We all know to make sure that our main entranceways are as secure as they can possibly be, and many of us even take extra measures to make our windows safe, but we often overlook our patio doors.
The frightening reality is that many burglars and intruders gain illegal access to people’s homes through points of entry other than the front door, and patio doors are exceptionally vulnerable.
Many patio doors use a latch system, not a lock
Latches are far easier for burglars to override or break than high security locks, and if your patio doors operate on a latch system, you should consider asking whether your local licensed locksmith can install locks on them.
They operate on tracks, not hinges
Another element of patio doors that makes them vulnerable is the fact that they run on tracks instead of hinges, and with a little criminal know how, the doors can be slid off of the track without the need for touching the latch at all.
Criminals target secluded areas of homes
Often in an area of the home that’s more secluded, patio doors are often targeted by criminals for that very fact, and as such, you should consider improving the security of your patio doors if you suspect they may not be as secure as they could be. Creeping around a corner and being able to tamper with your patio doors under the cover of darkness, and with little to no chance of being spotted until they’re in (and by then, it’s too late), burglars and intruders will always search for the weakest points of security in any home, to make their ‘job’ easier and the risk of them getting caught, far slimmer.
Patio doors are often flimsier and less well-secured than main entrances
While patio doors are often used frequently, because they generally don’t open out onto the front of a property, and instead lead out into a secluded yard, garden or decking, many homeowners tend not to be quite so concerned about investing in high security locks, or taking any additional precautions with these doors, such as installing a motion sensor light above them, or cameras and an alarm.
It’s important to remember that your local licensed locksmith can also give you the most up-to-date and well-informed advice about any aspect of home security, and if requested, will attend your home and carry out a security assessment before installing any additional measures as necessary.
So, when it comes to the question of whether your patio doors should be as secure as your front door, the answer is a resounding, yes! To make your patio doors secure and your home less vulnerable to any kind of forced entry from criminals, make time to talk to a local, licensed locksmith at the earliest opportunity, and have them set you up with a more secure locking system.
