Home Security Survey Results - Door chains and viewers – this is what you said

Almost 72% of the first 300 people who completed the Home Security Survey on this website don’t have a door chain or other door limiter device.  Bearing in mind that many of the people completing the survey will have been Neighbourhood Watch members and are therefore security aware, this finding was a little surprising, since the police have been advising us to fit them for many years.  That said, there are currently mixed feelings within the police service about the effectiveness of door chains and limiters, because some will argue that a door is most secure when it’s closed and locked and therefore why open it onto what is sometimes a rather flimsy chain. Well, I think they have a point, but I also see some benefits and to understand more about the issue you can visit Door chains and limiters on this site.

Another interesting finding suggests that just over 40% of us don’t have a door viewer or clear glass in the main entrance door.  Is this because there is a window right next to the door, so there’s no need for the viewer?  Maybe, but I don’t think that’s true for the majority.  I think it’s vital for us to be able to see who’s calling at the door before we open it, because we can make an assessment of the caller and perhaps their business and be better prepared for the conversation that follows. I know that lots of people haven’t bothered with a door viewer because they say they’re too difficult to use or they don’t give a good enough view, but these days there’s a large range of different types to suit everyone’s needs, even including special replacement glazed panels for the door.  So do take a look at Door viewers and Secure vision panels to see what you can do.