Here, Roland Etheridge, Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect looks at the additional measures that locksmiths can recommend to help customers improve the security of their property.
Ensuring homes and small business premises are properly protected from theft and break-ins is essential. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that there were 448,000 domestic burglaries in the year to June 2021. Also, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reports that robbery and burglary is the most common type of crime against businesses, making up 42% of all crimes reported by its members.
Therefore, helping customers improve the security of their property not only provides opportunities for locksmiths to expand their business but also allows them to offer a valuable service to those individuals and businesses.
Smart security technology
There is a substantial and growing range of smart and connected security products that can be used to enhance the security of homes and businesses. Interior and exterior smart security cameras can provide real-time monitoring from any connected device, as well as notifications of movement in the area. There are a variety of products on the market with specific features and benefits, for example, cameras from Ring that include built in spotlights for added security.
Similarly, smart alarms can provide additional benefits when compared with traditional systems, including instant alerts to alarm activations. In addition, door and window sensors that include motion and vibration detection, such as the ERA motion sensor provide alerts to any attempted break-in.
In addition, there are smart locks that not only offer greater security but also convenience for the user. For example, the Yale Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock offers the flexibility to operate the lock using a key fob, key card, phone tag or Bluetooth app depending on the customer preferences. The robust lock has passed the PAS 24 and TS007 3 star attack tests and carries the BSI Kitemark for TS621:2018 standard for smart lock security.
While many of these products can be used as standalone solutions to address specific issues, compatible devices can be combined into a single system to deliver a more comprehensive security solution. For example, movement detected by a CCTV camera can activate the alarm.
Door security
With regard to door security there are simple measures that can be suggested in addition to advice on selecting the door locks that meet the relevant standards. For customers that require a higher level of physical door security, it is worth recommending steel frame door reinforcement to prevent timber doors being forced open. Reinforcement bars, such as Kickstop’s Birmingham and London Bars are designed to strengthen the door and frame around the locks and hinges and are among the measures recommended by the Metropolitan Police for increased security. Manufactured from high quality solid rolled steel, these bars can be easily retrofitted to almost any timber door and provide constant and permanent additional security.
Window security
A simple solution to improving the security of windows is adding high quality restrictors. While often seen primarily as a safety measure to prevent falls from windows, products certified for security can help prevent forced entry. This type of window restrictor is easy to retrofit to most windows including uPVC, timber and aluminium frames. The product is fixed to both the frame and the horizontal or vertical edge of the window to prevent it being opened more than a set amount – usually around 100mm. This means that if the window is unintentionally left open it is much more difficult for opportunist thieves to gain access to the building.
For example, Titan by Jackloc is manufactured from steel, features a patented folding design and is tested to withstand a force of 4,800 newtons, approximately the weight of five adult males. This exceeds the standard requirements by nearly 10 times and is the first, and currently only, restrictor to be awarded Sold Secure status by the Master Locksmiths Association.
Beyond standard security measures there are a wide range of options that can be recommended to residential and business customers to help them enhance the safety and security of their property. At IronmongeryDirect our in-stock range of over 18,000 products includes a wide array of door and window locks, alarms, cameras and smart security devices.