place such as deadlocks on doors and window locks.

The level of home security was the most important predictor of whether a household experienced burglary or not; 62% of homes that had been burgled didn't have window locks and 59% of burgled homes did not have a deadlock.
Dave Hill, ERA's Director, comments "It is very encouraging that the figures demonstrate that easy to install high quality door and window locks can act as a real deterrent to burglars; people don't have to turn their homes into a fortress. In the light of these findings we believe that even more people will realise that effective home security can be achieved without great expense, and will be motivated to ensure that they are adequately protected."

"At ERA we remain committed to supplying a range of high quality, value for money security products that will allow householders to enjoy real peace of mind."

If you need any further advice on fitting or application or ERA locks please contact us using the ask the expert feature of the website.