A burglary in your own home can be a disturbing experience that can affect you and your family for a long time after the mess is cleared up and the insurance paperwork is completed.

Thwart a potential burglar by taking simple crime prevention measures

Don’t let a burglar in

This autumn, Cusworth Master Locksmiths are reminding Wilmslow residents to protect themselves from becoming a victim of burglary:

The majority thefts and burglaries are lazy and opportunistic; they will look an easy target.

Easy access to rear of property- Keep gates locked and secure from wandering visitors

High value goods on view – Laptops, Cameras, iPads and car keys on view from windows

Signs that the house is unoccupied – Newspapers and milk bottles on doorstep curtains and lights not changing – ask a neighbour to watch over whilst you’re away

Light it:

• Install external security lighting that stays on throughout the night using dusk ’till dawn sensors.
• Make sure your house looks occupied even when it isn’t. Use an time switch to turn interior lights on and off. Leave a radio on.

Lock it:

• Keep your front and back doors shut and locked – even when you are at home.
• Fit window locks and ensure French windows and patio doors are secure.
• Never leave door keys, car keys or other valuables in view and reach of a letterbox or window.
• Secure your garage and shed too – equipment kept in a garage or shed can be just as tempting for a burglar (your own tools and ladders can be very useful to a burglar!)
• If you can, install a NARCOS approved burglar alarm and set it every time you leave your home.

List it:

• Register your property on the Immobilise website (opens new window) – it’s free of charge and can increase your chances of being reunited with your property.
• Install an app on your phone/tablet so that it can be traced.

Unsure about security? Contact us or call 01625 250 275 for security advice in Wilmslow

Which? Trusted trader

Wilmslow’s Cusworth Master Locksmiths Ltd has achieved Which? Trusted Trader accreditation.

What is a Which? Trusted Trader?

Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme which recognises reputable traders who successfully pass our rigorous assessment process.

• A credit check
• Check of customer references
• A visit from a Which? Trusted Traders Assessor
• Examine business procedures
• The tradesperson must sign up to the Which? Trusted Traders Code of Conduct and our Terms and Conditions

Cylinder Security
The security sector is constantly faced with new challenges. Creativity is required for developing products able to continue towithstand new burglary methods. At its own research department, EVVA continuously develops new solutions for the market in order to meet constantly evolving security requirements. EVVA invents protection mechanisms to resist these and other opening techniques:

• Detectable opening techniques (the cylinder remains fully-functional, traces are visible): Opening using vibrating tools.

• “Intelligent¨ opening techniques: Opening with lock tools (e.g. a skeleton key or picking), opening with the bump-key method etc.

• Destructive opening techniques (the cylinder is destroyed): Snapping or ripping off the cylinder; drilling into the cylinder or drilling it out; sawing open the cylinder;pulling the cylinder plug out.

The EPS system offers you a variety of technical features making it particularly difficult to break open the lock. Protection against Picking and Scanning The mechanism protecting against picking prevents the locking positions in the cylinder from being aligned properly so as to allow the door to be opened. Protection against picking and scanning is designed compactly in EPS cylinders, using specially formed tumbler pins. With the modular design option, scanning protection is achieved using locking pins which have hidden positions.

Protection against Drilling and Plug-Pulling For the EPS system, hardened steel elements are standard for protecting against drilling into or drilling open locks. On request, cylinders with enhanced protection against drilling, i.e. using carbide elements, may also be supplied. The small carbide plates withstand even special pulling tools.

Have you ever wondered how your Yale lock works?

What actually happens inside a lock when you put the key in?

Do you know what locks are fitted to your home?

How do you know they are adequate for your insurer?

By upgrading your door locks, you could save hundreds of pounds on your Buildings and contents insurance!

Insurers, in many cases, ask what type of lock you have  fitted, so you risk invalidating any insurance claim if you wrongly specify your locks fitted to your home.

The descriptions and illustrations below should help you tell which locks are fitted to your home.

Wooden Doors

Rim Nightlatch

This is a typical “Yale” cylinder rim nightlatch. It has a single sprung bevelled bolt which locks automatically when the door is closed.

This is a BS3621 automatic deadlocking nightlatch. It is much more secure to the traditional nightlatch for the following reasons:

The lock has a 2nd bolt, which triggers the mechanism – deadlocking the bolt

The bolt is much stronger

The strike plate is larger and can handle higher forces

The cylinder is higher quality, and is protected by a drill resistant shroud

The internal handle can be locked, to prevent  unauthorised opening

Mortice locks

Deadlocks

A Mortice deadlock normally has a single rectangular deadbolt. Deadlocks come in a variety of qualities, from 2 or three lever, to 5 lever BS3621 kite-marked locks. There should be clear markings on the fore end showing makers name, and what quality the lock is – 2, 3, 5, lever or BS 3621: 1980 to BS3621: 2007 combined the the kietmark logo.

a 3 Lever Deadlock and strike plate

A 5 lever deadlock generally has a stronger deadbolt and strike plate than a 2 or 3 lever lock

A  B.S. 3621:2007 deadlock showing anti drill plate ans strong deadbolt with at least 20mm  throw and matching boxed strike plate

Sashlocks

Sash locks come in the same varieties, with the addition of a latch bolt and lever handles

Five-lever mortice deadlock conforming to (British Standard) BS 3621. This is the highest level of locks  recommended by   the police and insurance companies often specify on your policy. So if you’re thinking of changing your locks, this is the one to go for. The British Standard kitemark must be stamped on the fore end of the lock

Key-operated multi-point locking system. A multi-point locking system has a minimum of three locking points that all lock simultaneously by lifting the door handle and locked by a turn of a key. Multi-point locks are most common on uPVC doors, laminate or patio doors.

Not listed?

If you don’t recognise your locks, then you probably need to have your home security review by a Master Locksmiths Association Company.

To cut costs and improve security, Master Locksmiths recommend you consider getting one of the recognised locks above (unless you’ve got a defined specialist lock, in which case you might need a specialist insurer).or if you feel confident, download the MLA Guide for domestic locking and security

Which lock is best?

If you have either multipoint locks, or BS3621 lock, you should have decent security and lower premiums.

the following is from the money saving expert website:

Can changing your locks cut costs?

The better your lock, the more secure your home is, and the less you pay for your insurance.

We ran some quotes on a price comparison website and the difference in premium between having a five-lever mortice deadlock (preferred by insurers) and a rim automatic deadlatch with key-locking handle with the same insurer, was £48 for the year.

With a five-lever mortice deadlock coming in at about £30 to buy, it’s a no brainer that it’s cheaper to change the locks and get a lower premium with the added comfort of extra security for your home for years to come.

Insurers recommend that the lock is professionally fitted, the cost of which may be similar or higher that the lock itself. But don’t let that put you off, as even if it means the lock doesn’t pay for itself in year one, it’s an investment so it will do in the future.

You can’t just say you have the lock though to get a cheaper premium. If you say you have certain types of locks and you’re burgled, and it turns out these locks don’t work, your insurer may not pay out.