Deadlock or chain?

[237SJ]

My Mum`s neighbour was burgled the other night. They hadn`t deadlocked their door (UPVC double glazed door type) and the person didn`t have too much trouble getting in. The husband said they don`t like to deadlock the door at night in case there is a fire and the emergency services can`t get in. My mother deadlocks her door at night so I suppose the same applies with her. I never do mine but maybe I`m a bit lax. I thought I`d put a chain on my Mum`s door for her to use at night instead of deadlocking as that would deter a thief but still be breakable in the event of an emergency. That would mean a thief with boltcutters could get in too though, wouldn`t it? What`s best to do - The Builder - or anybody?

[Mosaic]

I've come across a 'growling guard dog' alarm - maybe that would help as burglars like it quiet.
A chain sounds fine - or maybe a bolt.

[naomi24]

I have both, but a burglar took a complete window out of my house to get in - and replaced it on his way out. The Police said if they want to get in, they'll get in. I now have locks on all my internal doors so if anyone does the same again, they can only get into one room.

[chrissa1]

In the cul de sac where my parents lived every house was burgled except theirs. Why? They had two Springer Spanials who made a noise but would have licked any burglar to death. The burglars didn't know that though and as Mosaic said, burglars don't like noise.

[237SJ]

Thanks for your replies.
That`s interesting naomi. I know they can cut through glass as well. The only thing with my mother is that (at age 81) she could keel over or have a fall and I`m worried about too many locked doors. That`s why I thought a chain was a good happy medium. One thing`s for sure - when I go to work now, I`m deadlocking the door.

[237SJ]

Thanks chrissa. My friend was burgled and her dog didn`t make any difference! I think it`s because the dog was upstairs in the bedroom instead of sleeping in her bed downstairs. My sister offered to pay for a burglar alarm but Mum`s got a cat. I presume they work by movement and the cat would set it off.

[chrissa1]

I deadlock my door every night. Do you not think that a burglary is more likely than a fire? If it got to the state that the fire services had to break in then it would probably be too late anyway.

That sounds horrible but I don't mean it to be. I'd rather be safe from the burglars.

[237SJ]

Yes you`re right there. I know quite a lot of people who have been burgled, but nobody who has been in a fire. I was just thinking about my mum who is a bit older and could come some other type of cropper and people need to rescue her. It seems there is no perfect solution - just the lesser of all the evils.

[The Builder]

This is always a problem, 237. Logically, anything that keeps a burglar out will do the same for emergency services. Much better to err on the side of security. The emergency people will always get it if they have to. They're quite used to it. I can't imagine any Police Security advisor suggesting that a door should be left unlocked.
Simple PIR security lighting is very effective. It's a great deterrent. I honestly don't think a chain will stop them if they're determined.

[naomi24]

237SJ, they didn't cut the glass - they took the whole double glazed unit out and pushed it back into place when they left. I lock all the internal doors when I go out, and those to rooms we're not using when we go to bed. If burglars called again when I'm out, they'd find themselves in a locked room. :o)

[237SJ]

The Builder - we`re looking at the security light situation as well. She has a light outside at the back already so I`ll probably get that changed to a security one. She sleeps with her bedroom window open and often has the back bathroom window open too. Is it easy to retrofit window restrictors?

[The Builder]

Yes they are. They're often used to stop children falling out of upstairs windows. Most upvc windows do have a 2-stage latch......... either latch it fully closed, or just open enough for ventilation. It should still be lockable when on "part-open"

[Jonathan-Joe]

A chain on the front door, unlike a deadlock, is not intended to make break-ins more difficult. It is meant to be used when answering the door so that a caller cannot easily push in through the opened door.

[abstibus]

I have the U-shaped door restrictor that I first saw in hotels on my doors. The U part is screwed to the door jamb and the other bit to the door. When the two parts are in position, the door just will not open more than a couple of incher.
However, I do not know if they are suitable for UPVC, but I see no reason why not.
Here is a link:
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[abstibus]

'inches' !

[237SJ]

I`ve seen those annemollie. I hadn`t thought of that option. I was in a hotel room in Sao Paulo and the noise of the u shaped lock banging against itself woke me up. Then I realised it was me that was doing it - I was sleep-walking and trying to get out of the door! It saved me from wandering down the corridoor in my nightie.

[abstibus]

Yo, 237!

[bobbie22]

Sorry to sound so thick, but please can you tell me what you mean by deadlocking the door? On my front door (UPVC) there is a handle that you have to lift before you turn the key. Is that a deadlock?

[HowardKennitby]

I'm with Bobbie; most upvc doors I have seen are either locked or unlocked. I am unfamiliar with degrees of locking.

[dennisb66]

I'm also with Bobby,When lifting the handle up it throws the bolts and claws into place,then the key can be turned to lock the door. I have always assumed that these doors were burglar proof.With reference to complete window being removed from the outside,this cannot be done to modern UPVC windows where removal has to be started from the inside.

[dennisb66]

Any thoughts anyone?