Retrofitting window locks

Forwandert

I managed to break the lock on one of these recently, couldn't move the handle.

Quick Google search and it highlighted how pointless most of the window locks are as I had the handle open and replaced in 5 mins. Bypassing the lock was a 30 second job. 

Bodkin64

casper_gutman said:

Whenever I've seen anything on an insurance policy requiring locks to a particular standard, i.e. "British Standard locks" it's been in reference to door locks. I bet the customer service rep was talking at cross purposes and didn't understand you meant window locks.

I've seen similar requirements for "key operated window locks" myself and wondered what exactly they meant. The window locks we have are operated by a small square "key" which isn't really secure in any way. It's more of a tool than a key. I wouldn't bet on anyone in a customer-facing role at the insurer in question being able to tell me whether this meets their requirements!

I don’t know TBH, even the clause about door locks doesn’t mention specific standards so no idea what he was talking about. Our existing window locks are the same, the “key” fits all of them and I imagine they are not that secure in isolation. I’m hoping that the other measures we’ve put in place in the past couple of years since we were burgled (alarm system, side gate, security cameras) will be enough deterrent from a repetition.

Ectophile

The keys are never high security. The idea of a lock is to stop someone with a bent bit of wire from pushing the handles open, and opening the window from the outside.  Even locks where all the keys are the same will stop that.