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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To no the lock my door?

284 replies

FutureMrsRanj · 08/02/2017 23:34

Imagine this has been done to death but have just seen another thread where the op is being to,d to lock her door, is this normal? In the day? I don't think I know any door lockers but maybe I should start in case of burglars, I did wonder when reading a thread this evening as DC were asleep upstairs and I don't think I would hear from sitting room if someone quietly wandered in through front door, ddog would either greet them enthusiastically or carry on snoring

OP posts:
NarkyMcDinkyChops · 08/02/2017 23:35

Depends where you live. I don't bother locking my door.

Original poster
FutureMrsRanj · 08/02/2017 23:35

Oh well done autocorrect - title should clearly be 'to not lock my door' (I do at night by the way)

OP posts:
AnthonyPandy · 08/02/2017 23:42

I lock my door, why wouldn't you? I don't want anyone to walk in and take anything from my house. It probably wouldn't happen, but then how often do you actually need your seat belt? But you still put it on for every trip in the car, just in case. I know it's the law so slightly different but anyway.

heavenlypink · 08/02/2017 23:43

There's been lots of opportunist burglaries where I live since Christmas. The police are posting regular messages on social media reminding/telling people to lock their doors even when in the house. I always have - unless I am in the kitchen and I will have the back door unlocked for quickness to get to the front if someone knocks or to go to the bin. OH was quite lax but has since started to lock the door.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 08/02/2017 23:45

I've had friends burgled in this way (though in fairness we were students living on apparently the most burgled streets in leeds). I was always a bit crap at remembering to so glad I've moved to a house with a door that automatically locks behind you

PickAChew · 08/02/2017 23:45

My mum had her handbag and phone nicked by someone wandering in through an unlocked back door.

I have no reason not to lock my door through the day, even when the kid who has a tendency to take himself for walks isn't around.

HelenaGWells · 08/02/2017 23:46

I always do because I see no reason to not do it and plenty of reasons to do it. I feel safer and more secure. I don't want anyone in my house that I didn't invite in.

HelenaGWells · 08/02/2017 23:46

It also keeps wandering kids safe!

ConfusedCod · 08/02/2017 23:48

I do now.

After I walked in to find a man rifling through my bag in the kitchen.

The front door was locked but i'd left the back door unlocked. Car was in for a service so he must have thought no one was home.

He ran out thank fuck but I swear I nearly had an actual heart attack.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/02/2017 23:49

Depends where you live and whether you have a dog with an enormous bark. We have an inner door, so anyone trying to come in the front would think there was a monster behind it. If I lived in a town I'd probably lock it anyway

BeIIatrixLeStrange · 09/02/2017 00:06

Seriously I cannot believe someone would ask this.

First off to not lock your door would likely negate your insurance policy

Just because you live in a 'nice area' or rural area, these are EXACTLY the kind of areas that get done over

IMO a person would have to be a bit of a div to not lock their door, it would be a bit asking if it is safe to be walking down a dark alleyway

Redglitter · 09/02/2017 00:08

I'm amazed people don't lock their door. It's just second nature when I come in. Door gets locked keys get hung up. I couldn't relax with my door unlocked

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 09/02/2017 00:09

IMO a person would have to be a bit of a div to not lock their door, it would be a bit asking if it is safe to be walking down a dark alleyway

My house isn't anything like a dark alleyway, thanks Hmm

Doesn't negate my insurance either.

JHMJHM · 09/02/2017 00:11

OP, are you saying your front door is open throughout the night?

LilacSpatula · 09/02/2017 00:12

I used to at night but never in the day. Now I'm on mat leave I lock the door if we have a sleep or if I put DD in her cot to have a shower. It's more the 'what if' circumstancesthat pop into my head and then I can't leave it unlocked. I wouldn't forgive myself.

Seren85 · 09/02/2017 00:15

I lock people in the house when they step in for a minute or two to collect something! Terraced Street, used as a fairly busy walk through into town and an area with several reported opportune break ins via unlocked doors in the daytime. My parents never lock the front door other than at night. Quiet cul de sac with no need to be walking through unless visiting and low crime. I'd rather not take the chance and expect I'll still do it when/if we move.

Lovelybangers · 09/02/2017 00:15

I always keep the doors locked.

DH -not so much. If he is working at home and I go out I always lock him in as he wouldn't hear the door from his office.

I live in a relatively nice area but burglaries happen everywhere.

JHMJHM · 09/02/2017 00:18

Sorry - just reread.

Yes my doors are locked all the time day and night. We live in an area that is under the threat of serial thieves- peace for a year then they get out of the nick and target us all again.

I work at home on my own with 2 phones and laptops etc- these people come back and I could never risk my own safety and also the property.

GabsAlot · 09/02/2017 00:21

do u mean at night or during day

my dh likes to not lock the door for some reason my sil never does -doesnt live nar us though-i always lock it at night and when im alone

JHMJHM · 09/02/2017 00:25

Also I live in a 'nice' area. The Police gave us some great advice to protect ourselves last time- dead obvious and cheap- lock up, outside lights, spikey plants, no phones, laptops, calenders on display, fences. Move them on. Depressing but true.

They rob the area I am in because everyone is out of their houses at work all day. What they gain is bugger all- a couple of phones and maybe a crap laptop. No jewels or cash.

bummymummy77 · 09/02/2017 00:27

We don't even lock ours when we leave the country. 😂

SquidgeyMidgey · 09/02/2017 00:28

I lock my door but I live in the sticks and the nothing-there-ness gives me the serious heebie heebies.

hoddtastic · 09/02/2017 00:28

my home insurance is invalid if we have downstairs windows open, doors unlocked and no burglar alarm on.

i don't understand why anyone would just not lock it, My MIL (rural) has cash/jewellery in the house and a brand new car every year, on the drive- Doors and windows unlocked, keys all on a board , she also has a spare car key on the side in the unlocked garage. I can't imagine any insurance company ever paying out if she ever had to make a claim for theft.

GangstaRat · 09/02/2017 00:29

I don't understand this - do you have doors that need to be manually locked with a key to prevent someone outside opening it? I don't think I've ever seen a front door that didn't automatically lock on closing.

The idea of having a front door that any random stranger can just walk in through at any time is utterly bizarre and terrifying to me.

SquidgeyMidgey · 09/02/2017 00:32

GangstaRat, I have to lock mine with a key.