One often chooses to install an internal knob on the entrance door so as to be able to also open and close the lock without having to use the key. In effect, the internal knob is convenient, but it also brings an important security issue which should not be underestimated. Continue reading
The quality of a lock is judged by how easy it is to prevent unwanted access. However, there are situations where the presence of a lock can represent a problem even for those who are authorised to gain access. This is especially the case where you need to quickly gain access to a house or a room to rescue a person closed inside who is unwell and unable to open the door. Indeed, with common double cylinder locks, if the key has been left inserted in the keyhole inside the house one is often unable to open the door from the outside, even having another correct key. To avoid this situation, which can result in the loss of valuable time in the event of an emergency, there are cylinders designed specifically to be opened (with the key!) from the outside even if a key has been left inside. Continue reading
The security escutcheon, or defender, is a powerful shield that protects European profile cylinders against the most common attacks. In order for it to be fitted the lock must normally have special 2 holes for inserting the fastening screws, but if these are not present (either because the lock is simply not provided with them or because it is a version for metal sections where there is not the actual space to make them) the cylinder can still be protected with a universal security escutcheon. Continue reading
A shutter of a shop or garage can be closed in several ways: with one or more locks per shutter, with one padlock per shutter or with a fastening unit.
The locks fitted originally on shutters, such as those for garages, are normally quite weak from the mechanical point of view and are therefore very vulnerable to attack. If valuable goods are kept inside, for example the goods for sale in a shop, they should be replaced with more resistant products.
What is the best solution?
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Is the equation “secure door = armoured door” always true? No! Because not all armoured doors are secure and because it may not be necessary to have an armoured door to obtain a secure door.
As we have already seen in a previous blog, armoured doors are not all made the same. Many cheap products are armoured in name only. Moreover, in many contexts, it is not only the main door which has to be defended, as there are many secondary accesses that can be attacked by thieves (such as patio doors leading to gardens and balconies, access doors to condominium garages and/or basements etc.) in which it may not be possible, or convenient, to install armoured doors.
Amongst the many advantages offered by European profile cylinders there is also that of being able to easily change the cylinder if you want to install a better one or if the existing one is causing problems. In fact, fitting and removing this type of cylinder is very easy; here is a step by step guide. Continue reading
According to figures regarding reports made to the police, 60% of thefts by housebreaking in Italy take place through the main door, a percentage that reaches 90% in urban areas, given that the top floors of apartment buildings and condominiums are more difficult for thieves to reach using other accesses. Locks with European profile cylinders have become increasingly widespread over recent years, often replacing other types of locks, even where maximum security is required, such as on the front door of homes. Why? Continue reading
“If you know your enemy, you know how to defend yourself”: this is what we learned from the previous blog. What we want to tell you in this blog is that being aware of the limitations of some old-fashioned locks can help us prevent unpleasant consequences in terms of unwanted access.
If we know what are the techniques used by thieves to enter our homeswe can take the necessary countermeasures. As also reconfirmed in 2017 (with data for the previous 2 years) from an official source such as ISTAT, the National Statistics Institute, which published a report on crimes and security, since 2008 the number of thefts in the apartment has definitely increased.
In 2010 (last year available for this analysis) ISTAT also published a chart with statistics of how thieves enter homes.
Which is the most commonly used technique? And what measures must be taken to defend your home?
If you were asked: “where do you think would be the safest place to park your car or motorbike?”, your instinct would probably be to say: “in the garage”. However, a garage whose door is not reinforced may be, paradoxically, less secure than leaving the car or motorbike parked on the roadside. In fact, a thief who manages to sneak in by forcing the garage door has all the time to act calmly without being seen, while in the street they must generally act quickly, out of fear of being noticed.
How can the garage be reinforced?