Alarm systems A burglar alarm is not a substitute for good security locks on doors and windows, but it is excellent in conjunction with them — the exterior bell box acting as a visual deterrent and the alarm system itself detecting an intruder before he has time to steal property or create havoc inside the … Read more
The majority of break-ins, over 60% in fact, occur through windows, so you must take window security very seriously indeed. A wide variety of window locks have been produced to help you make your windows more secure. Most of these are effective and simple to fit. The type you choose depends on how your windows … Read more
Taking precautions ‘As safe as houses’ is a saying which no longer rings true and it is necessary to pay increasing attention to security — both the security of the home and our possessions, and personal security. A break-in is a traumatic experience, with loss of personal belongings, desecration of the home, which is always … Read more
If a thief is determined to get into your home, he probably will, if he is not disturbed and has ample time. Any precautions you take are directed at making his task difficult so that he does not persist. LOCKS A mortise lock is fitted into the thickness of the door and is difficult to … Read more
Your vehicle is probably your second most expensive possession; you may well regard it as indispensable, but it is rarely given proper protection from the thief. Probably no more than one car in 100 is fitted with an anti-theft device other than the standard steering locks fitted by the manufacturer. Police figures show vehicle theft … Read more
It goes without saying that house insurance is an essential security precaution; but many properties are underinsured. Make sure you choose just the right policy from the many available — and remember to keep updating your insurance cover at regular intervals to allow for rising values and new possessions. There is now a wide choice … Read more
A safe is the last line of defence against a determined intruder and can also offer protection against fire damage. Use a safe to house valuables, such as cash and jewellery, important documents, spare sets of household keys, personal mementoes and other items which, if lost, could cause distress or considerable inconvenience. Consider these aspects … Read more
The structure of flats, whether part of a converted house or purpose-built in blocks, can cause many security problems. Here we describe what you can do to achieve proper protection. The choice, cost and effectiveness of any device will depend to a great extent on the co-operation of your neighbours. If you are in any … Read more
In the past burglar alarm systems were usually fitted by professional alarm companies; however there are now burglar alarm kits and devices which are suitable for DIY installation. In most cases these are easy to install and offer a considerable saving in cost, especially since there is no need for the yearly maintenance contract normally … Read more
Very often for convenience hundreds of pounds worth of goods are stored outside the house iii either a garage or outbuilding. Because these items are more prone to theft, it is important you take steps to protect them. To deter intruders, it is advisable to fit outside lights to the drive, porch, garage and any … Read more
In recent years crime in Britain has increased at an alarming rate. The upward trend is continuing and the need to consider household security has never been more important. In this series we will discuss which security devices to use where and how to fit them; we also look at the different types of insurance. … Read more
As there are some 700 cases of breaking and entering every day your home could be next on the list. Yet it costs comparatively little to protect a house from burglars—if you make it difficult then hopefully they will try next door. An average six-roomed house can be made reasonably secure by means of standard … Read more
The conventional vacuum-operated time lag switch – used with stair and corridor lighting to save electricity – will operate for up to five minutes, but can be dangerous to stair users because it gives no warning before cutting out. The control, which can also be fitted in place of any square-plate switch, comes in a … Read more
If a lock jams with the bolt out so that you can’t open the door, it’s unlikely in many cases that you will be able to avoid doing at least some damage to the door or frame if you attempt to free it. So knowing how to deal with a jammed lock is a useful … Read more
LOCK AND LATCH REPAIRS Locks and latches are a vital part of your home’s security, so it’s important to keep them in good working order. But if they fail, don’t worry — it’s not difficult to make effective repairs. REPLACING DAMAGED LEVERS Although some patterns of mortise have a cylinder mechanism, most use a lever … Read more
One of the best things you can learn in DIY and home security is how to fit a burglar alarm. It is always a wise investment — not only to safeguard your valuables but also to give protection against vandals. There’s a range of DIY systems on the market all designed with ease of fitting … Read more
SECURING A LETTER BOX If you want to know how to make a letter box secure, here are ten tips to get the job done. It’s wise to fit a box on the inside of your front door. This will prevent wouldbe intruders from reaching through your letter box to open a night latch, as … Read more
SECURING WINDOWS Windows are the most vulnerable part of any home’s security and you should fit locks to each one to deter would-be burglars. Before doing so, check the condition of each frame. If wood is rotten or metal rusting then it’ll make the window frames a lot easier to force. Faulty frames should be … Read more
REINFORCING A WEAK DOOR No lock will be really efficient if there’s a weak frame around the door so check regularly that it is still fixed securely to the wall. 1.If the frame is not secure, drill through it and into the wall with a 6mm masonry bit. Countersink the screw holes on the frame. … Read more
SIMPLE SECURITY MEASURES Electronic alarms are not the only way of guarding against burglars. Many simple precautions can be taken which, for a relatively small outlay and little effort, will protect your home and give you peace of mind. FITTING HINGE BOLTS As discussed briefly before, hinge bolts will secure the hinge side of the … Read more
FITTING A MORTISE BOLT Two mortise bolts (in addition to a night latch) should be fitted to the back door. Ideally, position one bolt 100mm from the top of the door and the other 100mm from the bottom. Try to avoid the tenons which join the door stile to the top and bottom rail if … Read more
FITTING A REPLACEMENT LOCK Spare parts are available for many locks, so don’t rush into this job. Before learn how to fit a replacement lock, examine the existing lock. Make a note of the manufacturers name and the model number as well as the size of main components such as the cylinder barrel or lock … Read more
FITTING A MORTISE DEADLOCK Always position a mortise lock in the centre of the door edge where it will give the strongest fastening. On some doors there is a specially reinforced point for fixing it. This will be marked on the door edge. First wedge the door open so that is can be worked on … Read more
FITTING A NIGHTLATCH Night latches should always be positioned at shoulder height for easy access. Start by measuring the distance from the centre of the cylinder to the outside edge of the latch case. Mark this distance from the door edge at the height you want to position the lock. Open the door and push … Read more
Outside Doors The first step in how to make your home more secure is to deal with the outside doors. Many outside doors are fitted with inadequate locks. A large number have only one lock — usually a cylinder nightlatch operated by a lock from the inside or a key from the outside. This is … Read more