To lock the front door even when we are in?

[fitofthegiggles]

Not always but often enough that OH comments that I'm a bit obsessive about it and tbh I feel I'm a bit overly cautious.

Context is we live in a pleasant suburb in a peaceful neighbourhood where there is a very low crime rate. However occasionally over the years people have had someone walk in through their unlocked front door in broad daylight - even when they were in - pinch stuff and scarper. It was quite a scary experience especially for one old person who was living alone. As I say this has happened maybe twice in the 12 years we've lived here. My thinking is "better safe than sorry".

So I lock the front door (it's one of those ones where you have to use the key on the inside rather than a "snick lock" but I leave the key in the door for emergencies) if ever we are in the back garden or upstairs or I'm leaving the (now adult) kids at home and they are upstairs.

They and OH sometimes raise their eyes and think I'm being OTT and to be honest I feel that in terms of crime rate statistics in our area it's not really necessary and I don't want to be that person who thinks there's danger lurking everywhere (I don't believe there is) or give that impression of fear to the kids.
But I still do it.

Our front door has to be locked with a key or it would just keep blowing open, there isn't a catch on it.

Not so good if you have a house fire op

YANBU, we always keep the front door locked.

My front door cannot be opened from the outside without a key so secure enough for daytime , we do lock it at night

I always lock my door

You've never heard of people locking their doors when home, so do you leave yours unlocked when you're in bed at night?

All these posters saying they never lock their doors because they live in a quiet place with no crime are being really naive. All areas have crime, and just becasue you haven't personally experienced it doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions against unwanted visitors.

Doesn't it depend on the door? mine is locked automatically when I close it as it has a latch. I don't chubb it if in

I hate being locked in, I'm far more afraid of fire than I am theft. However, we have a bantam lock that can't be opened from the outside without a key, but can from the inside. The fire service said they're safest kind.

It’s automatic. Come in and lock the door. The patio doors are locked too, unless the weather is hot and the doors are open. You can’t get from the front to the back because of the locked side gate though.

Why would you leave the door unlocked for any Tom Dick or Harry to walk in? Even if it’s a low risk, you just don’t do it. When I’ve heard that neighbours have been burgled or had their car stolen but had left their doors open, I just think what stupid idiots.

We live in a safe area and I put my car in the garage so you can’t tell I’m in. I had someone try the door last year.

I've never lived in a house that doesn't have a 'snib' lock (a Yale, I think they're called?), so yes, my door is always locked.

I do live in a very safe area and don't have any concerns about crime, but yeah, thinking about it, I would feel odd knowing that my door could be opened by anybody.

Tbf I didn't even know you could get doors that just opened from the outside until a few years ago!

I do yes. Partly as we live by an A road so I did it when kids small for safety. Also because we are also rural. There is a false notion that 'things like that don't happen around here'. They DO, partly because people are complacent.
Opportunistic burglaries happen.
House / car keys, cars, cash, tech etc.

Slightly differently, I recently had a thread where part of it concerned another parent who suggested I leave her 18 y/o, my disabled 18 y/o & 1k of equipment 'in your shed' OR better yet left only door key 'under the mat / easy to find' (invalidates insurance) Bonkers. (parent tried same stunt when finally collecting said kid too)

Relevant: https://satwcomic.com/no-way-out

If I'm upstairs, hoovering, in the shower or out the back I lock the front door. It just makes sense to not take the risk.

We lock ours and leave the key in, we used to have a Yale lock like some on this thread so didn't need to as it locked automatically to the outside but I don't think they are as common now, our locks now are what was on the UPVC door when it was fitted

I live in a low crime village but my front door is locked. If I am upstairs all outside doors are locked. I don't want some moron just strolling in and waltzing off with my stuff.

I've never lived in a house that doesn't have a 'snib' lock (a Yale, I think they're called?), so yes, my door is always locked.

That's it, I always assumed it was standard on every door!

I do most of the time, particularly after six in the evening/after dinner. (And also if I am in alone in the house, and I am away from the kitchen and lounge/dining area, like in the shower/bathroom etc...)

I do wonder, (and I've always wondered, although I'm afraid to ask my insurance company this......) What would happen if we were in, and we were in the lounge, and we had the side door (that leads into the kitchen,) unlocked, and we were robbed? Like, if somebody stepped in and took my purse, my phone, my handbag and robbed us while we were in, (in another part of the house,) but the door was unlocked. How would we stand with the insurance?

Can anybody who works for an insurance company throw any light on this? As I say, I'm actually afraid to ask my insurance company!

I keep mine locked if I am in alone during the day, and generally in the evenings.

Our living room is at the back, the staircase is right at the front door - anyone could easily slip upstairs without us knowing.

I don't like removing the key from the door overnight when my sons might be home late (might??), in case of fire. So I have a piece of heavy duty double sided sticky stuff on the door frame, above the keyhole, and stick it on that so that in an emergency in darkness the key is right there.

Yes - always locked.

Even if I'm in the garden - I lock the door and make sure I have my key to get back in.

We've had sneak thieves and had a few things taken from the kitchen - even a bag of rubbish that was meant for the wheelie bin.

We never lock the front door unless we are going out, or when going to bed at night. Anyone could in theory walk in but nobody ever has in the 16 years we have lived here. We are in a quiet residential cul de sac and feel very safe here.

I can see the front door and anyone walking down the path from the kitchen and living room so I don't lock the front door if I am home. The back door is always locked and I lock the front door if I'm out because DH and 2 boys are usually elsewhere in the house, often with headphones on, and they wouldn't see or hear anyone arriving.

OP, have you got one of the those front doors with a working door handle on the outside? I cannot for the life of me work out why anyone thought this was a good idea and yet they seem to be becoming more and more popular.