Locking front door (with letterbox) at night

jen_79

Hello all,
I'm a first time home owner so I'm sorry for what will probably be a stupid question, I'm approaching my 40's and have no grownups to ask!

My front door, just a normal uPVC door with glass top and bottom and a letterbox in the middle, has a handle beside the letterbox with key slots on both sides.
When I go to bed I lock the door from the inside with the key. I don't want to leave the key in the door because a) you could perhaps stick your hand in or fish through the letterbox and remove them and b) it has my car key on it which you could also remove. I can't put my hand through a letterbox and I'm a small woman but burglars are ingenious so I don't want to risk it.
If I take the key out however, I'm worried that in an emergency, I won't be able to find the key. I put them in the same place every night but if I have my sister over, will she know where to look to escape?

Am I being stupid and missing something really obvious? Is there a handle I could buy that I could lock internally without a key but can't be unlocked by someone with really small hands through the letterbox?!

TELLIT01

You are right not to leave keys in the lock overnight.  All you need to do is put them somewhere easily accessible, but away from line of sight should anybody try looking through the letterbox.  As you put them in the same place every time all you need to do is make sure any overnight visitor knows where you put them.

You are not being stupid but are over thinking the problem a bit.

grumbler

If the door opens inside, just fix a small hook for the keys to the door - as far away from the letterbox as possible.

jen_79

TELLIT01 said:

You are not being stupid but are over thinking the problem a bit.

I am prone to overthinking! Thanks!

jen_79

grumbler said:

If the door opens inside, just fix a small hook for the keys to the door - as far away from the letterbox as possible.

Thanks, I think what concerns me is, a long time ago my parents were burgled. The burglar somehow opened a locking bolt thing that was at the very top of the door all the way from the letterbox at the very bottom of the door (in addition to another locking bolt at the bottom and the locking thumb turn handle in the middle).

I've never been able to figure out how they achieved it, the Police didn't have any ideas either.

Mojisola

jen_79 said:

When I go to bed I lock the door from the inside with the key. I don't want to leave the key in the door because a) you could perhaps stick your hand in or fish through the letterbox and remove them and b) it has my car key on it which you could also remove.

We have had another key cut so that it's the only one on the door keyring.  Also useful for when you have visitors who stay over.

ic

First off check your lock passes https://www.securedbydesign.com/.  If not, you should consider upgrading.

What you can get is a thumb-turn lock on the inside, ie where there is no key hole on the inside.  Such a feature is standard in flats because of the fire-safety element of getting out easily.  I believe the thumb turn by https://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk/product/abs-ultimate-series-euro-cylinder-lock-thumbturn-quantum ABS needs to be pushed before turning, so making it very difficult to work with by somebody who might have managed to reach in through a letter box - lots of locksmiths sell this brand.

Secondly you could always get one of those cages to the rear of your letter box, to prevent somebody reaching in if it concerns you.  Normally they're fitted to prevent dogs nipping the posties fingers or eating the post.

penny_less

We also had a key cut that was left near the door but was invisible from the door.  No other keys were put on it and I always insisted it was left in place so in an emergency it could be found for escape.

AskAsk

you could have a key box or key ring holder next to the door but out of sight of the letter box opening view.

grumbler

AskAsk said:

 next to the door but out of sight of the letter box opening view.

Nowadays they use inspection cameras or similar

Wanderingpomm

Just have a thumb lock put on the inside.
then you can lock on the inshde without the key. Most locksmiths will be able to do it for you. Cost me £100. Well worth it.