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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:
IGotAPea · 13/12/2015 17:25

Started getting dd to unlock door when we left for days out, nursery etc while I grabbed my coat or something. And as she got older we talked about how if I ever had an accident, or if she ever coukdnt wake myself and her dad that she needs to get help. Feel better knowing that she can get out herself if she ever needed to.

GinIsTheBestChristmasSpirit · 13/12/2015 17:33

These are much more secure so I imagine the norm now. Only seen Yale locks as an extra these days.

We have the lockable deadbolts as well so I leave they key in the deadbolt in day then at night in a key cupboard on the middle floor so we can always get to it on way to front door. I also have a set of keys which has one of every key on it next to my bed so we could always get out of any window etc.

PigletJohn · 13/12/2015 18:39

the traditional Yale nightlatch will usually prevent a door blowing open in the wind, but will not inconvenience a burglar in the slightest.

However you can now get BS nightlatches, which have a larger armoured cylinder, and are much stronger. They are however much more expensive than 5-lever BS deadlocks, and usually not as strong.

Cylinder locks, especially Eurocylinders, have some weaknesses that 5-lever locks do not.

JohnCusacksWife · 13/12/2015 19:47

You just get used to what you have, don't you? Personally I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with just a Yale lock as they're notoriously easy to bypass. Plus it's a cert I'd lock myself out with monotonous regularity. It's second nature to me to lock the door after myself when I get in and we leave the front door key in a drawer in a table beside the door at night so could get out quickly if needed.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2015 20:00

"Most people I know keep their keys hanging at the bottom of the stairs"

Interesting. I've never seen a key to my parents' front door or seen anyone use one (we go in through the back door). It's opened if a visitor knocks on the front door and then when it's closed it's locked in the sense that nobody can get in.
Most houses I've been to have these doors that lock by themselves.

RaspberryOverload · 13/12/2015 20:03

We've always had a door that locked with a key. Last person in leaves the key in the lock, although sometimes I lock the door when I go to bed if DP hasn't returned from being out (without leaving the key in, of course).

We often leave the door unlocked if there's an adult in downstairs, but otherwise locked.

It's just a habit to lock, and I feel it's more secure than a Yale (not sure if I can still remember how to unlock a Yale without a key from the outside now, I remember being shown many years ago).

0christmastree5 · 13/12/2015 21:21

My front door is a fire door, it can only be opened with a key from the outside, always unlocked on the inside. (Can be locked with key but I don't, it would defeat the purpose of it being a fire door.

PigletJohn · 13/12/2015 22:48

and mine, though I deadlock it (locks internal handle) when leaving house empty.

misscarlar · 13/12/2015 23:33

I am housing association too. When I moved in 6 years ago I had a door that needed locking from the outside with a key but inside had a know you twist to lock
My lock needed replacing a few years ago and they put in one that needed a key on both sides
Last year sometime happened and the housing association came out and noticed my lock, he told me they were not allowed for fire safety so I'm not back to having a knob on the inside but using a key outside. I'm in flat tho so not sure if that makes a difference

Mmmmcake123 · 14/12/2015 00:12

Once you get used to them they are not annoying at all, apart from if you leave the key in the door on the inside and someone else is trying to use their key from outside. The key won't go in so it is a nuisance as they have to knock, person inside may be upstairs or busy but has to let them in.

fredericofoofoo · 14/12/2015 00:58

We have door chain which is used during the day. As pp have said, it becomes a habit to put in on automatically as you come in. At night, I leave the key in the door unless DC are still out in which case it is left on a hook above the door which cannot be accessed by use of rod/pole.

I also recommend to those who have old PVC doors to check if their door barrell (the bit the key goes in) is anti-bump/anti-drill as in the last few years burglars are using equipment that breaks the barrell and then they can move the locking mechanism to open the door. Most reputably companies have used these new barrells in the last couple of years but doors older than than may be at risk.

Have worked for double glazing company for 20 years so know a bit about the latest models - the higher security barrells now available at DIY stores.

Original poster
NoahVale · 14/12/2015 09:48

All family in last night, i locked door and left key in lock.
when i got up dh had left, as had ds gf, key still in lock.
door therefore unlocked.
i dont know who, i suspect the gf,
i am saying nothing

OP posts:
Runningupthathill82 · 14/12/2015 10:17

Saying nothing won't help - ask them who left the door open, and remind them not to.

futureme · 14/12/2015 10:50

We had a new door put in (we own the house) and it was one you had to lock so we asked for it to be changed. I am really anxious about the risk of fire and need to know if I open the door from inside I can get out! I do realise it may be a small risk but I'd hate to be trapped.

It means remembering to take my keys with me though. Im not sure what it is. Its a upvc one i think and you have to lift the handle when unlocking. My parents always self locked but that was a simple wooden door I think.

TheChocolateDidIt · 14/12/2015 10:59

I am sure someone has said this up thread but I haven't read it all. I have the same type of door. When you leave the house it's advisable to still lock the door with the key from the outside. The door won't be totally locked otherwise and, if there is a letterbox, a simple right angled tool through the letterbox to hook onto the door handle from the inside will allow a burglar access. I only know this as I locked myself out by shutting the door and forgetting the key and the locksmith used a right angled metal stick and was in in seconds.

BondJayneBond · 14/12/2015 11:38

If you've got up to find the door unlocked, you really should say something.
Not necessarily in a pointing fingers at individuals way, more like "The door was unlocked when I got up this morning, please can everyone try to remember that the new lock means we have to lock it with they key every time".

Original poster
NoahVale · 14/12/2015 11:48

my dh would get irate. and the GF doesnt have a key. So i guess i should ask ds to lock the door behind his gf

OP posts:
Alanna1 · 14/12/2015 12:06

I wouldn't be happy with this. Ask your local fire service for help. I have bolt lock and yale locks. Neither require a key to open from the inside.

Runningupthathill82 · 14/12/2015 13:11

Please don't waste the fire service's time by ringing them about a perfectly standard lock that millions of people have.

descalina · 14/12/2015 13:27

I hate doors that don't lock without a key. I'm always paranoid I've forgotten to lock them!

I've never seen a door with a yale lock that doesn't also have a deadbolt, but at least if you forget the deadlock they can't open it just by pushing the handle down, and you don't need to deadbolt it if you're inside.

Touch wood I've never locked myself out, but I have forgotten to lock the door several times!

Original poster
NoahVale · 14/12/2015 13:54

well I emailed Housing Association and they are sending someone next week to provide us, hopefully, with a different lock, no problem, I did think, after reading most of the posters that I wouldnt have a leg to stand on, but it seems I do

OP posts:
specialsubject · 14/12/2015 14:57

surprising - this is asking for hassle from people who lock themselves out...

Original poster
NoahVale · 14/12/2015 15:44

I wouldn't never hassle HA if I got locked out, I would burrow a ladder and climb through a window, they would give me short shrift

OP posts:
Original poster
NoahVale · 14/12/2015 15:45

I would never

OP posts:
pottymummy · 14/12/2015 15:58
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