secondary lock on exterior door?

Ideally you shouldn't need to fit one as these locks usually have 4 or 5 locking points. If you have glass in the door you should change the cylinder (where you put the key in) to one with a key inside and out opposed to one with a turn on the inside. If you have glass in the door never leave the keys hanging in the lock as the glass can be broken and a hand just has to turn the key. Think about uprgrading the cylinder instead to a high security one (Multi Lock springs to mind) along with security escutcheons (the roses that go round the cylinder). This would stop a cheaper type cylinder being snapped. If you must have something get an alarm fitted. You can shop around and get one about £350 fitted. Sounds a lot but it's probably only half the price of your TV. You may get a discount on your home insurance too. If you fit a lock and a screw goes into the drive mechanism you'll need to replace everything.

rdpaterson@dundee.ac.uk
October 2008