Need To Do Something. But what?

PZH

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I thought that this was better, especially after hearing about a recent fire in Coventry in which 2 people were killed because they couldn't find the front door key to get out.

Slightly off topic - but whenever I lock my door, I always leave the key in the lock (Slightly turned so that it cannot be pushed out from the other side) for this very reason.

pinkteapot

phoodless wrote: »

Slightly off topic - but whenever I lock my door, I always leave the key in the lock (Slightly turned so that it cannot be pushed out from the other side) for this very reason.

We don't do this because it would be possible for someone to put their hand through the letterbox and reach the key, due to the positioning of the letterbox.

We have a hook for the key next to the front door where we leave it when we're locked in. The fire thing did cross my mind before though so I'll look at the thumb gizmo above.

We bought the house last August and thought the door was a bit odd - we'd had the PVC ones before with the lift-and-key locking but not one where it could be opened from the outside! Quite like it now - saves getting up for visitors. :rotfl:

shaun_from_Africa

Still off topic, but what the hell.

When the key is in the door, can you still get another key in the lock from the outside?
The old door I had was the same type (key inside ), and when this was in, it was impossible to unlock the door from outside.

shaun_from_Africa

We don't do this because it would be possible for someone to put their hand through the letterbox and reach the key, due to the positioning of the letterbox.

There is a device that you can get to prevent this from happening.


http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSML1bAk9eavoP_ESPOaqecA57BMlxf60gK1gt-mqI8ou8LSAk

fluffnutter

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

There is a device that you can get to prevent this from happening.


http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSML1bAk9eavoP_ESPOaqecA57BMlxf60gK1gt-mqI8ou8LSAk

Good call. My SIL posted something once and got bitten by a dog who "had a thing about the letterbox". She died.

Steer73

I know its a new door, but have you simply tried squirting the lock parts with WD40 to see if it makes locking it easier? It's worth a try just in case it works, to save all the effort of getting your uninterested council to pull their finger out.

pulliptears

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Still off topic, but what the hell.

When the key is in the door, can you still get another key in the lock from the outside?
The old door I had was the same type (key inside ), and when this was in, it was impossible to unlock the door from outside.

Now this is the more dangerous aspect to these type of doors, especially for the elderly. Mum copes fine with the lift and lock system, but is very guilty of leaving the key in which does indeed mean that it cannot be unlocked from outside.

She's 75, I have a key and she has a keysafe outside for emergency services too, but actually getting her to physically remove the key from the inside is nigh on impossible. If anyone needs to gain access in an emergency we will struggle.

lindos90

Out of curiousity I emailed an online upvc door handle supplier to see if they had come across the problem before and if they had special handles, they got back to me with this, means nothing to me, but maybe a starting point if you can have any details about the door or can discuss it with the guys who fitted/housing officer to identify what the current mechanism is. This option means she can go out without even usung her key by the sounds of it, so an increased risk of locking herself out, but could be worth it.

hi there


the option you could take is by making the mechanism a split spindle or lever pad, this means that when they closed the door it would automatically lock from the outside but it would still be unlocked from the inside.


We would need to know what mechanism is in there at the moment to make sure it can be switched over to that operation.

our number is 01924 360444 if you need to contact us

Many thanks
Best regards,

shaun_from_Africa

pulliptears,

That's also the reason I went for the thumblock option. My mother stays with me occasionally, and she also had a habit of leaving the key in the inside lock.

You can buy replacement eurocylinder locks with the thumblock option, and they are very easy to fit (a couple of minutes work).
The real cheapies are best avoided as there is generally quite a bit of slack in the mechanism and they feel as if they won't last long.

If you do decide to change it, this site will tell you all you need to know.
http://www.practicaldiy.com/carpentry/euro-lock-cylinder-replacement/euro-lock-cylinder-replacement.php

pulliptears

May be worth looking into, Ill have a word! Thanks Shaun