It seems there is a new spate of attacks in the UK where the burglars use a blow torch on plastic (upvc) double glazed doors. Because they are using fire, this makes a major mess of the door and frame. You are not just looking at replacement locks, but a whole replacement door. If you have the anti-snap cylinders available in DIY stores, then you are still going to be a victim with this sort of attack. If you have an inner anti-snap protector, as used on many new build properties, the burglar will still have a go before he sees the protector. You might not be burgled, but your door is ruined.

To be properly protected, you need the advice of a good local locksmith who has access to the very best locks and equipment. They will provide you with the locks that show the burglar they are wasting their time attacking your property. The potential intruder needs to see from a distance that easier pickings are to be had elsewhere.

Thinking anyone can get in if they really want to is unfortunately usually correct, but burglars want to get in as quickly and quietly as possible. The other worry with this blow torch method is heat transference; the intruder can see the damage they are doing to the outside, but they cannot see if they are causing flames inside. It is a very dangerous form of attack especially as nearly half of all burglaries occur when someone is home.
Moving on from that last point, recent reports show that adults and children suffer long term effects of insecurity following burglaries.
Finally, while I was halfway through writing this piece about blow torch attacks, I had a recall from a customer whose lock had failed. Once I got the lock open, I discovered the door was sticking a lot at the bottom. Where the door was not closing properly, the latch was being placed under long term pressure, which led to the lock breaking internally. Doors warp, drop, swell and buckle. Kids will try and slam them with the bolt extended and all sorts of other damage can occur. As a general rule of thumb, if the door is even marginally difficult to lock/unlock, then something, somewhere, is going to be out of alignment. If your door needs a boot at the bottom to get it closed, do something about it before the cost becomes prohibitive. If the door is ok, but the lock is still difficult, a good locksmith will lock at the problem without charge. It’s then up to you whether or not you enter into a situation where the locksmith corrects the problem for a fee. If your lock is stiff and you don’t sort out the problem now, chances are it will fail when you get home from the school run with three screaming kids and their buddies on a sleepover and all of them will be wanting the toilet. On top of that, all the local locksmiths will be busy for the next seven hours or not even picking up the phone, meaning you have to call a national, who will charge you double, and you will wish you had gotten around to dealing with the problem when time was on your side. This same advice applies to locks where you need a special knack to unlock it. That knack might have been good for five years, or five minutes, but sooner or later, a lock that does not function normally, will fail and it will be at an inopportune moment.
Thanks for reading.
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