Security fittings for more safety

A security fitting is mounted on the front door and protects the profile cylinder and mortise lock from mechanical impact. This means that the lock cannot be broken open without considerable force - which deters burglars because it costs them time. The goal: to protect your house or flat from unwanted intruders.

Statistically, burglars tend to be young, between 20 and 30 years old, and male. There is also something to be said about nationality: according to the 2016 report of the German Insurance Association, over half of the suspects are of German origin, so typical clichés are not fulfilled. Anyone who expects black clothing that is ready for film is also wrong. Criminals try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Light, colourful clothing with conspicuous features is avoided and dark clothing gives more camouflage at night, but typical clothing cannot be described per se. The more normal the criminal appears, the more successful he can be in carrying out his plan. Large pockets are also not an indication: a screwdriver is simply hidden, and jewellery, credit cards and money fit into a jacket pocket. More meaningful is the behaviour and to what extent the presence of a person deviates from the usual and cannot be explained. Also interesting: According to the above report, surprisingly more than 40% of the burglars come from the direct environment of the victims.

A protection class always refers to the resistance of the material to an attempted burglary. For private dwellings with normal to increased risk, the protection provided by doors and windows of classes RC 1 - 3 is considered sufficient. RC 3 essentially corresponds to resistance class 3. From the higher classes onwards, even experienced offenders can be fended off who use heavy tools such as a percussion axe or a drill to attack the windows or doors. However, occasional offenders tend to use simple tools that can be hidden inconspicuously, such as screwdrivers, pliers or wedges.

Anyone who wants to protect themselves and their belongings from burglars is faced with a difficult choice: Which measures are sensible and how much security precaution must be taken? One thing first: Basically, when it comes to burglary protection, it is always about so-called burglary-resistant measures. They serve to extend the resistance time, i.e. the time that the material withstands until the burglar has made it into the room. This significantly increases the risk of detection and effectively deters criminals. Since thieves usually enter the living space through poorly secured windows and doors, it makes sense to equip them with protective fittings in such a way that entry is made decisively more difficult. An all-round concept from front door fittings to window protection makes sense, because every weak point is an invitation that can be used by the burglar.

Old windows and doors are an invitation for every burglar. Outdated doors must either be replaced as a whole assembly, i.e. including the frames, or retrofitted as best as possible. The easiest way is to at least change the front door fitting. Doors can then still be opened by force, for example by massive entry, but this causes noise and the destroyed door is clearly visible. Thieves prefer more inconspicuous methods. What applies to doors must also be observed for windows. If it is not possible to replace windows, at least burglar-resistant fittings should be chosen. Window grilles also do a good job. They must be installed professionally and are always advisable, especially for cellar windows that are difficult to see. Those who close roller shutters are also better protected. Entrances can also be illuminated or equipped with electronic security measures, for example cameras, motion detectors or alarm systems.

Of course, the location of the flat and also the environment around windows and doors plays a role. All areas around the house that provide coverage are particularly sensitive. These include the backs of gardens, cellar exits (!), side doors at garages or entrances with adjacent dense vegetation, which allows thieves to retreat quickly. The more cover there is, the more undisturbed offenders can proceed. So the rule is: the more endangered the location, the more should be secured. In addition, burglars want an undisturbed escape route. Less used paths along the back of the garden are ideal from the point of view of criminals. They can already be used for spying on suitable objects. So avoid dense embankments, provide good lighting and install motion detectors where necessary. One more tip: a study has actually shown that dog warning signs deter thieves. It is less a question of fear of the bite than of the noise that the four-legged friend might make.

Cash is always sought and stolen, of course. Jewellery and watches, however, are number 1 on the hit list of the most popular stolen goods. In addition, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and cameras are also taken. A widescreen TV is tempting, but harder to transport, so it may be spared.