Home Security and Door Locks - CHOICE # 363

There is no question that doors should be locked securely when you leave home.

But over-reliance on one single door lock, no matter how good quality it claims, is not advisable.

For, sadly, it seems that the perfect lock simply does not exist.

This is the stark message contained in a Consumer Council report on home security and door locks, a timely alert on the approach of Chinese New Year when the incidence of burglaries is traditionally more prevalent.

The concern over door locks was triggered in a recent test report in the Netherlands that out of 60 locks with the Dutch Police Seal of Approval, 47 (about 78%) could be opened by lock experts within three minutes with a so-called bump key. Even a layman can open 22 of the 47 locks.

Though not the same models, some of the brands in the test are also marketed in Hong Kong; consumers should rightly be worried about the security of many door locks that can be opened fairly easily.

In the expert view of the Hong Kong Police Force, given enough training, tools and time, almost any lock can be manipulated. Fortunately, most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. And if it takes too long a time to manipulate the security devices, the lower the chance the risk of burglary.

So, in general, there is no cause for panic.

According to the Police, the number of reported burglaries since 2003 has actually been on a decline: from 9,076 cases (2003), 7,002 cases (2004), 5,492 cases (2005), to 4,453 cases (in the first 10 months of 2006).

In common amongst all these burglaries were signs of break-in damages on the locks of doors or windows in the majority (over 70%) of the cases.

The advice is not to rely on one single door lock alone. There should be installed at least a second or auxiliary lock that provides added security and secondary barrier to entry to a door, requiring additional keys or password to gain entry.

In the market are many lock products. Two main considerations for choosing the right door locks: security needs and existing door facilities.

If a new lock needs to be installed, pay heed to such restrictions of the door as the thickness, door handle direction and coverage of the spots from the previous lock.

Alternatively, replace only the cylinders of door locks, thus eliminating the use of old keys and keeping the existing locks installed.

In addition to locking devices, consumers are advised to install other security devices at home, such as mini burglar alarms and intruder alarm systems.

Other simple precautions for burglary:

• Doors: fit the door with at least one good quality lock; and fit a high quality door guard or door chain and a wide angle viewer.
• Windows: fit quality locks that are suitable for windows; and install window grilles which are securely fastened.
• Balconies: ensure that the balcony door cannot be opened from the outside.

On personal properties:

• Valuable items of property or large amounts of cash should not be kept at home. If there is a need, use a high quality safe (secured in place by internal bolts) to store these items.
• Consider marking the valuable property, record important details and keep original receipts if possible.
• Buy insurance for the valuable properties.
• Consider to put valuables in safe deposit box in banks.