front door has to be locked with a key

[NoahVale]

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

Same as pottymummy, I've lived in loads of houses and always needed a key! What magic is this

Our door is a horrible old PVC one and the lock is knackered anyway. I'm not sure I'd trust myself to even find a key on a hook in a fire. Can't wait to throw it on to a skip and get a hardwood door.

I've been burgled 3 times (not this house) but all three times it was via sash windows.

I once lived next door to a lady who had a yale lock on her door. There was a fire in her kitchen, she grabbed her son and ran out, the door slammed behind her. No-one could get back in to see if the fire could be contained, she had to stand outside and watch the flames until the firemen came and kicked the door in.

if it was truly just a traditional yale nightlatch, your granny could have kicked it in.

I dont get this... if you dont use a key to lock your door what did you use before to open and close it when you went out, or when you went to bed, even a yale lock needs a key to open and close it.

YABU this is exactly our front door. I don't see a problem with it at all.

She was a scared young woman with a small child - no burly men or women around to do any kicking!! I was called out of work as smoke was getting into my house and I had animals. I presume she tried to get back in but didn't have enough umph. Never belittle a house fire, everyone behaves differently.

i dont know what we had before, it had a latch but you didnt lock it with a key to close it

Ms Jamie - our door you need a key to open but it automatically locks when you close it. Mine is more modern but my dads is old and the same. If its shut, its locked (ours doesn't have a "latch£ like my dads) so you never lock it at night or when you walk out the door. Never gave to remember to lock the door and the handle from inside unlocks it so you can always get out. No scrambling around for keys! I wouldn't want to rely on finding a key to unlock at night or remembering to lock the door!