Locks

Good quality locks are a fundamental requirement of any secure property and alarms or any other measure should be regarded as secondary to the correct physical security measures.

Your insurer may or may not impose minimum security requirements, and although these may vary slightly from insurer to insurer, we have listed below some general measures often requested and approved by insurers. Installing these will go a long way towards ensuring that your home reaches a minimum acceptable level of security.

All external doors should be protected by any of the following:

• A deadlock conforming to BS3621. Look for the Kite mark on the plate
• A security deadlock of at least 5 levers. Look for the words '5 Lever' stamped on the plate.
• A multi-point locking system operated by a cylinder or deadlock capable of being secured by key from both sides of the door

Windows can be secured as follows:

• Ground floor and basement opening windows should  be fitted with key operated window locks.
• Upper floor opening windows and skylights should also be fitted with key operated security locks if they are accessible from adjoining roofs, porches, walls, balconies,  external stairs or downpipes.