Locking front door (with letterbox) at night

Swasterix

ic said:

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.

I have 2 avocet thumb turns for the back doors in my house, they don’t need pushing in to turn. I personally wouldn’t have them on a front door with a letter box. Too easy for a burglar. 

Emmia

Wanderingpomm said:

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.

I'd have thought (depending on the positioning) this could make it easier to break in via a letterbox.

Swasterix

Emmia said:

Wanderingpomm said:

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.

I'd have thought (depending on the positioning) this could make it easier to break in via a letterbox.

Agreed. Might as well leave the key in the door

cymruchris

Put a hook in a specific place on the escape route with a key permanently stationed there, nobody should use that key except in an emergency. The everyday key with car key on it - remove it every night and take it with you to bed, or put it in a bowl in the kitchen or something. 

Emmia

Swasterix said:

Emmia said:

Wanderingpomm said:

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.

I'd have thought (depending on the positioning) this could make it easier to break in via a letterbox.

Agreed. Might as well leave the key in the door

The key in the door is in many ways just like the thumb lock - you just turn it to open. 

If you go down this route, I'd install a basket too - perhaps with something that makes the side solid to thwart /make it more difficult for anyone still trying their luck.

What I wouldn't do is have the car key on the same key ring - especially (as is likely) the key's unlocking signal can be cloned and the car stolen without the key (those devices work from about 15m away) - I'd be putting the car keys in a metal tin or faraday bag/box to block the signal and/or not storing them anywhere near the front door.

Swasterix

Emmia said:

Swasterix said:

Emmia said:

Wanderingpomm said:

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.

I'd have thought (depending on the positioning) this could make it easier to break in via a letterbox.

Agreed. Might as well leave the key in the door

The key in the door is in many ways just like the thumb lock - you just turn it to open.  

Well yes, it’s exactly the same. I keep mine in a drawer in the hallway, a few metres away from the front door. Close enough to reach in an emergency, far enough to be almost impossible to get through the letter box. 

If you go down this route, I'd install a basket too - perhaps with something that makes the side solid to thwart /make it more difficult for anyone still trying their luck.

What I wouldn't do is have the car key on the same key ring - especially (as is likely) the key's unlocking signal can be cloned and the car stolen without the key (those devices work from about 15m away) - I'd be putting the car keys in a metal tin or faraday bag/box to block the signal and/or not storing them anywhere near the front door.

Agree with this too, although those devices only work if your car has keyless entry and start. If not, they’d actually have to pinch the key/break in to the car. 

As above. Don’t leave your key in the door. Put it somewhere near out of view from the door/window/letter box

ic

Swasterix said:

ic said:

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.

I have 2 avocet thumb turns for the back doors in my house, they don’t need pushing in to turn. I personally wouldn’t have them on a front door with a letter box. Too easy for a burglar. 

Just a quick search reveals this: https://store.northwesthardware.co.uk/avocet-abs-dimple-thumbturn-cylinder.html
"To operate - push to engage the thumbturn, and  turn 360 degrees. The thumbturn must pop back out to the "Click Secure" position before closing the door."
I guess there must be a few models around.

grumbler

Emmia said:

Swasterix said:

Emmia said:

Wanderingpomm said:

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.

I'd have thought (depending on the positioning) this could make it easier to break in via a letterbox.

Agreed. Might as well leave the key in the door

the key's unlocking signal can be cloned and the car stolen without the key (those devices work from about 15m away) - I'd be putting the car keys in a metal tin or faraday bag/box to block the signal and/or not storing them anywhere near the front door.

Only if it's "keyless entry" it makes sense to store the key in RF protected place. Traditional remote keys are dead until you push the button on the key.

pollypenny

We have a single key on a hook well away from the letter box and out of sight.  We used to just keep it in the drawer, with a muddle of other keys and rings, but Mr Health &Safety, our son, went mad with us. 

Rodders53

It's not Avocet but UAP/Kinetica with the child-safe push in thumb turn lock. https://uapcorporate.com/product/kinetica-child-safe-thumb-turn-3-star-kitemarked-euro-cylinder/ 

Also check if the door is set to auto-latch and need a key to re-enter the house... that's a costly mistake to make if you forget a key and shut the door behind you.!

These Euro cylinder locks are simple enough to d-i-y change for most people;  no need to pay locksmiths!