Most burglars try to force doors or windows, so it makes good sense to fit quality deadlocks on your doors and, importantly, use them. Make sure you lock your doors and windows every time you leave your home, even if it is only for a few minutes. All too frequently burglars enter homes through unlocked or open doors and windows.

Automatic Deadlock

An easy and convenient lock to operate, this lock has a knob which, when keyed, automatically deadlocks the door when it is closed.

Check your door locks are correctly fitted and working properly. Check door frames are secure and sound. The recess for the deadbolt must be deep enough to accommodate the full extension otherwise the lock may not be deadlocked and may easily be opened.

Deadlocks

The most effective locks are double cylinder deadlocks. An important feature of this type of lock is that it can be operated from both inside and outside the door. When locked from the inside, it will prevent a burglar who may have managed to break into your home from leaving through these doors without a key. In this way it helps to minimise the amount of possessions a burglar can remove from your home.

Be careful when you use deadlocks. They should not be key-locked from the inside while you are in the house as this may prevent you from getting out of the house in case of an emergency - particularly fire.

You should also check with your local council or fire authority before fitting deadlocks to fire doors or fireproof doors as doing so may infringe fire regulations. High-rise residential buildings are not permitted to have double cylinder deadlocks on the main door, to allow emergency exit from the residence without the use of keys.

Key-operated Window Locks

Key-operated window locks are designed to restrict movement of your windows by pinning two frames or the frame and sill together. When correctly fitted and locked they will prevent a burglar entering your home simply by breaking the window glass and opening the window.

Check your window locks are correctly fitted and working properly. Check window frames are secure and sound. When locked in an open position, don't have your windows open too wide - 100 mm maximum. This prevents burglars passing your valuables through.

For convenience, have your window locks keyed alike so you only need one key to open or lock all your windows. It also makes it easier to lock up, every time, before leaving your home.

Security Doors and Grilles

Where practical you should reinforce your door frames because they are generally the weakest part of a door assembly Solid core doors offer more resistance to burglars than hollow core doors. So if you are building or renovating a home, ensure that all external entry doors are of solid construction.

Window grilles come in a variety of types including fixed grilles, hinged grilles, key-locked removable bars and grilles with built-in escape hatches. Preferably, window grilles should be fitted inside the house as they are less vulnerable to tampering than grilles fitted on the outside. If you install security grilles on all windows remember to install smoke detectors at the same time. Unfortunately, if a fire occurs, security grilles can trap occupants inside a home.

If considering a security screen door, only purchase one which is manufactured and installed to the Australian Standard. This will ensure maximum security and protection against intrusion. Many security doors claim to be designed to the Australian Standard but do not completely satisfy critical components and therefore may not offer the security and protection wanted. For maximum effect, these doors need to be tailor made for every application and therefore may cost a little more but for peace of mind its worth it.

Shatter- Resistant Security Film

In conjunction with window locks, security film can prevent burglars gaining entry to your home through windows. To be effective, the film must be installed properly. Ideally the entire window pane should be covered, right to the edges, and the pane firmly fixed inside the window frame, otherwise it could be knocked out.

Safes

A safe offers a high level of security especially for items such as cash, jewellery and important documents. There are many different grades of safes available and your choice will be determined by the degree of resistance to attack that you require. For maximum security, wall and floor safes should be installed by a professional.