Securing Your Property Guide

Can you afford to become a victim of crime?

With UK burglary statistics falling, it’s easy to become complacent about the security of your home and business. But with most burglaries occurring opportunistically, can you guarantee that your property is sufficiently secure to deter potential thieves? There are a wide range of measures available to match the level of perceived risk, for both residential and commercial properties. This article aims to guide you towards selecting the most viable security options for your property.

 

Front Doors

As front doors are the primary route of entry for occupants and burglars alike, it’s imperative to make sure they are properly secured. The first thing to do is select an appropriate material for your door; whilst wood has traditionally been the material of choice, steel and fibreglass alternatives are cost effective, energy efficient, and secure alternatives. Consider front doors which swing outward rather than inward, as this helps to absorb any type of forced entry.

Main Lock

All exterior doors should have a deadbolt lock in addition to the lock built into the doorknob (with the exception of sliding doors). This should be high quality (Grade 1 or 2, solid metal with no exposed screws on the exterior), with a throw bolt (the bolt that comes out of the door) at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.

Additional Locks

Adding an additional lock will provide extra security when you are home. The deadlock is a deadbolt that is not activated by an external key. They are mostly visible from the exterior but the lock cannot be broken into without destroying the door, frame, or lock itself. While this security won’t help directly when you aren’t home, its visibility may discourage an intruder from trying the door.

Cylinder Guards

Installing a cylinder guard will prevent burglars from removing or damaging the cylinders by hammering, wrenching, or prying. Protect these with metal guard plates or protective rings on both sides of the door.

Strike Plates

This is the metal plate that surrounds the aperture in the frame where the lock bolt enters. All exterior doors should have heavy-duty metal security strike plates secured by four 3-inch screws.

Hinges 

Hinges are the weakest area of the door and should be fitted on the inside; if yours are not, rehang the door or secure the exposed hinges with non-removable pins. For extra reinforcing around this area, Bradbury’s M2M⁺ doors have additional solid steel dog bolts which sit flush in the frame to prevent any attempt at forced entry.

Frame

Even if all of the above measures are in place, a burglar still may gain entry by prying or breaking the door frame, as most frames are tacked to the wall and easily separated by a crowbar. When replacing your entrance door, ensure that your purchase is primed for installation directly into the substrate surrounding the frame. If this is not a viable option, existing doors can be secured by installing 3-inch screws along the frame and doorstop.

Spy Viewer

Spy viewers allow you to see who is on the other side of the door. Install wide-angle viewers at eye level on all exterior doors to prevent giving burglars the opportunity to force the door whilst it’s being opened.

Security Rating

If you would like the assurance that your door has been externally tested and certified to a recognised insurance standard, Bradbury’s range of high security doors have undergone rigorous testing schemes by the LPCB to achieve LPS 1175 SR1, 2, 3 & 4. These doors are better suited to high risk establishments, and have proven popular with clients such as Telefonica, McDonalds and Portakabin. To find out more about the LPCB’s testing methodology, please visit www.bregroup.com.

The image above shows what is involved in the tests done to LPCB certify a door to Security Rating 1, 2 or 3.