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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

front door has to be locked with a key

134 replies

NoahVale · 13/12/2015 08:50

we had a new lock fitted, since the spring was broken and it had broken in the past.
they didnt have correct fitting but did use the one they had, it is obviously not intended for a front door, it is white for a start

but mainly you need to lock it with a key. DD noticed, luckily. Otherwise we were unaware. You can let yourself in from the outside.
We dont like this.
Obviously it means to go out you have to physically lock the door, not a bad idea since it ensures you never go out without a key. but we arent used to this and when we are home in the day/evening we would also have to physically lock, from the inside.
I complained that it wasnt safe as i think in a fire/emergency you would have to find your key to get out of the house.
AIBU

OP posts:
littledrummergirl · 13/12/2015 11:24

If your worried about dc being able to get in, lock the door and pull the key 3/4 of the way out. A key on the outside will then work.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes · 13/12/2015 11:28

You can get self locking types that are not just Yales, that's what we have. When we're in it is just in the single latch so no key needed to get out, you couldn't do it with a credit card as there is a derp overlap of frame round door. We alway deadlock it when we are out, which means bolts all the way round the rim. It's a good compromise.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2015 11:31

"I didnt know there were locks without keys. Surely everyone locks their door when coming through it."

My front door locks just by my closing it when I leave. I could lock it as well, but it's not necessary as it locks itself. That's how people can get locked out.
I agree that OP could leave the key in the inside lock all the time. The only issue with that is that you have to be careful not to go to sleep with the key in the door and someone else needing to come in as they won't be able to come in.

Oakmaiden · 13/12/2015 11:35

My insurance company insisted on this sort of lock - it is much more secure than a Yale.

SwedishEdith · 13/12/2015 11:37

We've got one of these and I hate it.

My MIL lets herself in if we've not locked it during the day.
The local Lib Dem leaflet man opens the front door to throw the leaflets into the hall rather than using the letterbox. Shock
I can't be bothered locking my front door every time I come in.
If you have teenagers who come home after you've gone to bed, you can't leave the key in the door (which I do as am obsessed about because of the fire risk) as they then can't open the door.

We'll be getting a new front door soon and I'm going to make sure it's a Yale lock with a dead lock.

Smurfingreat · 13/12/2015 11:46

As others have said, these locks are pretty common these days. If it is as it sounds like a euro cylinder, you can easily change the barrel for one that has a thumb turn on the inside. These are often specified for shared accommodation, purely so anybody can get out without needing a key.

BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 13/12/2015 11:50

If you have late night revellers returning, lock the door from the inside but just put the tip of the key in the inside lock (like littledrummergirl said).

Key is in lock in case of fire, just needs pushed in further, and the lock should still be open-able from outside.

BlueJug · 13/12/2015 11:59

We changed to this type so that we couldn't lock ourselves out, so that kids could go in and out during the day if I was in. Safer as you know it is locked securely.

We keep a key on a hook flush against the back of the door for "escape" purposes.

KitKat1985 · 13/12/2015 12:01

Our front door is like this. I always thought it was pretty normal? You just need to get used to it I think.

Bunbaker · 13/12/2015 13:48

"If you have teenagers who come home after you've gone to bed, you can't leave the key in the door"

You can get doors that you can leave keys in. MIL has alzheimers and has a door that she keeps the key in, but her carer can let herself in. MIL's door was put in by Everest.

MrsJayy · 13/12/2015 13:53

Our new front door is like this lived in a hpuse for 20 yrs with a yale lock so this took ages to get used to we just leave a key in or if the dds are out we lock it takethe key out and they have to remember to lock it .

Gruntfuttock · 13/12/2015 14:01

It's simple, just leave the key in the door inside, but pull it out enough that a key can also be used from outside.

Bunbaker · 13/12/2015 14:03

"It's simple, just leave the key in the door inside, but pull it out enough that a key can also be used from outside."

We do that.

SwedishEdith · 13/12/2015 14:08

I suspect all those saying they thought all front doors were like this are under 35 ish.

Leelu6 · 13/12/2015 14:21

Ours has to be locked with a key from the outside, but can be locked without a key from the inside, so no searching for a key in the event of a fire.

PigletJohn · 13/12/2015 14:28

Leelux

the British Standard thief-resistant lock, usually required by insurers, must be capable of being deadlocked by key, but there is a special exemption for locks in flats (where you might not be able to get out through a back door or a window) so you can get a lock where the inside knob always works. Where suitable, a deadlocked door prevents a burglar (who may have entered through a window) walking out carrying all your possessions.

You can also get "escape locks" operated by key outside and knob inside, for fire escape doors.

Unfortunately many plastic doors will not accommodate the wide range of locks available, as they need multiple hooks or pins to compensate for the innate flexibility of the material.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 13/12/2015 14:42

'we still leave the key in the lock, but pulled out slightly so that you can get a key in from the outside.'

Bit slow coming back, but good idea thanks, Bunbaker!

whois · 13/12/2015 14:49

I can't believe people find it too much hassle to lock the door behind them on the way in.

I have a hook at the end of the hallway where a spare key is always hung - in case of fire or anything that is always there to get out with.

AliceInUnderpants · 13/12/2015 14:53

We used to have a lock on our front door that was key from the outside and a turn lock from the inside. I asked to have it replaced, as both of my children are 'bolters', and were forever 'escaping' the house. Now, when I see it brewing, I can lock the door and remove the key.
Yes, it does concern me re: fire and being able to leave quickly in an emergency but that's much less likely to happen than them trying to run off.

Leelu6 · 13/12/2015 15:04

Thanks PigletJohn! I didn't about the insurance requirements.

PigletJohn · 13/12/2015 15:09

if you have a wooden door, it's much easier. You can have a 5-lever BS deadlock at kick height, and a BS deadlocking nightlatch at shoulder height. Unless you choose to deadlock the nightlatch, you can open it without a key, but it will prevent people walking into your house at whim.

When you go out, you deadlock both, and no burglar can walk out through the door carrying suitcases filled with your valuables.

If there is a letterbox or glass in the door, it is very bad practice to leave a key in the lock, especially if it is on a bunch that includes your car keys.

Bunbaker · 13/12/2015 15:19

"I have a hook at the end of the hallway where a spare key is always hung - in case of fire or anything that is always there to get out with."

Do you hide it away when the house is empty?

We never leave keys on show, especially when the house is empty. Having been burgled once before, one piece of advice we received was to make it difficult for the burglar to get away. So I hide all our spare keys when we go away.

Lonecat's advice is the best. We can turn the key in the lock so it can't be extracted, then we can leave the key in the lock should we need to make a hasty exit - no searching for keys in smoky hallways.

SoupDragon · 13/12/2015 15:26

I broke into my own house using a long stick with a hook on the end.

After that I stored the keys under the stairs

Youremywifenow · 13/12/2015 16:35

I am baffled by this thread. Every house I have lived in has a normal yale 2/3 of the way up the door then a proper mortice at waist height which is locked on the way out and at night. All properties have been period so maybe this is why. Never been burgled through the front door and I have never locked myself out.

I've just bought a house with a composite door which needs locking on the inside. Haven't even moved in yet and I really hate it already. I am buying a new wooden door with a yale and mortice.

IGotAPea · 13/12/2015 17:22

My dad's house was burgled twice, few years ago now, but both houses had Yale locks and burglars had used some key thing to unlock it. He locked himself out in his pants more often though.

The council installed doors on my mums estate are all white, just looked out of doors of my ( not council) street and they are all white too. Double glazed similar styles.

We have letterbox at floor level, and I worry about burglars poking lock out and braking in so I always make sure door is locked when I'm in and key is hung on hook near it and a reachable height for dd, I've practised and practised with dd to make sure she can unlock it herself ( same with back door too) as she knows that if the smoke alarm goes off or in case of fire, or I have an accident etc and myself and dh can't be woken she has to get out herself and knock in neighbours doors for help. A lot of my friends tell their dc to get out but haven't actually tested to see if they are able to unlock the doors.