How Homeowners Can Enhance the Security of their Entranceways

Security should be a top priority for all homeowners. In 2019, it was reported that 67% of burglars break in via a door, yet recent research conducted by bifold door manufacturers Vufold shockingly discovered that 34% of the UK public don’t do anything to make their doors more secure.

There’s a range of ways to enhance the security of your home’s entryways:

Ensure locks meet British standards

The survey discovered that over a quarter of the public ensure their door locks meet British standards (BS3621).

Doors in the home may already conform to BS3621 as standard. If you’re unsure whether your doors meet British standards, it’s easy to find out, simply look for the British Standard Kitemark (BSI) on the faceplate of the lock which can be seen when the door is opened.

Fit additional locks

Adding additional locks to your doors is a simple way to ensure extra safety.

Rick Collins, director at Vufold, said: 

“Most bifold doors can be fitted with a multi-point locking system which can provide at least three times the level of security given by a single deadbolt or mortice lock.”

Only 15.3% of people take the time to fit additional locks, despite a wide range being available. 

Installing door alarms

Almost one in ten respondents fitted door alarms to prevent break-ins. Alarm systems must be kept up-to-date, otherwise burglars may assume it doesn’t work or isn’t used.

Katherine McEntire, safety expert at SafeWise, said: 

“Most security mistakes boil down to simple negligence such as, owning an alarm system but never arming it, leaving access codes in sight or not keeping them secret and not using strong passwords or changing them frequently, especially if you have smart devices (e.g. cameras) in your home.”

Fixing a security light above the door

A further 8% of survey respondents fitted a security light above their door, which can alert you to suspicious activity and scare off intruders. However, it isn’t enough to stop somebody from entering the property.

Findings revealed that 58% of burglars break-in when somebody’s at home, so stringent security measures must be taken to stop burglaries.

Using laminated glass

Many homeowners choose to install large glass doors, such as bifolds, as an entryway to their back garden.

“Laminated glass involves bonding two panes of glass together with plastic interlayers,” Rick explained. “This makes it difficult to shatter and even if a breakage occurred it would stay in place.”

Surprisingly, less than 5% of survey respondents ensure their doors have laminated glass.

Katherine added: 

“Most criminals do not want to make sound or cause a scene, so they will not try breaking the glass first.”

To prevent intruders removing the door from its frame to gain access, install doors with high-security hinges, a roller system and tracks.

Ensuring your home has stringent safety features allows dwellers to feel safe at all times and gives peace of mind whenever they leave the house, whether it’s for an hour or a week.

www.vufold.co.uk

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