Home security is always important, says Claire Blakemore, Managing Director Mul-T-Lock UK. But at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, while market conditions remain tough, fabricators and installers need to offer extra precautionary measures to ensure homeowners are safe and secure.
There’s no getting away from the news reporting on the current cost of living crisis and just how much prices are rising in the UK. The impact of higher food and energy costs is hitting everyone and it’s a very unsettling time for many families, couples, and individuals across the country.
It’s also a very worrying time for business owners, who not only need to factor in the cost of living and potential wage increases for their trusted employees but also the now increased risk of crime to their business that the current economic climate could influence.
Setting the Scene
In the current environment, even the new chief of Britain’s national police watchdog and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary says: “I think whenever you see an increase in the cost of living or whenever you see more people dropping into poverty, you’ll invariably see a rise in crime.”
For fabricators and installers, this is an opportunity to urge householders to take extra safety measures to secure their home. And proactively, sooner rather than later should be the core message.
Statistics show that in the last year alone, more than 267,000 burglaries were reported, and in 64% of cases, someone is on their property. Further 2021 data reveals there was a burglary once every 106 seconds, 47% committed on the spur of the moment and 38% of which took place in the daytime. Alarmingly, 43% of burglaries were acquainted with the people they target.
Back to Basics with Security
Offering simple advice can make the difference between a home being secure or an easy focus.
A home is only as secure as its weakest point of entry, so it’s the old adage of thinking like a burglar for the best protection; for example, it’s important that door security is up to standard, because if front and back doors are not secure, then neither is a home.
Fabricators and installers should also highlight the importance of securing entrance points to garages, sheds, and outbuildings. Garages in particular are typically where ladders and other tools are stored, which can help an opportunist gain access to a house.
All these security measures may appear common sense and somewhat ‘back to basics’ to which, fabricators and installers will no doubt have ‘tried and tested’ choices to help protect homeowners and their property.
But in the current market, this could lead to lost opportunities to create genuine extra value and build on a company’s reputation to offer complete peace of mind.
Anti-Snap Cylinders
Simply upgrading the locking cylinders installed can make a huge difference both to security levels and to homeowner reassurance.
For example, where there are concerns about “bumping” or snapping the lock, Mul-T-Lock’s MTL300 Break Secure 3XP, which is based upon the popular Break Secure XP technology, was the first to be accredited on a cylinder only basis to the coveted BSi Kitemark TS007 3* standards.
MTL300 Break Secure 3XP was specially developed by Mul-T-Lock’s product development team to resist such manipulation attacks.
Whereas many ordinary cylinders tend to break in the centre when attacked MTL300 Break Secure 3XP as its name implies, is purpose designed so that the front of the cylinder deliberately snaps under attack at a particular breaking point, leaving the main portion of the cylinder intact, secure, and fully functional.
MTL300 Break Secure 3XP is also supplied with Mul-T-Lock’s special double-sided key, which by nature of its design, can be operated either way to open the lock.
This is particularly useful if locks are positioned at the top or bottom of the door or if the door is in a dimly lit area. Plus, there are benefits for elderly or visually impaired users, as they don’t have to locate the sharp edge of a conventional key to position it correctly in the lock.
At the same time, a fabricator or installer would be able to offer homeowners the added security benefits of a one key house.
One Key House Solution
In a one key house, just one key can be created to operate front and back doors, the conservatory, padlocks to sheds and even access garages and gates.
Understandably, some fabricators and installers may not wish to go to the lengths and expense of having a dedicated key duplicating machine, with all the required staff training, on their own premises. Yet there is an opportunity to forge alliances with a local professional locksmith who can provide the correct level of advice and will have this technology to hand.
Together, a powerful security proposition for the homeowner can be created to offer the ultimate protection against opportunist attack.
In summary, Mul-T-Lock offers a complete security solution for fabricators and installers to offer homeowners the highest level of protection in toughest times, this Autumn / Winter and ultimately minimise the risk of becoming a statistic in the difficult economic environment.
Here, Mul-T-Lock UK has worked hard in a demanding market to make sure it Is consistently able to offer fabricators and installers a high-quality security solution that offers peace of mind to the end user when they most need it, to lead the way against cylinder manipulation and opportunist attack.
www.mul-t-lock.com/uk/en/products/key-platforms/mtl300